Brooks Ghost Max 2
Men: 10.8 oz
Women: 9.5 oz
Drop: 6 mm
MSRP: $150.00
When the original Ghost Max came out, Brooks didn’t have a maximum cushioned shoe by the latest definitions. The Glycerin had always been Brooks most cushioned shoe, and they didn’t really have anything to compete with Hoka or other brands that were putting a lot more midsole beneath the runner. The Ghost Max was a pivotal shoe for the brand. The Ghost Max 2 features one significant upgrade to the midsole, so if you liked the original, I think you’ll be a fan of version 2 as well.
The Breakdown
The Outsole
The outsole coverage is significant as this shoe is meant to be a daily training workhorse and therefore also provides the user with a very durable, long lasting shoe. While the outsole is very durable, it also has a tendency to be a little more on the slippery side when running on concrete in wet conditions. It does nicely in a variety of other situations however, and can freely be used on concrete, crushed cinder or urban park trails.
The Midsole
While the original Ghost Max featured a traditional EVA midsole, the Ghost Max 2 features a nitrogen infused DNA Loft v3. The nitrogen infused midsole provides a bit more bounce on the run, but I do think that on step in it does seem to make this version of the shoe a little less plush underfoot. The Loft foam does seem to be more durable than a traditional EVA as well, which continues to reinforce the fact that this shoe is meant to be a work horse daily trainer.
The Glide Roll rocker is still present in version 2 and provides very smooth transitions from heel to toe for walkers and runners who land a bit further back on the foot in their stride.
The Upper
The upper is breathable and has a generous fit. The toe box has plenty of width and the heel counter has substantial cushion. While running and walking my foot felt fully locked in to the shoe, while avoiding any hot spots or friction points.
The Fit
I recommend purchasing true to size on the Ghost Max 2.
Running and Walking
If you enjoyed the original Ghost Max I think you will love the Ghost Max 2. This is a cruiser that is built to tackle your daily miles and get you through your training cycle and race ready. The new Nitrogen infused midsole foam makes this shoe more resilient than its predecessor, but the underfoot feel is also a little different. I think when you initially put the shoe on it will feel a bit firmer than the original, but I do find that as you begin moving and it warms up a bit and breaks in it feels better and better.
If you’re just getting into running and don’t have access to a local running store I think that this is a solid shoe that nearly anyone can order sight unseen and get some solid training done in it. If I’m fitting someone who just wants to get their daily miles in and stay healthy without any racing goals, I think this is an amazing option for someone who loves to get outside and run.
Within a rotation this shoe is going to do well as the grinder. If you are training on a specific budget it could do a bit of everything, but I really prefer it within a rotation with a shoe that wants to go faster, the Hyperion Max 2 for example.
I love everything about this shoe for walking. It’s comfortable and durable and super stable underfoot. The rocker built into the midsole creates a smooth stride and it’s a favorite to reach for when I’m out with Spirit.
The Gym
This shoe will do really well as an all-arounder and I think it will be an excellent choice for general gym work as well. The wider base and slightly firmer midsole provide a solid shoe to get your lifting done in. It has a larger stack height but isn’t over-stacked so it should fit nicely into any cardio machines or be an excellent choice to grab a run on the treadmill and then hit the weights.
Daily Living
As a daily shoe the Ghost Max 2 is phenomenal, whether you’re logging long hours on your feet or just want something comfortable around the office to wear.
The color palettes have a wide range to choose from, so if you are like me and prefer bright and happy or need something to blend into the more business casual routine, Brooks has you covered.
There currently isn’t a slip resistant option for this shoe, so if you need something in that category I’d recommend the Brooks Addiction Walker. It has a leather upper and slip resistant outsole.
PURCHASE THE GHOST MAX 2 HERE! USE DISCOUNT CODE “SPIRIT” AT CHECKOUT FOR 10% OFF YOUR ORDER!