Brooks Ghost Max Shoe Review | Running Warehouse

Individual Thoughts

KalebOverall Score: 9/10

I am going to kick things off by coming right out and saying it: The Brooks Ghost Max is one of the best Brooks shoes I have ever tested, and it is by far my favorite Ghost model yet.

The refined 3D Fit Print mesh upper is very comfortable, offering plush padding around the heel collar and tongue that is excellent on the run and perfect for all-day wear. I loved wearing the Ghost Max around the office and then collecting my daily mileage in the evenings. In terms of fit, the Ghost Max was true to size with a secure midfoot and a spacious forefoot that worked extremely well for my standard foot shape. Furthermore, the Max is stylish, and I look forward to getting another pair in the Grey/Black/Sharp Green colorway.

Despite the awesome upper, the highlight of the shoe is the DNA Loft v2 midsole with GlideRoll rocker. It is protective and offers a nice little push at toe-off, which was perfectly paired with recovery runs, easy daily runs, and long runs. The Ghost Max was very smooth through the gait cycle, thanks to the GlideRoll rocker, and it delivered a natural heel-to-toe transition that never let me down throughout the testing period. Sure, the midsole could be a little more responsive, but given how comfortable and protective the shoe is, I am not complaining.

The only thing I am a little confused about is the Ghost name, as the Ghost 15 is almost an entirely different shoe with very different uses. That said, I think the Ghost Max is a much better shoe all-around, from the upper to the outsole, and I am sure a lot of runners (Ghost lovers or not) will really like the Ghost Max for all their daily runs. I will be using the Ghost Max again and again in my daily routine and my shoe rotation.

JonOverall Score: 8/10

The Brooks Ghost Max falls into one of my favorite shoe categories, the max-cushioned comfort cruiser. When my legs are tired and need extra protection, I go right to my max-cushioned options. While it is great to see Brooks throw its hat into the ring, they are going up against some stiff competition with the likes of the NB More v4, Nike InfinityRN 4, ASICS Gel Nimbus 25, and more.

While the Ghost Max lacks the "wow" factor that its competitors possess, it has a lot of good features: comfortable upper, smooth ride, consistent protection. Sadly, in my opinion, the shoe just doesn't excel in any one aspect, and I would not choose it over the other models listed above. I know that a big draw to the Ghost Max is that it is orthotic-compatible and a great model for walkers. But as I do not use orthotics and do not particularly value how well a shoe performs for walking, those are not elements that I consider when picking a running shoe.

All in all, the Ghost Max gets the job done and performs well for easy daily runs, which is exactly what it is designed to do. Although it lacks a bit of pizazz, it can serve as a reliable running shoe for casual runners and walking enthusiasts who need a shoe that can offer long-lasting comfort for a wide range of daily activities.

RisaOverall Score: 8.5/10

My first thought when trying on the Ghost Max was, "Wow, this feels way better than the regular Ghost." I generally enjoy max-cushion shoes, so the Ghost Max was right up my alley. That said, I have been fortunate to test quite a few highly cushioned or max-cushion shoes, and there's a lot of tough competition in this category.

The Ghost Max has a comfortable and plush underfoot feel that is much more protective than the Ghost 15. The upper is very comfortable and offers that casual style that has made the Ghost a popular option for those who want one shoe for running, the gym, and errands. If you like Brooks and maximum-stack shoes, I would recommend trying this one out.

Our In-Depth Look

Upper

Kaleb: "The execution of the refined 3D Fit Print mesh upper was on point, and the Ghost Max fit my foot really well. It was true to size and offered a secure lockdown through the midfoot with a spacious forefoot that even wider-footed runners would appreciate. I also thought Brooks provided an ideal amount of padding in the heel collar and tongue. It was not too built up, and whether walking or running, the upper delivered consistent, irritation-free comfort."

Jon: "I had a great experience with the upper of the Ghost Max. The breathable mesh, plush tongue, and padded heel collar worked perfectly together to offer a very comfortable and distraction-free fit, which is exactly what I look for in a daily-training cruiser. The heel fit me average to roomy, the midfoot fit average, and the toe box fit average, both in terms of width and length. I really enjoyed the higher volume in the toe box as well."

Risa: "I really enjoyed the fit of the Ghost Max. The upper was breathable and provided a secure wrap. The toe box is on the roomier side, but I had no issues with slippage, even with my narrower feet."

Midsole

Kaleb: "There is a lot of tough competition in the max-stack category, but the Brooks Max is right up there, in my opinion. The DNA Loft v2 delivers a protective underfoot experience with a small energy return from stride to stride, but what impressed me most was how smoothly the shoe transitioned from heel to toe. This made daily runs at cruising paces feel fun and easy. Above all, with roughly 39 mm of soft foam underfoot, the Ghost Max delivered a highly protective running experience that performed just as well on recovery runs as it did on daily efforts. Throughout testing, I found the sweet spot for the Ghost Max was 5- or 6-mile runs at +8:30 min/mile pace.

In future iterations, a little more responsiveness would be appreciated, and a slight weight deduction would not hurt, but the foam was always consistent throughout testing. Given my recent experience in other similar shoes from different brands, this is not always the case, and the resilience and durability of the DNA Loft v2 foam is a distinguishing characteristic of the Ghost Max."

Jon: "I generally like running in firmer shoes, rather than soft (see Exhibit A: ASICS Superblast), but for max-cushion comfort cruisers, give me a little bit of plushness. While I still found the Ghost Max to offer a comfortable step-in feel and smooth ride, it feels firmer than I prefer, and I would not call it plush or responsive.

The high stack of DNA Loft v2 feels relatively protective, but I wonder what the volume of foam is because I felt more ground impact than I would expect from a max-cushioned shoe. As for the ride, the shoe was comfortable right out of the box and made for a fun, easy run. The shoe's wider base made for a very stable experience while running, and even more so while walking. I thought this shoe transitioned well through my gait cycle, but I would not say the miles felt effortless. This shoe has a rocker, but the foam was not responsive enough for me to feel the benefits of the rocker; I felt like I was lifting my feet more than I was rolling through my strides.

Due to an Achilles injury that I am managing, I was not able to put this shoe through a speed workout, but I think the Ghost Max would be best used as an easy-day or recovery-day option anyway. I will say that the shoe feels pretty light on foot."

Risa: "The midsole of the Ghost Max is pretty protective. The DNA Loft v2 foam is balanced in terms of softness, but the Ghost Max is not a responsive shoe, and I would reserve it for easy days at slower paces."

Outsole

Kaleb: "The Ghost Max's outsole was both grippy and durable. I had no issues with traction, especially at slower, easier paces, and the grip, combined with the shoe's stable platform, inspired a lot of confidence on the run. I have no concerns about durability either, and runners should be able to pile up a bunch of mileage on the Ghost Max."

Jon: "I thought the outsole design was very well executed. There is ample rubber coverage to handle heavy mileage while still having exposed foam for weight savings.

Risa: "The Ghost Max's outsole performed as expected, and I had no issues with grip on the roads. I expect this shoe to hold up for many miles."

Comparable Models

New Balance More v4 vs. Brooks Ghost Max

Kaleb: "Honestly, the More v4 has been one of my favorite recovery shoes for almost a year now, and for runs when I need to keep my feet and legs protected, it is still my go-to option. If you want more versatility while maintaining a high level of protection that can cover your recovery runs, as well as a wider range of your daily runs, then the Ghost Max is my recommendation. Furthermore, the Ghost Max feels lighter and is not clunky at all, while for some runners, I know the More v4 is too much shoe.

Jon: "Both shoes belong in the daily-training, max-cushioning category, and both come in at $150. Starting with the upper, I would give the edge to the Ghost Max as it feels a little more premium, mainly thanks to the plush tongue and padding in the heel collar. However, the midsole cushioning of the More v4 feels far softer and more responsive to me. The More v4's roll-through is seamless, which makes running feel effortless. It is almost an ounce heavier than the Ghost Max (10 oz vs. 10.9 oz in a men's US 9, but that difference is offset by how smooth the More v4 runs.

In terms of versatility, I could throw on the Ghost Max for a speed workout in a pinch. It would be extremely difficult to do so in the More v4, as it would feel quite clunky at faster paces. Given what both shoes are designed for, I would definitely go with the More v4. It is my go-to recovery-day shoe and the option I choose at the office when I am looking for all-day comfort. That said, for runners who prioritize weight over plush cushioning or those looking for a shoe designed to incorporate an orthotic insert, the Ghost Max is an excellent option."

HOKA Clifton 9 vs. Brooks Ghost Max

Kaleb: "The Ghost Max and Clifton 9 are really strong competitors within the highly-cushioned/max-stack categories. I think the Clifton offers a bit more softness and responsiveness, but as the miles pile up, I felt like the Clifton 9's midsole lost some luster, whereas the Ghost Max felt the same from the first testing mile to the last. I also really appreciated the Ghost Max's fit, and I believe the Ghost will be a better option for a wider variety of footshapes, especially for those with wider feet."

Risa: "A good comparison to the Ghost Max that comes to mind is the HOKA Clifton. I like both models, though I slightly prefer the Clifton over the Ghost Max because it has that satisfying extra-soft squishiness. The Clifton is also lighter than the Ghost Max, which I appreciate while on the run."