Smooth, cushioned miles for running and walking alike
Quick Answer: Brooks Ghost Max 4 Review: The Brooks Ghost Max 4 is a tall, softly cushioned shoe that is just as happy on easy runs as it is on long days of walking. A big pile of soft foam and a gently curved sole roll you smoothly from heel to toe, so each step feels easy and protected. This version is lighter and smoother than the last one, with a slightly trimmer fit. It is not built for speed and it has no built-in support, but for comfortable, low-impact miles it is one of the easiest shoes to recommend. Check latest price.
The Brooks Ghost Max is the taller, more cushioned cousin of the hugely popular Brooks Ghost. Where the regular Ghost is a middle-of-the-road daily shoe, the Ghost Max piles on extra foam and adds a curved, rocker-shaped sole, aiming for the softest, most protective ride Brooks can put under an everyday shoe. It has always been a favorite for people who want to be kind to their knees and feet, whether they are running easy miles or just on their feet all day.
Version 4 is the best the line has been. Brooks shaved off close to an ounce of weight, smoothed out the way the shoe rolls forward, and trimmed the fit down a little from the roomy previous model. Underfoot you get the same soft cushioning foam as the latest regular Ghost, so it feels plush and familiar rather than firm or clinical.
Think of it as a comfort-first shoe rather than a performance one. It will not make you fast, and it does nothing to steady a foot that rolls inward, but for soaking up the pounding of easy runs and long walks it is genuinely lovely. The main thing to know before buying is the fit, which is a touch narrower than the last version.
Specs
Here are the specifications for the Brooks Ghost Max 4, in plain English:
| Best for | Easy, comfortable runs, long walks and all-day wear for people who want a soft, protective ride |
| Type | Maximum-cushion everyday shoe (neutral, no built-in support), with a curved rocker sole |
| Cushioning | Very deep and soft, using Brooks’s everyday cushioning foam (the same one in the Ghost 18) |
| Support | None to speak of. It is a soft, neutral shoe, though the wide base adds some natural steadiness |
| Weight | About 10.2 oz men’s, about 9.1 oz women’s: lighter than the Ghost Max 3 |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 6 mm listed, meaning the heel sits only a little higher than the toe (some measurements put it a bit higher) |
| Stack height | Tall, around 39 mm at the heel and 33 mm at the forefoot: a lot of foam underfoot |
| Upper | Breathable engineered mesh with a padded collar; fit is a touch trimmer than before |
| Widths | Standard, wide and extra wide on many colors |
| Surface | Road, sidewalk, treadmill, paved paths |
| Price | $164.95 at launch, August 2026. Check latest price |
Pros
- Deep, soft cushioning that soaks up the pounding of runs and long walks
- The curved sole rolls you smoothly from heel to toe, so each step feels easy
- Lighter than the last version, so it no longer feels like a heavy shoe
- A wide, planted base that feels steady despite the tall stack
- Comes in wide and extra wide, and needs no breaking in
Cons
- The fit is trimmer than the roomy Ghost Max 3, so wide-footed fans should size carefully
- No built-in support, so it will not steady a foot that rolls inward
- Soft and rockered, so it feels slow and is no good for fast running
- Not cheap for an everyday shoe at $164.95
- The tall, soft foam is not for anyone who likes to feel the ground
What is new in the 4 vs the Ghost Max 3
The headline change is weight. Brooks trimmed close to an ounce off the Ghost Max 3, mostly by refining the shape of the sole, and it makes a real difference: the shoe no longer feels heavy and clod-hopping the way tall, cushioned shoes sometimes do.
The way it rolls forward is smoother too. Brooks reshaped the curved sole so it eases you through each step more naturally, which makes the Max 4 the most runnable version of this shoe yet while keeping all the walking comfort people buy it for.
The one change to watch is the fit. The Ghost Max 3 was famously roomy, and the Max 4 pulls that in a little, so it feels more like a normal shoe and less cavernous. That is good news if the old one felt sloppy on you, and something to check if you loved all that room. The soft foam itself carries over, so the plush, familiar feel underfoot is unchanged.
Who should buy the Brooks Ghost Max 4
Buy it if comfort is your top priority and you want one soft, cushioned shoe for easy runs, long walks and everyday wear. The deep foam and smooth, rolling sole make it especially kind to knees, hips and feet, which is why it appeals to people easing back into exercise, carrying a bit of extra weight, or simply wanting to feel less beaten up at the end of the day.
It is a great pick for walkers and anyone on their feet a lot. The tall cushioning takes the sting out of hard floors and long distances, the wide base keeps you steady, and the rolling sole helps tired legs keep moving. As a do-it-all comfort shoe that crosses over between the gym, the sidewalk and the shops, it is hard to beat.
It also suits current Ghost Max owners who wished the shoe were a little lighter and a little less sloppy. The Max 4 answers both without losing the soft feel that made you buy it in the first place.
Who should probably skip it
Skip it if you need a shoe that steadies your stride, because this is a soft, neutral shoe with nothing built in to control a foot that rolls inward. Skip it too if you want to run fast, since the tall, soft, rockered feel is built for easy comfort rather than speed. And if you loved the roomy Ghost Max 3, be aware the Max 4 fits a touch narrower, so a wide foot may want to look elsewhere or size up. If any of that is you, here are three shoes worth a look instead:
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25: the supported version of this comfort formula, with gentle steadiness for feet that roll inward (check price | read review).
- ASICS GT-1000 15: gentle support at a much lower price, a smart choice if you want steadiness without spending a lot (check price | read review).
- Brooks Ghost Max 3: the roomier previous model, often discounted now, and the better pick if you have wider feet (check price | read review).
How does the Brooks Ghost Max 4 fit?
Fit is the one thing to get right with this shoe, because it changed this year. It runs true to size in length, but the overall shape is trimmer than the roomy Ghost Max 3, and it comes in wide and extra wide for people who need more space. Here is how it feels on the foot.
Fit and sizing
Order your normal size. The length is spot on for most people, and the heel and midfoot are held securely. The change from last year is width: the Max 4 is snugger through the middle and the toes than the Ghost Max 3, which felt roomy to the point of sloppy for some. Most people will find the new fit more secure, but if you have a wide foot or loved all that old room, go for the wide version or try a pair on first.
Wide and extra wide options are available on many colors, which is one of the nice things about buying a mainstream Brooks. The insole lifts out if you want to drop in your own insert.
Upper and step-in comfort
Step-in comfort is excellent. The soft foam and padded collar make the shoe feel plush the moment you put it on, with no break-in needed, and the mesh upper wraps the foot comfortably without pressure points.
The upper breathes well enough for warm-weather walks and everyday wear, and the build quality is what you would expect from a mainstream Brooks: solid and dependable rather than flashy.
How does the Brooks Ghost Max 4 perform?
This shoe is all about smooth, easy comfort, and it delivers that better than any Ghost Max before it. It has clear strengths and one clear limit: it does easy beautifully and speed not at all. Here is how it holds up.
Cushioning and ride
The tall, soft foam is the whole point, and it is genuinely comfortable. Landings feel cushioned and protected, and the curved sole rolls you gently from heel to toe so you never feel like you are working to move forward. On easy runs and recovery days that combination is lovely, and it is a big part of why the shoe is so easy on tired legs.
What you will not get is any snap or speed. This is a soft, relaxed shoe, and if you try to run fast in it, the cushioning soaks up your effort rather than returning it. Keep it to easy, comfortable paces, where it shines, and it will reward you with mile after mile of smooth, low-impact comfort.
Stability and support
This is a neutral shoe, so there is nothing built in to steady a foot that rolls inward. What it does have going for it is a wide, planted base, which keeps a tall, soft shoe from feeling tippy and gives it a reassuring, grounded feel underfoot.
For most people with fairly neutral feet, that natural steadiness is plenty. Anyone who has been told they need support, or whose foot rolls inward a lot, should look at a support shoe instead, because the Ghost Max 4 will not control that motion.
Grip and durability
The outsole has plenty of rubber across the bottom, and grip on dry and wet pavement is dependable for everyday running and walking, with the usual care needed on wet paint and slick surfaces.
Durability is a strong point. Brooks builds its mainstream shoes to last, and the generous rubber coverage plus hard-wearing foam mean the Ghost Max 4 should comfortably reach the usual 300-to-500-mile guideline, and hold up well as an everyday walking shoe too.
Is the Brooks Ghost Max 4 good for walking?
Yes, and it is one of the best running shoes you can buy for walking. Everything that makes it a relaxed, easy running shoe makes it an excellent walker: the deep, soft cushioning takes the pounding out of hard floors and long distances, the curved sole helps tired legs keep rolling forward, and the wide base keeps you steady over a long day. The lighter weight this year only helps, since a walking shoe that is too heavy becomes a chore.
It is a great choice for travel, all-day errands, standing at work and long neighborhood walks, and the wide and extra wide options mean most people can get a proper fit. The only cautions are the price, which is high for a shoe you may only use for walking, and the lack of support, so if your feet need steadying, a supportive walker will serve you better. For plush, protected, all-day comfort, though, it is hard to beat.
See also: Our best shoes for walking guide
Brooks Ghost Max 4 vs. Ghost Max 3
Here is how the new model compares with the one it replaces:
Feature | Ghost Max 4 | Ghost Max 3 |
Weight | Lighter (about 10.2 oz men’s) | Heavier |
Ride | Smoother, more runnable roll | Softer but clunkier |
Fit | Trimmer, more secure | Roomy, sometimes sloppy |
Cushioning foam | Same soft everyday foam | Same soft everyday foam |
Best for wide feet | Use the wide version | Roomier in standard width |
Launch price | $164.95, August 2026. Check latest price. |
Buy the Max 4 for the lighter weight, smoother ride and more secure fit, which make it the better all-round shoe. Choose a discounted Ghost Max 3 if you have wider feet and want that extra room, or simply want to save money on a very similar feel.
Brooks Ghost Max 4 alternatives
If you like the idea of Brooks comfort but do not need this much foam, the Brooks Ghost 18 is the lower, lighter everyday version. It uses the same soft cushioning in a more normal amount, which suits people who want a do-everything shoe rather than a maximum-cushion one (check price | read review).
For even more cushioning on a firmer, taller platform, the Hoka Bondi 9 is the classic max-cushion rival. It feels a little firmer and more planted than the soft Ghost Max, and it also comes in wide fits (check price | read review).
If you want a plush daily shoe from another brand, the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 is a soft, comfortable all-rounder with a roomier feel and wide options, and many people cross-shop it directly against the Ghost Max (check price | read review).
And if you mostly want a cushioned shoe for walking and getting around town, the HOKA Transport 2 pairs deep cushioning with a grippier, everyday-friendly build made for commuting and long days on your feet (check price | read review).
Price and value
At $164.95 the Ghost Max 4 is priced like a premium everyday shoe, which is a lot if you only plan to walk in it. What you get for the money is genuine: deep, soft cushioning, a smooth rolling ride, a lighter build than before, dependable durability and a proper range of widths. For someone who will use it as a true do-it-all shoe, running easy miles one day and walking all day the next, it earns its price through comfort and versatility. If you only want a walking shoe, there are cheaper options that do that one job nearly as well, so buy the Ghost Max 4 for the all-round comfort rather than as a budget pick.
Final verdict
Best for: comfort-first runners and walkers who want one soft, deeply cushioned shoe for easy miles, long walks and all-day wear.
Avoid if: you need support, you want to run fast, or you have wide feet and loved the roomy Ghost Max 3.
Fit: true to size in length but trimmer than the Max 3; wide and extra wide available, so size up or go wide if you need room.
Verdict: the Ghost Max 4 is the best version of this shoe yet, lighter and smoother than before while keeping the deep, soft comfort people love. It will not make you fast and it offers no support, but for plush, protected, low-impact miles on the road or the sidewalk, it is one of the easiest shoes to recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Brooks Ghost Max 4
It is lighter than the Ghost Max 3 by close to an ounce, it rolls forward more smoothly, and the fit is a little trimmer and more secure. The soft cushioning foam carries over, so the plush feel underfoot is the same, just in a lighter, smoother package.
Yes in length, so order your normal size. The shape is trimmer than the roomy Ghost Max 3, though, so if you have wider feet or loved all that old room, choose the wide or extra wide version or try a pair on first.
Yes, it is one of the best running shoes for walking. The deep, soft cushioning protects your feet on hard floors and long distances, the curved sole helps you roll forward, and the wide base keeps you steady. The main downsides are the price and the lack of support.
No. It is a soft, neutral shoe with no built-in support, though its wide base gives it a naturally steady feel. If your feet roll inward or you have been told you need support, a shoe like the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 or Asics GT-1000 15 is a better fit.
Not really. It is a soft, tall, rockered shoe built for easy comfort, so the cushioning soaks up your effort rather than springing you forward. Keep it for easy runs, recovery days and walking, and choose a lighter, firmer shoe if you want to run fast.
Choose the Ghost Max 4 if you want maximum cushioning and a smooth, rolling ride for easy miles and long walks. Choose the regular Ghost if you want a lower, lighter, more normal everyday shoe with the same soft foam in a smaller dose.
