Brooks Ghost Max 3 Review

Comfort and Fit

The Ghost Max 3 placed in the middle of the pack for comfort and fit. The upper materials are high quality, but the fit is a bit odd, and there is less of a comfort focus than we're used to seeing in Brooks shoes.

There is a relatively firm heel cup at the back, with no pull tab or heel loop. Soft touch materials line the interior of the ankle and heel, but don't extend all the way to the top. This design led to a slight abrasion on our Achilles when we increased the pace in low-cut socks. Sure, this shoe isn't meant for faster running, but we think a seam right where the Achilles contacts the top of the shoe was a poor choice, nonetheless. The tongue is well-padded and non-gusseted, but it slides around a bit on longer runs, likely due to the high-volume upper.

The fit runs a little wide and sloppy. While we were able to achieve a solid lockdown, our average-width forefeet required significant snugging down of the toe box, which led to some issues with the tongue rolling. Brooks offers a medium (which we tested), as well as wide and extra-wide widths. The midfoot is a little wider than average, as is the heel. The general width of the upper reflects the wide base of the midsole. This shoe has a pretty large footprint.

Cushioning

Typically, when a shoe is marketed as having “super soft, responsive” foam, we expect it to compress under weight and then rebound explosively to provide an energetic ride. The Brooks Ghost Max 3 does neither of those things. Landings feel very protective and smooth, but they don't feel as soft or energetic as those of key competitors.

The shoe features 39mm of Brooks' DNA Loft v3 midsole foam, a nitrogen-infused EVA foam. While Brooks advertises it as “supremely soft,” in our experience, it's far firmer and less responsive than premium midsole foams, such as the PEBA or TPU-based options offered by competitors. Compared to other shoes, this one is best described as sedate and understated.

The shoe feels quite comfortable for long efforts, although it can feel ungainly if you try to increase your pace too much. We had no issues during long runs, although we did notice a slight increase in fatigue than usual due to the overall weight. The shoe is quite stiff, so when paired with the high-volume upper, our feet often pulled up against the midsole rather than working with it. At the same time, even though the wide platform helps provide some stability, this shoe doesn't feel the most supportive. We wouldn't recommend it to runners who need support and stability.

Breathability

The upper on the Ghost Max 3 is pretty warm. The whole shoe runs toasty, resulting in sweaty feet. We believe this could be an asset for easy runs in cold weather, but those in warmer climates may find it a little uncomfortable.

Traction

There's a lot of multi-direction tread on the rubber outsole of the Ghost Max 3. It grips most surfaces pretty well, including gravel, wet asphalt, and cold pavement. We had no issues throughout testing.

Should You Buy the Brooks Ghost Max 3?

This is a comfortable and predictable shoe offering good protection for longer and easier runs. But there are better options available. Multiple competitors in this price range offer a similar (or improved) cushioning, but with lower weights, more pace versatility, and better comfort.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?