Brooks Ghost Max 3 Review: Cruising in comfort?
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is ideal for runners and walkers who want a lot of cushioning with a firm, substantial feel.
Gear
All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.
These days, it’s safe to assume that any running shoe with the word “max” in its name aims to deliver a maximally cushioned ride for maximum comfort.
In its third iteration, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 (available on August 1) promises a thick stack of nitrogen-infused midsole foam and a gentle rocker shape to keep you comfortable as you cruise through your runs.
While Brooks didn’t shy away from adding extra cushioning, does it truly deliver the ultra-plush ride runners expect from a max-cushion shoe? Our review team put in the miles to find out.
Brooks Ghost Max 3
Tech Specs
| Weight |
9.7 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M)
|
|---|---|
| Stack height (heel/forefoot) |
39 mm/33 mm
|
| Heel-to-toe drop |
6 mm
|
| Experience |
Smooth
|
| Surface |
Road
|
| Price |
$160
|
| Comparable to… |
On Cloudsurfer Max, HOKA Clifton 10
|
| Ride | 2/5 on the Firm to Plush Scale |
| Cushioning | 4/5 on the Minimum to Maximum Scale |
| Energy | 3/5 on the Relaxed to Propulsive Scale |
Cushion without the squish
The Ghost Max 3 uses Brooks’ proprietary DNA Loft v3 foam in the midsole, a nitrogen-injected material designed to deliver a light, soft and durable ride. The midsole is first placed into a nitrogen infusion chamber along with liquid nitrogen, where heat and pressure turn the nitrogen from liquid to gas. The midsole, now filled with nitrogen gas, expands and is then stuffed into a compression mold where it takes its final shape.
I’ve run on DNA Loft v3 foam in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, the Brooks Ghost 17, the Ghost Max 2 and now its successor, the Max 3 – which honestly just felt flat to me. I know that DNA Loft v3 foam is not as soft and cushy as other midsole foams out there, so I set my expectations accordingly, but by the end of my easy six-miler my feet and legs were screaming for more softness. This type of shoe is designed for recovery miles and long runs, which are the exact moments when I need some plush cushioning underfoot, and the Max 3 just didn’t do the trick.
However, my fellow reviewers disagreed.
“The Ghost Max 3 is a reliably pleasant shoe to run in,” says Kate. “The thick cushioning offers ample protection, and it’s firm enough to keep me cruising in comfort. With my flat feet and flexible arches, I need some rigidity. Overly soft shoes make me feel like I’m trudging in mush.”
I think all the shoes that my rigid arches enjoy would make Kate feel like she’s slogging through quicksand!
“The cushioning is firm yet forgiving, and it feels great underfoot,” says Heather. “I got the Ghost Max 3 just before going on vacation, so I tossed them in my bag to see how they perform. They felt great on the Jersey Shore boardwalk, with just enough pep and cushion to compliment my casual, beachside miles. While these aren’t shoes I would grab for a speed session, they will definitely make it into my rotation for easy days and longer mileage.”
The firm DNA Loft v3 cushioning is paired with a rocker shape, which Brooks calls their GlideRoll Rocker, to help you transition easily and efficiently from heel to toe. Plus, a broad base provides ample support for landings and toe-offs.
A seemingly universal fit
My favorite thing about Brooks running shoes is the fit. They always seem to hug my feet in all the right places, never leaving any blistering or hot spots. I’m happy to report that the Ghost Max 3 delivers the same reliable true-to-size fit, for me and my fellow wear testers – despite us all having differently-shaped feet.
I have low-volume feet (feet that don’t take up a lot of space within the shoe), with narrow heels and ever-so-slightly wide forefeet. Heather has high-volume feet (feet that do take up a lot of space within the shoe), while Kate’s feet are low in volume and relatively narrow in width.
“The Ghost Max 3 has a nice, roomy, rounded toe box and a luxuriously padded heel collar to keep everything really comfy. It feels plush, supportive and still agile for the majority of my training runs,” Kate says.
I agree with Kate here. While the shoe doesn’t feel very plush underfoot (in my opinion), the upper materials certainly aren’t lacking in soft, generous padding. I appreciated the pillowy heel collar and thick tongue that held my feet in place without feeling heavy or bulky. There are extra eyelets (reinforced by soft rubber for durability) to tie the marathon loop if you need to lock down the heel.
Unsure about the width or volume of your feet? Your best bet will be to head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height, pairing data with expertise to deliver personalized recommendations.
Brooks Ghost Max 3 versus Ghost Max 2
Tech Specs | Brooks Ghost Max 3 | Brooks Ghost Max 2 |
Weight | 9.7 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M) | 9.5 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M) |
Stack height | 39 mm/33 mm | 39 mm/33 mm |
Heel-to-toe drop | 6 mm | 6 mm |
Price | $160 | $150 |
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is built with the same DNA Loft v3 cushioning as the previous model, the same stack height and heel-to-toe drop, and almost the same weight. The only change is a new textile material used in the upper to give it a softer feel. I’ll be honest, I didn’t notice much of a change between the two versions –– great news for runners and walkers who loved the Ghost Max 2.
“The Ghost Max 3 feels like the Goldilocks of the franchise,” says Heather. “I notice elements of both the original Ghost Max and the Max 2, resulting in a feel that’s ‘just right.’”
How does the Brooks Ghost Max 3 compare?
We took a look at some comparable models to see how the Brooks Ghost Max 3 stacks up. Here’s what we found:
Tech Specs | Brooks Ghost Max 3 | On Cloudsurfer Max | HOKA Clifton 10 |
Weight | 9.7 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M) | 8.6 oz (W), 11 oz (M) | 8 oz (W), 9.8 oz (M) |
Stack height | 39 mm/33 mm | 37 mm/31 mm | 38 mm/30 mm (W), 42 mm/34 mm (M) |
Heel-to-toe drop | 6 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm |
Experience | Smooth | Smooth | Smooth |
Price | $160 | $180 | $150 |
The Brooks Ghost Max 3, On Cloudsurfer Max and HOKA Clifton 10 all deliver smooth, highly cushioned rides that serve up a balanced firm-to-soft ratio. I’d say the Clifton 10 is the softest out of the three, while the Ghost Max 3 and Cloudsurfer Max are equally as firm. All three shoes have a slight rocker shape to keep you moving forward.
Who is the Brooks Ghost Max 3 best for?
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is ideal for runners and walkers who want a lot of cushioning with a firm, substantial feel. Since I prefer softer, squishier shoes, this wasn’t the best choice for me, but Kate and Heather loved it.
“The Ghost Max 3 is best for anyone who likes a high cushion experience without a marshmallow underfoot. It's comfy and reliable for easy miles and even long runs,”
says Heather. “I’d also recommend it for anyone on their feet for long periods of time, and for anyone who wears a custom orthotic — this shoe has plenty of space to accommodate that.”
“I’ll be wearing my pair for all of my runs aside from speed work,” says Kate. “As a flat-footed person, the Ghost Max 3 has a really comfortable shape for my feet.”
