Brooks Ghost Max

The Run Testers finds the Brooks Ghost Max 2 midsole foam is a little more forgiving than the Ghost Max 1 but is still definitely a lot firmer than the More v5.

The Run Testers finds the outsole on the Brooks Ghost Max 2 far superior to the New Balance More v5.

The Run Testers has had no issues with grip on the Brooks Ghost Max 2 at all.

The Run Testers likes the Brooks Ghost Max 2 a lot more than the original version and enjoys running in it.

The Run Testers notes the Brooks Ghost Max 2 has very little exposed midsole foam and the midsole foam is quite sturdy.

The Run Testers observes the Brooks Ghost Max 2 outsole has a lovely layer of very tacky rubber that feels very sticky on the ground.

The Run Testers thinks the Brooks Ghost Max 2 is good for people who want a bit more responsiveness and firmness from the midsole when running longer distances.

The Run Testers was not a fan of the Brooks Ghost Max 1, finding it felt like a really solid shoe but not getting anything back from it, with a midsole that was a lot firmer than the More v5, too clunky for easy runs, and not giving anything back for longer runs.

The Run Testers finds that the Ghost Max represents really good value for money and is a durable beast overall.

The Run Testers observes that the Ghost Max 2 largely offers more of the same ride as the original Ghost Max, though it is tuned slightly softer with a changed-up foam (DNA Loft V3).

The Run Testers prefers the Brooks Ghost Max over the Ghost Max 2 for being slightly lighter and a bit stiffer in the roll-through.

The Run Testers recommends either the Ghost Max or Ghost Max 2 as great shoes for easy plodding.

The Run Testers describes the Brooks Ghost Max as good 'beat the cut-off banker shoes' because if you want guaranteed protection for longer time on feet, the Ghost Max definitely offers that.

The Run Testers finds that despite the softer edge of the Brooks Ghost Max, they are not devoid of response and are not too labored and sinking as a result.

The Run Testers states he is not normally the biggest fan of big, heavier max pillowy shoes that put a lot of shoe on the foot, but in testing he has been really impressed with the Brooks Ghost Max.

The Run Testers summarizes the Brooks Ghost Max as 'reliable steady comfort' that is great for ultra distances.

The Run Testers compares the Hoka Mach 6 to the Brooks Ghost Max, describing the Brooks Ghost Max as an example of a 'big soft pillowy easy day shoe' and noting the Mach 6 is 'a long way off' that category.

The Run Testers characterizes the Brooks Ghost Max as a 'well balanced reliable slow Miler.'

The Run Testers mentions the Brooks Ghost Max as a cushion shoe they would consider instead of the On Cloudmonster 2, noting it is 'fair bit cheaper' and does a good job as an easy-run mileage muncher with a little versatility.

The Run Testers speculates that the Brooks Ghost Max is a pretty close match for the New Balance 1080 v13 and mentions it is at a cheaper price.

The Run Testers observes that the Brooks Ghost Max is a fair bit cheaper than many max-cushion shoes while delivering on the role those shoes are meant to do.

The Run Testers prefers the Brooks Ghost Max over the ASICS Gel Nimbus 26, and considers it a better value option that still does all the stuff you want a max-cushion shoe to do well.

The Run Testers describes the Brooks Ghost Max as a 'really rockered shoe, highly cushioned, good outsole, not the most amazing foam in the world in terms of bounce or anything like that but has a good rocker, smooth ride that's comfortable, fairly versatile, a little bit heavier than the Cloud Eclipse but doesn't lose out too much in versatility and it's a fair bit cheaper.'

The Run Testers observes that neither the Brooks Ghost Max nor the On Cloud Eclipse have 'very bouncy you know lively midsoles but they both have really well executed rockers and the ghost Max is a fair bit cheaper.'

The Run Testers states that the Brooks Ghost Max is 'probably a lot less glamorous than the cloud eclipse and how it looks and the excitement around it but I think it actually does a very similar job you know just as well and I'd probably say it's the better value shoe if you are looking for a very rocked max cushion shoe.'

EDDBUD expects the thick outsole of the Ghost Max 3 to take years to wear down, but finds it overkill.

EDDBUD finds the Brooks midsole materials in the Ghost Max 3 very durable, with good longevity.

EDDBUD finds the Ghost Max 3 feels really nice on easier and recovery efforts.

EDDBUD finds the Ghost Max 3 midsole more like impact protection than a trampoline, and prefers it for consistency and familiarity in recovery shoes.

EDDBUD finds the Ghost Max 3 not full of spring and bounce but great for impact protection, stable, and consistent.

EDDBUD finds the midsole of the Ghost Max 3 (DNA Loft) a little bit denser than some other midsoles, not super squashy or marshmallow-like.

EDDBUD gives the outsole of the Ghost Max 3 a 2.5 out of 3 rating, commenting it may have too much rubber.

EDDBUD observed that on wet debris-laden trails, the tightly packed ridges of the Ghost Max 3 outsole collected grit and muck that was very difficult to clean.

EDDBUD observes a very thick outsole application on the Ghost Max 3 through the forefoot to the heel, which he suggests could have been thinner like the Ghost 17.

EDDBUD observes the Ghost Max 3 outsole rubber seems durable enough, slightly harder, and expects the depth to last many miles.

Matt Klein (Doctors of Running) cites the Brooks Ghost Max as a great example of a stable neutral shoe that has a very low arch, so people who are sensitive to arch support can still get something wider and stable without aggressive arch support.

David Salas recommends the Brooks Ghost Max series for someone with hallux limitus and bunion positioning, saying it has done a really good job there and he has had plenty of patients in similar boats who did really well with the Ghost Max series.

Matthew Klein notes he gave the Ghost Max a really hard time for being so firm, as it is definitely not soft, but that firmness also adds to making it really stable.

Matthew Klein observes that the Glycerin Max and Ghost Max are great options for hallux limitus because Brooks also does a stiffer rocker that rolls very nicely.

Matthew Klein says he loves the Ghost Max so much for walking and finds it comfortable, and part of that comfort is the forefoot rocker.

Matthew Klein says the Ghost Max is basically a stability shoe even though it is not supposed to be.

Nathan Brown observes that Brooks does a really nice job of rockers without toe spring.

Nathan Brown recommends the Brooks Ghost Max for walking and the Glycerin Max for running for someone with hallux limitus.

Nathan Brown says the Ghost Max is arguably the GOAT standing/walking shoe.

Marathon Handbook attributes that some consumers of the Ghost Max felt they had lost their connection to the ground and to the run, and wanted proprioception back.

Marathon Handbook states that consumer insights for the Glycerin Flex were gathered through Brooks's work on the Glycerin Max and Ghost Max, and that those consumers loved how cushioned and soft those shoes were.

Marathon Handbook finds the Ghost Max feels very stable and generally supportive, despite being a neutral shoe.

Marathon Handbook finds the Ghost Max has rockers in the heel and forefoot.

Marathon Handbook identifies 'Glide Roll technology' as Brooks' terminology for the rocker in the Ghost Max.

Marathon Handbook observes that once you get going in the Ghost Max, it rolls along the road very nicely.

Marathon Handbook recommends the Ghost Max for a shoe rotation, calling it perfect for easy runs the day after a hard session, describing it as 'almost rolling you down the road'.

Marathon Handbook states the Ghost Max is priced at only £5 more than the Ghost 15 in the UK and $10 more in the US.

RadDadBodTV finds the Brooks Ghost Max 4 is not a hyper-responsive shoe.

RadDadBodTV finds the Brooks Ghost Max stable and supportive, suitable for easy, recovery running when legs are beat up.

RadDadBodTV finds the Ghost Max 3 feels like a more plush platform and potentially higher stack platform in the forefoot in particular compared to the Ghost Max 4.

RadDadBodTV finds the Ghost Max 4 definitely a little bit softer than the Ghost Max 3.

RadDadBodTV finds the foam of the Ghost Max 4 leans more on the firm and supportive side.

RadDadBodTV notes the Ghost Max 1 was surprisingly on the firmer side, but its geometry allowed it to pick up pace a bit.

RadDadBodTV observes that the Brooks Ghost Max 4 is more similar to the Ghost Max 1.

RadDadBodTV observes that turnover felt a little bit easier in the Ghost Max 4 than the Ghost Max 3.

RadDadBodTV observes the Ghost Max 4's firm and supportive foam allows putting more force into it and getting more back.