Brooks Hyperion Max Initial Thoughts: Long Live Non-Plated Uptempo Shoes

The Brooks Hyperion Max has been on my list for a while now. As stack heights get higher and foams get softer, there's a special place in my heart still for these lightweight, no-frills shoes that can push the pace without a plate. The Hyperion Max is also my first Brooks, so I'm excited to get acquainted with a new brand (up next: Altra, Puma and Skechers. Yes, that Skechers). Earlier today, I took the Hyperion Max out for a first run—8 miles aerobic—and jotted some notes below before shooting my initial thoughts video, which I'm including here, sans spoilers on the Boomberry Zoomberry title.

Brooks Hyperion Max Specs

• Weight: 7.8 oz
• Heel stack: 26mm
• Forefoot stack: 18mm
• Outsole coverage: Strategically placed rubber
• Category: Lightweight non-plated trainer

Upper & Fit

• Fit is a bit long. I ordered in my usual 10.5 US mens and there's a bit more room upfront than I'm used to
• Not narrow toe-box as some runners have experienced with other Brooks shoes. Felt normal and like I had more than enough width
• The engineered mesh used is not that stretchy compared to other shoes like the Endorphin Speed 3. It's like thin canvas
• Lockdown requires you to cinch down laces. Some shoes feel good at whatever tightness like the Tracksmith Eliot Runner. The Hyperion Max are much more similar to a race day or true workout shoe like the Takumi Sen 9, which requires you to cinch 'em down tight to feel good. On my first run, I stopped at 1 mile to retie because they felt loose and unstable

Midsole

• Supercritical EVA DNA Flash may require some break in
• No plate here! Dear running shoe brands, keep the non-plated tempo shoe alive
• Out of the box, it's the firmest shoe I've tried this year. Firmer than both the Adizro SL and Shift 3, both of which are standard EVA (firm isn't a bad thing for me, though)
• I can see why people say the Hyperion Elite is too firm—this foam does not need a plate
• No ground feel at all. Isolated ride, which is surprising given the stack numbers

Ride

• Rigid platform feels best near marathon pace or faster
• At relaxed everyday running pace it felt too firm
• Heel/midfoot striking feels best
• Forefoot striking felt awkward because of the way the rocker is set up—we'll have to see how/if this evolves when the foam softens up

Outsole & Durability

• The rubber is placed strategically with a piece upfront and separate pieces out back
• The application is thick! Should be a durable one—this was suggested by some runners who've had this one for a while too
• Firmer foam is a good thing for durability. Hoping for 350+ miles, or at least to end of October — with the rate I'm adding shoes these days, that shouldn't be a problem ;)

What's Next for the Hyperion Max?

I got the Hyperion Max to replace the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 in my lineup. I'm looking forward to using it for my weekly 16 mile long runs, faster daily efforts around the neighborhood and workouts with half marathon race pace. My current rotation is non-plated, as I'm working on building lower leg strength and not relying on the snap of a plate for speed. Hopefully, this will be a good complement to the New Balance Rebel v3 and Adidas Adizero SL in the lightweight no-plate stable.