| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + Glideroll Rocker + Stable, comfortable ride | – Heavy |
After reviewing a lackluster 2nd edition of the Ghost Max, my expectations for the third version were as low as the approval rating of the U.S. President (he who shall not be named). And then when I learned the 3rd version wasn’t getting any notable updates and was adding weight—again—my expectations sank even lower than the droopy, oversized tie of “he who shall not be named.” But find out why three was the lucky number this time, in this Brooks Ghost Max 3 review.
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Review
| STACK HEIGHT | WEIGHT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 39/33 mm (6 mm drop) | M9: 11.2 oz/317 g W8: 10 oz/283 g | $160 |
Midsole
No change in midsole foam this time around, with DNA LOFT v3 carrying over from the second edition. This EVA foam is nitrogen-injected which makes it lighter and more responsive than traditional EVA. Although it’s a bit stale in the Brooks lineup, it still works very well when paired with the excellent Glideroll Rocker geometry.
Another constant: the 39/33 mm stack height and 6 mm drop has remained untouched since v1. That’s got to be a record. It seems like every shoe increases its stack height by at least 2 millimeters at some point within three updates. The stack ensures the shoe lives up to its beefy moniker. I suspect Brooks may soon switch to the superior DNA Tuned foam, found in the Glycerin 22 and Glycerin Max. DNA Tuned is also nitrogen-infused, with dual-sized cell structure to provide different levels of cushioning and responsiveness in different parts of the shoe. Larger cells in the heel for softer landings, and smaller cells in the forefoot provide a more responsive toe-off.
Ride
Having a rocker geometry is nothing special; a lot of shoes have it in 2025. It’s like having a pull tab. God I really hate those things; what purpose do they serve besides adding weight to the heel? Is it a fashion statement? It’s a revolting one.
But few rockers work as well as the Glideroll Rocker in the Ghost Max 3, one of the best I’ve run in this year. The rocker feels more reminiscent of the shoe’s geometry in v1. Add in a low 6 mm offset, and heel to toe transitions feel much more natural. I could really feel my feet being propelled to take the next step, more than in the second version.
DNA LOFT v3 won’t provide much bounce or spring in your step, but it’s a solid enough, soft midsole that can still get the job done in 2025. Although they share the same midsole foam, the Max feels more responsive (and softer underfoot) than the Ghost 17 because of the Glideroll Rocker. And while the Ghost’s 36.5 mm/26.5 mm stack height is nothing to sneeze, cough, or fart at, the Max’s additional foam is preferable. I never say “no” to more midsole foam—I’m a very basic runner.
The shoe’s broad base coupled with sidewalls offer a very stable ride for a neutral shoe—or any shoe. This is one of the most supportive neutral pairs available and may work well for those who typically opt for slight motion control shoes or use orthotics.
The ride gets docked some points for the high of the shoe. Brooks has got to stop tacking on weight in each subsequent edition—reducing the amount of outsole rubber and paring down the hefty upper a bit would do the trick. Maybe just take a paring knife to it?
Its high weight prevents it from being a long run option for many, myself included, but it’s still a great daily trainer and recovery day pair.
Upper
The new engineered mesh upper is another comfy one from Brooks, with improved breathability compared to v2. There’s ample heel padding on the inside collar, with a prominent heel counter on the outer layer for added stability. My heel felt supported and stayed in place throughout. It’s a roomy upper with enough space for your feet to comfortably breathe.
My one minor gripe: the tongue is too short for my liking, just like in the Glycerin Max. It sits too low on my foot and feels a bit off. While I’m still able to get a secure lockdown, it’s not as comfortable as other Brooks uppers like the Ghost 17 or Glycerin 22.
Outsole
If there’s one thing you can count on with Brooks, it’s a durable outsole. Well, a durable outsole and a ginormous logo plastered on their shoes. Seriously, have you seen the size and girth of the logo on the Glycerin Max? What exactly is Brooks overcompensating for with that? I think I know: a teeny tiny ego.
As per the usual, there’s a lot of durable rubber underfoot which will help the pair go the distance for several hundred miles. There are also flex grooves for whatever flex grooves are supposed to do.
Weight
Listen, no running shoe in 2025 should top 11 oz for men’s size 9 or 10 oz for a women’s size 8. That’s unacceptable. Unless it’s got, like, 60 mm in the heel. Or, like, 3 plates. For some godforsaken reason, Brooks has tacked on weight in each of the two updates. The original Ghost Max came in at a solid 10 oz for a men’s size 9. The second edition was 10.8 ounces, and now v3 comes in third place at 11.2 ounces (317.5g) for men and 10 oz (283.5 g) for women.
And yet, while the high weight is noticeable, it’s actually not as bad as I thought it’d be, considering how much I hated the weight in v2. But it begs the question: what if this shoe was an ounce lighter? Yes, I’m aware the Ghost 17 is already an ounce lighter, but I prefer the ride of the Ghost Max 3, despite the weight. For 2026, Brooks ought to take the fourth edition back to its roots and cut the weight around an ounce.
Aesthetics
The nine available U.S. colorways are extremely underwhelming. Honestly, what was Brooks thinking here? It’s like they were blasted on quaaludes when designing them. They probably don’t even remember creating such basic, uninspiring models. My Coconut/Chateau/Navy colorway is an improvement over last year’s all-black catastrophe I wouldn’t stop bitching about—if you’re not a TSA worker, Applebees server, or a compromised referee, why in the world would you ever wear a pair of all-black kicks?
The shoe’s basic design leaves something to be desired. And by “something,” I mean, “a lot of something.” Clearly Brooks has never heard of accent colors; too monochromatic with no personality—kind of like my ex [ba dum tss].
Price
I’m disappointed in Brooks for raising the price $10 from v2. You hear that, Brooks?! You’ve upset The Size 15 Runner and you will hate the consequences as much as your customers despise the price increase.
At $160, it’s not an egregious price point, but $150 would’ve really set the Ghost Max apart from other max cushioned pairs out there—and there are a lot of them. It’s the only kind of shoe that companies produce these days. When was the last time you heard of a minimum cushioned shoe? It was way back in 2012, for me. A much simpler time. Literally everything was better.
Still, it’s a durable pair that can go the distance and you’ll get your money’s worth—unlike the Labubu craze. Don’t you fools realize they’re just glorified (deformed) Beanie Babies? Mark my words: those demonic creatures will be cast as the killers in a horror movie within the next three years. Spoiler: the film won’t be scary or unintentionally funny.
Conclusion
Despite its high weight, the Ghost Max 3 gets the job done with its excellent Glideroll Rocker and reliable DNA LOFT v3 midsole. Greater than the sum of its parts, this shoe shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it’s a dependable pair that can eat up miles in comfort with great durability.
The Ghost Max 3 is available on Brooks’ website...or literally anywhere shoes are sold.
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Brooks graciously provided this shoe to me for wear testing. I was not compensated for this Brooks Ghost Max 3 review and Brooks didn’t get an opportunity to see this Brooks Ghost Max 3 review before I published.
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