Brooks Ghost Max 3 Review: Good Things come in Threes

Introduction to the Brooks Ghost Max 3

MEAGHAN: I guess it’s time to stop opening my Brooks reviews with “I’ve never been a huge fan of Brooks shoes,” because here we are, three versions into the Ghost Max, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed each one. It reminds me of the turning point Asics had a few years ago, and it feels like Brooks is hitting that same stride. Not only are the shoes starting to look better, but they’re also performing better. Whether it’s advancements in shoe tech or maybe Brooks is finally listening to us (LOL), the trajectory has been upward, and the Ghost Max 3 is right in line with that trend.

At first glance, and even on paper, the Ghost Max 3 doesn’t seem like a major update. It has the same stack height (39 mm heel, 33 mm forefoot), DNA Loft v3 midsole foam, and GlideRoll rocker tech. What’s new is a redesigned double jacquard upper and some refreshed aesthetics, including a logo that now blends into the midsole, similar to the look of the Hyperion Max.

But do these seemingly minor tweaks make a noticeable difference on the road? Let’s dive in.

CHAD: The Ghost Max line and I share a special relationship for a couple of reasons, actually. First, whenever I need to remember how long I’ve been writing for Believe in the Run, I can look at the Ghost Max, because this is my third year with BITR, and this is the third iteration of the shoe. So as long as Brooks keeps making it annually, even if my memory starts to fade, I’ll always know how long I’ve been bringing you all top-notch Big Guy running shoe reviews. The second reason is that I’ve been fortunate enough to run in all three versions of this shoe, so I can see exactly how the Ghost Max has evolved since its inception.

The evolution of the Ghost Max from the OG to this version has been quite a journey. The original was a new venture for Brooks, finally branching out into the max stack game and a drop lower than 8 mm. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of that shoe, but the aesthetics were… meh. With the second attempt, Brooks significantly improved the aesthetics of the Ghost Max 2 with the white on white colorway (overall style aside, because it looked like a mall walker’s shoe); however, I felt the shoe only moderately improved in performance. Despite having DNA Loft v3 foam, which was supposed to be softer as it was nitrogen-infused, I thought the ride felt firmer but a bit more responsive. Less recovery-oriented, more daily trainer vibes.

The Ghost Max 3, on paper, does not make many significant changes from the 2nd version; basically just an upper update. How does the Ghost Max 3 stack up to the two prior versions in performance? Let’s find out.

What we like about the Brooks Ghost Max 3

MEAGHAN: You know I love to start with aesthetics, and I’m happy to say I dig the looks of this Brooks shoe. A simple design and a big chunky midsole are a winning combination. The light pastel colorway is a nice touch, and the step-in feel is just as inviting as the visuals suggest.

Plush is the name of the game here: a thick, puffy tongue and generously padded heel give it that true max-cushioned vibe. And wow — this shoe is seriously roomy. So much so that I actually double-checked to see if I was sent a D width instead of the standard B (spoiler: I wasn’t — more on that later).

Things get more interesting underfoot. According to the spec sheet, nothing major has changed from the previous version —same stack height, same DNA Loft v3 foam, same GlideRoll rocker. But on the run, something felt different. To figure it out, I went for an 8-mile test wearing one Ghost Max v2 on one foot and the v3 on the other. The result? They’re very similar, but the v3 feels just a bit smoother. My guess is that it’s due to a slightly wider base — or maybe Brooks made a quiet tweak to the foam formula. Either way, the ride feels a little bouncier, more fluid, and overall just better.

CHAD: I think the Ghost Max 3 threads the needle between the first two versions in several ways. First, aesthetically, Brooks has again significantly upgraded the look of this shoe. The prior versions looked very clunky, like a walker’s shoe or something designed for people with foot issues who need heavy-duty orthotics. They gave off vibes of the old Brooks Dyad, which I believe the Ghost Max line was intended to replace. However, they have transformed the look of this shoe so that it looks closer in style to its namesake, the Brooks Ghost. The majority-white colorway with the black and gold accents provides a very clean look that is visually appealing on the foot.

Second, the ride feels very much like a blend of the feel of the Ghost Max and Ghost Max 2. The DNA Loft v3 has a bit more softness, which is closer to version one (after a short break-in period for me), while still having the responsiveness featured in the second version. The shoe felt incredibly comfortable both underfoot and with the slightly more breathable mesh upper from the start of the run all the way through the final mile. They took the best attributes of the midsole of each prior version, and the results are a pretty solid ride.

Additionally, the new upper is definitely more comfortable than both the OG and the Ghost Max 2. It’s softer and plush while still being breathable, secure, and firmly holding the foot over the platform.

What we don’t like about the Brooks Ghost Max 3

MEAGHAN: Alright, this probably won’t come as a surprise after the “Good” section, but this shoe is very wide. As I mentioned earlier, I actually had to double-check that I wasn’t sent a D width. I wasn’t, but it definitely feels extra roomy in both the heel and forefoot. Once I really tightened up the laces, it was manageable, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind, especially if you have narrow feet.

My other critique is this: I just don’t see myself choosing this shoe over the Brooks Hyperion Max. Yes, there’s a noticeable price difference, but in my opinion, it’s completely justified. The Hyperion Max is simply more fun to lace up and run in. The Ghost Max 3? It’s fine. Comfortable, yes. But fun? Not really.

CHAD: While I applaud Brooks for changing the aesthetics of the shoe, I am a bit wary of what the changes actually did in regard to its performance. I felt like both the Ghost Max and Ghost Max 2 were very stable-neutral, and I had no issues with medial roll-in on my right foot. I may be wrong, but I think the change in looks may have impacted the geometry of the shoe, so I felt like I had some stability issues on my weaker right side despite the fairly wide platform. Not significant to the point of injury or pain, but noticeable road rash on the inside of the heel of the midsole, something which I did not have in the earlier versions.

I also felt like this version felt a bit clunkier and heavier on the run at times, despite having the same weight. I believe the upper is lighter in the Ghost Max 3, so there is more weight underfoot than in the prior versions. The GlideRoll rocker on the first two models provided a very nice heel-to-toe transition; however, I believe that the miles felt a bit slappy at times. Once again, not sure if the change in aesthetics altered the geometry of the shoe, but it just didn’t feel as smooth to me.

Lastly, if you have issues with heel lift and need to do the runner’s loop or some other form of lacing, you may need to buy new laces for this shoe. I’m a straight tie with a double knot, and the laces that came with the shoe were incredibly short.

Final thoughts on the Brooks Ghost Max 3

MEAGHAN: The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is a solid, reliable daily trainer, especially well-suited for easy runs and recovery days. It’s not the most exciting shoe on the market, but there’s also very little to complain about. I’d consider it an excellent entry-level option: comfortable, durable, and reasonably priced. If someone were just getting into running, this would be an easy recommendation.

To wrap things up the same way I started — Brooks is clearly heading in the right direction. Both the design and performance are trending upward, and I’m genuinely excited to see where they go next.

CHAD: Just like humans have evolved from the Australopithecus to the mighty Homo Sapien, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 has made some wholesale changes since its inception. Some of the changes are positive, largely in the looks of the shoe, something that has improved with each model. While there was a slight step back in my opinion on the second version, I feel like the Ghost Max 3 comes closer to the OG, which I loved. I still think it slots in more as a max cushion daily trainer versus a recovery day shoe, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. All things told, I do think this is the best version of the shoe, with the increased comfort both underfoot and in the upper.

You can pick up the Brooks Ghost Max 3 for $150 on August 1, 2025, from Brooks by using the buttons below.