Brooks Ghost Max 3 review

We think the Brooks Ghost Max 3 is an excellent pick for:

• Midfoot and forefoot strikers who enjoy the feel of the regular Ghost but want a more cushioned option for longer runs.
• Runners looking for a dependable shoe with strong traction and long-lasting durability for daily miles or casual use.
• Beginners wanting to try a max-stack trainer that stays well below the $200 price point so common today.

We found that the Brooks Ghost Max 3 falls short for runners who prioritize strong heel cushioning. In our lab, its shock absorption proved weaker than most other max-stack shoes, and that should be a dealbreaker for many heel strikers. For a more energetic and protective running experience, we believe the Nike Vomero Plus or the Salomon Aero Glide 3 are far superior options.

We also think that its heavy, slow-moving design might turn off runners who want a faster, more versatile running experience. While the comfort is undeniable, it comes at the expense of speed. If you’d rather sacrifice a bit of plushness for a light, fast-paced ride, the ASICS Novablast 5 is a smarter and cheaper pick.

We tested the Ghost Max 3 and found that its impact protection is solid, but also slightly below expectations for a "Max" version. The heel reached 134 SA, which feels somewhat underwhelming, while the forefoot’s 116 SA aligns better with what we anticipated.

Still, the cushioning is present and effective, and we believe most runners will find the comfort they’re after. That said, adding 10 or 15 SA would make this shoe far more appealing.

We tested the nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 and found just 51.3% energy return in the heel and 50.5% in the forefoot. That’s a serious concern for runners expecting a bouncy feel... because the bounce simply isn’t there. On the other hand, if you only care about comfort and not performance, there’s no need to worry. 

Still, these are disappointing results for a modern running shoe, and while the Ghost Max 3 isn’t in the premium range, we think Brooks urgently needs a DNA Loft v4 foam or whatever name they give it.

Some of the things Brooks is doing right now are quite unique in the running world. For instance, most people would expect the Ghost Max 3 to be a beefed-up version of the Ghost 17, featuring more stack height but the same overall shape and feel.

However, we discovered it’s a completely different shoe from a geometry standpoint. The heel is only a few millimeters higher, reaching just 38.5 mm up from 36.2 mm in the Ghost 17. And while this measurement can sound high, it's actually quite modest for a maximalist design.

However, the forefoot surpasses the 30-mm mark with a substantial 31.2 mm of height. This gives the shoe improved shock absorption in that area and clearly sets it apart from the standard version.

As you may have already guessed, this shoe breaks away from the high-offset design of the regular Ghost, featuring a real heel-to-toe drop of 7.3 mm, even though Brooks advertises a slightly lower 6 mm.

Let's make this much easier for you: if you’re a heel striker, the regular Ghost 17 remains the smarter and more affordable choice. However, for midfoot or forefoot strikers, the Ghost Max 3 offers a better geometry for your stride, and a deeply protective underfoot feel.

We tested the new formulation of DNA Loft v3 and found it noticeably softer than before, measuring 17.0 HA on our durometer. This change was long overdue, as most runners expect a highly cushioned shoe to deliver a plush ride.

While this Brooks doesn’t reach the ultra-soft levels of some competitors, it feels comfortable and maintains a stable, well-structured base. It’s an excellent option for those who dislike overly mushy shoes where the foot sinks too much, which can be a problem during relaxed, easy-paced runs, or just walking.

The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is one of the least rockered shoes you’ll find with a forefoot stack height above 30 mm. So, if you prefer modern, heavily curved designs, proceed with caution—this one feels more like a classic, high-stack daily trainer. And it's nice to have such different options!

We discovered during our testing that the Ghost Max 3 maintains nearly the same fit as the regular Ghost. To confirm this, we made a precise gel mold of the shoe’s interior.

The initial result was a very average 95.3 mm, which aligns closely with what we typically see in daily trainers from other brands. However, it's also worth noting that Brooks offers this model in multiple widths, with availability depending on the country.

The Ghost Max 3 provides noticeably more space in the toe area than the regular Ghost, which can be crucial for runners who prefer—or need—a roomier fit. In our measurements, it reached 73.4 mm, compared to just 69.6 mm in the standard version.

We also discovered that the toebox height is more generous, measuring 28.1 mm and providing ample space for the toes to move freely.

That makes perfect sense, as this shoe is better suited for long runs.

We tested the Ghost Max 3 on a slab of wet concrete and measured a strong 0.51, confirming its dependable, all-weather traction. This result perfectly matches what we expected from a solid daily trainer.

The outsole of the Ghost Max 3 differs noticeably from the regular Ghost 17, as we found that the Max 3 exposes less midsole foam. We also noted that its deep-grooved pattern seems designed to improve flexibility while preserving reliable grip especially in wet surfaces, which we verified during testing.

As with other aspects of this shoe, it seems to us that the design prioritizes long-lasting durability over pure performance.

Despite Brooks’ effort to enhance flexibility with the new outsole design, the Ghost Max 3 remains a fairly stiff shoe, measuring 18.7N in our 30-degree bend test. If you prefer a shoe that bends easily, this isn’t the one.

Weight is a genuine drawback of this shoe, as we found 10.7 oz or 303g on our scale. And while we understand it’s a large, high-profile, comfort-focused model, other brands have managed far lighter builds with even taller stacks.

If a heavy-underfoot sensation doesn’t bother you, that’s fine. But for runners accustomed to lightweight trainers it's not a good match.

The moment we slipped on the Brooks Ghost Max 3, we discovered an upper that delivers a cozy, hugging feel that very few shoes on the market can match.

Of course, that comes with some trade-offs. The most evident is weight, followed by slightly limited ventilation compared to what we usually expect from a road running shoe. For us, the Max 3 scored 3/5 in breathability.

At first glance, the upper appears airy due to its visible ventilation holes—but that’s deceptive.

These openings are actually blocked by an inner layer designed for comfort and durability. If they weren’t, the light would pass easily, and the insole would be visible through that hole.

This dual-layer construction is what causes the shoe to trap a bit more warmth than its design suggests.

Still, the comfort level remains outstanding, even if breathability falls a bit short of what we hoped.

In our experience, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 is a neutral running shoe that feels impressively stable—more so than the regular version—and will remain a popular choice for runners with flat feet, like the Max 2.

Its stability comes from a broad midsole and a smart outsole layout featuring a deep central groove and a large Brooks logo that helps control lateral movement in the midfoot, without relying on high sidewalls like some competitors.

The Ghost Max 3 scored a 4/5 in our torsional rigidity test, which isn’t surprising considering its broad and high midsole. In fact, this level of stiffness is quickly becoming the new standard among modern running shoes.

The heel counter is quite stiff, scoring 4/5 in our manual assessment. However, we also noted that it’s exceptionally well-padded around the entire collar, ensuring that despite its rigidity, it remains comfortable.

We discovered that one of the biggest differences between the regular Ghost and the Ghost Max is its much wider shape from heel to toe, giving it extra stability despite the tall stack height.

In the forefoot, it stretches to 119.1 mm.

The biggest design shift happens in the heel, where the Max 3 almost looks like a stability shoe with its massive 101.5 mm width. So it’s no surprise it feels incredibly supportive, though it does sacrifice some agility in return.

Durability has always been one of the main selling points of the Ghost line, so we tested if the Ghost Max 3 could live up to that reputation.

Using our Dremel under controlled conditions, the toebox delivered a solid score of 3 out of 5.

We then tested the heel padding, and the Ghost Max 3 outperformed the average shoe once again. It earned a strong 4/5 score, proving that even with its super-plush padding, this area is built to last.

We reached the area that probably matters most to runners when it comes to durability: the outsole.

Max-cushioned shoes are often used by heavier runners who wear out rubber quickly, yet we discovered that the Ghost Max 3 delivered an impressive performance with only 0.8 mm of wear. Durability challenge completed!

To stay on the safe side, Brooks opted for a 3.3 mm rubber thickness. That's slightly less than the regular Ghost but still more than enough to ensure long-lasting protection.

The insole is notably thick, providing an extra 5.8 mm of cushioning for enhanced comfort underfoot.

You can remove the insole and replace it with an aftermarket one, which is an important feature for a shoe widely recognized and recommended for its orthotic suitability.

We fully expected the EVA-based DNA Loft v3 to struggle in our freezer test. And it certainly did, showing a steep 40% loss in softness compared to our controlled room temperature.

We tested the Ghost Max 3 and found small reflective details on the heel, helping improve visibility so drivers can more easily spot you from behind during nighttime runs.

We noted that the lacing system of the Ghost Max 3 is simple yet efficient, featuring reinforced punched eyelets divided into two sections, with the upper group using a TPU piece for even more durability. 

The tongue includes two thick foam layers totaling 8.8 mm of plush padding, ensuring ultra-soft comfort across the instep even during long wear. Interestingly, the shoe’s name is also neatly engraved on the tongue, which is not common at all.

Brooks likely chose to use two loops on the tongue as a cost-saving alternative here.

However, a well-made gusseted tongue would have offered a far superior fit and performance.

There’s no pull tab for assistance, but the heel includes TPU reinforcements that enhance stability and help the shoe maintain its structure and shape over time.