Brooks Ghost Max 2 First Run Review: Softer, Bouncier, But Heavier

Introduction

Brooks has updated one of its most cushioned daily trainers, and the Ghost Max 2 feels like a genuine step forward for the brand. In the past, Brooks shoes have sometimes felt dependable but a little unexciting, and the new DNA Loft v3 midsole changes that impression. It is softer and bouncier than the previous version, and it may well be the most comfortable Brooks midsole out there right now.

The shoe tested here is a deeply cushioned neutral daily trainer, the kind of shoe you reach for during steady training miles through the week when comfort and dependability matter most. It arrives in a distinctive blue and teal colorway, and with a UK retail price around £140 (about $150 in the US) and availability from early to mid August, it sits firmly in the premium daily trainer bracket.

Who This Product Is For

The Ghost Max 2 is aimed at runners who want maximum underfoot comfort for easy and steady miles. If your weekly routine is built around relaxed training runs rather than fast intervals, and you value a plush, stable ride over lightweight responsiveness, this is the profile the shoe is built around. Runners who liked the original Ghost Max but wanted a bit more bounce from the midsole are the clearest audience for this update.

What’s New in the Ghost Max 2

The headline update is the DNA Loft v3 nitrogen-infused midsole, the same foam family used in the standard Ghost, but with more of it here. It runs on a 6mm heel offset, which Brooks has kept from the first Ghost Max. Brooks has also worked in its GlideRoll rocker geometry for a smooth heel-to-toe transition, and the midsole now sits you slightly lower in the shoe thanks to higher sidewalls, giving a secure and stable ride on a wide neutral platform.

The upper is a subtle evolution rather than a redesign. It keeps the traditional layout of the previous version, with small perforations over the engineered mesh for breathability, generous padding around the ankle collar, heel and tongue, and a standard (not gusseted) tongue. The outsole carries a good helping of blown rubber in high-wear areas for durability, plus small flex grooves along the medial and lateral edges of the midsole that give this deep midsole surprisingly good midfoot and forefoot flexibility.

How They Feel on the Run

Out on the road, the new foam is the story. It feels soft and bouncy, noticeably softer and springier than the previous version, and comfortably the best-feeling Brooks midsole tested so far. It is not as energetic as Saucony’s PWRRUN PB or Nike’s ZoomX, but for a daily trainer it delivers a genuinely comfortable, well-protected ride. On stony paths and rocky trails the wide platform felt planted and stable, which is impressive for a deeply cushioned neutral road shoe.

The fit is true to size, as Brooks shoes usually are, with good lockdown around the midfoot and a nice secure hold at the heel. Internally the shoe is plush and comfortable, with no rubbing or irritation over an eight-mile run on a mix of track, gravel and tarmac. The toe box is an average width with decent wiggle room, and wider fittings should be available when the shoe reaches general release. The main fit caveat: in warm conditions around 23 degrees, the heavily padded upper made feet run quite hot by the end of the run.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Weight is the first consideration. The pair tested came in at 327g in a UK 9.5, which is 14g heavier than the original version, and this is not a light trainer. A weight closer to 300g would make the shoe feel more responsive. If you prioritize speed in a daily trainer, this may not be the shoe for you.

The second point is the laces. They are extremely stretchy, and that stretch made it hard to achieve a tight lockdown around the midfoot, enough that a mid-run re-tie was needed. If you have a narrow midfoot, this is worth checking when you try them on. Finally, the warm-weather breathability is average given all the padding, so very hot-climate runners may want to weigh that against the comfort.

Buying Advice

At around £140 / $150, the Ghost Max 2 is priced like a premium daily trainer, and the new foam justifies a look if comfort is your priority. Choose it over the standard Ghost if you prefer the 6mm offset and a more cushioned, rockered ride. If you chase lighter, faster-feeling trainers, look elsewhere. Expect the shoe to bed in nicely over more miles and possibly return even a little more energy as the foam loosens up.

Conclusion

The Ghost Max 2 turns one of Brooks’ quieter shoes into one of its most comfortable. The nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 midsole adds real bounce, the wide platform with higher sidewalls delivers a stable ride, and the 6mm offset carries over unchanged. Heavier weight and overly stretchy laces are the compromises, but for steady, cushioned daily miles, this is a strong and dependable pick.