Brooks Ghost Max 3 Multi Tester Review: 5 Comparisons

Brooks Ghost Max 3 ($160 )

Execs:

Broad platform

Ample toebox 

Breathable higher

Cons:

Most comparable footwear 

Hoka Clifton 10 (Ben)

ASICS Nova Blast 5 (Ben)

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s  males’s 10.8 oz / 306g US 9  (unchanged) ladies’s spec.  9.7 oz / 275 g US8

  Pattern Weights: males’s 10.8 oz / 306g US 9 ,10.93oz / 310g US9.5

 

Stack Top:  

Max 3: 39 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot 

Max 2: 39 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot 

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Ben: Brooks continues to make vital strides in 2025. They’ve now added a collection of footwear to their lineup which might be able to seize the eye of those that lengthy missed them. Their carbon-plated footwear have proven extra promise. Their on a regular basis footwear at the moment are rather more interesting. Final yr’s Glycerin Max has had me rethink Brooks altogether. I additionally actually favored the Hyperion Elite 4 PB. I’m desirous to get my palms on the Hyperion Max 3 in addition to the Hyperion Elite 5. These are all ‘max’ footwear, even when not in identify, boasting an enormous stack, numerous cushion and a way more bouncy and pleasing journey than earlier iterations. 

The Ghost Max 3 is one other Brooks shoe that may communicate to those that have by no means given Brooks an opportunity. Whereas not considerably completely different from the Ghost Max 2, it is a dependable and easygoing each day coach, which guarantees a easy journey and nice sturdiness. 

It’s a extremely snug shoe and supremely spacious within the toebox (possibly even too spacious for some). That is most positively not a shoe for these with slim toes. It presents a properly padded heel collar, once more with consolation in thoughts. 

On my first few runs, I realized that it’s not overly thrilling or spritely, however it’s constantly protecting, easy-going and easy. The beneficiant width of the platform is noticeable instantly and provides to this general feeling of safety and stability. I discovered that my dimension 9 was good. The double jacquard higher is a slight change from the final mannequin and seemingly lighter. I discovered it breathable and by no means restrictive. 

I needed this shoe to be a barely extra wise model of the Glycerin Max (RTR Evaluate), nevertheless it isn’t that. The Glycerin Max is definitely a bit punchy and enjoyable to show over; the Ghost Max 3 – at a lesser value – is a high quality shoe, considerably easy, designed for the simplest of days and restoration. 

Derek: I am very late to this social gathering. Once I first put my identify down to check the Ghost Max 3, I used to be searching for a max cushioned each day coach to get me again into form after a chronic layoff from working. Midway by way of the testing  needed to undergo one other protracted time without work from working and that actually hampered the way in which I needed to check the shoe. You do not actually need to take a look at something from an inconsistent health base as a result of it is actually going to affect your notion of how the shoe performs. 

My first unboxing of the shoe was good. The shoe has an actual premium coach vibe about it and the step-in really feel could be very snug and plush. 

Aesthetically talking, the shoe is comparatively vanilla when it comes to type. Nevertheless, that is actually what you are inclined to count on from a premium coach from the Brooks vary. 

The match is true to dimension, in step with nearly each different Brooks coach I’ve ever worn. The higher is tender and pliable and I used to be in a position to get a superb lockdown with the shoe. The mesh used on this shoe is on the thicker aspect, and consequently the interior quantity of the shoe is on the decrease aspect. I had to make use of comparatively skinny socks for the shoe in an effort to get a extra snug match. Yeah they’re crucial as a result of the higher is thicker than different trainers on the whole, and given the local weather that I run wherein is pretty heat and humid (Singapore), the thinner socks really make the shoe extra tolerable to run in. 

With medium thickness socks, the general quantity feels a little bit bit extra cosy with a extra efficiency really feel to the match however you even have the issue of getting numerous warmth construct up within the shoe through the run. That is particularly noticeable after I get previous 40 to 45 minutes in a run. 

This shoe is on the heavier aspect so far as trainers go, so you actually do need an higher that matches and holds the foot effectively, whereas complementing the general steadiness of the shoe. You don’t need the highest heavy type of really feel with this sort of coach. Total so far as premium trainers go, I believe the higher does a superb job of holding the foot effectively and retaining it snug. I do want for a extra stripped down effectively ventilated higher however I additionally settle for that this may throw off the general steadiness of the shoe.

Midsole & Platform

Ben: A part of the story of this shoe is its platform width. The Brooks Ghost Max 3 presents a really beneficiant platform, which many will recognize on simple days particularly. Its width in my US9 of 114 mm heel / 120 mm forefoot offers vital stability and reassurance. 

This shoe could be very a lot designed as a cruiser, and it’s simply that. The midsole is constructed with DNA Loft v3 supercritical foam and has a GlideRoll rocker which work effectively in tandem. It’s not overly cushioned, however I wouldn’t name the Ghost Max 3 a agency journey both. 

It presents a softer journey however not as tender as another “cruiser” footwear available on the market, such because the Nova Blast 5 or New Steadiness Contemporary Foam Extra. Once more, this isn’t one other Glycerin Max, which boasts ample softness and plushness. It nonetheless turns over comparatively effectively and presents what I might name a forgiving, nice journey.

Derek: At 39 mm on the heel and 33 mm on the forefoot, I thought-about this type of stack to be fairly mainstream so far as trainers go as of late. I assume I used to be type of anticipating a extra maximally oriented geometry given the max identify. 

The underfoot really feel continues to be comparatively conventional, with the shape being considerably on the firmer aspect and retaining with the extra conventional really feel that Brooks trainers are inclined to have. If you’re searching for a really bouncy type of coach, I might look elsewhere. 

The forefoot has comparatively good pure flex to it by way of the toe field. I believe it can usually go well with runners preferring a journey expertise that does not contain numerous rocker. The comparatively large platform additionally lends numerous pure stability to the shoe, so regardless that it’s extra of a impartial shoe by definition, individuals who want a little bit little bit of stability on the run will be capable of deal with the shoe pretty effectively. 

Lastly and most significantly, when it comes to cushioning and vibration dampening, the shoe really outperforms different footwear on the identical stack peak, despite a considerably firmer and extra muted underfoot really feel. That is the type of journey high quality that it would be best to get in a straightforward regular state cruiser that does not do an excessive amount of to change your pure mechanics. Brooks purists can be comfortable that nothing too radical has been carried out with this shoe, however individuals hoping for a refreshed route from them could be left considerably disillusioned.

Outsole

Ben: The outsole presents substantial grip and provides me no concern on wet days or tight corners. It portends to be fairly sturdy and lasting. There’s numerous protection right here. The rubber is powerful and protecting. Like most Brooks footwear, it’s effectively made and can possible maintain up in most situations. The outsole provides to the ‘workhorse’ identification of the shoe: not speedy or spry, however prepared to carry up mile after mile. 

Derek: Outsole sturdiness has by no means been an issue for Books. I’ve nearly 150 miles on this shoe and there may be hardly any put on on the outsole. By way of grip I believe it does an honest job on moist and dry surfaces. Nevertheless, I discovered that when the highway is  damp, I do get a little bit little bit of slippage on the shoe.

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

Ben: The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is a strong, dependable each day coach from a model that continues to make strides. That is the kind of shoe that will have somebody choose up a Brooks mannequin for the primary time ever. 

It’s easy, cushioned, easy-going and sturdy, able to run a whole bunch of miles on most terrain, in most situations. It presents ample assist, with a pleasant, broad platform and tremendous snug, up to date higher. 

Whereas not overly snappy or fast, it’s additionally not attempting to be these issues, not like different fashions from Brooks, just like the Hyperion Max 3 or the Hyperion Elite 4 PB. That mentioned, it presents a extra  protecting journey than the Ghost, as  effectively as a Pegasus or CloudSurfer. 

Ben’s Rating: 9.2/10

😊😊😊😊

Derek: As Ben says, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 is a strong and dependable premium each day coach. Whereas strictly talking a impartial shoe, the shoe ought to carry out ably for individuals who want some delicate stability as effectively. 

I see the perfect use case for this shoe as being extra of a straightforward cruiser or simple tempo future shoe. Personally, I used the shoe extra for simple and regular state runs as much as 60 minutes in size. 

I did attempt doing a little pickups within the shoe and whereas the shoe appears to be extra full of life and springy at sooner paces, the burden of the shoe tends to be extra obvious whenever you attempt to choose up the tempo so I really battle to take care of and maintain a sooner tempo within the shoe. 

I believe heavier runners may profit extra from this shoe, just because the shoe is on the heavier aspect. 

The higher is on the hotter aspect and the general quantity of the shoe is on the marginally decrease aspect so individuals who run in very heat situations, or with greater quantity toes could need to take this into consideration. 

Lastly this shoe can be finest for individuals who need a extra conventional journey with a extra versatile forefoot.

Derek’s rating: 8.34 / 10 😊😊😊

Experience 8.0 (50%) Match 8.8 (30%) Worth 8.5 (15%) Type 8.5 (5%)

5 Comparisons

On Cloud Eclipse (RTR Evaluate)

Ben: With the On Cloud you’ll pay a better value and sure get a greater journey. The Eclipse additionally presents a extra refined higher and has sensational lockdown. These gained’t be round perpetually as they’re being phased out as On alters their line-up. If out there at a reduction, I’d go along with the Eclipse. I put on a dimension 9 in each.

Brooks Glycerin Max (RTR Evaluate)

Ben: The Glyercin Max was my each day coach of 2024. It’s all the pieces you need in a work-horse sort of shoe, all wrapped collectively: responsive, gentle, sturdy, with max cushion. The worth tag could also be a deal-breaker for some. When you’re searching for a  much less extremely however nonetheless amply stacked shoe at much less of value ($50 much less), I might go along with the Ghost Max 3. In any other case, the Glycerin Max does all the pieces the GM 3 does, however higher. I put on a dimension 9 in each.

ASICS Novablast 5 (RTR Evaluate)

Ben: The NovaBlast presents a lighter, extra uptempo journey. It’s a type of do-it-all footwear, particularly for ASICS lovers. I actually do take pleasure in this shoe. As famous all through the evaluate, the Ghost Max 3 is extra of a cruiser and sits firmly within the simple/restoration day class. I’m a dimension 9 in each. The ASICS is on a unique airplane than the Brooks. I’d go along with the ASICS NovaBlast 5.

Skeckers Aero Burst (RTR Evaluate)

Derek: I’m true to dimension at us 9.5 in each footwear. Each footwear have a fairly related match when it comes to inner quantity in addition to having a considerably hotter type of higher. The important thing distinction is that the Skechers has a narrower platform and so can be a little bit bit much less secure, and the Skechers additionally has a extra pronounced rocker motion to the underfoot journey. So if you happen to’re searching for a each day coach that’s not too tender however nonetheless has a little bit little bit of a rockered journey, then the Skechers can be a greater choice for you. If you’re searching for a extra conventional coach with pure flex by way of the forefoot, then I might go for the Ghost Max 3.

Nike Vomero 18 (RTR Evaluate)

Derek: I’m true to dimension in each footwear and us 9.5. The Vomero has a barely greater stack and a extra rockered profile to the shoe. Nevertheless each footwear are literally pretty related when it comes to softness of the froth. The Vomero for me additionally has a comparatively heat higher. I really discover the Brooks to be a extra versatile shoe because the  decrease stack permits it to deal with tempo modifications barely higher. 

Index to all RTR opinions: HERE

Thanks for studying our evaluate!

Purchasing at our companions under is way appreciated and helps assist RoadTrailRun

Tester Profiles

Ben is the Senior Rabbi of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA. A most cancers survivor, he has run 24 marathons. He holds PRs of three:15 for the marathon and 1:30 for the half. At 46, he nonetheless enjoys pushing himself and mixing his working with supporting a wide range of causes. Observe him on Instagram: @RabbiBPD or Twitter: @BDinPA

Derek is in his 40’s and trains 70-80 miles per week at 7 to eight minute tempo in largely tropical situations in Singapore. He has a 2:39 marathon PR from the 2022 Zurich Marathon.

Samples have been supplied at no cost for evaluate functions. No compensation was supplied by manufacturers for writing this text. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought through buying hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are fully the authors’.

Feedback and Questions Welcome Under! Please tell us mileage, paces, race distances, and present most well-liked footwear