By Brian Metzler

What’s in a name? Some British thespian once famously said “that which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet.” But when it comes to running shoes, that which we call max (or perhaps maximal) isn’t always as enormously overbuilt as you might think. Hoka, of course, began the maximally cushioned shoe trend almost 15 years ago, (although you could argue that Nike’s circa-1987 Air Max 1 was the first of that genre) but it took a while for other brands to catch up. Now more than a decade later, just about every other brand is fully invested with max-cushioned shoes that feature high-off-the-ground stack heights, soft midsole foams, and a smooth, comfortable ride for a variety of everyday training needs. However, the Brooks Hyperion Max 2 ($180) is something entirely unto its own, perhaps with a bit of a misleading name. Is it a racing shoe like the Brooks Hyperion Elite shoes? Or is it more like the cushy high-stack Brooks Ghost Max 2 training shoe? I spent the last few weeks running in a wear-test pair of Hyperion Max 2’s, but it was on my very first run that I figured it all out. It’s not really a maximal shoe at all, but by any other name, this energetic cruiser of a training shoe would certainly ride just as sweet.

What’s New: While this shoe is an update to the original Brooks Hyperion Max, it’s really a complete overhaul that has nearly made it a brand new shoe. First of all, it has higher stack heights than the original (up 4mm in the heel and 6mm in the forefoot, so a lower heel-toe drop that’s down to 6mm) and it now has Brooks’ semi-soft nitrogen-infused DNA Flash 2 midsole foam, although it doesn’t feel at all like maximally cushioned training shoe. It also has a SpeedVault plate made of semi-rigid Pebax, which gives the ride a much more propulsive sensation than the original. It’s been updated with a more breathable, form-fitting double jacquard mesh upper and a integrated flat-knit tongue that helps round out a secure fit with a good blend of accommodating comfort and support. It’s slightly heavier than the original version (mostly because of the added foam in the midsole) but it feels appropriate for what this shoe is all about and definitely doesn’t feel heavy or clunky.

Fit/Feel/Ride: The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 fits true to size with a medium-volume interior and a little extra room in the toe box for your toes to splay. The step-in feel is comfortable, but not opulent or plush. At first blush, it feels a bit standard with a semi-firm underfoot feeling the moment you lace them up. But once you start running, the near-maximal midsole comes to life with a slightly softer and extremely snappy sensation. The combination of the DNA Flash v2 foam, the semi-flexible/semi-rigid plate, and a rocker-shaped geometry complement each other and produce the ideal amount of energy for long runs and a variety of training workouts.

The ride is lively, smooth, and propulsive, but also moderately cushy and stable — a rare combination of qualities, even in the super trainer category. It feels great running faster paces but not so great running slower paces. Where is the tipping point? For me, it was at about 9-minute pace. I loved running relatively short distance tempo runs at 7-minute pace and really enjoying cruising at 8-minute pace, but it felt like the ride was much firmer while doing easy runs and recovery runs at 9:30 pace or slower. It’s also very capable of running even faster for track workouts, fast fartlek efforts, and pre- and post-run strides.

Why It’s Great: It’s great because it offers hints of super-max training shoes and hyper-responsive race-day shoes, making it a very unique (and enticing) performance-oriented super trainer. I wasn’t expecting it to be so lively, yet responsive. It’s not as light as a race-day shoe, but it feels pretty light for its size and shape. It’s not as bouncy and propulsive as most race-day shoes, but it brings plenty of energy. Ultimately, it’s definitely a shoe I’d consider running a half marathon in, and I say that because I just ran 13 or so miles in it, and while it wasn’t at race pace, it gave off a vibe that felt like I should be racing. The lower heel-toe offset of 6mm feels much more appropriate for smooth heel-toe transitions at faster paces. (I wouldn’t recommend it for a marathon because, at least for me, it’s not soft and cushy enough for running 26.2 miles.)

Specs

Weights: 8.3 oz. (women’s 8), 9.1 oz. (men’s 9)

Heel-Toe Offset: 6mm; 36mm (heel), 30mm (forefoot)

Why You’ll Love It: Personally, I love this shoe because, despite the name, it’s actually not a maximally stacked shoe with a marshmallowy feel. I’ve grown a bit tired of shoes that have heel stack heights of 40mm and higher (and forefoot heights of 35mm and higher), if only because the combination of that kind of height and the overly soft foam midsoles tend to eliminate any proprioceptive feedback between my feet and the ground, resulting in a somewhat sloppy ride sensation. But the Brooks Hyperion Max 2 offers the best of all worlds — just the right amount of cushioning, just the right amount of energetic spark, and yet, great feel for the ground and the agility (and stability) to go along with it. If you’re looking for a comfortable, highly responsive training shoe that straddles the line between being firm and cushy, this is a good one to try.

Pro: The unique sawtooth-style flat laces are my favorite. They allow a snug and precise fit without having to overstretch them or tie them too tightly, and they don’t come undone (even when single-knotted).

Con: It’s not as versatile as I was hoping. While I love it for long runs and a variety of up-tempo types of workouts — even and especially at slightly faster cruising speeds — it’s not a shoe I’ll choose for slower paces.