Reviewed by 
- Weight: Approx 283g (M) 255g (W)
- Stack height: 39mm forefoot/33mm heel
- Heel-to-toe drop: 6mm
- Type: Neutral/road
- Tester info: Male / 188cm / 85kg / Neutral gait
Female / 175cm / 70kg /Neutral gait
The shoe
A brand new running shoe from Brooks, the name 'Ghost Max' suggests a more cushioned version of the Ghost 15, but it’s ultimately a different shoe and that’s a good thing (unless you’re waiting for the Ghost 16 to arrive any time soon).
A quick comparison: the Ghost 15 has a stack height of 35mm/23mm, meaning a 12mm drop. The Ghost Max has a stack height of 39mm/33mm, meaning a 6mm drop – so you’re getting a more level shoe with more foam under the whole foot.
This is what ultimately makes it a different shoe, because the ride feel is considerably altered. Whereas the Ghost 15 delivers comfort in bucketloads, the Ghost Max manages to offer the same level of comfort but with a much more responsive ride, immediately appealing to a wider market.
What everyone's reading
How does the Ghost Max fit?
We found the shoe ran true to size, with our testers opting for their regular shoe size and finding there was ample room in the toe box. The straight last (as opposed to a more curved last) is also helpful here and accommodates runners with slightly wider feet or orthotic insoles.
What’s it like to run in the Ghost Max?
The name and appearance of the shoe suggests spongey cushioning territory, but the type of foam and quantity used in Ghost Max strikes a fine balance between cushioning and responsiveness.
The Ghost Max uses Brooks DNA Loft V2, the same midsole as the Ghost 15 (there is a DNA Loft V3 that has been infused with nitrogen, but that's not used here) and works well at a greater volume.
The shoe feels firmer than expected when you first put it on, but once you're moving and after some initial miles, it really settles into a responsive feeling training shoe that can handle lots of miles. This is thanks to the shoe's entirely new last which features a GlideRoll Rocker, helping to promote smoother heel-toe transitions. As a result, we found the Ghost Max a much more enjoyable shoe to run in than the Ghost 15, which is super comfortable but lacks any real 'pop' or liveliness.
The heel counter is also firm and supportive, giving a feeling of being locked into the shoe, as well as offering slightly more stability to the rear of the foot in the shoe. This all makes sense with the increased stack height and it translate into a reassuringly stable feeling shoe.
While comfortable and stable though, one of our testers did experience some blistering on the medial side of the foot when wearing the Ghost Max on longer runs. This did subside after a few wears, but it's worth noting.
The rest of the shoe is very much a Brooks shoe, so if you’re a die hard fan of the brand – and the Ghost in particular – then you’ll be more than pleased with this offering. There's a moderately plush tongue (it's not gusseted, but it stays in place) and an engineered mesh upper which feels roomy, breathable and – predictably – ticks that all-important comfort box.
RW verdict
Even if you're not a Brooks fan, though, the Ghost Max is a great option for runners looking for a shoe with a decent amount of cushioning that’s reasonably versatile in its use. Sure, it hasn't got the snappiness of something like the Asics Superblast or Novablast 4, and it's still very much suited to slower long runs and everyday miles over tempo efforts, but the newer rocker profile is a welcome addition and helps to spur on tired legs better than the Ghost 15.
If you're a fan of the Hoka Bondi 8, the Ghost Max is probably the closest comparison on the market right now, combining max-cushioning with a rocker geometry. However, the Max feels less bulky than the Bondi. If you're after a slightly softer underfoot feel, the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v13 will be more your bag.
Ali is Runner’s World UK's e-commerce editor, specialising in testing and reviewing the latest running shoes, gear and tech, as well as finding the best deals during sales events such as Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. She has tested hundreds of products from the biggest running brands, including Nike, New Balance, Adidas, Hoka and more. Ali speaks to some of the world’s top experts across footwear, running apparel, fitness equipment and nutrition to help runners make smart decisions when shopping online, from glucose monitors to help you nail your fuelling strategy to compression boots to aid your recovery. Ali has worked in health and fitness journalism since 2017. Before joining Runner’s World, she was health editor at Future Plc, working across brands including Coach, Fit&Well, T3, TechRadar and Live Science. A Boston qualifier, she’s completed 12 marathons, including four of the World Marathon Majors (only Tokyo and Boston left). Her proudest achievement to date? Running a five-day 220km ultramarathon across Tanzania. Just don’t ask her to race a 10km…
