Brooks Ghost Max 4: Comfort That Goes the Distance

ON THE RUN

Aleighsha: The Ghost Max quickly became that trusty friend you know you can always count on...from mile 1 to mile 100.

It gave me the perfect amount of cushioning for everything from short, easy runs to longer training days. I also found myself reaching for it during 10 hour shifts on my feet because it kept my body feeling fresher throughout the day. My feet were not aching by the end of my shift, and the arch support felt like the perfect hug, I think this was due to the motion control I felt out of this shoe.

One of my favorite updates is the new heel counter. It creates a snug, secure fit that locked my heel in place whether I was out for a run or on my feet all day. At no point did I feel like my heel was slipping, which made the shoe feel even more comfortable and dependable.

Joe: Last year’s Ghost Max 3 was my favorite version of the line to date. It reminded me of the original Ghost Max in all the right ways: a dependable, supportive shoe that excelled on easy miles, recovery runs, long walks, or simply wearing around after a hard workout. It was never trying to be the fastest shoe in your rotation, but it was always willing to go wherever you wanted to take it.

From a run specialty perspective, I appreciated it even more because it was so accommodating. The roomy toe box, breathable upper, and forgiving fit made it an easy recommendation for a wide variety of runners and walkers. It felt like Brooks had rediscovered what made the Ghost Max special.

Which is why my first thought after lacing up the Ghost Max 4 was surprisingly simple: Why did Brooks mess with a good thing?

 That's not to say this is a bad shoe - far from it - but the Ghost Max 4 immediately felt different from its predecessor.

THE FIT 

Aleighsha: Let's talk about the fit of this workhorse of a shoe!

This shoe truly works for just about every foot type, wide, narrow, or somewhere in the middle. The upper hugs your foot in all the right ways and feels like a second sock. It's soft, breathable, and comfortable without feeling restrictive.

The updated heel cup was another big win for me. The heel counter locked my foot in whether I was heading out for a run or spending a long shift on my feet. I never felt like my heel was slipping, and the fit stayed secure all day.

I like to describe this as the shoe that does the MAX of everything. It gives you MAX cushion, MAX guidance, and MAX support. If you're looking for one shoe that can handle daily miles, recovery runs, long workdays, and just about anything in between, this one checks all the boxes. This shoe is to the MAX LOL... I am seeing if I can sneak this in without our editor of the blogs taking it out! 

Joe: One of the first things I noticed was the appearance of a reduction in overall volume. Coming into this wear test after spending time in the Altra Torin 9 admittedly may have skewed my perception of toe box space, but even accounting for that, the Ghost Max 4 felt a little narrower and noticeably shallower through the forefoot than the Ghost Max 3.

Interestingly, Brooks says the updated linear last increases the shoe's volume. On paper that may be true, but on foot I consistently experienced the opposite. The fit simply felt less accommodating than the previous version.

During testing, I also developed a small blister across the top of my right toes. Was it because of the slightly lower volume? Maybe. Or maybe it was simply the Michigan summer reminding me that Smartwool socks eventually surrender to enough humidity. I'm not ready to blame the shoe entirely, but it's worth mentioning.

Outside of that, the fit is classic Brooks. The step-in comfort is excellent, the heel locks down securely without feeling restrictive, and the engineered mesh upper remains soft and breathable. Brooks also fixed one of my small complaints from the Ghost Max 3 - lace length - it’s a minor change, but one that's genuinely appreciated, and one that made double-knotting much easier. Brooks continues to be one of the best brands in the industry when it comes to creating a shoe that simply feels comfortable the moment you put it on.

THE FEEL

Aleighsha: Everyone always wants to know, "What does this shoe feel like?"

Let me ask you this... do you love a shoe that feels like it's barely there while still keeping you completely supported? If so, you are going to love this one. Every time I wore it, I honestly forgot what shoe I had on, it just felt like a extension of my foot!

There was not a huge WOW moment when I first stepped into it, but what made me fall in love with this shoe was how it performed over time. Whether I was logging long runs or spending long hours on my feet, my feet felt just as good at the end of the day as they did when I first laced them up.

Are you a nurse, teacher, or someone who spends long hours standing on hard floors? Or maybe you are looking for a shoe that feels stable and supportive for your daily runs? This is one I would absolutely recommend!

And lastly, if you are someone who deals with plantar fascia pain on and off like I do, this has become one of my go-to shoes. When my feet are flaring up, this is the pair I reach for because it helps take the pressure off the bottom of my foot while still feeling comfortable and supportive. It provides inherent stability without relying on traditional guidance features like the Adrenaline, making it a great option for runners or daily users who want something that sits right between a neutral and stability shoe.

Joe: The Ghost Max 4 continues to use nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam, delivering the smooth, protective ride that has defined the Ghost Max line.

For me, the Ghost Max 4 remains primarily a recovery-day shoe, but I intentionally logged a few longer runs to see whether it could comfortably handle everyday mileage. The answer is yes. The cushioning keeps your stride rolling along at a steady rhythm without demanding much effort. It's not lively in the way a super trainer is, but it's consistent, predictable, and easy to settle into for mile after mile.

Brooks actually increased the stack height slightly to 40 mm in the heel and 34 mm in the forefoot, compared to 39/33 mm in the Ghost Max 3, while maintaining the 6 mm drop. Strangely, I would have guessed the opposite before seeing the specs. The shoe somehow felt lower to the ground than its predecessor, which still has me scratching my head a bit.

The biggest, and most welcome, change is the weight. The men's size 9 drops from 10.8 ounces to 10.3 ounces, and that difference is noticeable (especially in a men’s 12.5!).

If I had one consistent criticism of the Ghost Max 3, it was that it eventually started to feel a little heavy and clunky on longer outings. The Ghost Max 4 isn't suddenly a featherweight, but shedding half an ounce while slightly increasing stack height is an impressive improvement that pays dividends once you're a few miles into your run.

THE NITTY GRITTY

Aleighsha: Personally, I would reach for this shoe for my daily miles. If I were picking one shoe to put a lot of mileage on, this would definitely be a top choice.

It is also a great shoe to compare to the Ghost 18. Honestly, I would have a hard time choosing between the two because they both offer so much. I see the Ghost Max as my go-to for recovery runs and easy miles, while the Ghost 18 would be my choice for everyday training and those days when I want to pick up the pace a little.

I wouldn't describe this shoe as having that super soft marshmallow feel. Instead, it's the kind of cushioning that makes you stand up and instantly think, "Ahhhh." It's not too squishy and not too firm, it's just right, like Goldilocks. The cushioning also feels incredibly stable. It does not compress quickly, so it holds up really well over time. Combined with the wider platform, it gives you a supported, confident ride from start to finish!

If you want to stop by Running Lab and compare it to a few similar models, I would recommend checking out: ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27, HOKA Bondi 10, New Balance 1080, Saucony Echelon or Brooks Glycerin Max.

Joe: 

This is still an easy-day shoe.

It's still a recovery-day shoe.

It's still an outstanding walking shoe.

And that’s ok!

The Ghost Max 4 offers the balanced cushioning and inherent stability I want in a shoe that could potentially be handling a large portion of my weekly mileage. It's comfortable enough for daily training, supportive enough for recovery runs, and versatile enough that many runners could comfortably wear it all day after their workout is finished.

In my Ghost Max 3 review, I described it as "not sexy, but solid," and I think that still applies here. You won't be chasing down the world record pacing lights in a Diamond League final wearing the Ghost Max 4. But after you've crushed your long run, set a new 5K PR, or spent an entire day on your feet, the Ghost Max 4 will be waiting the next morning like a loyal friend, ready to quietly get you out the door and wherever your run happens to lead you.

THE RUNDOWN

Aleighsha: Overall, I think Brooks knocked it out of the park with the Ghost Max 4. It took everything I already liked about the previous version and made it even better. The updates to the heel fit, the secure upper, and the stable cushioning all came together to create a shoe that I found myself reaching for over and over this last few weeks.

What I love most is that this shoe doesn't try to be flashy, it just works. Whether I was heading out for a few easy miles, tackling a longer run, recovering after a hard workout, or spending a 10 hour shift on my feet, I knew I could count on it to keep me comfortable. That's exactly what I want in a daily trainer/ shoe.

 I honestly do not have much I would change. Brooks found a great balance of cushioning, support, and durability without making the shoe feel overly soft or bulky.

This has easily become one of my favorite shoes of 2026, and it's a pair I'll continue recommending to runners, walkers, healthcare workers, teachers, and anyone looking for a reliable shoe that can truly do it all!

Joe: If I'm being completely honest, I'm still sorting out my feelings about the Ghost Max 4.

Maybe I'm viewing the Ghost Max 3 through rose-colored glasses. That's entirely possible. But throughout testing, I kept asking myself the same question: Was this update really necessary? What gap was Brooks trying to fill in the market and in their lineup? What problem was the Ghost Max 3 failing to solve?

The Ghost Max 4 doesn't answer those questions for me. Instead, it feels like Brooks nudged the shoe away from the identity that made the Ghost Max line stand out and closer to the standard Ghost family. Whether that's intentional or not, it left me missing some of the effortless, accommodating character of the previous version.

Now, this may simply be a me issue rather than a Ghost Max 4 issue, because taken on its own merits, this is still a very good shoe. It's stable without feeling intrusive. The DNA Loft v3 cushioning remains protective and comfortable. It accommodates orthotics well. The reduced weight is a meaningful improvement. And for runners and walkers looking for a reliable, well-cushioned daily trainer that prioritizes comfort over flash, the Ghost Max 4 will absolutely deliver.

I just can't help but wonder if Brooks already had that shoe in the Ghost Max 3...and changed it anyway.