Brooks Hyperion 3 vs Hyperion Max 3

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Brooks Hyperion 3
Brooks Hyperion Max 3

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Nov 20, 2025 04:37 PM

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Brooks

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Nov 04, 2025 03:58 PM

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Brooks

Our Verdict

Brooks Hyperion 3

Brooks Hyperion Max 3

The Brooks Hyperion 3 and the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 share a family, but they're built for different roles within your rotation. The Hyperion 3 is a daily trainer with a DNA Flash v2 midsole, a moderate stack, and a firmer forefoot that works well for everyday miles, light tempos, and runners who prefer a stable, no-nonsense platform. The Hyperion Max 3, by contrast, is heavier, higher stacked, and uses a plastic plate with a bouncier foam package to behave more like a super trainer for structured uptempo work, offering noticeably more cushioning and protection underfoot. In practice, the Hyperion Max 3 outshines the Hyperion 3 in pure bounce, long-run performance, and workout capability, while the Hyperion 3 holds the edge if you care more about lower weight, better stability, and a firmer forefoot for everyday training.

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Variants

  • Hyperion 3 (Atomizer/Black/Pink Clay - (Men - US 9))
  • Hyperion 3 (Black/Grey/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Hyperion 3 (Black/Grey/White - (Women - US 7))
  • Hyperion 3 (Blue Heron/Orange/White - (Women - US 7))
  • Hyperion 3 (Coconut/Bronze/Mushroom - (Women - US 7))
  • Hyperion 3 (Oyster Mushroom/Black/Tea - (Men - US 9))
  • Hyperion 3 (Primer/Ebony/Oyster - (Men - US 9))
  • Hyperion 3 (Sunny Lime/Olive/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Hyperion 3 (White/Pink Clay/Atomizer - (Women - US 7))
  • Hyperion Max 3 (Coconut/Fiery Coral/Atomizer - (Women - US 7))
  • Hyperion Max 3 (Coconut/Green Gecko/Pink Clay - (Men - US 9))
  • Hyperion Max 3 (Coconut/Green Gecko/Pink Clay - (Women - US 7))
  • Hyperion Max 3 (Fiery Coral/Black/Atomizer - (Men - US 9))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

6.0
7.4

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

26.2 mm
37.7 mm

Weight  

6.7
4.8

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.2
7.9

Plate 
 

None
Plastic

Heel Stack Height 
 

36.8 mm
45.4 mm

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.9
7.0

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.7
4.8

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

242.4 g (8.55 oz)
290.0 g (10.23 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

36.8 mm
45.4 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

26.2 mm
37.7 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

10.6 mm
7.7 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
6.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Outsole Heel Width 
 

86 mm (3.4")
89 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

70 mm (2.8")
55 mm (2.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

112 mm (4.4")
114 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.34
1.96

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

4.27
3.02

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

281 mm (11.1")
277 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

66 mm (2.6")
66 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

92 mm (3.6")
92 mm (3.6")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
Plastic
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.9
7.0

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

71.8%
76.3%
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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.2
7.9

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

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See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

73.8%
80.2%
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Heel Cushioning 
 

7.2
8.8

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.13 J
4.02 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

8.96 J
10.97 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

15.57 J
18.87 J
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Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.5
9.2

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.03 J
5.81 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

7.06 J
10.61 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

10.25 J
15.92 J
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Heel Firmness 
 

5.5
4.5

Heel Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

51.0 N/mm
45.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

113.3 N/mm
93.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

243.0 N/mm
210.0 N/mm
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Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.6
6.3

Forefoot Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

118.0 N/mm
74.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

248.1 N/mm
156.1 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

521.6 N/mm
304.4 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.8
8.8

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.47 J
10.09 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.26 J
9.91 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.13 J
9.79 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.02 J
9.70 J

Brooks Hyperion 3

Brooks Hyperion Max 3

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