REASONS TO BUY
No break-in period
Cushioned and comfortable
Durable design
REASONS TO AVOID
Max cushion can be awkward
Not good for narrow feet
Minimal support
Brooks Ghost Max 4 - Women's Review
These minimally supportive shoes are extra-cushioned and best for wide feet
Credit: Becca Glades
By Becca Glades ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ November 10, 2026
RELATED: The Best Walking Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
These max-cushioned shoes will keep most feet happy, but they lack the “wow” factor. They have minimal arch support and a very tall stack height. While we didn't have any issues with these, they weren't the ones we reached for when leaving the house.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Brooks Ghost Max 4 - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Walking Shoe |  Best for Support and Stability | Best for Outdoor Urban Walks |  Best Bang for Your Buck | |
| Price | $165 List Check Price at REI | $145 List Check Price at REI | $155 List Check REI (on sale!) | $155 List Check REI (on sale!) | $80 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | These shoes are ideal for wide feet, but they lack support and the cushion takes time to get used to | These supportive shoes are a joy to walk and run in, and they are ready to go right out of the box | These supportive shoes feel great once you get used to the stability features | These are a solid choice for outdoor walks where a little extra traction is helpful | Despite the low price, these shoes are ready to walk. They keep your feet comfortable but have minimal support |
| Rating Categories | Brooks Ghost Max 4 | Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 | Brooks Adrenaline GT... | Hoka Transport 2 | Asics Gel-Contend 10 |
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Support (25%) | |||||
| Durability (20%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Brooks Ghost Max 4 | Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 | Brooks Adrenaline GT... | Hoka Transport 2 | Asics Gel-Contend 10 |
| Best Use | Athletic walking, everyday casual | Athletic walking, everyday casual | Athletic walking, everyday casual | Athletic walking, outdoor, casual | Athletic walking |
| Width Options | Regular, wide, x-wide | Regular, wide | Narrow, regular, wide, x-wide | Regular, wide | Regular, wide |
| Support Design | Neutral | Neutral, underpronation | Structured stability: GuideRails | Neutral | Neutral, underpronation |
| Measured Weight | 8.2 oz | 7.06 oz | 8.1 oz | 8.85 oz | 8.28 oz |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 7 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm | 6 mm | 9 mm |
| Closure Type | Lace | Lace | Lace | Quick-toggle, lace | Lace |
| Upper Material | Mesh | Mesh | Mesh and flatknit | Cordura | Mesh |
| Midsole Material | DNA Loft v3 | FF Blast MAX foam | DNA Loft v3 | Sugarcane EVA | Amplifoam |
| Outsole Material | RoadTack Rubber | Fluidride EVA/rubber | RoadTack Rubber | Vibram EcoStep | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | None | Finger loop | Finger loop | None |
| Measured Heel Stack | 37 mm | 39 mm | 36 mm | 33 mm | 35 mm |
| Measured Width | 4.5 in. | 4.4 in. | 4.5 in. | 4.3 in. | 4.4 in. |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
Right out of the box, these were very welcoming. Unlike previous versions, the toe box wasn't scrunched, and we had no obvious pain points anywhere. The shoes felt ready to go. The regular size will favor a wider foot, especially through the midfoot, yet the heel cup will still hold your foot in place.
Shoe Exterior Shoe Interior
The cushion level is max with 37 millimeters under the heel.
Everything about the Brooks Ghost Max 4 feels well-made. The upper is constructed of high-quality mesh, and the DNA Loft v3 midsole is durable enough to prevent packing in. We appreciate the overlays throughout the shoe, which help keep the upper from sinking in with extensive wear.
The toe box doesn't taper in abruptly, so our big toes could remain straight and in a more natural stance. We also love the heel pull tab, which is thick and easy to grab.
The generous fit allows our toes to splay naturally. Credit: Becca Glades
The 37-millimeter stack height is both a love and a hate for us. On the one hand, it feels great underfoot. The impact absorption is obvious. Then, there is only a 7-millimeter drop to the toe, which feels stable and smooth. Despite being so far off the ground, we didn't feel like we would roll an ankle or tip over.
Dislikes
The large stack height also felt weird. Our tester, who is already tall, hated the extra height, and she felt like she was towering over her friends even more than normal (but maybe that is a plus for you!). Additionally, all this foam can feel clunky and unnatural at first. While comfy, these took a longer period to feel normal during walks. We couldn't help but notice the bouncy, cushiony midsole under our feet, walk after walk. We felt like we were wearing moon shoes for the first handful of walks.
We often felt like we were sinking into the heel when standing. Credit: Becca Glades
We also felt like we needed to lift our feet more to clear the massive stack at the heel. We got used to it within the duration of a few walks, but we were scraping the heel unnaturally at first. That said, this is somewhat unavoidable with max-cushioned shoes.
It took some time for us to get used to the additional stack. We needed to clear more ground for our heels not to scrape the ground. Credit: Becca Glades
The Ghost Max 4 is flat on the inside. The shoes have little arch or lateral support. That said, the accommodating shape makes these perfect for aftermarket insoles. While it offered a nice landing for the heel strike, it also had a slight “sinking in” feel when standing for extended periods.
There isn't much support inside the Brooks Ghost Max 4. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the Brooks Ghost Max 4?
There isn't inherently anything wrong with these shoes, though we found others to be more comfortable. You might love the wide fit and ability to customize the support with an aftermarket insole. Keep in mind you'll have the maximum amount of cushion underfoot, which doesn't necessarily mean the most amount of support. However, if you hate arch support, these are a solid pick.
What Other Walking Shoes Should You Consider?
The Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 has that “wow” factor that we feel these miss. They still have plenty of cushion underfoot, but they are far more supportive. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 is another option by Brooks that has a supportive build. With its GuideRails, it is the pick for under- or overpronators.
—Becca Glades
You Might Also Like
