Our review of the more versatile Brooks Hyperion 3.
The Brooks Hyperion 3, a lightweight and versatile daily trainer, sits comfortably at the entrance to Brooks’ Hyperion performance line, which also includes the Hyperion Max 3 and Hyperion Elite 5.
While it lacks a premium midsole foam and a plate, it is still a versatile shoe that is easy on the wallet and can wear a few hats for any runner, from hobbyist to professional.
Since last year’s Hyperion 2, version 3 put on a few grams and added a few more millimeters of foam under foot. Visually it has also gained some bulk, now appearing as what was considered a max cushion shoe a few short years ago. Were the updates good, bad, or “meh”? Let’s find out.
Who Is It Good For?
- Wide Feet: The snug fit might be too tight for wide feet.
- Heavier Runners: It worked just fine for this heavier runner.
- Long Runs: I would estimate it can easily handle long runs up to around 15 miles.
- Front of the pack: It is light and nimble enough to fill the needs of those out in front of the rest of us.
We love the softer feel of the Hyperion 3, but it’s lost a little of the speed from previous models.
Brooks Hyperion 3 Overview
The Brooks Hyperion 3’s ride is what I would consider traditional, with a decent amount of responsiveness balanced with comfort. The heel is where most of the softness in the midsole can be found.
As a midfoot striker I try to churn out a couple miles of each test run as a heel striker so heel strikers have some idea of the ride. I found easy paces to be a little more pleasant when heel striking, while a little less so in my natural gait.
The midfoot ride wasn’t bad, but the transition from a soft landing to toe off was just considerably better when heel striking, while landings at the midfoot or forefoot were firmer and more responsive.
The Hyperion 3’s light weight and responsiveness make it easy to pick up the pace, but getting up to something as fast as a 5K or mile pace wasn’t as easy as in past Hyperion models. I was still able to get there, but holding that pace for longer than a few minutes was more of a chore than I’m used to when running a workout in something like a Topo Cyclone or Adidas Takumi Sen.
This is to be expected since the Hyperion has become more of a daily trainer and is no longer intended for faster efforts.
The nitrogen injected DNA Flash v2 midsole (EVA based) is the same formulation as in the Hyperion 2, but is tuned to be slightly softer under foot. Brooks also added 5 and a half additional millimeters of foam to increase shock absorption and give you the ability to run longer distances.
There is still some ground feel in the Hyperion 3, but it doesn’t turn harsh once you get near double digit mileage. The profile of the shoe appears different, with a slightly more rockered forefoot and extended heel in the Hyperion 3, not to mention the additional stack height.
The softness of the midsole has increased with each version, and I think this one got it just right. Version 2 was firmer and felt flat for me.
Landings in the Hyperion 3 are subtly soft but there is enough responsiveness to pick up the pace.
That subtle softness was also sufficient enough for a gentle recovery run the day after a hard workout, which was surprising since I wouldn’t think of recovery runs part of the Hyperion 3’s repertoire.
The outsole is nice and grippy, and looks to be fairly bulletproof so far. I’m not one to tear up my outsoles, but with the exception of dirt and stains from running over fallen palm nuts, it still looks brand new. Dubbed “RodTack Rubber” by Brooks, the outsole covers a good chunk of the shoe.
The forefoot is completely covered but for angled cutouts that help with grip and cut down on weight. The midfoot is exposed but isn’t showing any significant signs of wear after a couple weeks of testing. The rear of the shoe is finished off with the heel strips around each side of the small decoupling groove.
Brooks Hyperion 3 Specifications
- Weight: 7.3 ounces Women’s 7 / 8.2 ounces ounces Men’s 9
- Stack Height: 37mm of DNA Flash v2 foam
- Heel to Toe Drop: 8mm drop
- Not available in wide sizes
- 4 colorways
- Available for $140 at brooksrunning.com
Quick Take
- Lightweight and versatile
- Breathable and comfortable upper
- Softer ride at slower paces, responsive when going faster
- Can do long runs
- Limited speedwork ability
- Slightly snug fit
- A bit wobbly on turns
If there are three things in life that are certainties, they are: Death, Taxes, and Brooks will always have options for black and grey shoes. The Atomizer/Black/Pink Clay colorway is more my style. It gives off some strong summer vibes, but is not so loud it can’t double as a casual shoe.
Hyperion 3 Fit & Feel
Since anything in the Brooks lineup with the “Hyperion” moniker is part of its performance lineup, the fit here is attempting to balance comfort with performance. The fit is true to size, lengthwise, but fits just the slightest bit snug along the midfoot. I found the forefoot and toebox roomy enough with good height in the toebox.
The all-around comfort of the Hyperion 3 balances out the performance fit aspects. From the soft 2-layer jacquard mesh upper, to the strategically-cushioned tongue, all the way back to the generous dollop of padding protecting your heels from the rigid internal heel counters.
The padded ankle collar works with the upper and gusseted tongue to help keep your foot locked in place. There is also some excess fabric at the top of the tongue that operates as a pull tab. I’ll mention the tongue a fourth time just so I can highlight how good it is. It is snug and stretchy, and really does a great job of holding my foot in place…mostly.
The only insecure moments I noticed were when rounding corners, regardless of the speed I was running. I initially thought it was due to the occasional slippage I get with my right foot, which is slightly wider than my left, but I noticed it on my left foot when it was on the outside of a turn.
Similar Shoes to the Brooks Hyperion 3
- New Balance Rebel v5 – Another versatile lightweight daily trainer, a bit faster and much softer underfoot.
- Hoka Mach 6 – Similar midsole feel and snug midfoot fit, but does faster paces better.
- Asics Novablast 5 – Similar cushion and daily trainer that can go a little fast, but isn’t meant to be fast. Can handle longer distances.
Our Verdict
The changes to the Hyperion 3 have fundamentally changed the use case for this shoe. With the other models in the line that’s fine, just know it’s not as fast as it used to be, but it’s also more comfortable underfoot.
What to read next?
- Checkout our line up of the best lightweight running shoes
- Why you need a running shoe rotation (hint injury reduction)
- How to Make Up a Missed Day or Week of Running
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