Brooks Ghost Max 2 Review: A Steady Max-Cushion Daily Trainer

Introduction

The original Ghost Max surprised a lot of runners last year with how well it balanced a tall stack and a stable ride. The second version keeps that formula mostly intact, with one significant change: a new DNA Loft v3 midsole foam that is nitrogen infused and intended to feel a bit more responsive underfoot.

Ride Feel and Midsole

This is not a shoe that delivers the deep, squishy sink that some runners expect from the max cushion category. The ride reads as firmer and denser, with a high stack and a protective feel under the foot rather than a plush bounce. The wide platform keeps the shoe very stable, and it does not flex much through the stride.

The DNA Loft v3 foam feels dense but pleasant, and the rocker design, which Brooks calls GlideRoll technology, creates a smooth heel-to-toe transition on the roads. Plenty of foam sits under the forefoot, so the foot stays well protected across easy mileage.

Who the Ghost Max 2 Is For

This is a shoe built for easy and recovery runs. It fits neatly into that category and does it well, but if you want more dynamic range from a trainer, this probably is not the one. The added heft works against faster efforts, even if the shoe never felt cumbersome during testing.

Upper and Fit

The upper has not changed much from the previous version, and that is good news. It feels plush and comfortable, and both testers found it true to size. One tester with a wide foot found it accommodating at a normal women’s 7.5, while a narrow foot also fit well. It is a dialed-in fit with no blisters or heel lift.

Durability, Grip, and Weight

There is plenty of rubber covering the outsole, and durability should not be a concern. Grip worked well on every surface tested, though wet-weather performance was not specifically tested.

Specs: 39 mm of foam in the heel and 33 mm in the forefoot for a 6 mm drop. The weight comes in at 9.2 oz (261 g) in a women’s 7.5 and 11.6 oz (329 g) in a men’s 10.5, which puts it on the heavier side, in line with much of the max cushion category this year. The trade-off is the very plush upper and all that foam underfoot.

Buying Advice

The Ghost Max 2 is priced at $150 and is available now, which sits on the lower side of the max cushion category. That value, combined with a simple, dependable, stable ride, makes it an easy recommendation over the traditional Ghost for runners who want a protective daily trainer.

Conclusion

There is nothing flashy about the Ghost Max 2, and that is the point. It is a simple, well-executed daily trainer with a firm-but-protective ride, a stable wide platform, a true-to-size plush upper, and plenty of rubber for the long haul. The main critique is weight; shaving a couple of ounces would make it even better through the stride. As an easy-run specialist at a friendly price, it earns a green light.