Brooks Ghost Max 3

A solid 'graduation level' / introductory max-cushion daily trainer at $150 — good value if you don't need the bounce of the Glycerin Max, but if you have the budget the Glycerin Max is the more fun and better shoe.

Best for: Beginners trying max cushion, runners doing ~25 mpw who want a comfortable rotation shoe at a $150 price point; comfortable for all-day wear.

A notably improved update moving the Ghost Max line back toward the original version one — softer, smoother transitions, more roomy, and better stable-neutral guidance.

Best for: Walkers and slower runners who want a soft, cushioned, orthotic-friendly max-stack shoe with mild medial guidance.

More of the same Ghost Max formula with slightly improved upper fit; a stable, durable, impact-protective easy/recovery shoe rather than a bouncy or versatile trainer. Scored 10.2/12 overall.

Best for: Heavier runners, wider-footed runners, or anyone wanting a stable, consistent max-cushion shoe for easy/recovery days.

A very comfortable, inherently stable daily trainer for easy miles; minor tweaks over v2 but fundamentally the same shoe.

An improvement over v2 that takes some of what was great about Ghost Max 1 but settles into a middle-ground compromise — a solid plush daily trainer that doesn't quite live up to v1's bolder identity.

Best for: Daily training, easy runs, recovery runs, run-walkers, and walkers — especially heel/midfoot strikers wanting plush comfort without the bulk of a full max-cush shoe.

The least exciting of Brooks's three Max shoes — heavy, dense, more walking-shoe than runner. Ghost Max 1 fans (like the reviewer) will find it disappointing.

Best for: Plodding, walking, every-day low-mileage use; mild pronators seeking inherent stability. Not for marathon-training long runs.

A capable but uninspiring max-cushion daily that's solid for easy miles and heavy/wider runners, but multiple testers felt it was too much shoe with too little life — and that the Glycerin Max or competitors like Vomero 18, Novablast 5, or Magnify Nitro 3 offer more enjoyable rides.

Best for: Heavier runners or runners wanting a stable, durable workhorse for easy/recovery miles where comfort and impact protection matter more than energy return.