The Brooks Ghost Max 4 costs $165. That’s a lot of money for a shoe whose whole job is to be comfortable on easy days.
Through three and a half decades of running, I’ve learned that the most cushioned shoe on the wall is rarely the best value on it. The Ghost Max is a good shoe. But the reasons people buy it (lots of soft foam, a stable base, a low drop, all-day comfort) aren’t unique to Brooks, and they don’t have to cost $165.
The same thing has happened here that happened with the regular Ghost. The current max-cushion trainers have all landed in the same price bracket: the Ghost Max 4 at $165, the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 at $170, the ASICS Novablast 6 at $155. Switching brands at full price doesn’t save you much anymore.
So the real savings are in last year’s models, including the Ghost Max itself. That’s what this comparison is about.
Short on time? These are the three I’d look at first. The full comparison is below.
Same foam, drop and widths as the Ghost Max 4, up to $70 less, with a roomier toe box. A fit you already know.
Men’s on AmazonWomen’s on AmazonThe same 6mm drop, even more cushioning and a proper rocker. Best for regular-width feet.
Men’s on AmazonWomen’s on AmazonThe tallest stack here, in regular, wide and extra-wide. About $55 under the Ghost Max 4.
Men’s on AmazonWomen’s on AmazonClearance stock and prices change quickly, so check your size. These are affiliate links: if you buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
What’s in this comparison
What Makes the Brooks Ghost Max Popular
The Ghost Max takes the name of Brooks’ best-selling daily trainer and builds a much taller, broader shoe around it. Brooks pitches it at runners and walkers alike, and a lot of buyers wear it for long days on their feet as much as for running.
A lot of foam, especially up front. The Ghost Max 4 sits at about 39mm under the heel and 33mm under the forefoot. Compare that with the regular Ghost 17 at 36.5mm and 26.5mm, and the biggest difference is under the ball of the foot.
A low 6mm drop. The regular Ghost runs a 10mm drop. The Ghost Max is 6mm, so it sits flatter and loads the calves and Achilles a little more. Worth knowing if you’re coming from a traditional higher-drop shoe.
Stability without a stability shoe. The wide base makes it steady underfoot. Independent lab testing scores the Ghost Max 3 and 4 very highly for stability, even though both are neutral shoes.
Width options. Regular, wide and extra-wide for men. Like the regular Ghost, that’s a real advantage for anyone with a broader foot.
Brand trust. A lot of Ghost Max buyers are already Ghost wearers, and the name does a lot of the selling.
So the appeal is cushioning, stability and comfort rather than speed. Reviewers are consistent that the foam has very little bounce. The question is whether that justifies $165 when the same qualities are available for much less.
What Changed in the Ghost Max 4 (And What Didn’t)
The Ghost Max 4 arrived at $165, five dollars up from the Ghost Max 3. The midsole is still DNA Loft v3 and the drop is still 6mm, so the basic recipe hasn’t changed.
What did change, per reviewers:
- Lighter. About 10.2-10.3 oz in a men’s 9, down from about 10.8 oz for the Ghost Max 3.
- More rocker. The 4 rolls through more smoothly. Lab testing found almost no rocker on the 3.
- Snugger fit. The toe box is narrower and more tapered than on the 3.
- Firmer, more resilient foam. It feels a bit livelier, but still nobody’s idea of bouncy.
That snugger fit is worth flagging. If the Ghost Max 4 feels tight up front, the Ghost Max 3 (the cheaper shoe) is actually the roomier one.
Four Cheaper Alternatives Worth Considering
Four shoes that cover the same ground for less money, starting with the most obvious one:
- Brooks Ghost Max 3 — the same shoe, last year’s version
- ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 — the most cushioning, in three widths
- ASICS GlideRide Max — the closest match in shape, with a real rocker
- ASICS Novablast 5 — lighter and bouncier
1. Brooks Ghost Max 3 — from ~$95
Specs:
- Stack: 39mm heel, 33mm forefoot
- Drop: 6mm
- Weight: ~10.8 oz (men’s size 9)
- Widths: regular, wide, extra-wide
- Price: ~$95-110, down from $160
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is the cheapest way into a Ghost Max, and it isn’t close. It uses the same DNA Loft v3 foam on the same 6mm drop and broad base. With the 4 now out, it’s selling at around $95 to $110.
Key differences from the Ghost Max 4:
- About half an ounce heavier
- Less rocker, so it feels flatter rolling through
- Roomier toe box
- Same widths, same drop, same foam
Value proposition: Up to $70 under the Ghost Max 4, for a shoe that does the same job. If you liked the roomier fit of earlier Ghost Max versions, it’s arguably the better shoe for you, not just the cheaper one.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants the Ghost Max experience, Ghost Max wearers replacing a worn pair, and anyone with a broader forefoot who found the 4 too snug.
2. ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 — from ~$110
Specs:
- Stack: 43.5mm heel, 35.5mm forefoot
- Drop: 8mm
- Weight: ~10.6 oz (men’s size 9)
- Widths: regular, wide, extra-wide
- Price: ~$110-135, down from $165
The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 is ASICS’ max-cushion flagship, and on paper it has even more foam than the Ghost Max. The Nimbus 28 has replaced it at $170, which is what’s put the 27 at this price.
Key differences from the Ghost Max:
- Taller stack, about 4-5mm more under the heel
- 8mm drop versus 6mm
- Similar weight
- Same three width options
- Cushioned and protective, but reviewers describe it as firm-ish and a little stiff rather than plush
Value proposition: Around $55 under the Ghost Max 4 for the most cushioning on this list. Reviewers rate it as mildly stable for a neutral shoe and suitable for heavier runners, which is a lot of the Ghost Max audience.
Who it’s for: Runners who want maximum protection and need a wide or extra-wide fit, and anyone who’d rather have a slightly higher drop than the Ghost Max’s 6mm.
3. ASICS GlideRide Max — from ~$100
Specs:
- Stack: 44mm heel, 38mm forefoot
- Drop: 6mm
- Weight: ~10.1 oz (men’s size 9)
- Fit: regular width, with a tapering toe box
- Price: ~$100, down from $170
The ASICS GlideRide Max is the closest match to the Ghost Max’s shape. It has a huge stack with the same 6mm drop and a proper forefoot rocker. Its replacement, the GlideRide Max 2, has put the original at around $100, though stock is thinning, so it may not last long.
Key differences from the Ghost Max:
- More stack, about 5mm more under both heel and forefoot
- Same 6mm drop
- Noticeable rocker, plus a plate in the midsole for guidance
- Softer and a little bouncier, using the same FF Blast Max foam family as the Novablast
- Regular width, and the toe box tapers
Value proposition: Around $65 under the Ghost Max 4 for a softer, more rolling ride on the same drop. One reviewer described it as “almost stable neutral”, which suits Ghost Max buyers well.
Who it’s for: Runners who like the Ghost Max’s low drop and want more cushioning and a smoother roll, and who have a regular-width foot.
4. ASICS Novablast 5 — ~$130
Specs:
- Stack: 41.5mm heel, 33.5mm forefoot
- Drop: 8mm
- Weight: ~9.0 oz (men’s size 9)
- Widths: two
- Price: ~$130, down from $150
The ASICS Novablast 5 is the outlier here. It’s a max-cushion shoe that’s built to feel fast rather than steady. It’s well over an ounce lighter than the Ghost Max and much bouncier underfoot.
Key differences from the Ghost Max:
- More than an ounce lighter
- Much livelier, bouncier foam
- 8mm drop
- Less stable, with a narrower feel on landing
- Two widths rather than three
Value proposition: The smallest saving on this list at around $35, but a very different ride. If the Ghost Max’s main complaint for you is that it feels dead or heavy, this is the fix.
Who it’s for: Runners, not walkers. Specifically, runners who want lots of cushioning but find the Ghost Max sluggish, and who don’t need its stability.
Head-to-Head: What You’re Trading
All the numbers in one place first, then what they mean below.
| Shoe | Buy on Amazon | Typical price (Amazon) | You save vs Ghost Max 4 | Heel stack | Drop | Weight (men’s 9 / women’s 8) | Widths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Ghost Max 4 | Men’s | Women’s | $165 | (reference) | 39mm | 6mm | ~10.2 / 9.2 oz | 3 |
| Brooks Ghost Max 3 | Men’s | Women’s | ~$95-110 | ~$55-70 | 39mm | 6mm | ~10.8 / 9.7 oz | 3 |
| ASICS GlideRide Max | Men’s | Women’s | ~$100 (few listings) | ~$65 | 44mm | 6mm | ~10.1 / 8.9 oz | 1 |
| ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 | Men’s | Women’s | ~$110-135 | ~$30-55 | 43.5mm | 8mm | ~10.6 / 9.3 oz | 3 |
| ASICS Novablast 5 | Men’s | Women’s | ~$130 | ~$35 | 41.5mm | 8mm | ~9.0 / 7.9 oz | 2 |
Stack Height (heel)
- GlideRide Max: 44mm — most
- Gel-Nimbus 27: 43.5mm
- Novablast 5: 41.5mm
- Ghost Max 4 and 3: 39mm
Every alternative here has at least as much foam as the Ghost Max. You’re not giving up cushioning by switching.
Drop
- Ghost Max 4 and 3: 6mm
- GlideRide Max: 6mm — the only exact match from another brand
- Gel-Nimbus 27: 8mm
- Novablast 5: 8mm
The Ghost Max’s low drop is one of its defining features. If you’ve adapted to it and like it, the Ghost Max 3 and the GlideRide Max won’t change anything. Going up to 8mm is usually an easy transition, since adapting to a lower drop is the harder direction.
Weight (men’s size 9)
- Novablast 5: ~9.0 oz — lightest
- GlideRide Max: ~10.1 oz
- Ghost Max 4: ~10.2 oz
- Gel-Nimbus 27: ~10.6 oz
- Ghost Max 3: ~10.8 oz — heaviest
Apart from the Novablast, these are all heavy shoes. That’s the trade-off for this much foam.
Width Availability
- Ghost Max 4 and 3: regular, wide, extra-wide
- Gel-Nimbus 27: regular, wide, extra-wide
- Novablast 5: two widths
- GlideRide Max: regular width, tapered toe box
For wide feet, the Ghost Max 3 and the Nimbus 27 are the two to look at.
Price
- Ghost Max 3: ~$95-110 — cheapest
- GlideRide Max: ~$100
- Gel-Nimbus 27: ~$110-135
- Novablast 5: ~$130
- Ghost Max 4: $165, sometimes around $150
When the Brooks Ghost Max 4 Is Worth $165
- You need a width or size the Ghost Max 3 has sold out of. Clearance stock disappears in the common sizes first.
- You’ve tried the 3 and want the smoother rocker and lighter weight. Those are real improvements, not just cosmetic ones.
- You want a pair you can buy again. The 4 will be available for the next year or so, which matters if you’ve found your shoe.
- You find it on sale near $150. At that price the gap to the alternatives narrows a lot.
When Cheaper Alternatives Make More Sense
Best value overall — Brooks Ghost Max 3 (~$95): The same foam, drop and widths for up to $70 less, with a roomier toe box.
Most cushioning, with wide fits — ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 (~$110): The tallest-feeling ride here in three widths, and around $55 less.
Closest shape, smoothest roll — ASICS GlideRide Max (~$100): The same 6mm drop, more stack and a real rocker. Best for regular-width feet.
Lighter and livelier — ASICS Novablast 5 (~$130): For runners who find the Ghost Max too heavy and flat.
The Bottom Line
The Brooks Ghost Max 4 is a comfortable, stable, well-made max-cushion shoe. The improvements over the 3 are real, and its width options are a genuine advantage.
But at $165, most buyers are paying for the newest version of something they can get for far less. Bottom line:
- Brooks Ghost Max 3 (~$95-110): Best value — same shoe underneath, roomier fit
- ASICS GlideRide Max (~$100): Closest match from another brand, with the same 6mm drop
- ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 (~$110-135): Most cushioning, three widths
- ASICS Novablast 5 (~$130): Lighter and bouncier, for runners rather than walkers
- Brooks Ghost Max 4 ($165): Worth it for a sold-out size or width, the newer rocker, or on sale near $150
My suggestion is to start with the Ghost Max 3 while your size is still around. Clearance stock doesn’t wait.
If the Ghost Max is more shoe than you need, the regular Ghost might suit you better, and my Brooks Ghost alternatives cover that one. For another max-cushion comparison, see my Hoka Clifton alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cheap alternative to the Brooks Ghost Max?
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 at around $95 to $110. It’s the same foam, drop and width options as the Ghost Max 4, for up to $70 less. If you’d rather switch brands, the ASICS GlideRide Max at around $100 is the closest match, with the same 6mm drop and more stack.
What shoes are similar to the Brooks Ghost Max?
The ASICS GlideRide Max is closest in shape, with a tall stack, a 6mm drop and a rocker. The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 is closest in purpose: maximum cushioning, a stable feel and three widths. Among current full-price shoes, reviewers often compare the Ghost Max with the Saucony Echelon, which is heavier, with a wider platform.
Is there a Brooks Ghost Max dupe?
No shoe copies it exactly, but the Ghost Max 3 comes closest because it’s essentially the same shoe. Outside Brooks, the GlideRide Max matches its stack and drop most closely.
What’s the difference between the Brooks Ghost Max 3 and 4?
The 4 is lighter (about 10.2 oz versus 10.8 oz), has more rocker and a slightly firmer, more resilient foam. It also fits snugger, with a narrower, more tapered toe box. Same 6mm drop, same DNA Loft v3 foam, same three widths. The 3 is now about $55-70 cheaper.
What’s the difference between the Brooks Ghost and the Ghost Max?
The Ghost Max has a lot more foam, especially under the forefoot (33mm versus about 26.5mm on the Ghost 17), a much lower drop (6mm versus 10mm), and a wider, more stable base. The regular Ghost is lighter and more versatile. The Ghost Max is built for comfort on easy runs and long days on your feet.
Is the Brooks Ghost Max good for walking?
Yes. Brooks markets it for both running and walking, and the low drop, wide base and heavy cushioning suit walking and standing well. The Ghost Max 3 and the Gel-Nimbus 27 are both good, cheaper options for the same use. The Novablast 5 is the one on this list I’d skip for walking, because it’s built to be bouncy rather than steady.
Which Ghost Max alternative is best for wide feet?
The Ghost Max 3 and the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27, which both come in wide and extra-wide. The Ghost Max 3 also has a roomier toe box than the Ghost Max 4. The GlideRide Max, with its tapering toe box, is the one to skip if you need width.
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