Brooks Ghost Max 2 Womens Wide, 8.5 / BLACK/BLACK/EBONY 020

I love this shoe! I am not a runner but I am a dedicated walker (about 25 miles per week) who is approaching age 70. I had tried the first Ghost Max version and, although they felt very comfortable they made me feel unstable and I cannot risk a fall at my age. This is not the case with the Ghost Max II. I have dropped metatarsals and this shoe offers plenty of cushioning. I also have a very wide forefoot with bunions and the EE width in this shoe is just wide enough for me. The toe box could be a little deeper as it is not quite as deep as the Ghost 16 but I’m not having any problems with it. I wish the size 9 EE width were available in more colors. The plain black almost resembles a man’s shoe in the larger sizes and the Coconut color I purchased seems to make my ... MoreI love this shoe! I am not a runner but I am a dedicated walker (about 25 miles per week) who is approaching age 70. I had tried the first Ghost Max version and, although they felt very comfortable they made me feel unstable and I cannot risk a fall at my age. This is not the case with the Ghost Max II. I have dropped metatarsals and this shoe offers plenty of cushioning. I also have a very wide forefoot with bunions and the EE width in this shoe is just wide enough for me. The toe box could be a little deeper as it is not quite as deep as the Ghost 16 but I’m not having any problems with it. I wish the size 9 EE width were available in more colors. The plain black almost resembles a man’s shoe in the larger sizes and the Coconut color I purchased seems to make my feet look even larger than they are. If you are an older walker who passed up the original Ghost Max because of feeling unstable, give the Ghost Max II a try, especially if you have wide problem feet!

Fantastic Shoes!

After wearing out my Glycerin GTS 20s I needed a new shoe, and the Glycerin 21s didn't work for me. Customer service recommended the Ghost Max, and the sales rep at my local store confirmed they were a good replacement. I think they're even better than my old Glycerins because of how springy the shoe is. They are similar in that there is a good balance between firmness and softness, but the extra cushion is a plus. I tried on the original Ghost Max at another store and thought they were too narrow, the Ghost Max 2 are perfect. They have a roomy toe box, but they don't slip on my narrow feet. The best part is how they spring you forward. I tried other brands and keep coming back to Brooks because they are one of the few shoe companies that accommodate high arches. I ... MoreAfter wearing out my Glycerin GTS 20s I needed a new shoe, and the Glycerin 21s didn't work for me. Customer service recommended the Ghost Max, and the sales rep at my local store confirmed they were a good replacement. I think they're even better than my old Glycerins because of how springy the shoe is. They are similar in that there is a good balance between firmness and softness, but the extra cushion is a plus. I tried on the original Ghost Max at another store and thought they were too narrow, the Ghost Max 2 are perfect. They have a roomy toe box, but they don't slip on my narrow feet. The best part is how they spring you forward. I tried other brands and keep coming back to Brooks because they are one of the few shoe companies that accommodate high arches. I have a morton's neuroma, and these ghosts protect the balls of my feet and allow my toes to spread. I went up a full size in these and they fit perfect. These shoes are just great!

Like walking on a cloud with one major issue

The good - These are definitely in the Hoka cushion style if you are looking for max comfort. I found them to fit like all other Brooks and had no issues with a seemingly narrower toe box - they feel the exact same as all the other styles to me (and I do not have a narrow foot). Comfy right out of the box and feels like you're walking on a cloud.The bad - I didn't have any negatives on these until the other day when I wore them after it had rained. And almost busted my butt walking on flat ground. The bottoms of these are so slippery it's almost comical. Like someone rubbed them down in baby oil. It was worse walking on pavement going uphill and my feet kept slipping out from under me (literally it was just water on pavement), and I was still finding myself taking ... MoreThe good - These are definitely in the Hoka cushion style if you are looking for max comfort. I found them to fit like all other Brooks and had no issues with a seemingly narrower toe box - they feel the exact same as all the other styles to me (and I do not have a narrow foot). Comfy right out of the box and feels like you're walking on a cloud.The bad - I didn't have any negatives on these until the other day when I wore them after it had rained. And almost busted my butt walking on flat ground. The bottoms of these are so slippery it's almost comical. Like someone rubbed them down in baby oil. It was worse walking on pavement going uphill and my feet kept slipping out from under me (literally it was just water on pavement), and I was still finding myself taking smaller steps on flat ground to try and keep my feet from slipping. I had no thoughts about returning them because they are so comfortable, but living in a place where it's wet and rainy for the better half of a year, they are not worth it to keep.

[Rewarded Review] Even better than the original.

I love this shoe. For background, I was a very active young woman - I ran 5 kilometers per day and kept a swimsuit, sunscreen, bug spray, active wear, and my favorite running shoes in my trunk in case of an impromptu trip to the beach or I stumbled upon a new spot perfect for a run or hike. Investing in a good pair of shoes to take care of my running feet was always priority for me. I suddenly fell ill with a number of autoimmune illnesses at once, and I then had to prioritize a good pair of shoes to be the pair that would cause the least amount of distress in my need to walk to the car every day and would make me suffer the least amount of pain at work. I stayed as active as possible whenever I could, and a bit more than a decade later, my rheumatologist granted me ... MoreI love this shoe. For background, I was a very active young woman - I ran 5 kilometers per day and kept a swimsuit, sunscreen, bug spray, active wear, and my favorite running shoes in my trunk in case of an impromptu trip to the beach or I stumbled upon a new spot perfect for a run or hike. Investing in a good pair of shoes to take care of my running feet was always priority for me. I suddenly fell ill with a number of autoimmune illnesses at once, and I then had to prioritize a good pair of shoes to be the pair that would cause the least amount of distress in my need to walk to the car every day and would make me suffer the least amount of pain at work. I stayed as active as possible whenever I could, and a bit more than a decade later, my rheumatologist granted me his blessing to begin running again. It's been so amazing to be back at it, even at an additional 150 lbs of weight (which means I need a REALLY good shoe to support all of me). I've found a number of shoes along the way since then, and The Ghost Max 2 is the best shoe I have ever had the pleasure of wearing.I had previously tried it's predecessor, thinking there's no way I could find a better option.Enter the Ghost Max 2. I live with significant pain daily and just putting my foot in the shoe gave some relief. The fit is true to size and the stability in the sole was just as I'd hoped - solid. The stability is not only perfect, but it allows for movement in any direction - something I've found to be a challenging find in the past. The materials are so responsive and resilient that I am able to switch directions on a dime, and though I bought these for running, I use them for my squats, lunges, and more or just for chasing my teen and toddler through all manner of wild and wacky yard games they come up with. I have worn them just about everywhere for over two weeks and have yet to see any noticeable wear. I love the aesthetic of this shoe and feel comfortable wearing it anywhere. It looks sporty enough to get excited for the run and yet relaxed and casual enough to not look wildly out of place at my friend's outdoor birthday party. Not to mention, my stamina to be on my feet is immensely extended by these supportive kicks and the breathable fabric keeps my feet from getting too warm, making these all that more comfortable. They also clean up pretty well if you get a wet cloth to them quickly. These shoes are a tremendous support in my journey, bringing me closer every single day to my once very active lifestyle - and for that, they are priceless to me.I honestly can't think of a way this shoe can be improved, but I've said those words before and Brooks found a way to do so with the Ghost Max 2.

[Rewarded Review] Ghost Max 2

The Ghost Max 2 definitely give you maximum comfort! The minute you put on the shoe you feel a bounce in your step, and feel energized. The shoe is sturdy but not rigid. You have a wide range of motion while wearing them.In my experience with Brooks’ shoes, I always go up a half size. I would recommend doing that in the Ghost Max 2 as well.The design of the shoe is made for someone looking for a comfortable walking or all day shoe. It would also be a great shoe for a short distance run. Unfortunately, I would not recommend it for speed running workouts, or long distance running. The design of the shoe makes it a little heavier than one would want for those workouts.The fabric of the shoe was breathable, flexible, and high quality. Brooks’ always uses the best ... MoreThe Ghost Max 2 definitely give you maximum comfort! The minute you put on the shoe you feel a bounce in your step, and feel energized. The shoe is sturdy but not rigid. You have a wide range of motion while wearing them.In my experience with Brooks’ shoes, I always go up a half size. I would recommend doing that in the Ghost Max 2 as well.The design of the shoe is made for someone looking for a comfortable walking or all day shoe. It would also be a great shoe for a short distance run. Unfortunately, I would not recommend it for speed running workouts, or long distance running. The design of the shoe makes it a little heavier than one would want for those workouts.The fabric of the shoe was breathable, flexible, and high quality. Brooks’ always uses the best products and they continued that trend on the Ghost Max 2.My favorite feature of the Ghost Max 2 was how comfortable it was. My feet felt great after wearing them all day, and after short distance runs. The only thing I would change is trying to make them lighter so runners could have both comfort and a light weight shoe.Overall, The Ghost Max 2 is a high quality shoe that functions the way it is supposed too. Brooks’ has once again created something great!

[Rewarded Review] Great for running

I love the high cushion these ghost max’s have. When I first tried them on it took a little while to get used to the height of them. I did notice that with the shoes it almost felt like I was getting an assist in walking or running. Running made it so much more fun for me to have these shoes on because the lift off was great. I noticed that my knees had no shock to them, and it’s due to the high cushion of these shoes. Overall, they really are great shoes to have if you want to run outside or walk in them around town. The only downside to these shoes is that I felt they were slightly snug and a little narrow. I felt that my big toe was hurting after running around for a while and I think it’s because it’s a little small. So I would recommend sizing a half size up if ... MoreI love the high cushion these ghost max’s have. When I first tried them on it took a little while to get used to the height of them. I did notice that with the shoes it almost felt like I was getting an assist in walking or running. Running made it so much more fun for me to have these shoes on because the lift off was great. I noticed that my knees had no shock to them, and it’s due to the high cushion of these shoes. Overall, they really are great shoes to have if you want to run outside or walk in them around town. The only downside to these shoes is that I felt they were slightly snug and a little narrow. I felt that my big toe was hurting after running around for a while and I think it’s because it’s a little small. So I would recommend sizing a half size up if you like to run comfortably, because these are a little tight on the front of the feet. I have noticed that I have more stamina running while wearing these shoes compared to other ghost max shoes I own. I do feel like this is a good shoot to have in your rotation the cushion makes it worth it if you have knee pain or hip pain while running these totally help absorb all the power so you don’t have pain in your feet your knees or hips. The design is good on these shoes, I like that they aren’t super eccentric like other brooks shoes I own. These are more tame on the color scale. Which makes it so much easier to wear with different colored clothing. Overall, the only reason why I’m giving these shoes four stars is because they are a little tight and I wouldn’t say they are true to size. So definitely size up half a size so you can run comfortably in them. But overall, they really are great running shoes, extremely comfortable and the cushion is awesome.

[Rewarded Review] Innovative design and comfortable fit

Ghost Max 2 is my first experience with the Brooks brand of athletic shoes. I am very particular when it comes to walking/running shoes and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved these shoes. From a design perspective, I thought the color scheme makes them extremely versatile and will not show wear and tear as easily as lighter colors. I love that the laces are stretchy and don't come untied easily. The arch support was firm but comfortable and I have ample room in the toe box which is especially important to me to prevent calluses. Another aspect I loved was the oversized tongue - it covers more of the top of my heel area and the length ensures it doesn't shift or get lost inside the shoe during activity. Last but not least, the slight curve to the bottom ... MoreGhost Max 2 is my first experience with the Brooks brand of athletic shoes. I am very particular when it comes to walking/running shoes and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved these shoes. From a design perspective, I thought the color scheme makes them extremely versatile and will not show wear and tear as easily as lighter colors. I love that the laces are stretchy and don't come untied easily. The arch support was firm but comfortable and I have ample room in the toe box which is especially important to me to prevent calluses. Another aspect I loved was the oversized tongue - it covers more of the top of my heel area and the length ensures it doesn't shift or get lost inside the shoe during activity. Last but not least, the slight curve to the bottom of the shoe encouraged natural and smooth motion. The ridges on the soles enhanced traction whether I was exercising on a treadmill or outdoors.

[Rewarded Review] Maximum Effort in Ghost Max 2

As a college athlete the most I had to run was 5k but now as a full time working mom of 2 I started to dabble in half marathon distance, and an preparing for my first race in September. I soon found that I have flat feet that roll off the outside sole of so many of the standard running shoes. I'm more of a heel striker and even moreso when running with a stroller. I boldly took the Brooks Ghost Max 2 on my first 10 mile training run and they are elite. I had no ankle, knee, or back pain afterwards and my feet felt great with total support on both the inside and outside edge of my foot. They don't have a huge toe drop which has been excellent for keeping a steady pace during my training runs. I'm currently averaging 25 miles per week and these have quickly become my ... MoreAs a college athlete the most I had to run was 5k but now as a full time working mom of 2 I started to dabble in half marathon distance, and an preparing for my first race in September. I soon found that I have flat feet that roll off the outside sole of so many of the standard running shoes. I'm more of a heel striker and even moreso when running with a stroller. I boldly took the Brooks Ghost Max 2 on my first 10 mile training run and they are elite. I had no ankle, knee, or back pain afterwards and my feet felt great with total support on both the inside and outside edge of my foot. They don't have a huge toe drop which has been excellent for keeping a steady pace during my training runs. I'm currently averaging 25 miles per week and these have quickly become my go to for both the mid (4-5mi) and long (10+) distance runs. I've taken these on pavement and off road trails and will confidently say that these bad boys will support you on both. I regret to say that I flirted with a few other brands when beginning my longer distance adventure but these shoes have brought me back to team Brooks.

[Rewarded Review] One of the best Shoes you will ever need

Ghost Max 2 Ebony/sweet/lavender/alloy are exceptional. I'm a hairdresser and these walk well throughout the day and have a good foundational support when I need it over long periods of time on a concrete floor. Ghost Max 2 are soft, lightweight, with max cushioning, protective design, a rocker shape that actively helps you move from landing to toe-off, and a broad base for added stability. DNA LOFT v2 cushioning works with the GlideRoll Rocker to decrease pressure underfoot for protective comfort. I have had plantar fasciitis. and I have lower back pain that runs down my leg. This shoes cushioning GlideRoll Rocker help with these problems. And many more. A broad base offers inherent stability for a secure feel that doesn’t interfere with a neutral stride. I totally ... MoreGhost Max 2 Ebony/sweet/lavender/alloy are exceptional. I'm a hairdresser and these walk well throughout the day and have a good foundational support when I need it over long periods of time on a concrete floor. Ghost Max 2 are soft, lightweight, with max cushioning, protective design, a rocker shape that actively helps you move from landing to toe-off, and a broad base for added stability. DNA LOFT v2 cushioning works with the GlideRoll Rocker to decrease pressure underfoot for protective comfort. I have had plantar fasciitis. and I have lower back pain that runs down my leg. This shoes cushioning GlideRoll Rocker help with these problems. And many more. A broad base offers inherent stability for a secure feel that doesn’t interfere with a neutral stride. I totally recommend Ghost Max 2 these are also good for wider feet.

[Rewarded Review] Run about a 1/2 size small, but still amazing

I was so bummed that these shoes run about a 1/2 size small, because holy moly they’re probably the most comfortable shoe I have ever walked around in. The cushion provides a lot of support and spans from the heel all the way to the toe which is not usually the case. The width of the shoe is perfect and provides adequate space for the toes without feeling overly large or sloppy. The laces are good quality, stretchy and don’t easily come untied. The tongue of the shoe is also very cushiony and provides comfort between the laces and foot. The ankle is padded and comes up high enough that it doesn’t leave blisters or rubbing. The large cushion on the bottom of the shoe has helped my hip and knee pain tremendously when walking or running and eliminates the hard pounding ... MoreI was so bummed that these shoes run about a 1/2 size small, because holy moly they’re probably the most comfortable shoe I have ever walked around in. The cushion provides a lot of support and spans from the heel all the way to the toe which is not usually the case. The width of the shoe is perfect and provides adequate space for the toes without feeling overly large or sloppy. The laces are good quality, stretchy and don’t easily come untied. The tongue of the shoe is also very cushiony and provides comfort between the laces and foot. The ankle is padded and comes up high enough that it doesn’t leave blisters or rubbing. The large cushion on the bottom of the shoe has helped my hip and knee pain tremendously when walking or running and eliminates the hard pounding on paved paths which contribute to body pain. The color scheme is neutral with a light pop of purple which I find pairs nicely with many outfits. The fabric is easy to wipe clean and also hides imperfections from dirt from being outside.The base/support of the shoe is unlike any other. Comfort level is 11/10! Sometimes when you wear shoes for a long period of time you’re ready to take them off immediately. That is not the case with these shoes. I can wear them all day running errands or training. I can’t think of a single change I would make, I just wish they tan more true to size.