How does one build a state-of-the-art running shoe? At Brooks, it begins with a story. “We always go into each season with an overarching story or goal to inspire us,” says Tina Danforth, manager of product line management at Brooks, as we sit down to discuss the Hyperion Max 2, Brooks’s road-running shoe designed for all levels of runners to train at full speed. “With the Hyperion Max 2, that story was ‘supernatural.’ It came out of insights from runners, who’d tell us, ‘Hey, I want to feel like a superhuman version of myself,’ while at the same time there was this sentiment of wanting the shoe to feel like an extension of the runners themselves, in a very natural way. We found that juxtaposition really interesting.”
“So which levers do you pull when designing a shoe? Do you lean into cushioning at the expense of efficiency? Do you prioritize speed and create a lightweight model that may be less secure and comfortable?” Danforth continues. “With the Hyperion Max 2, we wanted to balance the needs of runners trying to gain an advantage with those looking for an everyday trainer.”
To make a shoe that would help all runners accomplish their goals—whether just starting out or targeting a new marathon PR—Brooks made a number of key upgrades to its prior Hyperion Max model. From the inside and out, then, here is the Hyperion Max 2.
Since this shoe was aimed at runners of all levels who would be pushing themselves, Brooks used a mesh upper for breathability. This is another area where balance comes into play, however, and which mesh is used can have major implications on performance. “We know that a lot of runners prioritize feeling secure in the upper of their shoe,” says Danforth. “So we used a double jacquard mesh, which is breathable while still providing that nice locked-in feel you want in a responsive shoe.”
Each design choice requires this level of careful consideration—and oftentimes, Danforth says, the smallest details end up making the biggest difference to runners. “For example, the flat knit tongue of the Hyperion Max 2 was designed to be sleek and unobtrusive, with a natural bounce-back that naturally locks your feet in. This was called out by literally every single wear-tester, with notes like ‘This is the coolest tongue—it really locks me in.’”
Of course, there’s always room for style as well. “We saw the Hyperion Max 2 as an opportunity to tell a big Brooks story in speed,” Danforth says. “And we wanted to be loud and proud in doing so—which you can see from the ‘Brooks’ 3D print on the medial side.”
But it’s in the interior, Danforth emphasizes, that the “supernatural” notion truly comes to life. “We wanted the shoe to be elite and everyday,” she says. “That’s where our DNA Flash v2 cushioning comes into play. We wanted it to be light enough that there was a sense of it disappearing—but we also wanted it to feel responsive and supportive.” To accomplish this, Brooks injected small-cell pockets of nitrogen into a foam base. The result was a uniquely responsive layer of cushioning that delivers nearly 10 percent more energy return than the previous version of this shoe.
Adding structure and support to this cushioning system is a Pebax Rnew SpeedVault plate. “Through our testing process, we found that creating a slight dip in the plate, so it’s closer to the ground in the forefoot, allows the shoe to activate faster,” Danforth says. “The mechanical testing also showed us that the Pebax Rnew material was the most efficient material to use.” Next, the RapidRoll Rocker works in tandem with the SpeedVault plate to facilitate transition: “We carved the heel bevel and toe springs into specific shapes, so that as soon as you hit on the heel, you naturally and quickly transition to the forefoot, as opposed to sinking into it.”
Lastly, they added 4 millimeters to the heel and 6 millimeters to the forefoot over the prior model. “One of the key insights we kept hearing from consumers was that toe-off was really important—they wanted to feel propulsive,” Danforth says. “These adjustments allow the shoe to give runners an exceptional feeling of propulsion.”
This carefully considered blend of comfort, security, and performance succeeds in making the Hyperion Max 2 a shoe for all levels. “We wanted it to be able to get someone to race level. That said, we’ve seen that it’s selling with everyone. People are using it as a walking shoe. People who want to add a couple of extra miles to their routine are getting it,” Danforth says. “I think that’s a cool thing. You can make the shoe for whoever you have in mind—and other runners will sing the same song back.”
