Brooks Ghost Max 2 Review: Still Scary Good, But a Little Softer

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the Brooks Ghost Max 2

CHAD: Hands down, the most surprising shoe of the year for me in 2023, and I imagine others as well, was the Brooks Ghost Max. Now, don’t get me wrong, Brooks has always been synonymous with quality when it comes to its shoes. However, the brand had a bit of a reputation for being somewhat… blah. The Ghost and the Glycerin lines are some of the most popular models in the market, not because they are particularly exciting, but because they are dependable, workhorse daily trainers.

The Ghost Max was a departure from Brooks’s mainstays, which we’ve seen year after year. Featuring a 6 mm drop, a thick slab of cushy midsole foam, and a rocker profile, the Ghost Max was one of my top three recovery day shoes in 2023, along with the Topo Athletic Atmos and the On Cloudeclipse. Overall, it was a really nice treat, and it was awesome to see the brand making a splash.

So, what’s new in 2024 with the Brooks Ghost Max 2? Well, the list is very short but important all the same. Rather than the DNA Loft v2 midsole foam that was in OG Ghost Max, the second version features nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3, tagged by Brooks as being both soft and comfortable. Other than that, much stays the same: 39 mm / 33 mm stack height, GlideRoll rocker profile, and a similar weight at 9.5 oz. for a US M9.

RENALDO: The era of the big boi continues with Brook’s newest iteration of the Ghost Max, the Ghost Max 2 — a Max Cushion neutral trainer that promises the comfort that Brooks is known for but with some upgrades to the original. Our big man, Chad, loves it but is it for everyone?

Let’s find out!

WIDE-FOOT JARRETT: Last year I was pleasantly surprised by the Ghost Max and the fact that Brooks offered a new shoe in wide. It ended up being my favorite wide Brooks shoe I have ever run in, and I continued to get miles even after the review was done.

With the Ghost Max 2, I was interested to see where the updates would come from. The only change is within the midsole with the adoption of DNA Loft v3. While some may not love the update, I think the “Max” name now makes more sense.

What we like about the Brooks Ghost Max 2

CHAD: I was in a weird place when the Ghost Max 2 came in because it was the only shoe I had in for testing at the time. Normally, I’ll have two or three shoes I’m rotating between to get my miles in. So because of that, I laced up the Ghost Max 2 for four straight runs, all easy miles. I have to say, the change to the DNA Loft v3 makes a significant difference in the underfoot feel of this shoe.

Last year’s model felt just soft underfoot, without much resilience. That made it a great recovery day shoe for me. But the new nitrogen-infused midsole feels a bit firmer, but feels more responsive and gives a bit more back on each step. When combined with the GlideRoll rocker, which is the same as the OG, the ride is incredibly smooth. This more resilient foam also increases the inherent stability, which is evidenced by the fact I had very little midsole rub markings on the medial side of the shoe.

I don’t know what they changed in this model, but the upper feels more comfortable as well. I feel like it is slightly lower volume because the Ghost Max 2 fits a little differently than the original did, which was actually nice. Also, white on white was so nice to look down at on the run.

RENALDO: Earlier in the year, I got to review the Ghost 16 and found that shoe to be pretty much the poster boy for Brooks. A comfortable ride, with a comfortable upper, for easy or decently challenging miles. And with the Ghost Max 2 taking a lot of inspiration from the Ghost 16, the same rings true. The upper is plush and brings that patented Brooks La-Z-Boy feel once you’ve got it on. This iteration comes with a GlideRoll rocker that makes miles in this chonkster even more of a breeze.

And, I gotta be honest, all white shoes? Not really my thing, but this colorway does look pretty snazzy.

But this, unfortunately, is no fashion show…

WIDE-FOOT JARRETT: There isn’t much to discuss with the upper as it hasn’t changed from the previous version. My 2E isn’t super generous with the fit, but it feels comfortable on foot, and I haven’t encountered any pressure points. Brooks doesn’t skimp out on comfort, as the tongue and heel collar are super plush.

The new DNA Loft v3 midsole definitely feels softer and more cushioned than the first Ghost Max. Don’t get too worked up; it’s not a drastic change and doesn’t cause the shoe to feel completely different this time around. While running, I noticed the GlideRoll rocker, but it didn’t seem to roll as well as the first version. This is the trade-off Brooks chose to make, and it makes sense, as this is a Max shoe, whereas you can get speed in their other options.

What we don’t like about the Brooks Ghost Max 2

CHAD: Remember 10 seconds ago when I complimented the aesthetics of the shoe? Well, like I said, looking down at the clean white upper was pleasing to the eye. However, the overall aesthetic of this shoe, especially the white on white, is a bit suspect. Holding them in my hand and looking at them reminded me of something an older person with bad feet who needed corrective inserts would wear for walking around the mall. Yes, there are some other colorways that aren’t as offensive, but none are particularly thrilling.

Also, while the gain in weight was minimal, I have no idea where the added weight comes in. It seems by-and-large the vast majority of the shoe stayed the same minus the new midsole foam. Brooks’ website says that DNA Loft v3 is supposed to be “softer, lighter, and more responsive.” The weight shift wasn’t that noticeable, but I think most would agree that if the midsole foam is getting lighter and there’s the same amount of it, a decrease in weight overall would be nice.

RENALDO: Alright, if you’re a longtime reader, you’ve probably been noticing my waning excitement for Brooks shoes. With updates seeming to hit smaller and very specific aspects of its shoes, Brooks is starting to fall into a bit of a rut. A “Second verse, same as the first” era, if you will. With DNA Loft V3 foam being the newest addition to this shoe AGAIN, after debuting nearly three years ago, it really makes me wonder why this shoe was made in the first place. There’s already the Glycerine series, the Hyperion, or even the Caldera if you’re a bit crunchy.

But it soon dawned on me once I took another look at our tech sheet for this shoe. Obviously a max cushion shoe in the running market, this shoe is also being marketed as a walking shoe. Now look, all movement is beautiful, but if you’re going to make a walking shoe, make a walking shoe. I’m just some guy with a mic and some opinions, but it seems like Brooks is almost eating itself alive by bringing out new shoes with old foams that their base does enjoy but isn’t innovating on any of it. It just really seems kinda redundant. And at $150, I’d look elsewhere.

WIDE-FOOT JARRETT: If we’re going to have an ugly-off, my wide charcoal colorway is Simone Biles, while the other team’s all-white is a third grader tumbling during gym class. It’s not even close. This is the undisputed champ.

Other than the colorway I got — and let’s be real, Brooks is going to come out with a lot of other options throughout the lifespan of this shoe — there aren’t many issues other than I would have preferred it not to gain 0.7 oz, bringing my pair to 11.7 oz.

Final thoughts on the Brooks Ghost Max 2

CHAD: Despite looking like a shoe my mother-in-law would rock, Brooks has continued its longstanding trend of making incredibly solid running shoes. The Ghost Max 2, for me, almost shifts out of my recovery day category and more into a daily trainer status. Given the slightly firmer feel and resilience from the DNA Loft v3, I could see myself taking this on a greater variety of runs than simply on the days just after my long run.

RENALDO: This shoe brought all the trappings of your regular Brooks purchase without really doing anything new. It’s the same old, same old, SAME OLD. But, for some Brooks die-hards, that’s really all they’re looking for out of the brand. If that’s you, you’ve already made your mind up and will give this shoe a try. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found your newest addition to your friend group’s weekly fit check.

WIDE-FOOT JARRETT: The Ghost Max 2 is a very solid daily trainer. The first version felt a little faster, but that one also didn’t feel as cushioned. The transition is still smooth and the upper’s comfort is still present. As with any update, people tend to worry about changes. I think the Ghost Max 2 took the trade-off as it should have, and now it’s even more comfortable on foot.

You can pick up the Brooks Ghost Max 2 for $150 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.