Brooks Ghost Max Men's Black/Atomic Blue/Jasmine

I am a first-time Brooks user, having strayed after being a long-time Altra devotee. Unfortunately, Altra seems to have lost sight of its USP (unique selling point) that used to distinguish it from other running shoes on the market, so I found myself needing to look elsewhere once I determined that Altra was incapable of meeting my needs.Why I took a gamble on the Brooks Ghost Max:1) Relatively low drop (especially when compared to the regular Ghost)2) Good cushion without the ridiculously high platform-like soles of the Altra Via Olympus or any of the Hoka (hokey) shoes.I typically run 5Ks & the occasional 10K, and am a sprint triathlete. I am also 55 y.o. and still going strong. As a result, it's important to have a shoe that will help keep me going while ... MoreI am a first-time Brooks user, having strayed after being a long-time Altra devotee. Unfortunately, Altra seems to have lost sight of its USP (unique selling point) that used to distinguish it from other running shoes on the market, so I found myself needing to look elsewhere once I determined that Altra was incapable of meeting my needs.Why I took a gamble on the Brooks Ghost Max:1) Relatively low drop (especially when compared to the regular Ghost)2) Good cushion without the ridiculously high platform-like soles of the Altra Via Olympus or any of the Hoka (hokey) shoes.I typically run 5Ks & the occasional 10K, and am a sprint triathlete. I am also 55 y.o. and still going strong. As a result, it's important to have a shoe that will help keep me going while still being kind to my slightly arthritic knees. The cushion on these shoes is decent. Ideally, there'd be a little more "give" to them, but they're doable as-is.Cons:Toe box: Coming from Altra, I do wish the toe-box on these shoes were slightly wider. I do NOT have wide feet at all. I did try these in a wide, but it felt too sloppy inside with a little too much room. Providing a wider toe-box that actually fits the profile or "foot print" of a typical foot shape would be ideal in terms of providing a more ergonomic fit for your clients.From a triathlete's perspective, having a wider toe box would enable me to hammer out a 5K without socks on like I used to be able to do with my old Altra Torin Plush shoes. I haven't practiced putting these on damp feet and then running a 5K, but I do worry about the blisters I would likely get if I did due to the more enclosed feel of the toe box. Having to stop to put socks on in my first transition isn't something I'm looking forward to at my next sprint tri in August.Colors. Seriously? The colors are just blah-blah-BLAH. Out of nine colors, two are apricot and rose-orange (yuck), but no Navy? The only blue-ish color offered is the current "Limited Edition" blue-yellow-black, and it's such a busy design that I went with the black/blue option instead. Having some darker options would be nice as well for those of us who actually run OUTSIDE, especially in the Pacific Northwest where running through occasional mud puddles is a way of life. I would seriously love another pair if I could stomach the color.Sizing: Runs a tad small. I'm typically a 7, but had to order a 7.5 in these.So, if you're on the fence and can identify with anything I've said, then they're certainly worth a shot, especially with Brooks' generous return policy.Note to Brooks: PLEASE DON'T add to the stack height in future "improved" versions of this shoe, as these are plenty high as it is. I DON'T WANT TO RUN IN PLATFORM SHOES! And Altra's Via Olympus is proof that stack height does NOT equal comfort while running. If there's anything to improve, it would be in providing a slightly wider toe box for ALL of your models!

Better than Orthotics

I got these shoes today after wearing Adrenaline gts forever. Due to chronic MS my gait has deteriorated and while fully mobile, my step count has dropped off dramatically in the last 18 months. Basic problem manifests in severe foot pain at the end of the day. At an appoint w my doctor last week she recommended ditch the AFO I used occasionally, and instead referred me to get orthotics to relieve the stress and resulting pain. Long story short I had seen the new Ghost Max “Podiatrist Approved” product announcement from Brooks and decided to try these before taking that appt for orthotics . Glad I did. Ghost line has always felt less supportive that Adrenaline to me. Not Ghost Max. These are my new shoe of choice. These are wonderful. Can’t wait to get back to my ... MoreI got these shoes today after wearing Adrenaline gts forever. Due to chronic MS my gait has deteriorated and while fully mobile, my step count has dropped off dramatically in the last 18 months. Basic problem manifests in severe foot pain at the end of the day. At an appoint w my doctor last week she recommended ditch the AFO I used occasionally, and instead referred me to get orthotics to relieve the stress and resulting pain. Long story short I had seen the new Ghost Max “Podiatrist Approved” product announcement from Brooks and decided to try these before taking that appt for orthotics . Glad I did. Ghost line has always felt less supportive that Adrenaline to me. Not Ghost Max. These are my new shoe of choice. These are wonderful. Can’t wait to get back to my normal step count soon - - like tomorrow (it’s dark already this evening). I’ll give these 5 stars after a few weeks but for now they are at least a strong 4

Excellent shoe for a very picky walker

I am not a runner, I got the Ghost Maxes for walking, 5-7 miles 6 days per week. I weigh about 225 lbs, low/normal arches, plantar fasciitis and a heel spur in my right foot, feet measure 12 on the wide side of medium on the Brannock device, and I supinate a bit. Due to the issues with my right foot, any shoe or orthotic with a prominent arch support is very uncomfortable for me. Bought these in 12.5 wide and the fit out of the box was excellent, plenty of room in the toe box, heel was very comfortable, and most importantly, the arch support was not intrusive at all. The feel is very similar to a pair of NB1080 V12s that I already had. I have been walking in the Ghost Maxes for a couple of months, and they are terrific. I am able to walk very naturally and pain free ... MoreI am not a runner, I got the Ghost Maxes for walking, 5-7 miles 6 days per week. I weigh about 225 lbs, low/normal arches, plantar fasciitis and a heel spur in my right foot, feet measure 12 on the wide side of medium on the Brannock device, and I supinate a bit. Due to the issues with my right foot, any shoe or orthotic with a prominent arch support is very uncomfortable for me. Bought these in 12.5 wide and the fit out of the box was excellent, plenty of room in the toe box, heel was very comfortable, and most importantly, the arch support was not intrusive at all. The feel is very similar to a pair of NB1080 V12s that I already had. I have been walking in the Ghost Maxes for a couple of months, and they are terrific. I am able to walk very naturally and pain free without concentrating on my gait at all. I am hopeful that future iterations of this shoe will not differ much from this version since it has been so good for me. My only suggestion for improvement would be to add more color choices in wide sizes.

Ghost Max is better for me than Hoka Bondi 8

I am a fan of Hoka Bondi 7 shoes. The first pair I bought years ago fit me well and provided great cushioning. Ordered another pair a little over a year ago, and put them on the shelf to wear when the original version wore out. Too late I pulled the new pair off the shelf and wore them, only to find they actually injured my feet! It was also too late to return to REI for a refund.Went to my local REI store for a new pair of shoes. Tried to get the current version (Bondi 8) to work, but they changed it and it also no longer worked for my feet. REI sales person suggested the Brooks Ghost Max, which was available only in (my opinion) dirty white in the store. The shoe fit my feet perfectly, though it wasn't quite as cushy as the Hoka. Crossed my fingers and ordered ... MoreI am a fan of Hoka Bondi 7 shoes. The first pair I bought years ago fit me well and provided great cushioning. Ordered another pair a little over a year ago, and put them on the shelf to wear when the original version wore out. Too late I pulled the new pair off the shelf and wore them, only to find they actually injured my feet! It was also too late to return to REI for a refund.Went to my local REI store for a new pair of shoes. Tried to get the current version (Bondi 8) to work, but they changed it and it also no longer worked for my feet. REI sales person suggested the Brooks Ghost Max, which was available only in (my opinion) dirty white in the store. The shoe fit my feet perfectly, though it wasn't quite as cushy as the Hoka. Crossed my fingers and ordered the black version from REI online.I've now worn the Ghost Max for several weeks, and have found that it is far better for me than the Hoka Bondi 8, with no painful spots or cushioning issues. The black shoes are comfortable, reasonably stylish for any occasion, and are great for all around wear.

The Friendly Ghost Max

I’d probably actually give the Ghost Max a 4.5. I first tried them when they came out at a run club demo and felt like they were just ‘ok’. But, in trying to think of a replacement shoe for another brand whose newest version of a shoe I love didn’t impress me, I decided to give the Max a try. The Ghost Max was actually better than I remembered. A soft landing (which I like) and a very nice fit greeted me on the first run. The ‘rocker’ design is what won out over trying another pair of Glycerin which gives the Max a very nice ride as I’m transitioning through each step. These have now carried me through a few 30+ mile runs and I’ve come to really enjoy them for these long runs. The outsole is very durable which I’ve come to expect from Brooks. For me, the upper could ... MoreI’d probably actually give the Ghost Max a 4.5. I first tried them when they came out at a run club demo and felt like they were just ‘ok’. But, in trying to think of a replacement shoe for another brand whose newest version of a shoe I love didn’t impress me, I decided to give the Max a try. The Ghost Max was actually better than I remembered. A soft landing (which I like) and a very nice fit greeted me on the first run. The ‘rocker’ design is what won out over trying another pair of Glycerin which gives the Max a very nice ride as I’m transitioning through each step. These have now carried me through a few 30+ mile runs and I’ve come to really enjoy them for these long runs. The outsole is very durable which I’ve come to expect from Brooks. For me, the upper could be a little more breathable, but I also understand these are built for comfort and plushness … and they do deliver in that department.

WOW!!

This will be the 665th review of the Ghost Max, but I will add my two cents anyway. Wow! Just Wow! I've been wearing Adrenalines for several years and was quite happy with them. But then I turned 80 and had hip surgery. The orthopedist told me the best PT was walking. Prior to surgery, I was walking 4 miles every other day (with a good amount of discomfort). After surgery, the hip discomfort was solved but the foot/ankle/knee/leg discomfort persisted.I decided to try the Ghost Max. I've only had them a short time but the very noticeable difference that they've made is incredible. After years of running and then years of walking I could easily tell when it was time for new shoes. New shoes always made a difference. But the difference that the Ghost Max made was so ... MoreThis will be the 665th review of the Ghost Max, but I will add my two cents anyway. Wow! Just Wow! I've been wearing Adrenalines for several years and was quite happy with them. But then I turned 80 and had hip surgery. The orthopedist told me the best PT was walking. Prior to surgery, I was walking 4 miles every other day (with a good amount of discomfort). After surgery, the hip discomfort was solved but the foot/ankle/knee/leg discomfort persisted.I decided to try the Ghost Max. I've only had them a short time but the very noticeable difference that they've made is incredible. After years of running and then years of walking I could easily tell when it was time for new shoes. New shoes always made a difference. But the difference that the Ghost Max made was so large that I was elated to the point of writing this review.If you are in need of cushioning, as I apparently was, the Ghost Max could be your answer for those nagging foot/ankle/knee pains. I'll be back to my 4 mile walks in no time!!

Worst running shoe experience of any shoe, ever.

Build: I'm 6'1", 205 lbs, lean muscular build, too heavy to be a long distance runner, too light to be a body builder. I have a narrow but long foot with a slightly higher than average arch- ordered size 13. Length was about right, ankle/heel pocket felt secure but arch support was non-existent and the toebox was wide enough to park a Mini Cooper in. I tried walking around the house but kept scuffing the bottoms inadvertently with the thick sole. I snugged up the laces and took off anyway hoping the cushioning sole might form to my foot. About 50 yards into my "hilly" road run in central Pa, I hated them. I felt like the shoes refused to have a relationship with my feet, like they would land on the pavement regardless of the direction of my stride or my foot strike. ... MoreBuild: I'm 6'1", 205 lbs, lean muscular build, too heavy to be a long distance runner, too light to be a body builder. I have a narrow but long foot with a slightly higher than average arch- ordered size 13. Length was about right, ankle/heel pocket felt secure but arch support was non-existent and the toebox was wide enough to park a Mini Cooper in. I tried walking around the house but kept scuffing the bottoms inadvertently with the thick sole. I snugged up the laces and took off anyway hoping the cushioning sole might form to my foot. About 50 yards into my "hilly" road run in central Pa, I hated them. I felt like the shoes refused to have a relationship with my feet, like they would land on the pavement regardless of the direction of my stride or my foot strike. I felt like I was running above the surface instead of on it, each landing uncertain and completely disconnected. About 3 miles in my R knee developed pain on the lateral aspect that continues today. At the end of my run I couldn't get these off and boxed up for a return fast enough. Maybe if you have thick legs and ankles like the guy running on the homepage of the Brooks website, or maybe if you have Barney Rubble feet, these might work... but I would steer anyone with a light to average build, narrow to normal foot width or an average to higher than average arch away from these joy-stealing gremlins. To put it bluntly, the best aspect of these shoes is that they came with the Run Happy return policy.