Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Review 2026 (GQ)

I used to think of Brooks as sort of a “safe bet” shoe brand that appealed to nearly every runner, especially beginners . They perfected the basics, and models like Glycerin have been traditionally well-loved for their durable construction and reliability. Still, while Brooks shoes were consistent, they were never the models that were going to blow your mind or shake up any category-and they majorly lagged behind other big brands when it came to midsoles, the foam that pretty much dictates how a shoe will feel mid-stride. But this past year has been a good one for the brand. First, they dropped the mega-popular Brooks Glycerin Max , which has a sky-high stack height with soft foam that looks like something out of sci-fi flick. And I loved that shoe at first, but the more I wore it, the more sluggish it felt. (It's designed for easy miles, after all.) Then they dropped the new version of the Hyperion Max, a max-cushioned, nylon-plated “super trainer.” This is a shoe that is designed to be speedy but still suitable for daily miles. And let me tell you-it’s good. Fast, Flashy, and Fun This shoe is really, really (really) fun. It feels incredibly bouncy-more than most shoes I’ve tested-while still feeling soft enough for my sensitive joints and shins. While most “fast” running shoes feel like bricks at easy, conversational paces, this one didn’t. At my usual 11:30 per mile “easy” pace, the shoe kept nudging me to pick it up, which is saying something, since I'm not a naturally fast runner. There are a few reasons for that. First is the combo of the two foams in the midsole: DNA Flash v2 (a softer, nitrogen-infused PEBA) layered on top of DNA Gold (a firmer 100% PEBA), which Brooks introduced in 2024 and more closely resembles the ultra-responsive foams you see in race-day supershoes from Nike and Adidas. Using these two together gives you plush cushioning underfoot, but with enough firmness to return energy. Next, there’s a nylon plate sandwiched inside the midsole to make it a bit snappier. It adds just enough stiffness to feel responsive without the race-day harshness of a full carbon plate. And it didn’t leave my shins aching after longer miles like most plated shoes do. And third is the shape of the shoe. You know how some race shoes sort of look like bananas if you look at them from the side? Same idea here. That’s called a “rocker” design: The front of the shoe starts lifting off the pavement pretty early, so when you shift onto your toes and push off, the shoe helps you roll forward. The heel-to-toe transition is very smooth and the effect is more subtle than more aggressively shaped shoes, but it makes picking up speed feel almost automatic. Slightly Sweaty With a Break-in Process Have you ever peeled off a damp sock after a hot run? It’s not fun, and nobody wants a sweaty foot at mile five. That’s...

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