Brooks Ghost Max 4 review

The Brooks Ghost Max 4 could be your next shoe if you:

• Want maximum cushioning but prefer a firmer, more stable ride.
• Need a smooth, predictable daily trainer for easy and long runs.
• Value a highly breathable, comfortable upper for warm-weather running and all-day wear.
• Seek a stable ride without the intrusive feel or added support features of a traditional stability shoe.

The Ghost Max 4 retains the same midsole foam, so energy return remains limited. If you're looking for a bouncier ride, we think the adidas Adizero EVO SL and the Saucony Endorphin Azura are far better options. The Azura stands out as the better pick if you also want extra stability.

We also believe that runners who prefer a more flexible shoe won't enjoy the Ghost Max 4. In that case, the Saucony Triumph 23 is a much better alternative.

The Brooks Ghost Max 4 fully lives up to its name, delivering a genuinely max-cushioned ride backed by solid lab results. We measured 145 SA in the heel and 116 SA in the forefoot, both strong figures that highlight its focus on comfort and impact protection.

The heel result stands out the most, however, as it represents an 11 SA improvement over the previous version, a meaningful upgrade that many runners will immediately appreciate on long runs and recovery days.

The Ghost Max 4 retains the same DNA Loft v3 foam, and the results reflect that. Until Brooks introduces a more advanced DNA Loft v4 compound or moves to an entirely new midsole formulation, energy return remains one of the shoe's main limitations.

We measured 51.9% energy return in the heel and 55.5% in the forefoot, both figures falling well below the current average. As a result, the Ghost Max 4 feels far better suited for easy miles and recovery runs than for faster-paced efforts.

The main reason most runners choose the Ghost Max over the standard Ghost is the extra cushioning underfoot. However, with a measured stack height of 38.6 mm, the Ghost Max 4 no longer feels that high in today's max-cushion market, where several rivals comfortably push beyond the 40 mm mark.

In fact, the gap between the Ghost Max and other daily trainers is starting to feel smaller than ever.

We measured 29.6 mm of foam under the forefoot, falling just 0.4 mm short of the 30 mm mark. That's a substantial amount of cushioning for the front of the shoe and provides plenty of protection for long miles and all-day comfort.

Brooks advertises a 6 mm heel-to-toe drop, but our measurements told a different story. We recorded a substantially higher 9.0 mm offset.

That result also matched our experience on the run. Throughout testing, the shoe never felt like a true mid-drop design, instead delivering a sensation that sat somewhere between a moderate and a high-drop trainer.

One thing we appreciate about the Ghost Max 4 is that Brooks isn't chasing the industry trend of making every shoe softer than the last. In our view, runners benefit most when brands offer a wide range of cushioning experiences rather than converging on the bracket.

With a durometer reading of 39.7 AC, the Ghost Max 4 delivers a firmer and more controlled ride than many of today's plush trainers. As a result, it feels predictable underfoot and stands out as an appealing option for runners who prefer stability and consistency over a sink-in sensation.

Brooks is one of the few brands that gives a name to its rocker geometry, calling it GlideRoll. After testing the shoe, we found that the design remains fairly conservative, delivering smooth transitions without dramatically altering the ride. So despite the fancy branding, don't expect an aggressive or highly-rockered feel.

To find out whether the fit of the Ghost Max 4 matched our expectations or took a different direction, we poured our proprietary gel into the toebox and waited for it to fully set. Afterwards, it was time to take our measurements.

Our first measurement came in at 93.4 mm, matching what we felt during testing. It feels slightly tighter than the previous version, likely because the upper uses a thicker, more plush design that wraps the foot more securely.

We found the same pattern in the toebox, which measured about 2 mm narrower than both the previous version and our current lab average. Therefore, if you're wondering how the Ghost Max 4 fits, expect a slightly snugger feel than most daily trainers.

The toebox height feels just right for a shoe like the Ghost Max 4.

We never experienced unwanted pressure during our runs, and the 26.8 mm of vertical space provides enough room for airflow to help keep the toes comfortable.

The outsole is far more than a minor redesign, as Brooks completely reworked it. Rubber coverage is generous in both the forefoot and heel, and the numerous flex grooves molded into each rubber section are designed to improve grip on wet surfaces.

Like most max-cushioned running shoes, the Brooks Ghost Max 4 is remarkably stiff despite lacking a plate. We bent it to 30 degrees using our flexibility test and measured 20.1N, a result that even exceeds many carbon-plated super shoes.

One improvement the Ghost Max series desperately needed was meaningful weight reduction, and Brooks finally delivered.

The Ghost Max 4 is 6% lighter than its predecessor, giving it a much more reasonable weight for such a max-cushioned shoe with a comfort-focused upper. It still isn't lighter than its main rivals, but it's no longer a deal-breaker for many runners.

With a score of 74 BR, the Brooks Ghost Max 4 proved highly breathable in our lab, making it a strong choice for warm-weather running.

That result didn't surprise us, as Brooks has been consistently delivering excellent uppers lately. While we think the brand still has room to improve its midsole foams and outsole rubbers, upper design and performance remain among its biggest strengths.

We also evaluated the shoe's drying potential during the same 3-hour test to see how efficiently it could release absorbed water. By the end of the test, it had evaporated 51% of the moisture.

Although that result doesn't quite match its impressive breathability, we still consider it a solid performance that should help reduce moisture buildup during longer runs.

One advantage of using a firmer foam than many rivals is the extra stability it provides, and the Ghost Max 4 makes good use of that.

We found it very stable for neutral runners, and we believe that mild overpronators, especially heel strikers, can also benefit from its supportive ride thanks to the wide heel platform and secure landings.

We secured the Ghost Max 4 in our custom-built torsional rigidity machine, which twists the shoe from side to side while measuring the torque required to resist the movement. It recorded 17.2 Nm, another above-average result that confirms this is far from a flexible shoe.

Brooks appears to have realized that an ultra-stiff heel counter wasn't necessary this time.

Instead, the Ghost Max 4 uses a more balanced 3/5 design that feels much closer to a regular daily trainer. We really liked this change, as we're happy to see brands moving away from the overly rigid heel counters that became common in recent years in favor of better comfort and a more natural feel.

We then grabbed our digital calipers to measure the width of the midsole. Starting with the forefoot, we recorded 117.6 mm, a result that sits slightly below what we usually see in max-cushioned running shoes but still over the current lab average.

Brooks has clearly toned down the Ghost Max 4 compared to version 3. The heel platform shrank from 101.5 mm to 96.2 mm, which we believe is a smarter balance. It still delivers plenty of stability while bringing back some of the agility and livelier feel that the previous version lacked.

Also, like most max-cushioned running shoes, the Ghost Max 4 also features a generously wide midfoot platform.

The upper is exceptionally comfortable and contributes to the shoe's impressive breathability. However, that comes at the expense of durability, as it earned the lowest possible score of 1/5 in our Dremel test.

Fortunately, the heel padding proved far more resistant to abrasion. It scored 4/5 in our Dremel test, three points higher than the toebox.

We were also impressed by the outsole rubber's abrasion resistance. Our Dremel removed just 0.8 mm of material, a result that outperformed many of its rivals.

Brooks clearly prioritized long-term durability, or at least that's our takeaway from the substantial 3.8 mm outsole rubber thickness.

We have no concerns about longevity here. However, the extra rubber also helps explain why the Ghost Max 4 feels firm underfoot, as a thicker outsole tends to create a firmer underfoot sensation.

The insole also lives up to the shoe's Max name. We measured it at a substantial 5.8 mm thick, making it noticeably thicker than what we usually find in our lab.

You can easily replace it if you want, and switching to a thinner insole is an effective way to create extra space inside the toebox for runners with wide feet.

DNA Loft v3 is an EVA-based foam, and compounds built on this material tend to struggle in cold conditions. Unfortunately, the Ghost Max 4 followed that familiar pattern, as our freezer test revealed a substantial 35% change in softness after 20 minutes in freezing temperatures.

There are absolutely no reflective elements anywhere on the upper of the Ghost Max 4.

Brooks kept the lacing system simple by using flat laces threaded through traditional punched eyelets, a tried-and-tested setup that continues to work exceptionally well for running shoes.

We also found that Brooks prioritized step-in comfort. The generously padded tongue measured 12.4 mm thick in our lab, delivering an exceptionally plush and comfortable feel across the instep.

Yet another Ghost Max, and once again Brooks skips a gusseted tongue.

To be fair, the generously-padded tongue stays securely in place during runs and never gave us any issues. Still, at this price point, we believe a tongue connected to the sides should be present.

The heel features a finger-loop heel tab that integrates seamlessly into the collar and looks fantastic.

The Ghost Max 4 arrives with a modest $5 price increase, which isn't particularly concerning on its own. However, we couldn't help but question whether the added cost is fully justified given the lack of a new midsole foam. For runners who prioritize comfort, durability, and a dependable ride, the answer will likely be yes.

That said, those who constantly seek the latest and most advanced running technology may come away less impressed. The Ghost Max 4 remains a solid and trustworthy trainer, but it doesn't deliver the kind of bounce that many competitors now offer at this MSRP.