Brooks Ghost Max 2 vs Ghost Max 3

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Brooks Ghost Max 2
Brooks Ghost Max 3

Tested using Methodology v0.8.1

Updated Dec 18, 2025 09:23 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Jan 22, 2026 07:56 PM

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Amazon.com
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Picture

Track

Brooks Ghost Max 3 Picture

Track

Our Verdict

Brooks Ghost Max 2

Brooks Ghost Max 3

The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is the successor to the Brooks Ghost Max 2, and the series seems to be softening with age. The Ghost Max 3 maintains a similar stack height and geometry, but the midsole is noticeably softer than in the Ghost Max 2. The upper has also been updated, and the mesh in the third version is slightly more breathable than in the second. Overall, the Ghost Max 3 feels more comfortable but less responsive than the Ghost Max 2.

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Variants

  • Ghost Max 2 (Antique/Turbulence/Pearl - (Women - US 7))
  • Ghost Max 2 (Baltic Sea/Bonnie Blue/Peach - (Women - US 7))
  • Ghost Max 3 (Apricot/Apricot/Super Pink - (Women - US 7))
  • Ghost Max 3 (Black/Black/Ebony - (Men - US 9))
Read more

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

6.3
5.5

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

5.7
2.3

Heel Energy Return 
 

5.1
2.6

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

4.5
4.3

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

297.3 g (10.49 oz)
302.7 g (10.68 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.1 mm
39.5 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

31.6 mm
31.9 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.5 mm
7.6 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.0 mm
6.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Brooks Ghost Max 2 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Brooks Ghost Max 3 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
94 mm (3.7")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

82 mm (3.2")
84 mm (3.3")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

114 mm (4.5")
114 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.33
2.37

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.61
3.57

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Brooks Ghost Max 2 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Brooks Ghost Max 3 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

281 mm (11.1")
282 mm (11.1")

Internal Heel Width 
 

68 mm (2.7")
93 mm (3.7")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

92 mm (3.6")
70 mm (2.8")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

5.1
2.6

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

76.6%
69.0%

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

5.7
2.3

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

77.4%
68.5%

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.1
7.2

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

0.96 J
3.06 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

3.11 J
8.99 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

6.16 J
15.88 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.6
7.6

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

0.89 J
4.54 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

2.73 J
8.15 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

4.92 J
12.21 J

Heel Firmness 
 

7.1
5.6

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

44.4 N/mm
55.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

62.4 N/mm
107.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

74.4 N/mm
226.9 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.5
7.7

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 2 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

48.9 N/mm
101.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

72.8 N/mm
204.9 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

103.0 N/mm
375.8 N/mm

Brooks Ghost Max 2

Brooks Ghost Max 3

Comments

  1. Comparison

Brooks Ghost Max 2 vs Brooks Ghost Max 3: Main Discussion

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