How to Choose Running Shoes

Durability meets plush, protective cushion in these Brooks road runners. The leather uppers are durable and easy to clean. GlideRoll Rockers assist with transitions for an easy stride.
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View the Brooks Ghost Product LineView all Brooks Men's Road-Running ShoesBest 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 | Leather |
Midsole | DNA LOFT v3 foam |
Outsole | RoadTack with HPR Heel rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 7.2 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.
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[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The GhostMax Air Leather Shoe is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a comfortable, supportive, and lightweight shoe. They fit true to size, but if you have wider feet, you might want to consider ordering the wide version or sizing up by half a size. The craftsmanship is top-notch. You can immediately tell they’re made from high-quality materials, and they feel well-engineered, which gives me confidence in their durability and long-lasting performance. I’ve added them to my regular rotation and am hopeful they’ll help address some of the heel issues I’ve been experiencing. Overall, these shoes strike a great balance between comfort and build quality, making them a reliable and worthwhile addition to any wardrobe.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] When I first saw the shoe I was expecting them to be heavy and bulky, but once I put them on I was completely wrong. These shoes were so light and comfortable. I truly wanted to test them out so I did some road running and treadmill running(still want to try them on a trail run but it’s too muddy for white shoes). These were great. Not sure I would run any long distance but 4 miles or less these shoes are great. Overall not the most fashionable shoe but at my age I do prefer comfort over style
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I've worn various Brooks Sneakers in the past (Ghost, Adrenaline GTS and Glycerine). I've run 2 half marathons, and dog walk regularly as a side hustle. My feet tend to roll inwards, and I found that I did not have that problem with the Ghost Max. They kept me stable on the treadmill and are going to be my new go-to for dog walking. They have a thicker sole, which might benefit newer runners or those with weak knees. If you prefer a closer-to-the-ground feel when you run this might not be the best option for you. The leather material was also a HUGE plus! I have white sneakers I wear quite a bit but always get dirty. These were super easy to clean! I would recommend sizing a full size up. I went up a half size and my lbig toe was just touching the front of the shoe. Overall, I will be using these as my daily walkers!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have been running around 10 miles per week in these shoes for fun. I'm not currently training, otherwise I would be running more frequently and further distances. So far, I've put roughly 25 miles on the so far. I mostly run on pavement in my neighborhood and on a dirt trail. I've been in the elements with them (rain and light snow) once and they handle well with good grip. I do want to mention that they feel bulkier than the running shoes that I'm used to so it's taking some time to get used to them. I do like the glideroll feature as I have weak ankles due to some old injuries so this feature takes the stress off of my ankle joints. As for the style, not my favorite and resembles an "old man shoe" if you will. I feel that the design could be improved to be more appealing to the eye. Although style doesn't matter as much to me since I use them mostly for running and not so much running errands, some people would think differently. Overall, they're not my favorite running shoe but I am happy that I tried them out because I'm always on the lookout for a running shoe that checks all of my boxes.
Finally a Winter shoe made by Brooks. I worn Ghost Max for 2 years now. Best Shoes I owned. And I owned them all. Now in leather game changing !
This shoe Is exactly everything I was looking for. If you like the original Ghost Max 2’s then these are a great option if you need something waterproof or a more durable upper. My feet are normal width and I have a medium arch with some arch pressure and pain in my heels and knees. These will be the new shoes in my rotation alongside the Adrenaline GTS 24’s. I work in healthcare and average about 5 miles/day on my feet while on shift. I’m a 6 foot tall man who weighs 230lb and have not experienced any pain while wearing these shoes. Pros: - All white leather that isn’t too white - Exceptionally well built, The leather is butter smooth and doesn’t trap dirt or easily scuff - Easy to clean - Rocker transitions are smooth - True to size - Plush without feeling bulky - Roomy toe box - Fashionable, can wear with pretty much any outfit - More cushion and room than the Addiction Walker’s - Great support for a neutral shoe even as a big dude Cons; - Breathability is bad, probably about a 1.5/5. It’s better than the Hoka Bondi SR’s but it isn’t great. - Shoe runs very warm so consider that if you wear thick socks, have sweaty feet, or live where the weather’s always hot - I had to heel lock the laces and there is no tab on the heel to pull the shoes on. - Very heavy - The leather above the toes has started to develop creases already - They aren’t advertised as nonslip/work shoes but I do wish they were grippier as they are awesome work shoes
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] As someone who’s relied on Brooks Ghost shoes for daily wear in a bustling wine-tasting room, I had high expectations for the Ghost Max. The previous iterations were an instant win—comfortable straight out of the box, supportive for long hours on my feet, and built to handle the day-to-day demands of hospitality work. Unfortunately, the Ghost Max didn’t quite live up to that legacy for me. The leather upper felt noticeably tighter around my footbed, and despite trying to break them in, my feet had a rough time adjusting. It’s surprising because one of the standout qualities of earlier Ghost models was their immediate comfort and forgiving fit. That said, the sole on the Ghost Max is truly something special. It’s soft yet responsive, providing a secure and springy feel with every step. It feels like walking on a well-cushioned cloud that still manages to give you a sense of control and stability. While I can see these shoes potentially becoming more comfortable after a longer break-in period, the initial experience wasn’t as seamless as I’ve come to expect from Brooks. For those with a slightly narrower foot or more patience for breaking in their shoes, the Ghost Max might still be worth considering. But for me, they didn’t quite hit the mark I was hoping for. Pros: Incredible sole cushioning, secure and springy feel. Cons: Tight fit around the footbed, challenging break-in period. If you’re already a Brooks Ghost fan, proceed with cautious optimism—you might love the upgrades, but be prepared for a break-in phase that requires some perseverance.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] When I opened the box for the Ghost Max shoes I was greeted with a sharp, bright pair of shoes that seemed begging to worn. I was excited to take them out for a casual run to get a feel for their response to the environment. As I laced them up I noticed they offer a good amount of supportive cushioning around the ball of my feet which was nice. Finished lacing them up and did a few short runs to warm up. Right away I noticed how they weighed very little which is always appreciated. If you look at the soles of the shoes they are pretty thick, but that thickness doesn’t mean that they are heavy. In fact I would say they are one of the lighter shoes I have worn. After doing a few runs outside and a few runs on a treadmill the response of the shoe is appropriate for the name brand. Outdoors I was able to bounce forward it seemed with ease and able to cut in and out of pedestrians on the sidewalk, never losing traction or stability. On the treadmill the shoes offered good bounce and heel strike absorption. Indoors and outdoors the shoes performed well. The shoes are clearly designed for walking and running, the cushioning and sole thickness make them condusive to wear all day and not have those aches and pains associated with being on your feet all day. It is the overall design and feel to them that stand out. Lightweight and very comfortable are two major advantages to the shoe. If I were to change anything I would add some color to the shoes, after a few outdoor runs and walks they became very dirty. That isn’t too bad of an issue because the leather doesn’t take up stains easily, so the shoe can be cleaned with very little effort. The shoe is a keeper in my book. I would recommend them for anyone who is looking for all day comfort and quality in a pair of shoes.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Brooks Ghost Max L in white has truly knocked it out of the park, quickly becoming my go-to everyday shoe. From the moment I slipped them on, I was impressed by the sleek design and outstanding comfort. The combination of the clean leather look and exceptional cushioning makes walking feel effortless. It's hard to put into words how comfortable these shoes are—every step feels like I’m walking on clouds. Pros: - Exceptional Comfort: These shoes deliver all-day comfort, making them ideal for daily wear. - Great Cushioning: The cushioning is on another level, providing a soft, supportive feel that’s perfect for walking. - Feels Like Walking on Clouds: It’s almost like the shoes are designed to absorb every step, making walking feel easy and natural. - Stylish White Leather Design: I love how versatile the white leather is. It pairs perfectly with everything from casual outfits to something a bit more polished. I can even style these for a night out with jeans. At the same time, I did have a couple concerns about the shoes at first, but those have been put to ease after wearing them for a couple weeks. As a parent, I was initially concerned about how the white leather would hold up, especially with a toddler running around. To my surprise, despite a few scuff marks here and there, the shoes cleaned up easily and still look brand new. That was a major relief! I also did have some initial concerns regarding the fit. I have wide feet, and my left foot is a little longer than the right. My big toe was hitting the front of the shoe, which was uncomfortable at first. However, after wearing them around the house for a day, the leather softened, and the fit became perfect. I haven't had any issues since then, and I feel confident that I could wear these all day long without discomfort. Overall, the Brooks Ghost Max L has exceeded my expectations. It combines style, comfort, and durability in a way that’s hard to beat. I would highly recommend these shoes to anyone looking for a stylish yet functional everyday option.
Ghost max feels better than I expected. I’m very surprised. I bought a 10.5 wide and returned it for an 11 wide. I’m thinking I will try 11.5 to see if it would be a tad bit more comfy or to big next time. Still feel like I can have a little bit more room. The support and the cushion are great. I don’t see how some found the shoe stiff or hard. The weight of the shoes is now heavier than other brands I have worn. I haven’t had a grip issue or any squeaking. But I haven’t walked on a wet surface yet.