Brooks Ghost Max Introduction
I’ve reviewed the final 3 variations of the Ghost and I’ve come to the identical conclusion every time: the Ghost is for runners who don’t like change. The Ghost is without doubt one of the most constant operating shoe sequence in the marketplace relating to match and trip.
In case your eyes have been shut and also you have been carrying totally different variations on every foot, it could be extraordinarily tough to inform them aside. That’s how little distinction there may be between every model.
To date, this recipe has labored very nicely for Brooks. It’s well-known that the Ghost is without doubt one of the hottest trainers on this planet and it’s utilized by novices in addition to seasoned marathoners.
In my view, the Ghost is lagging behind the opponents relating to the trip division. If you happen to’ve worn actually trendy each day trainers just like the New Steadiness Propel v4, the Hoka Mach 5, or the On Cloudsurfer, you’ll know what I’m speaking about. The trip of the Ghost feels boring, flat and agency as compared.
This yr, there’s no Ghost 16 however as a substitute, we get a by-product of the Ghost sequence. The Ghost Max is a modernised model of Brooks’ hottest operating shoe. It has the next stack peak and it weighs 10 oz (283 g) which is 0.1 oz (3 g) lower than the Ghost 15.
Probably the most stunning spec of the brand new Ghost Max is that its drop is 6 mm, half that of the Ghost 15. The excessive 12 mm drop has at all times been the signature Ghost characteristic.
Brooks Ghost Max First Impressions
My first run was a simple 10 Ok and I used to be pleasantly shocked how totally different the Ghost Max felt in comparison with the Ghost 15. The principle distinction was that the trip felt barely softer. It additionally felt extra nimble, prefer it may decide up the tempo way more simply.
I additionally seen that the match felt extra slender than the common Ghost. I may really feel the arch when strolling however when operating, the feeling disappeared. Foot lockdown wasn’t nice and I may really feel that the heel was free so I needed to change to heel lock lacing.
The trainers that it jogged my memory of have been the Hoka Clifton 9 and the ASICS Novablast 3. All 3 trainers have deep cushioning, gentle rockers and are comparatively light-weight.
Brooks Ghost Max Higher
I’ve by no means skilled a foul Brooks higher and the Ghost Max continues this pattern. The match is true to measurement, the width is ideal and there aren’t any parts that irritate my foot.
The tongue isn’t gusseted however the tongues of the earlier Ghost variations have been additionally not gusseted. Lockdown is nice however I’ve to make use of a runner’s knot.
The one factor I’m not a fan of is the selection of shoe laces. It’s the mushy, oval sort of lace which frays simply. The flat laces of the Ghost 15 are much more sturdy.
I discover the Ghost Max extra slender than every other Brooks coach that I’ve tried and I believe that large footed runners might want to go for the large or additional large model.
Brooks Ghost Max Sole Unit
The trip of the Ghost Max will attraction to each Ghost loyalists in addition to runners who will not be followers of the common Ghost. I might describe it as rather well balanced- mushy sufficient for straightforward runs, agency sufficient for uptempo runs.
When it comes to cushioning softness, in comparison with different mid-range each day trainers, it’s on the firmer facet of the spectrum. It’s firmer than the Cumulus 25 and the Cloudsurfer 7 however softer than the Ghost 15 and about the identical because the Saucony Journey 16.
I’ve examined the Ghost Max at all types of speeds, from restoration tempo, all the best way right down to threshold tempo, and it might probably deal with most paces fairly nicely. It feels most comfy at simple and regular paces.
In comparison with the Ghost 15, there’s 4 mm extra foam within the heel of the Ghost Max, 10 mm extra within the forefoot so the Ghost Max has extra cushioning depth and is a greater lengthy distance coach than the Ghost 15. You’ll be able to positively do a full marathon within the Ghost Max.
Once I examined the Ghost Max throughout a long term, it felt energy-saving due to its slight forefoot rocker which assisted me by way of transitions. The rocker isn’t as outstanding as in plated trainers although and it feels pure.
Brooks says that it’s DNA Loft v2 foam within the midsole of the Ghost Max, similar to within the Ghost 15 nevertheless it feels utterly totally different. It feels much less dense, lighter and it returns extra power. They actually ought to have renamed it v4. The Brooks cushioning naming system must be rebranded as a result of it’s too complicated.
With a purpose to enhance stability, they raised the sides of the rearfoot in order that it cups the foot. It is a very steady impartial coach with a large base though it isn’t as steady because the common Ghost as a result of the midsole is firmer and it has extra lean bias.
One other good characteristic is the shallow, steering groove beneath the centre of the rearfoot. This makes the shoe really feel extra agile as a result of it saves weight and permits the heel to splay.
On the outsole, the Ghost 15 had 2 flex grooves that prolonged your complete size of the forefoot. On the Ghost Max, there are none, so the forefoot feels stiffer. This permits the rocker to perform higher.
Brooks outsole rubber isn’t as powerful as different manufacturers. I’ve seen greater than common outsole put on on the forefoot rubber in addition to on the midsole foam underneath the ball of the foot. If you’re arduous on outsoles, you is likely to be disenchanted with the sturdiness of the Ghost Max’s outsole.
Brooks Ghost Max Conclusions
Brooks ought to have referred to as the Ghost Max the Ghost 16 as a result of it’s an enchancment over the Ghost 15 in virtually each facet. It’s extra cushioned, it’s softer, extra environment friendly and it returns extra power. I additionally don’t miss the excessive 12 mm drop.
My favorite factor in regards to the Ghost Max is that it feels extra trendy than earlier Ghost variations. The Ghost now not seems like a coach from 5 years in the past and I believe this model of it should win over some new followers.
It’s positively gained me over and the Ghost Max will keep in my rotation for principally zone 1 and zone 2 runs. It’s a firmer, stabler each day coach than many of the opponents and I take pleasure in its stiff, mildly rockered trip.
At $150, I believe the Ghost Max is just too costly in comparison with different mid vary, impartial each day trainers. They need to have made it $140, the identical because the Ghost 15 which got here out final yr.
The Novablast 3 and Mach 5 are $140 whereas the Max Highway 6 is simply $130.
