Brooks Hyperion Max 3

Brooks' first real super trainer — a solid long-run cruiser with upgraded bouncy DNA Gold midsole, but it's heavy, not very versatile, and a bit unstable from the medial cutout. Scored 11-12 out of 15 (green).

Best for: Long slow distance cruising from 6 to 20 miles

A significant step forward from the previous version, the Hyperion Max 3 is a versatile daily trainer with high stack and a PEBA/TPU-plate midsole that the reviewers found well-suited for long runs and capable of gobbling miles.

Best for: Long runs and daily training; a sporty high-stack trainer that is lighter than comparable options like the Hoka Skyward X

Reviewers disagreed sharply: one found the PEBA-dual-foam geometry versatile enough to handle easy runs, tempo, long runs, and even track work despite the weight; the other felt the heavy upper, padded heel, and insufficient medial cutout made it too heavy and uncomfortable compared to lighter super-trainers.

Best for: Recreational runners who want a max-cushion super-trainer that can double as a stable long-run or even marathon option

The heaviest shoe of the group with a rigid, controlling rocker ride that isn't clicking for EDDBUD; loses head-to-head against the Sonicblast.

A well-cushioned, durable super-trainer that slots in perfectly as a long-run and marathon-training shoe, though its weight, heavy-pronator-unfriendly medial cutout, limited versatility, and $200 price make it a narrow recommendation.

Best for: Marathon training long runs at goal pace for neutral or mild pronators, including heavier runners

#4 max-cushion shoe of 2025 (reclassified from tempo/long-run). Kofuzi uses it primarily for recovery runs — expensive recovery shoe but a good one.

The best Hyperion Max yet thanks to the softer DNA Gold top layer, but it's a bit heavy and the $200 price is steep unless you're a larger runner who can use it as a do-everything shoe.

Best for: Bigger, taller runners who want one shoe for daily training, speedwork, and race day

A soft-yet-fast $200 super trainer that fixes the Max 2's firmness and fit issues — great for performance-oriented long runs and tempo work.

Best for: Marathon-pace long runs, tempo work, workouts within long runs, or easing the perceived effort of long training miles; also race-capable.

A disappointing direction shift from the Max 2 — now feels more like the HOKA Skyward X than a versatile pickup-trainer.

An enjoyable first-run experience that plays to the shoe's strengths as a chunky, bouncy, rockered long-run cruiser — but the weight raises doubts about its versatility as a true super trainer.

Best for: Relaxed long runs where you change pace, and marathon-training cruising miles

A comfortable, cushioned long-run trainer that does steady marathon-paced miles fine but feels heavy and one-dimensional for a super trainer and is hard to justify at its price.

Best for: Longer, consistent-pace marathon training runs where comfort and protection matter more than snap