Brooks Ghost Max 3 vs Glycerin Max 2

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Brooks Ghost Max 3
Brooks Glycerin Max 2

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Apr 17, 2026 03:00 PM

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Amazon

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Apr 30, 2026 04:15 PM

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Brooks Ghost Max 3 Picture

Track

Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Picture

Track

  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
  2. Long Distance
  3. For Beginners
  4. Most Comfortable

Our Verdict

Brooks Ghost Max 3

Brooks Glycerin Max 2

The Brooks Ghost Max 3 and Brooks Glycerin Max 2 are both oversized, comfort-first Brooks trainers, but despite sharing the same "Max" moniker, they perform different functions. The Ghost Max 3 is the lower-stack, more stable option, with a broad base and plush upper that make it feel secure for walking, easy efforts, and slow daily mileage. However, its midsole feels flat, with very little rebound when you try to pick up the pace. The Glycerin Max 2 adds much deeper cushioning, a stronger rocker, and better responsiveness, making it better suited to long runs and heavier runners who want reliable protection underfoot. It's heavier and less stable than the Ghost Max 3, but it gives you a more complete max-cushion ride.

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Variants

  • Ghost Max 3 (Apricot/Apricot/Super Pink - (Women - US 7))
  • Ghost Max 3 (Black/Black/Ebony - (Men - US 9))
  • Glycerin Max 2 (Grey/Coconut/Metallic - (Women - US 7))
  • Glycerin Max 2 (Orange/Beacon Blue/Nightlife - (Men - US 9))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

5.5
5.4

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

2.3
3.1

Weight  

4.3
3.7

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

4.3
3.7

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

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

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

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

Weight 
 

302.7 g (10.68 oz)
314.3 g (11.09 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

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

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.5 mm
47.9 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

31.9 mm
41.0 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.6 mm
6.9 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.0 mm
6.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

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

Outsole Heel Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
88 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

84 mm (3.3")
85 mm (3.4")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

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

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.37
1.84

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.57
2.78

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

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

Internal Length 
 

282 mm (11.1")
280 mm (11.0")

Internal Heel Width 
 

70 mm (2.8")
66 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

90 mm (3.5")
92 mm (3.6")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
No

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.5

Forefoot Width Photo  

Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

1.2 mm (0.047")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

5.3 mm (0.208")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

8.1

Forefoot Height Photo  

Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.4 mm (-0.095")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.9

Arch Fit Photo  

Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

1.2 mm (0.047")

Length Fit 
 

10

Toe Clearance Photo  

Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

7.5

Heel Rocker Photo  

Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

24 mm (0.9")

Heel Apex Position 
 

24.7%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

18.2°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

7.8

Forefoot Rocker Photo  

Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

55 mm (2.2")

Toe Apex Position 
 

62.8%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

26.6°

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

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

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

2.6
2.0

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

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

Heel Energy Return 
 

69.0%
67.8%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

2.3
3.1

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

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

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

68.5%
69.6%

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.2
8.5

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

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

Heel Cushioning  

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

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.06 J
3.47 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

8.99 J
10.81 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

15.88 J
19.55 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.6
9.0

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

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

Forefoot Cushioning  

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

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.54 J
5.33 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.15 J
10.19 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.21 J
15.84 J

Heel Firmness 
 

5.6
4.1

Heel Firmness  

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

Firmness At 550N 
 

55.4 N/mm
46.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

107.0 N/mm
85.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

226.9 N/mm
170.7 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.7
6.1

Forefoot Firmness  

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

Firmness At 800N 
 

101.0 N/mm
78.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

204.9 N/mm
147.1 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

375.8 N/mm
273.9 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.4

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

9.41 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

9.15 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

9.02 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.93 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

7.6

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

105 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

4.9

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

56.5%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

8.1

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture  

Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

15.9 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

381 N

Brooks Ghost Max 3

Brooks Glycerin Max 2

Comments

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