This Brooks Ghost Max 3 review looks at the max-cushion shoe Brooks lists on its walking page. It costs about $160 at full price and weighs 10.8 oz in the men's, with nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam. Reviewers call it comfortable, secure and stable, with a soft slow-day ride. It's heavy and not very energetic. Best for: walkers and easy runners who want max cushion with Brooks' fit and widths. This review is based on specs and tester and owner reports, not our own testing.
Illustration drawn from the product’s specs — see the brand’s site for real photos and colors.
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Review (2026): Worth $160?
3.5/5
our rating
our rating
$160Full price on Brooks’s site, checked Oct 7, 2026
Best for: Walkers and easy runners who want max cushion with Brooks' fit and widths.
Skip it if: You want a light shoe or support features for overpronation.
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What we like
- Brooks lists it on its walking page
- Soft, max-stack DNA Loft v3 foam
- Comfortable, secure upper
- Solid durability and stable
- Regular, Wide and X-Wide in men's
Watch out for
- Heavy (306 g men's)
- Foam lacks energy
- Heel shock absorption is only so-so per lab
On this page
Fit and sizing
RunRepeat's 138 owner votes call the Ghost Max 3 true to size. Brooks offers Normal, Wide and X-Wide in the men's, and Narrow to X-Wide in the women's. The upper is comfortable and secure. Use our walking shoe finder to compare widths.
Cushioning and ride
Brooks lists a 39 mm heel and 33 mm forefoot stack with a 6 mm drop. RunRepeat measured soft foam but only moderate heel shock absorption for a max shoe. The ride is soft and stable rather than lively.
How it performs for walking and slow runs
Brooks lists it among its walking shoes, and reviewers say it's best for slow runs and suits midfoot and forefoot strikers. It's heavy, so it's not for speed. For stability, the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 is firmer.
Price and value
At about $160 at full price, RunRepeat calls it reasonably priced for a max-stack shoe. Brooks' 90-day Run Happy trial applies.
Alternatives
The HOKA Bondi 9 and Brooks Glycerin 23 are the closest alternatives. The New Balance 880v15 has more widths. More on the Brooks brand page.
Who should skip it
Skip the Ghost Max 3 if you want a light shoe, bounce or built-in stability.
Specs
| For | Men & women |
|---|---|
| Sizes | Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured) |
| Extended fits | Wide widths |
| Weight | 306 g (10.8 oz) |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 6 mm |
| Heel stack | 39 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 33 mm |
| Cushioning | Soft |
| Support | Neutral |
| Widths | Regular, Wide, X-Wide |
| Plate | None |
| Midsole foam | Nitrogen infused DNA Loft v3 |
| Surface | Road |
| Best use | Walking |
| Good for | Walking, Running, Recovery, All-day standing, Everyday wear |
The verdict
A soft, stable, comfortable cushioned walker. It's heavy and not lively, but for slow days and long hours it's great. Skip it if you want a light shoe or support features for overpronation. Ratings here are editorial estimates, not our own testing.
Alternatives to consider
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ghost Max 3 a walking shoe?
Brooks lists it on its walking shoes page, and it's also a max-cushion running shoe. Shoes can help comfort, but they are not a treatment. Specs here come from the brand and independent testers, since we have not tested it ourselves. Check the brand page or a retailer for the latest colors, sizes and price before you order.
Does the Ghost Max 3 come in wide?
Yes, in Wide and X-Wide in men's and women's. Availability can differ by colorway, store and country, so check the width selector before you order and keep the return window in mind. Specs here come from the brand and independent testers, since we have not tested it ourselves.
Ghost Max 3 or Ghost 18?
The Max is softer, heavier and more cushioned; the Ghost is more balanced. Specs here come from the brand and independent testers, since we have not tested it ourselves. Check the brand page or a retailer for the latest colors, sizes and price before you order.
How heavy is the Ghost Max 3?
Brooks lists 10.8 oz (306 g) men's and 9.7 oz (275 g) women's. Weights are the brand's stated figures for a men's size unless noted, and independent lab weights can differ slightly, so treat them as a guide. Specs here come from the brand and independent testers, since we have not tested it ourselves.
Sources and last checked · Oct 7, 2026
Notes: Price $160 per Brooks men's walking page 2026-10-07 (also on the men's running page). Weight 10.8 oz / 306 g men's, 9.7 oz / 275 g women's, drop 6 mm, stack 39/33 mm per RunRepeat quoting Brooks; lab 303 g, 7.3 mm, 38.5/31.2 mm. Widths: men's Normal/Wide/X-Wide; women's Narrow/Normal/Wide/X-Wide. Sizing true to size (138 votes). Ratings estimated; we have not tested this shoe.
Specs and prices come from the sources above and change often; ratings are our editorial estimates, not lab tests. Spot something out of date? Tell us.