Brooks’ New Ghost Max: More Cushioning, Smoother Ride
The Brooks Ghost Max is a great daily trainer that performs well across many distances and tempos. It has a softer, more cushioned, ride with higher stack heights than the regular Brooks Ghost, which is also still available. The Max, with 39mm heel and 28mm midsole stack heights – higher overall than any other Brooks shoe – seems to be the Brooks solution to supplying a market hungry for plush, foam-filled rides.
What stands out is the shoe’s fluid and smooth transition; the ride feels particularly good at an easy pace.
The DNA Loft V2 midsole offers a protective feel, striking a balance between firmness and softness. The sole is relatively stiff, with slight flexibility in the forefoot. What stands out is the shoe’s fluid and smooth transition; the ride feels particularly good at an easy pace and – thanks to the GlideRoll Rocker technology – the heel-toe transition is noticeably smooth and effortless.
The forefoot and overall fit of the shoes are slightly wider than in other Brooks shoes tested this year. There’s plenty of room in the front, and the mesh offers breathability and a bit of stretch. The midfoot also has a slightly wider fit, which might require tightening your laces for a secure feel.
The heel is also spacious, featuring a mildly flexible heel counter and moderate heel collar padding. The mesh material provides a plush and comfortable feel throughout the length of the shoe, and is one of the best upper designs out of all the shoes tested.
BOTTOM LINE: A solid example of a stable, neutral, highly-cushioned shoe.
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