How to Choose Running Shoes

Designed with protective cushioning for a soft, smooth ride and maximum comfort, the men's Brooks Ghost Max 2 road-running shoes will make putting in your daily miles feel like a breeze.
Imported.
Best Use | Running |
---|---|
Running Shoe Support | Neutral |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Maximum Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 6 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 39 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 33 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Engineered air-mesh |
Midsole | DNA LOFT v3 |
Outsole | RoadTack/HPR Heel rubber |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 5.6 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
U.S. Women's | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | ||||||
UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
EU | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 45.5 | 46 | 46.5 | 47.5 | 48.5 | 49.5 | 50.5 |
Sizes along top of chart are U.S. Men's sizes. Correlating U.S. Women's sizes and EU sizes provided for clarity.
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Brooks Ghost Max 2 have a comfortable fit and feel. They provide ample support without feeling restrictive. The cushioning is soft, making it suitable for long-distance runs or daily training sessions. The overall aesthetic is professional and sporty, suitable for both training and casual wear. The fabric used in the Brooks Ghost Max 2 is breathable and lightweight. It allows for adequate airflow, keeping the feet cool and dry even during intense workouts. Additionally, the materials feel durable. What I liked most about the Brooks Ghost Max 2 is its exceptional comfort and support. Overall, the Brooks Ghost Max 2 is a standout shoe and is a solid choice for runners looking for reliable performance.
Every Brooks shoe I've tried has been very true-to-size, but the Ghost Max 2 ran a little small; I should have gone a half-size up as it felt a little more narrow in the toe than I'm usually accustomed to from Brooks. The trade-off was that this shoe feels remarkably stable, especially compared to other shoes that favor the rocker shape sole. Somehow, there was a good balance of rocker-shaped runner and comfortable, stable walking shoe. I wouldn't pick up a pair of these to use strictly as a trainer, but this is a great option if you're going directly from work to the gym, or if you find yourself sprinting between connections at the airport.
I haven't worn them yet, but purchased them as a backup for my Ghost Max. I suffered from terrible foot pain on the tops of my feet and osteoarthritis in my feet to the point of barely being able to walk. A foot doctor recommended I go to a running store and be fitted with shoes. I ended up with the extra wide Ghost Max. It not only are my feet nearly pain-free, I've started mall walking and while my feet are a little sore, the extreme pain has not returned. Now the weather is getting warm and it has me wishing I could find a Ghost Max with a lightweight/breathable upper or even better, a sandal. This shoe truly has been a Godsend.
I've switched between Dyads and Beasts for the last decade and they helped me protect my arches which were shot fifty years ago. I tried to just buy another pair of Beasts only to find out that they are no longer made. So I was forced to go to the Ghost Max. These are padded in all the right places and they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever had. I bought two pairs just to be sure they didn't go out of production. I feel nothing buy happy when I put them on every morning. I am 89 so I don't run anywhere; still these are great shoes for old feet as well as I suppose they are for younger feet. Bless you Brooks folks.....g.nelson
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Ghost Max 2 are my new go to running shoe. I am currently training for a marathon and this shoe is comfortable on both the road and gravel paths. My favorite feature is the extra cushioning. My feet never hurt after a run and there was no breaking in discomfort. I also like the fabric which keeps moisture away on dewy morning runs or sweaty midday runs. I have the Ghost Max 2 in white and appreciate that they match any of my workout outfits. The Ghost Max 2 are true to size. However, I wish the toe box was wider.
I was disappointed with this shoe for several reasons. First, I have Parkinson's Disease, and so I have a diminished sense of balance. The forward pitch of this shoe gives me the feeling that my upper body is outrunning my feet and I took a hard fall on the 8th time I wore the shoe. Second, the tread wear seems to be accelerated compared to other Brooks running shoes I have worn. On the plus side, the shoe has lots of cushion, and were it not for the uncomfortable forward pitch, I'd probably have given it 4 to 4.5 stars. One other thing...in the past, Brooks size 11..5 US has always fit well, but in this shoe, I think a size 12 US would have fit me better.
I love brooks in general but the way some of these newer ones wear out is confusing. The shoe looks great and I’ve been wearing them for a few months now. Not areas like the heel and side wall have started to split. It’s not even in the high traction areas so I’m puzzled by how this happens. These are my 20 something pair of brooks over the years but they seem to last less then 6 months now compared to 14 months then. Keeping in mind I ran more then than now. So overall it’s a nice shoe but it won’t really last.
For the very first time I am not giving a rave review of a Brooks shoe. I bought these for my husband who has very flat feet and as a doctor, is on them many hours at a time. He has been wearing the Glycerin but loved the colors offered in the Ghost Max. Thinking it would possibly be comparable to that,I got these. Not even close to the comfort level of the Glycerin for him. After a few wears he developed a severe tendinitis bottom of his left foot. So back they go. Love the colors on all of the different versions of the Ghosts, Glycerins could use some of the cool colors they come in. But there’s no comparison for comfort level. We’re going back to the Glycerin.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] First off, I am usually a minimalist running shoe wearer. Tried these and it’s a strange, yet oddly familiar feeling. To me it felt like a hammock or gyro was in the shoe at first, and then after a while I go used to the energy rebound, which there seems to be a lot of rebound in these. Kind of spring you forward feeling. The couple of things that aren’t really my thing with them is the size. They are big, and I feel oddly taller wearing them. I assume that's how they can absorb all that energy and bounce you back. Because of that chunkiness, it’s not a flattering look. These are functional, and they are great at that function. I don’t find them all that fashionable.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have been wearing the same running shoe since 2012 when I started training for my first marathon. I qualified for and ran the Boston Marathon in that shoe. The Ghost Max 2 was my first time trying a new make/model of shoe since then. I was shocked how light the shoe felt. With the additional cushioning I was worried that it wouldn’t have a good “road feel.” Not at all! I felt like I still had a good connection to the pavement. I was most impressed by how the design of the shoe influenced me to have a more productive stride; I felt like the shoe really encouraged a good midfoot strike that propelled me forward. It’s been a long time since I was excited about my running shoes, but this did it! The shoe is incredibly comfortable and the design is SHARP. I’m looking forward to many more miles.