Brooks Ghost Max First Run Review: A Deeply Cushioned Daily Trainer That Plays It Dependable

Introduction

Brooks has never really been a brand we reach for on the road, but the original Ghost has long been one of the most popular neutral daily trainers around, so the launch of the new Ghost Max felt like the right moment to give the brand another chance. This is the deeply cushioned version of the Ghost, aimed squarely at runners who want maximum comfort for everyday training miles.

The Ghost Max launches in the UK on 1 December at £140. Our pair, a UK 9.5, tips the scales at 313g. Brooks has also moved to a 6mm heel offset, down from the original Ghost’s higher 10mm drop, which is a welcome change for anyone who found the old platform a bit too dominant.

Upper Design and Fit

The upper follows the classic Brooks formula: extremely plush, with generous padding around the ankle collar and heel cup, and a well-padded standard tongue. Brooks uses a twin-layered engineered mesh for comfort and breathability, finished with rubberized overlays wrapping the heel and lace eyelets for extra durability.

On foot, the fit is true to size. Our UK 9.5 fit just right on length, with good width in the toe box. It is not overly wide, but there is plenty of wiggle room. Heel lockdown, midfoot hold, and overall comfort felt excellent straight out of the box. The one small annoyance is the standard tongue, which slipped around a little during running and needed a stop to readjust. A gusseted tongue would have been the better choice here.

Midsole, Rocker and Ride

The headline feature is a deep stack of super-soft DNA Loft v2 cushioning, Brooks’ attempt at taking on the very soft, bouncy daily trainer market. Working alongside it is the GlideRoll rocker technology, a new rocker geometry designed to smooth the transition from heel to toe.

You actually sink slightly into the midsole, with a guide rail around the back end of the shoe that gives a planted, stable neutral ride. The midsole also has a wide profile through the heel, midfoot, and forefoot, which reinforces that stable, dependable feel. The DNA Loft v2 foam feels comfortable underfoot, though it is not the softest or bounciest deeply cushioned trainer we have run in. Some runners may expect a softer ride based on how the shoe is positioned, but as a workhorse daily trainer it does the job well. It is worth remembering this is a first run, and the midsole may soften up with more miles.

Outsole Grip in Wet Conditions

Flipping the shoe over reveals a generous helping of blown rubber on the outsole, there for traction and durability over training miles. In practice, it performed very well. Paths had been wet for days, with fallen leaves, large puddles, and even some mud to contend with, and the grip felt confident the whole way through. The rubber appears genuinely sticky underfoot.

First Run Verdict

We logged 7.9 miles on the first outing, and every single one was comfortable. The upper fit like a glove, the cushioning stayed pleasant throughout, and the ride felt solid and dependable in the traditional Brooks style rather than exciting.

If you are a fan of the original Brooks Ghost, or you are looking for your first pair of proper neutral running shoes, the Ghost Max is easy to recommend based on these initial impressions. The certified carbon neutral construction, achieved through lower emissions, more recycled materials, and independently verified carbon offsetting projects, is a nice bonus on top.

Buying Advice

The Ghost Max slots best into a rotation as a comfortable, stable workhorse trainer rather than a soft, energetic bouncer. True-to-size fit and a 6mm offset make it accessible for a wide range of runners, and the wet-weather grip makes it a safe choice for year-round training. If you want a softer, bouncier feel specifically, it is worth testing first or waiting to see how the foam beds in.

Conclusion

The Brooks Ghost Max exceeded expectations on its first run: comfortable, stable, genuinely grippy in poor conditions, and dependable in all the ways a daily trainer should be. The slipping tongue is the only real flaw so far. A full in-depth review will follow after more miles in the lead-up to the 1 December launch.