If it's true that a second attempt at something is more likely to succeed than the first, then it stands to reason that the Brooks Ghost Max 3 should be just about perfect. After receiving a few minor updates -- chief among them, a redesigned upper -- this ultra-plush trainer feels better than ever. And yet, max-cushioned shoes have well-established limitations, which is why my colleague and I wore this full-stack shoe on walks, runs and trips around town for months. Below, our thoughts on the latest iteration of the scary-plump Ghost Max 3, who it's for and where it falls short.
There's nothing I love more than obsessing over the minutiae of running shoes, but if you can't relate, here's my quick take: Though it has the same stack height as its predecessor, the Ghost Max 3 feels a little more plush, which makes walks, easy runs and long hours on your feet a dream. Yet, that same cushioning limits its potential in a way, because it feels more akin to a pillow than a diehard running shoe. Here's everything you need to know about the Ghost Max 3 to decide if it's right for you.
Minor improvements were made to this shoe's upper, but Brooks didn't touch the midsole -- a fact I find surprising given that it feels softer than its predecessors. The nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam cradled my foot in a pillow of comfort on morning walks, absorbing impacts like a new kitchen sponge with each step. It felt just as soothing throughout my testing on runs, whether it was a recovery jog at a snail's pace or longer efforts of around six miles.
Picking up the pace, however, revealed this shoe's primary weakness: It isn't fast, plain and simple. Similar to the original Ghost Max and Ghost Max 2, this shoe is jolly and joyful, like that fun uncle who loves a holiday 5K. But if you ask it to go faster, it will object, begging you to slow down. The shoe's foam feels just as responsive as the second version, but that wasn't very speedy either if we're being honest. Months of testing have led me to conclude the Ghost Max 3's cushioning excels at walking and light running, but don't expect it to get you from A to B in a hurry.
The midsole isn't the only part of this shoe that feels bigger. From the base to the puffed up tongue to the generous padding around the heel, the Ghost Max 3 feels like a bigger shoe in just about every way. Forbes Vetted senior updates editor Karen Tietjen, who tested the women's version of this shoe, joked that it might float if you placed it on water after hearing me describe it as a land yacht. And to be fair, it weighs almost a half ounce more than the Ghost Max 2, so it is technically bigger.
Seaworthy jokes aside, the larger proportions aren't actually a letdown. If anything, I appreciate them. The new upper feels soft and adaptable -- neither I nor Tietjen experienced any rubbing -- while the heel is surprisingly secure. Brooks also cleaned up this shoe's aesthetics, so it looks less like a stability shoe for walkers and more like a daily trainer that's actually related to the Brooks Ghost. It hides its size well.
Though the Ghost Max 3 made the final cut as one of the best walking shoes for men and women in our respective guides, it isn’t perfect.
For starters, the fit is roomier than ever, which becomes more apparent the longer you wear it, and might actually lead to discomfort over time. “As someone with a slightly wider foot, I’m sensitive to narrower fits, and these offered plenty of room,” explained Tietjen. “But after walking for a bit, I noticed some pain in the outside of my left foot and into my pinky toe. It was almost like that part of my foot wasn’t being fully supported, or the cushioning was so heavy, my toes were straining to grip the bottom of the shoe.” Based on our experience, you’ll have to tie it tight (and possibly retie it along the way) to find that secure fit.
Then there’s the obvious drawback in regard to this shoe’s maximal cushioning -- it’s comfortable yet limiting if you’re into racing, tempo runs or other dynamic workouts. Though it appears in may of our guides related to walking or standing all day, it just isn’t a great option for activity beyond easy, relaxed runs. We prefer the Brooks Glycerin Max for its combination of comfort, support and responsiveness if you want something more dynamic.
There’s a lot to like about the Ghost Max 3, from its refined styling to the softer ride. Our testing revealed that it’s a great daily trainer for easy runs, walks and long hours on your feet. No, it isn’t the most exciting shoe in Brooks’ lineup, but there’s also little reason to knock it when you consider who it’s for and what it’s designed to do. Ultimately, it’s a shoe that blends the best parts of its predecessors, and we look forward to seeing how it evolves from here.
We started testing the Brooks Ghost Max 3 by taking a closer look at the upper, midsole and outsole to get a feel for the materials, construction and overall quality. From there, we laced it up for daily walks around the neighborhood and kept it on for hours at a time to see if the comfort held up. Once broken in, we took it out for multiple runs at different paces to test how supportive and responsive it felt, and to see if its comfort changed over time. Along the way, we compared it to the Ghost Max 2 to determine if the updates Brooks made actually improved the shoe or just served as minor tweaks.
The gear team at Forbes Vetted reviews health and wellness equipment that's designed to help your body move in comfort. Whether you're running through the neighborhood or signing up for another marathon, your footwear should provide adequate support and comfort for miles of use.