This is possibly the best shoe I’ve ever worn in my 20+ years of running. Perfect comfort, responsiveness without the sinky marshmallow feel and best roll-off straight out of box - like it even more than my Boston 12s
Agree with a lot here. People calling this "firm" are caught up in the more popular shoes of the moment like the 1080 V13 or the Novablast 3. Those are so squishy that damn near anything will feel firm. I'll admit, as a heavier guy, I appreciate the bounce of peba and am looking forward to making the Triumph 22 and Topo Specter 2 mainstays when they come out (and the Adios 9), but it's nice to have one shoe that's just basic. Well, high stack and basic.
Agree… not every shoe needs to be an “ankle breaker” with super squishy foams. When the shoes are not Peba, they tend to be one dimensional. Peba helps but even then they have a specific purpose.
I have the brooks Ghost 15 and use it for track practice and its really great for that. Thr upper is nice but as you said the midshole is really firm to run in. I have run about 200km in this shoe + about 6 months of track practice and the shoe looks like its new. The outshole has worked great for me, never had any issue with it
There are two use cases I can think of where a 12mm drop makes sense. Casual runners who are heavy heel strikers and track work where you need a shoe to force you up onto your toes. Interesting you enjoy it so for the later.
Given walking is naturally a heel to toe movement… the Ghost 15 may be an excellent walking shoe. Especially if you wear boots or dress shoes often, which typically have higher drops, especially boots. Thank you for the kind words on the video. 🤙🏻
My thoughts when I first heard about the Ghost max. Brooks marketing team saying “ we have one of the best selling daily trainers on the market, but the biggest part of that market exist because people are 💯 comfortable and know what to expect with the ghost. We need a slightly more modern shoe that appeals to that group but also adds some flexibility in the ghost line” enter the ghost max. Be very curious about the balance between the brooks ghost, brooks ghost max, glycerin and Hyperion max over the next few years. Evolution in foams, stack heights, plates could make it very interesting
I bet there is a deck somewhere in Brooks HQ in Seattle that says exactly that. I too am curious on the evolution of the Ghost line with this shoe and the changes coming to the Ghost 16. The Hyperion line makes sense as well… But the Glycerin line seems to be being eclipsed by the Ghost Max and Hyperion Max…
Thanks for the run down. I also haven't run in a Brooks shoe in a few years after spending more time recently in 6-8mm drop shoes. How would you say this compares to the Vomero 17 as an easy/long run shoe?
It’s actually a very good comparison… I’m actually considering a “vs” video between the two to go into the weeds of it. Both shows work to “roll” you forward. The GM is more obvious under foot in how it does it but the Vomero 17 has a forward propulsive feel. The V17 is more plush on step in and initial foot strike, due to the ZoomX foam… both have similar toe off firmness. The GM is the much more stable of the two and more fun to run in. However I think the V17 is slightly more versatile due to its more traditional geometry. Both shoes like easy running, +30sec per km (at least) off whatever your marathon pace it, but the V17 is easier to pick of the pace in. Day-to-day running… I’m preferring the GM… as I’d rather pair it with a Pegasus (or similar lower stack shoe) to get the full versatility for training. Though if you only want one shoe you can cover 90% of training in the V17 with few compromises.
@@SagasuRunning Thanks! Such a thoughtful and in-depth reply. I think I'm leaning V17 for that versatility. Plus I like the idea of being able to take it on some light trails and I feel the outsole and geometry of the V17 would worked better on that terrain than the GM. Would you agree?
I think the outsole on the V17 is definitely better for light trail… but I find the V17 too “tippy”, a combo of the ZoomX and the way the Cushlon 3.0 foam tapers in toward the outsole, for anything rocky or off camber (I’m having the same issue on the road as well). I took the GM on, what I thought was a mellow trail, but turned into rather technical skyrunning/rock scramble at one point… it handled it like a champ… both grip and stability. In fact what got me interested in the GM in the first place was the Brooks Cascadia 17, with is the same midsole foam… I can see where the foam would work well on the trail for sure.
I have high arches so the Straight Last concerns me. Fighting knee issues currently and the NB More V4 has been the best shoe for me recently(regardless of speed on the run).I seem to need the cushion so was thinking of trying the Ghost Max. Any thoughts on the straight last issue?
I’m not really qualified to say here… but I have daily high and developed arches (from years of barefoot running) as well as a high volume foot… and the GM gives me no issue. Then again I have never had a shoe give me any type of arch issues or discomfort. I’d recommend trying these on in a running store and seeing if they aggravate your knee. That’s the only way to know. Sorry can’t be any more precise here.
This may be firmer than you expect for that. The Asics Nimbus 25/26 may be better as a true recovery option. I’d pick the Ghost Max as an all purpose daily trainer…
@@jonathantimm4645 Then this may be a good option for you. The DNA Loft v2 will feel nice for what you want. The Glycerin 21 and the DNA Loft v3 foam may be way too soft.
Slightly confused about your view on the Nimbus. You say it’s too soft for you but that you prefer the Novoblast 4 over the 3 which has the identical foam as the Nimbus 25
The Novablast is a more versatile show, it’s lighter and more dynamic and can do many more things, especially the NB4. The Nimbus sort of does one thing and only that thing (easy/recovery running) which is not very useful for me personally.
Yup… but anytime I’ve tried it on I instantly know I’ll never run in it. It’s definitely not the same shoe as the Novablast…but the Novablast is a shoe I will run in occasionally, especially the Novablast 4, which gives me a squishy and soft shoe… Still, I prefer firmer foams as they just have more range.
I don’t know much about the Glycerin 21 but I do know it uses DNA Loft v3 foam for the midsole, which is their supercritical EVA… therefore they should be squishier and bouncier.
@@SagasuRunning hows the energy return and overall comfort of Ghost Max, I want to use it Gym and do some running on Thread mill, at my place I am getting Nimbus 25 at the price of Ghost max, nimbus is a great shoe but wanna try Brooks....
This is possibly the best shoe I’ve ever worn in my 20+ years of running. Perfect comfort, responsiveness without the sinky marshmallow feel and best roll-off straight out of box - like it even more than my Boston 12s
I'm not sure it's my best, but it is very good. Especially for a max stack shoe. The foam in this one is near perfection.
Everything one could ask for in a shoe review. Glad I found your excellent channel.
I’m glad to have you here. Hope you find some useful content! 🤙🏻
Agree with a lot here. People calling this "firm" are caught up in the more popular shoes of the moment like the 1080 V13 or the Novablast 3. Those are so squishy that damn near anything will feel firm. I'll admit, as a heavier guy, I appreciate the bounce of peba and am looking forward to making the Triumph 22 and Topo Specter 2 mainstays when they come out (and the Adios 9), but it's nice to have one shoe that's just basic. Well, high stack and basic.
Agree… not every shoe needs to be an “ankle breaker” with super squishy foams. When the shoes are not Peba, they tend to be one dimensional. Peba helps but even then they have a specific purpose.
I have the brooks Ghost 15 and use it for track practice and its really great for that. Thr upper is nice but as you said the midshole is really firm to run in. I have run about 200km in this shoe + about 6 months of track practice and the shoe looks like its new. The outshole has worked great for me, never had any issue with it
There are two use cases I can think of where a 12mm drop makes sense. Casual runners who are heavy heel strikers and track work where you need a shoe to force you up onto your toes.
Interesting you enjoy it so for the later.
Love this for a new year! :)
Happy 2024. 🤙🏻
Great review! How would the Ghost 15 be for walking. Is that aggressive drop bad? What about its comfort and stability?
Given walking is naturally a heel to toe movement… the Ghost 15 may be an excellent walking shoe. Especially if you wear boots or dress shoes often, which typically have higher drops, especially boots.
Thank you for the kind words on the video. 🤙🏻
@@SagasuRunning thanks for the help:)
It would be very interesting to see you review the brooks Hyperion 2 or Hyperion max 2!
I am definitely considering one of them, leaning towards the Hyperion 2 as I don’t really want a plated shoe… so stay tuned for July.
My thoughts when I first heard about the Ghost max. Brooks marketing team saying “ we have one of the best selling daily trainers on the market, but the biggest part of that market exist because people are 💯 comfortable and know what to expect with the ghost. We need a slightly more modern shoe that appeals to that group but also adds some flexibility in the ghost line” enter the ghost max. Be very curious about the balance between the brooks ghost, brooks ghost max, glycerin and Hyperion max over the next few years. Evolution in foams, stack heights, plates could make it very interesting
I bet there is a deck somewhere in Brooks HQ in Seattle that says exactly that.
I too am curious on the evolution of the Ghost line with this shoe and the changes coming to the Ghost 16.
The Hyperion line makes sense as well…
But the Glycerin line seems to be being eclipsed by the Ghost Max and Hyperion Max…
The running footage 👌
🤙🏻
Thanks for the run down. I also haven't run in a Brooks shoe in a few years after spending more time recently in 6-8mm drop shoes. How would you say this compares to the Vomero 17 as an easy/long run shoe?
It’s actually a very good comparison… I’m actually considering a “vs” video between the two to go into the weeds of it.
Both shows work to “roll” you forward. The GM is more obvious under foot in how it does it but the Vomero 17 has a forward propulsive feel.
The V17 is more plush on step in and initial foot strike, due to the ZoomX foam… both have similar toe off firmness.
The GM is the much more stable of the two and more fun to run in. However I think the V17 is slightly more versatile due to its more traditional geometry. Both shoes like easy running, +30sec per km (at least) off whatever your marathon pace it, but the V17 is easier to pick of the pace in.
Day-to-day running… I’m preferring the GM… as I’d rather pair it with a Pegasus (or similar lower stack shoe) to get the full versatility for training. Though if you only want one shoe you can cover 90% of training in the V17 with few compromises.
@@SagasuRunning Thanks! Such a thoughtful and in-depth reply. I think I'm leaning V17 for that versatility. Plus I like the idea of being able to take it on some light trails and I feel the outsole and geometry of the V17 would worked better on that terrain than the GM. Would you agree?
I think the outsole on the V17 is definitely better for light trail… but I find the V17 too “tippy”, a combo of the ZoomX and the way the Cushlon 3.0 foam tapers in toward the outsole, for anything rocky or off camber (I’m having the same issue on the road as well).
I took the GM on, what I thought was a mellow trail, but turned into rather technical skyrunning/rock scramble at one point… it handled it like a champ… both grip and stability.
In fact what got me interested in the GM in the first place was the Brooks Cascadia 17, with is the same midsole foam… I can see where the foam would work well on the trail for sure.
I have high arches so the Straight Last concerns me. Fighting knee issues currently and the NB More V4 has been the best shoe for me recently(regardless of speed on the run).I seem to need the cushion so was thinking of trying the Ghost Max. Any thoughts on the straight last issue?
I’m not really qualified to say here… but I have daily high and developed arches (from years of barefoot running) as well as a high volume foot… and the GM gives me no issue. Then again I have never had a shoe give me any type of arch issues or discomfort.
I’d recommend trying these on in a running store and seeing if they aggravate your knee. That’s the only way to know.
Sorry can’t be any more precise here.
I have been thinking about getting a pair of these. I have too many shoes as it is, but have been wanting a good shoe for recovery/easy run days.
This may be firmer than you expect for that. The Asics Nimbus 25/26 may be better as a true recovery option.
I’d pick the Ghost Max as an all purpose daily trainer…
@SagasuRunning I am 6 '1 and about 205 pounds so typically shoes like those have felt too squishy for me. I have not tried the 25 or 26.
@@jonathantimm4645 Then this may be a good option for you. The DNA Loft v2 will feel nice for what you want. The Glycerin 21 and the DNA Loft v3 foam may be way too soft.
@@SagasuRunning good point Thanks. I am starting marathon training tomorrow. This will be my first one.
Good luck with training. 🤙🏻
Slightly confused about your view on the Nimbus. You say it’s too soft for you but that you prefer the Novoblast 4 over the 3 which has the identical foam as the Nimbus 25
The Novablast is a more versatile show, it’s lighter and more dynamic and can do many more things, especially the NB4.
The Nimbus sort of does one thing and only that thing (easy/recovery running) which is not very useful for me personally.
Nimbus is a way broader platform with a different geometry, and I would suspect there's also a different density to the FF Blast+ Eco in those shoes.
Yup… but anytime I’ve tried it on I instantly know I’ll never run in it. It’s definitely not the same shoe as the Novablast…but the Novablast is a shoe I will run in occasionally, especially the Novablast 4, which gives me a squishy and soft shoe…
Still, I prefer firmer foams as they just have more range.
Its midsole is firmer or softer than Novablast 4? And how it's compared with Novablast 4.
Firmer, but still cushioned. It is flatter and more rolling into the toe. Less bouncy.
Please compare Ghost max against Hyperion max whenever possible ❤
I’m going to cover the Hyperion 2 or Max 2… I’m undecided but am leaning towards the 2 as I don’t want a plated shoe… stay tuned this July.
I felt the same with nimbus25. Hard to run in heels 👠 😂
😂🤙🏻
Hy brooks ghost is comfort but not durable to much wear in short time
Good to know.
Mate Ghost Max or Glycerin Stelthfit 21 I am broke b/w these two, I need squishy and bouncy shoe
I don’t know much about the Glycerin 21 but I do know it uses DNA Loft v3 foam for the midsole, which is their supercritical EVA… therefore they should be squishier and bouncier.
@@SagasuRunning hows the energy return and overall comfort of Ghost Max, I want to use it Gym and do some running on Thread mill, at my place I am getting Nimbus 25 at the price of Ghost max, nimbus is a great shoe but wanna try Brooks....
@manju4816 I quite like DNA Loft v2, the foam in the Ghost Max… irs stable, cushioned and really pleasant to run in.
@@SagasuRunning wow then I need to give Ghostmax a try