After feeling a little ho hum about the original, our team was pretty excited to see what’s changed. In this Ghost Max 2 review we’ll give you our honest feedback on what is considered a max cushion running shoe…but seems to be missing that cushioned feeling.
Maybe we’ve simply gotten spoiled by the new soft bouncy shoes on the market or maybe this shoe just hasn’t made the leap forward that the name implies. Either way, what we do know is that some of you LOVE it and we overall are not those some.
So we’re going to dig in to who will enjoy this shoe, the good points and low points!
Plus answer one of your most common questions about how does this compare to the Ghost 16?
As you know we are always honest in running shoe reviews with what we like, dislike and what might work for you that wasn’t a fit for us! If you love or hate a shoe, always great to drop your personal insights in the comments to help out another runner!
There is no one perfect running shoe for all runners, so we’re going to share our findings. But as always encourage you to head in to a running store and put them on! Run around the shop and see what you think.
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Details
The Brooks Ghost is one of their flagship shoes. Runners have loved it for years and so it’s not a surprise they didn’t mess with that working formula and instead tried to branch out to meet the new growing demand for max shoes.
Max generally means we’re getting a bigger stack height so they can shove in a lot more cushion and it will feel softer underfoot.
One notable difference with the Ghost Max 2 is the heel drop is 6mm, vs the traditional 12 mm. That’s a change I can get behind as it’s better for a lot of runners. A lower drop simply feels better on the IT Band or calves.
The second change is the one you’ll feel which is going from the DNA Loft V2 to V3 cushion in the midsole. This shift meant it did feel softer than the original Max which felt like a rock to Coach Amanda.
This version also feels softer than the Ghost 16…but in a minimal way.
We asked a number of runners who have trained in the original Ghost Max what they liked and it was this slightly firmer feel because so many shoes now are a really soft foam
Coach Stacey agreed that while running the cushioning was firm, there was not much bounce even when she went to do strides and as noted Amanda felt the same. Stacey tends to run like a dancer, and in landing with that forefoot strike felt the shoe more on the outer side of the foot than normal.
We’re definitely seeing other reviewers hype this shoe up and it made us wonder if we’re missing something or if they’re just trying to sell some shoes?? Again, it could simply be that we are much happier with the soft foam of the New Balance 1080 or even the moderate cushion in the Pegasus 41 than what this shoe is providing.
While this is not a stability shoe, if you’re looking for something that has a stable ride with moderate cushion and you like the fit of Brooks this would be a good choice.
Also, similar to the Saucony Hurricane this is likely to be a winner for our heavier runners.
It’s going to give a little more cushion, plus a little more support and as we know from our basketball playing friend Drew at Wear Testers, these features are much loved to lessen pounding.
- Heel Drop: 6mm
- Weight: 9.5 oz women’s, 10.3 oz men’s
- Moderate cushion (39mm stack height)
- Available in 7 colors
- Available in Wide (and extra wide in men’s)
- Available on Brooksrunning.com and retail stores for $150
If you are looking for their max cushion shoe, that’s going to be the Brooks Glycerin (not the GTS). Interestingly it’s only a 10 mm drop and slightly lighter! I think that’s a good sign that the Ghost is a model that works for people, so they aren’t making major changes.
We gotta say it, these shoes still look kind of geriatric. Sorry!
After testing a lot of big tall chunky shoes, these just don’t look like running shoes. And maybe it’s a color issue for us, who knows…but stylewise these are a fail.
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Fit
I find Brooks running shoes to have a pretty standard fit. Unlike Nike’s which can feel a little narrow or short, Brooks always seems pretty comfortable on the first run. I always get the same shoe size (11) in them as I would in New Balance, Hoka or Asics.
Some heel slipping was noticed right away and yet, the laces are VERY short, so getting that heel lock lacing was a stretch this time around.The overall padded tongue and collar don’t leave a ton of room for your foot to swell over longer distances and for some could feel like a tight shoe if you have a high arch. Stacey felt like it was a bit too much padding and ran in t some issues with the tongue as well.
I did notice that by the end of each run, the tongue moved to the side a little instead of staying put in the middle. This did result in a little rubbing closer to my ankle but not enough to irritate it. (Maybe this is really why tall socks are back in vogue?!)
Toe box isn’t wide, but seemed to have plenty of room for us both, with no rubbing issues.
Brooks Ghost 16 vs Brooks Ghost Max 2
Between the 15 and the Max, I always picked the 15…but then they changed the 16 and now I guess I’d choose the Ghost Max 2. Which is interesting based on what you’ve already read!
The heel drop is only 6mm! Which I greatly prefer for a lot of runners and it’s only $10 more.
The Max feels a little more cushioned and a lot more stable to me when in I put a shoe on both feet and run around for a bit. Obviously you’re getting more stack height and a smidge more weight, but for a daily trainer you probably won’t notice that on your runs.
- 16 has the 12mm heel drop to the Ghost 6mm – maybe why it feels more stable with the big base
- Ghost 16 is 36mm stack height to the Max 2 39mm, so 3mm more cushion
- Ghost 16 is about .5 oz lighter, unlikely to be noticed much in an easy run shoe
- Both are using the same cushion type
Similar Shoes to Brooks Ghost Max 2
Not sure this is exactly what you want or are concerned about the updates, here are some options:
- Nike Pegasus (complete comparison to the Ghost
- Saucony Hurricane (Stability shoe but big stack)
- On Cloudeclipse (another max shoe, but softer underfoot)
- Hoka Skyflow (our winner from this list if looking for good cushion in one of the new bigger stack shoes)
What You Need to Know About Brooks Running Shoes
Believe it or not, Brooks started out in 1914 making ballet slippers and bathing shoes. Since then, they have made everything from baseball and football cleats to roller skates.
It wasn’t until Frank Shorter won the marathon at the 1972 Munich Olympics that Brooks considered limiting its focus. The first running shoe debuted in 1974 and their most popular running shoe, the Adrenaline GTS first hit the market in 1999.
In 2001, Brooks decided to focus solely on running.
They introduced the Transcend in 2013, a shoe that used new biomechanics technology to create a GuideRails technology, allowing runners to run naturally without trying to correct their gait.
The Seattle-based company is also well known for its commitment to sustainability and giving back. Brooks donates time, gear, and money to companies that align with their values around diversity, equity, and inclusion and staff receive paid annual volunteer time.
Am I Related?
Since I used to get this question a ton, let me help you out.
Sadly, I am not related to the folks who started Brooks running. But maybe there is something to the name because here I am writing about running, coaching and loving every mile I get to put in to a running shoe.
Drawbacks to Brooks Running Shoes
As noted, every runner has a preference, so there are just a couple of things from my experience.
- They are not ideal for those with high arches or a high mid-foot
- Most of them run a bit more narrow than other brands
- Still a very traditional looking run shoe, not fashion forward
- Bright colors or white dominate the selections
- Limited wide selection
All right I hope this Brooks Ghost Max 2 review gave you some insights that help you decide if it’s worth trying! Have you tried it? What did you think??
Looking for other running shoes??
- On Cloud vs Brooks Running
- On Cloud vs Hoka
- Adidas Vs Nike Running Shoes
- Altra vs HOKA Running Shoes
Stacey Gross
RTTF Coach
Coach Stacey Gross has been part of the coaching team since 2021 and started taking on gear reviews for the last few years as well! She loves to provide feedback for that middle and back of the pack runner.
She also embraces a good treadmill run, alongside her road running and is a newbie trail runner learning the ropes and providing great feedback in each area for the everyday runner.
Other ways to connect with Amanda
Instagram Daily Fun: RunToTheFinish
Facebook Community Chatter: RunToTheFinish
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Half Marathon Fueling Strategy: Why and How You Need to Fuel
Caroline Karp
I ran in the ghost maxs (orginal) and have done two longer runs in the ghost max 2s! I would agree with a lot of what you wrote. I like the shoe but WHY are the shoelaces so short?! I thought it was just me but I’m glad I’m not alone in this! Overall, from someone who has had a lot of problems with their feet running, it’s a good practice shoe that is reliable in my opinion.
Amanda Brooks
Thank you for the feedback! I think the more we hear from other runners the more it helps!