The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is a heavily cushioned shoe designed for easy, everyday runs on asphalt. It combines softness and stability, and can handle both city routes and park paths. Although it’s the heaviest version in the model’s history, every gram translates into extra comfort and joint protection. If you’re looking for a shoe that will ease the strain on your tired legs and help you cover miles effortlessly, the Ghost Max 3 could be just what you need.
Basic info
Tech specs
Purpose
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is a training shoe with submaximal cushioning. It is designed for hard surfaces, such as concrete and cobblestone. It is ideal for easy, everyday runs, and it won’t disappoint on long distances when stable support and comfort are important. Thanks to its solid cushioning, it is also a good choice for heavier runners, including those weighing over 90 kg, ensuring their joints and muscles are properly protected.
Pros
- high level of cushioning
- universal, versatile outsole
- solid stability and foot support
- very soft interior finish
Cons
- still quite warm upper
- heavy (in 12% of the heaviest training shoes)
What’s New in the Latest Edition
| GHOST MAX 2 | GHOST MAX 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stack height | 39/33mm | 39/33mm |
| Drop | 6mm | 6mm |
| Weight men’s | 306g | 317g |
| Weight women’s | 269g | 283g |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | Engineered jacquard mesh, more breathable and soft, with double loops on the tongue to prevent the tongue from moving |
| Midsole | DNA Loft v3 – nitrogen-saturated foam | DNA Loft v3 – nitrogen-saturated foam, (modified midsole geometry for smoother performance) |
| Outsole | durable, grippy rubber | durable, grippy rubber |
Brooks Running Shoes – Lineup
The Brooks Ghost Max is a more cushioned version of the classic Brooks Ghost model. Like its predecessor, it’s a good choice for runners weighing up to approximately 90 kg. However, it will also appeal to those looking for a high level of cushioning. If that’s still not enough, the brand’s lineup includes even more cushioned models: the Glycerin and Glycerin Max.
Runners who need extra stability can opt for versions with the GTS system. This group includes the Glycerin GTS and the Adrenaline GTS, which differ in the degree of cushioning.
You can find a full comparison of these and other Brooks models in our running shoe guide.
| NEUTRAL SHOES | STABILITY SHOES | |
|---|---|---|
| maximum cushioning |  Glycerin Max  Gliceryn 22 |  Glycerin GTS 22 |
| very high cushioning |  Ghost Max 3  Ghost 17 |  Adrenaline GTS 24 |
| high cushioning |  Trace 4 |
Similar to Brooks Ghost Max 3
Despite having “Max” in its name, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 belongs to the training shoe segment and offers very high, though not maximum, cushioning. In terms of softness and support, it rivals the Asics Gel-Cumulus 27, Mizuno Wave Rider 29, and Saucony Ride 18, to name a few. However, the list of potential alternatives is much longer. After all, it is a versatile everyday running shoe that works well in many training scenarios.
| MODEL | STACK HEIGHT (mm) | DROP (mm) | WEIGHT MEN'S (grams) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (grams) | REGULAR PRICE (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Supernova Rise 2 | 36/26 | 10 | 275 | 230 | 150 |
| Asics Gel-Cumulus 26 | 37/29 | 8 | 253 | 222 | 160 |
| Brooks Ghost Max 3 | 39/33 | 6 | 317 | 283 | 160 |
| Diadora Nucleo 2 | 38/32 | 6 | 280 | 210 | 150 |
| Hoka Clifton 10 | 42/34 | 8 | 278 | 220 | 150 |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 28 | 38/26 | 12 | 273 | 235 | 160 |
| New Balance 880 v14 | n/a | 8 | 270 | 209 | 160 |
| Nike Pegasus 41 | 37/27 | 10 | 297 | 251 | 140 |
| On Cloudsurfer 7 | 32/22 | 10 | 245 | 205 | 170 |
| Saucony Ride 18 | 35/27 | 8 | 275 | 213 | 150 |
Couch-Level Comfort Underfoot
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 stands out thanks to its substantial DNA Loft v3 foam midsole, which is enriched with nitrogen. The shoe’s total height, including the outsole and insole, is 39 mm at the heel and 33 mm at the forefoot. That’s substantial, though not “max,” as the name suggests. It’s the same as the previous version.
Like its predecessor, it features a 6 mm drop, or the difference in height between the heel and toes. This may engage the Achilles tendon slightly more, but with such high cushioning, it shouldn’t be problematic. In theory, a lower drop promotes midfoot running; however, with the Ghost Max 3’s height and softness, it works best for runners who heel strike.
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 profile has been slightly modified compared to the previous version. The new GlideRoll Rocker technology is designed to improve the smoothness of the foot roll from heel to toe. This is important because the “twos” were rather slow and heavy in this respect. The “threes” are slightly better – the roll is smoother, though there is still no aggressive profile or noticeable rocker. They are perfect for easy, slower runs. However, if you are looking for more dynamics, you will find only slightly more than in the previous model.
The high midsole in the front and rear of the shoe, combined with a lower drop, provides soft cushioning underfoot. Whether you land harder on your heel or prefer midfoot contact, the feeling is similar: soft, stable, and with solid shock protection. This construction provides good joint and muscle protection. The level of cushioning easily meets the needs of runners weighing up to 90–95 kg, providing comfort over longer distances.
Not Just Urban – An Outsole That Goes Anywhere
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is a running shoe designed primarily for asphalt city streets, yet it retains Brooks’ signature versatility. Its midsole is covered with a solid rubber layer that increases abrasion resistance and extends the shoe’s lifespan. The numerous transverse cuts in the midsole improve flexibility, allowing the foot to move more freely during the push-off phase.
The outsole pattern is standard for road models – the grooves are approximately 1.2 mm deep, providing a secure grip on hard surfaces like asphalt and sidewalks. This outsole pattern, combined with a cushioned, stable midsole, allows you to safely venture off paved routes onto park paths or compacted forest trails. Consequently, the Ghost Max 3 is suitable not only for the urban jungle but also for recreational mixed conditions.
Cozy Feel, Perfect Fit
The upper of the Brooks Ghost Max 3 is made of technical jacquard mesh, a material typically used in running shoes designed for asphalt. The smooth, soft interior ensures a snug fit without any pressure points. The outer layer has subtle slits that create the appearance of lightness. Compared to the previous version, the material seems slightly more breathable, though it is still not very breathable. It is soft and thick rather than thin and airy.
The interior of the shoe offers moderate space – at its widest point, the upper measures 104.6 mm, nearly identical to the second generation Ghost Max. Thanks to this and the thick upper, the shoes offer a precise, snug fit. This creates a construction that combines a secure fit with comfort and performs well in a wide range of weather conditions.
A classic, fairly high internal heel counter stabilizes the heel and keeps the foot in the correct position. Despite its high level of cushioning, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 offers surprisingly good stability. This is due not only to the stiffened heel counter, but also to the wide midsole platform that provides solid support.
Heaviest-Ever Ghost Max
According to the manufacturer, the men’s version of the Brooks Ghost Max weighs 317 grams, while the women’s version weighs 283 grams. This means that the third generation is significantly heavier than the second. For size 12 US shoes, one shoe weighs 371 grams, making this the heaviest edition in the Ghost Max model’s history.
Among shoes designed for easy, everyday running, the Ghost Max 3 is one of the 12% heaviest models. This result will not impress those hunting for ultra-lightweight speed training shoes. However, for training shoes designed for comfortable, not too fast, runs, this weight is perfectly acceptable. The most important factors in this type of training are cushioning, joint protection, and comfort. A few extra grams in exchange for solid comfort is unlikely to bother anyone.
Final Thoughts
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 offers excellent cushioning and stability, making it ideal for everyday training. Its wide midsole and slightly raised edges provide reliable support, and its versatile outsole allows you to run on hard surfaces and compacted trails. However, the shoe is one of the heaviest in its category due to its high weight, and the fairly warm upper can cause discomfort on hot days. This model prioritizes comfort over dynamics and is best suited for heel strikers weighing up to 95 kg.
