Brooks is back with the fourth version of the Hyperion Max, and the big question is whether they've finally sorted out the issues that plagued version three. Spoiler: they haven't.
Specs and Design
The Hyperion Max 4 retails at £170 and, in a UK 9.5, weighs in at 307 grams. It fits true to size, so no need to size up or down. This is positioned as a super trainer, going up against shoes like the Zoomfly 6, with Brooks aiming it at longer runs and tempo work rather than all-out racing.
Underfoot you get a dual foam setup: DNA Gold PEBA foam sits on top, with DNA Flash 2 — a super-critical EVA — layered underneath as a stabilising agent. Stack height comes in at 45mm at the heel down to 39mm at the forefoot, giving a 6mm drop. The upper has been reworked with a new triple jacquard warp-knit construction, and Brooks have kept the nylon speed vault plate running the full length of the shoe, along with the brand's rapid roll geometry underfoot.
On the outsole there's exposed DNA Flash foam along with a carbon rubber section. Lockdown through the midfoot is genuinely good thanks to a large gusset and a generously sized tongue that doesn't shift around during runs, and there's plenty of foam packed into the heel for structure. In hot conditions the new upper held up well too, with no rubbing or width issues to report.
Performance
Where this shoe shines is at marathon-goal pace, roughly 7.5-minute miles. It's noticeably less comfortable at easier paces, though that's arguably by design given its positioning. That said, some rival super trainers manage to handle those slower miles better, and a bit more versatility here wouldn't go amiss.
The DNA Gold and DNA Flash combination works nicely together underfoot, giving a soft, compressive cushioning feel, particularly strong under the forefoot at faster paces. The problem is the heel. There's a noticeably clunky feel back there, made worse by a decoupled section in the heel, and it feels like there simply isn't enough DNA Gold running through that area to match the rest of the shoe. It genuinely feels like two different shoes stitched together — brilliant up front, clunky and heavy out back.
Weight is the other major issue. At 307 grams, this "super trainer" is actually heavier than some of Brooks' own daily trainers, which is a strange outcome for a shoe built around premium super foam.
Unfortunately, Brooks haven't addressed the core problems from version three. The heel remains unstable, and if you're a mild pronator, this shoe is going to be a real struggle. That instability, combined with the excess weight, undermines what could otherwise be a genuinely strong shoe in the Hyperion Max lineup.
If Brooks wanted to save weight, they needed to go much further — stripping back some of the bulky DNA Flash in the heel and extending that lovely thin layer of DNA Gold through the rear of the shoe instead. As it stands, the setup feels disjointed rather than deliberate.
If you already own and like version three, there's little reason to upgrade, since this is largely the same shoe with the same flaws. You could pick up the older model for less money and get a near-identical ride. At £170, the Hyperion Max 4 simply doesn't hold its own against the competition, many of which are lighter, faster feeling, and more stable.
Forefoot strikers may still get on well with this shoe, but for most runners, there are better super trainers out there right now. This one needs to go back to the drawing board for version five.You can get discounts on your next running shoe purchase at Sportsshoes.com by either becoming an affiliated club member with FORDY RUNS Running Club where you will get 15% off or you can join the club for free and get 10% off your next purchase by getting our latest discount code from our website
