The Brooks Ghost Max offered a different – livelier – ride to the Ghost 15 but made us wonder what Brooks might do when upgrade time came round for the ever-reliable regular Ghost? The answer is in with the Ghost 16. Brooks has injected more oomph into the shoe with a new punchier DNA Loft v3 midsole. But how does that compare to the Ghost Max? We’ve put in the test miles and we’re here to help you decide. Hit play for our Brooks Ghost Max vs Brooks Ghost 16 review.
Check out our reviews of both shoes:
JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
00:00 – Intro
00:45 – Design & Key Stats
01:32 – Shoe comparison
03:04 – How’s The Fit?
07:51 – The Run Test
16:17 – Verdict
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Hi people welcome to the Run testers now The Brooks ghost Max entered the Fry at The end of last year as Brook's first Truly Max cushion daily trainer it Offered a different livelier ride to the Ghost 15 but it also made us wonder what Brooks might do when they finally got Around to upgrading the ghost ever Reliable Workhorse of a shoe now the Answer is in we've got the ghost 16 and Brooks ejected some more umph into this Shoe with a new puncher DNA Loft V3 Midsole which is the same as you'll find On the glycerin 21 so how does now Compared to the ghost Max is one of These shoes a better bet for your daily Miles we've put in the test miles and We're here to help you decide so let's Get stuck into our Brooks ghost Max Versus Brooks ghost 16 [Music] Review so some quick details then when It comes to the mid Soul stack the Brooks G 16 packs a high drop with 35 A2 Mil on the Hill 23 A2 mil on the 4ot for A 12 mil offset the Brooks ghost Max Packs bigger wedge of foam overall but Lower drop with 39 Ms in the hill 33 in The 4T for a 6 mil drop when it comes to Weight the Brooks go 16 weighs in at 9.7 O or 277 G in our UK 8 a half the ghost Max meanwhile is more midweight tipping The scales at 10.3 o or 293 G price-wise The Brooks ghost 16 is going to set you
Back $140 or £130 the ghost Max comes in A couple of Starbucks venty lates price Here at $150 or $140 So onto the shoe comparison well the Ghost Max landed in Brooks lineup last Year as the Brand's first proper Max Stack daily trainer and while it shared A name with the ghost it ran like a very Different shoe and it probably had more In common with something like the aex Joel Nimbus than its own namesake the Ghost Max big stack of DNA Loft fe2 foam Is tuned medium soft to soft with some Rocker to help smooth those transitions The high stack is balanced by a big Broad wide cushion platform that creates A really stable platform to run off the More recent Brooks go 16 deploys a Smaller wedge of Brooks livelier Nitrogen infused DNA Loft V3 foam it's The same foam that you'll find in the Brooks Glycerin 21 it shoots for the Winning combination of lightweight soft Comfortable and durable up top with These shoes both of them have engineered Mesh uppers they've basically got Similar flex and breathability overall There's big padded heel collars on both However the ghost 16 heel counter feel Stiffer and this heel color top roll is More pronounced one to watch if you Suffer Achilles irritation the non- Gusted tongues on both shoes are well Padded boosting that overall plushness
And that feel of comfort on the foot Flip them over and you've got equally Generous coverings of durability and Grip boosting out soole rubber that's Across both shoes both of these I would Say you know with with that these are Shoes that are built to Last right then let's quickly get into The fit then Brooks ghost nice thumbs Width at the end of the toe box flexible Uppers but they're not as flexy and Stretchy as some there's still a good Amount of room across the top they're Not the most volumous in the toe box Though and as you can see here it holds The toe Knuckles snug I would say but Again the uppers do Flex so they don't Feel too restricted and cramp but There's not a huge amount of clearance Across the top of my toes here so Overall the toe box you know it's not as Roomy as a nimbus or a Kayo or those Kind of shoes uh it feels more kind of Snug and dialed in up here back through The lace I got good hold across the Midfoot no problems here nice padded Tongues that are super comfortable got Medium padded heel colar or medium to Flush padded heel collar here that hold The heels nicely I have good lock in the Heel I don't have any slipping they hold Firm really nicely no problems on fit in The ghost Max in the ghost I think You've got about the same amount of
Length here in the toebox about a thumbs Width I find these uppers are a little Bit more flexy there's a bit more room In the toe box overall they feel just Ever slightly more spacious but again You've got the same deal here the uppers Are really nice in terms of on the toe Knuckles they hold but give you room to Kind of Flex if you need it it's not Restrictive lace lock down for me isn't Quite as secure as I got on the ghost Max but it's still nicely secure I get a Good hold across the midfoot again s Similarly nice padded tongues here that Just add to that Comfort take the lace Pinch off no problems there back into The heel collar again it's a similar Level of padding that you're going to Get here the one thing I will say is as I mentioned these kind of heels here the Top of them they kind of roll inwards And it's quite stiff there's a quite a Stiff counter here and that means that Sometimes when you're running if you get Problem here with your Achilles this can Put a bit of pressure there's not much Give there so if you're someone who Suffers a bit pressure from the kiles on Heels this might be an issue I don't get That on the ghost Max but when it comes To sizing I ran in my regular Brooks Shoe size which is a UK 8 A2 and I would Recommend overall going true to size in Both of these shoes so it comes to fit
I've got my normal uk9 us10 in both of These shoes and I have a good fit for Length in both of them there's enough Room in the toe box without it being too Spacious and the hold around the hill of Midfi is certainly secure I've not had Any kind of rubbing in terms of breaking The skin but I do find that the very Stiff heel counter on the ghost 16 does Cause my achilles some irritation like It's a fairly stiff heel counter on the Ghost Max as well it's you know it's a Builtup shoe as well at the back there Lots of padding but it seems unusually Stiff with the gh6 even compared to Brooks's other shoes is a shoe like I Said it did cause me trouble with my Achilles just got a little bit of Irritation at the base of my Ailes Tender so if you're someone who's Sensitive to that I would look out for It with this incredibly rigid heel Counter you have at the back of the Ghost 16 like you still got a lot of Stuff going on at the back of the ghost Max it can do that a little bit I think But it's more padded and it feels a bit More comfortable and flexible at the Back of the shoe than the go 16 even Though it is still quite structured so In terms of fits I've had both of these Shoes in a UK size eight that is my Typical running shoe size and I would Say my experience overall has been
Pretty good with both of these shoes They're very much on keeping with I Think the Brooks ghost line of being Kind of unfussy uppers you know there's No major kind of radical kind of things Here in terms of how they fit I think I'll start with the Brooks ghost Max I've had that in the kind of medium Width fit option and there's two width Fit options for the ghost Max there's a Few more for the go 16 and I would say Of the two that has felt naturally the Most comfortable to wear I've got pretty Narrow feet I found the room and space Up front of the toes is very good the Hold in general as I said there's a lot Of padding around in this shoe at the Tongue around the heel collar as well Too but no major issues in terms of Going to heal lock down I think that Very much feels true to size for me on The Brooks go 16 again I had that in the Medium width fit option and it's very Similar to the feel of the Brooks ghost Max in terms of that fit a lot of Padding I think you know really kind of Hug quite nicely as well too the only Thing I think probably the major Difference for me has been the toebox Does feel a little bit more shallow Compared to the ghost Max in the same Size that I've had and the same width Fit option as well so there may be an Argument to play around with the sizing
There if you do I mean it wasn't an Issue for me in my runs but I do think Maybe I would have appreciated a little Bit more volume in that toe box and I Think you know if you are um looking at That shoe I would maybe entertain Looking at that but generally the fits Have been very good very similar in many Respects a lot of padding a lot of kind Of supports in the key areas but I think Going through size for most people Should be fine I think for me and my Skinny feet the medium width fit option Has been fine you may want to go Slightly wider if You' got wider feet Obviously and Brooks does offer that on Both fronts just a few more options on The Brooks go 16 so in my run test I've covered around 30 mi in the Brooks G 16 and well north Of 50 mi in the Brooks ghost Max I mixed Up the paces and the time on feet with Some good duration runs on a combination Of roads and some light off-road pods I Also did a sidebyside mile to get a Better sense of the differences between These shoes and here's what I found so I've just done the side bys side mile I've got the ghost Max on the left foot I've got the ghost 16 on the right foot Real difference here you can feel that Bigger stack on the ghost Max there's More cushioning but I think there's also Sort of more roering to it you can feel
Like there's sort that bowl of foam that Sits under the midfoot into the heel it Sort of rolls you a bit more the ghost 16 lower drop lower stack definitely Land a bit flatter although having said That I think you can feel the Differences in the two types of foam Here the DNA Loft V3 in the ghost Max Has a bit more sort of resilience a bit More spring in it there's a bit more Energy to it or at least it's equal so I Think you're getting a similar kind of Ride where you're getting cushioning and Protection but a little bit of extra Spring almost on par with the ghost Max But you've got it in a lighter shoe and I don't think you're sacrificing too Much much in terms of cushioning and Protection and energy that makes it Really interesting cuz I think actually For me personally that lightness and That bit of agility that bit of nimble Kind of feel underf fooot the way it Rides I think that puts it on par with The ghost Max and for some I don't mind Having like a little less protection in Terms of my cushion shoes and it makes The ghost cinee really interesting Because I think you're getting the Energy and the cushioning enough for That shoe when it comes to the overall Comfort as a stand here I think the Major difference is that you can feel a Little bit more room in the toe box of
The ghost Max because the uppers sit a Bit higher off the top of the toes There's a bit more Flex in those uppers You feel like there's a little bit more Wiggle room it's not a huge amount and I Don't dislike the ghost Max at all I Think they've got a really nice holding Fit that's super comfortable and Flexible but if you like it a bit Roomier I think the ghost 16 are going To offer a bit of that so what I really Find interesting obviously the ghost Max Bigger stack lower drop ghost 16 smaller Stack higher drop I actually think when I'm running I feel like the ghost 16 Runs a bit flatter whereas the ghost Max Kind of relies a little bit more on the Roll through and you've got you can feel More of that foam under the kind of Under the the ball of your feet and into The heels and that probably adds a Little bit of extra softness but it does Change the ride where I think for me the Way I land kind of mid to 4 foot I feel The kind of roll through from the sort Of 4ot rock ring on the ghost Max more Than I get out of the ghost 16 so if you Like that kind of ride rather than the Flatter ride that kind of relies on the Foam springing down and coming back then You're probably going to like the ghost Max more but in a big way the decision Here for me will be whether or not you You know you're looking for a shoe
That's going to be able to cushion you Around your easy runs and have a bit More energy which one of these might you Choose I really like the ghost Max as Its versatility I think the ghost 16 Sort of follows on from that with that New foam and it might just Edge it it Might even be more versatile if you Don't mind sort of sacrificing just a Little bit of the cushion comes ront Test uh I did enjoy using both of these Shoes I've did quite a lot of running in Both of them probably about 50 mies 80k In both doing long runs a mix of Training mostly just kind of General Training at easy Paces or easy to steady Paces that kind of thing they are shoes I think that would serve a similar Purpose in a rotation but there's Probably two big differences between Them which is one is the foam you have On the ghost 16s a bit better the DNA Loft V3 which is coming to the Brooks Ghost Max 2 so there'll be a lot more Comparable the second version which is I Think about to land here for us to start Testing and then you've got the more Rocket design with the higher 4 foot Stack on the ghost Max which is also you Know pretty noticeable on the run so did A short run wearing both shoes at the Same time that's definitely the feel you Get here you've got that I think a Slightly softer feeling and a more
Responsive feeling from the DNA Loft V3 Foam like I think it's just a better Foam all around than what you've got Here on the ghost Max it does give you a Little bit more bounce back it's Comfortable it's very resilient foam so It maintains its bounce throughout long Runs really well whereas the foam on the On the ghost Max is just a little bit Dead like it's okay it's comfortable Enough but it's just not that Lively on The foot it's what we've had with Brooks's shoes for a long time it's a Pretty solid Dependable phone but not The most exciting but what we do have With the ghost Max is that nice rocker And I do find if you get into a Groove With it you can really tick along very Nicely in the ghost snacks because of That rocker got that extra cushion under The foref foot as well which can create A bit more Comfort if you're someone Like me who snaps through from your heel When you're running especially when You're running hard the extra 4 foot Cushion on the ghost Max will give you a Little bit more Comfort than the higher Drop you have on the ghost 16 although That does give you that little bit more Of a tip forward feeling when you're Running you do snap through onto your Toes quite quickly which is can be a Good feeling if you're try to do short Intervals or something like that but for
Cruising through long distances in Particular The Rocker on the ghost Max Just gives it a nice smooth feeling and You slightly more comfortable feeling And something that makes it just a Little bit easier I to keep rolling and Ticking your miles off I am someone who Likes a rocker on a shoe and I think the One of the ghost Max is well executed And it does almost hide the fact the Foam is a bit underwhelming all just Because you've got that really nice Rocker on the shoe obviously I think It's a shoe that will be improved by Having the DNA Loft feed3 foam and Looking forward to seeing what that's Like on the ghost Max 2 and how that Combines with the rocker on the new Shoes so I do think they're both Comfortable shoes that do similar things But you have got those two differences Like you got a better phone with a GH 16 Which makes it a lively shoe a more Verstile shoe I think in terms of the Paces you can do in it you've got the Nice rocker on the ghost Max which does Create a little bit more Comfort under The forefoot and a nice smooth ride over Long distances in particular so in terms Of my own experience with these two Shoes I definitely say there is a bit of Overlap in terms of my experience with The ghost 16 and the ghost Max I mean Probably that's no surprise they share
The ghost name I think these are Cushioned Workhorse daily trainer style Shoes so these are the shoes that they Were in my rotation I'd be looking to Use them for when I really just want to Get that mileage in my legs you know Base runs you know those long runs where You want that kind of extra level of Cushioning protection And they're very kind of stable and kind Of smooth running shoes as well too so You know if you want something that's Very accessible these are going to be Shoes that are going to offer that now In terms of the experience there are Some differences I think do kind of Slightly influence which may be a better Fit for you I think ultimately there Have been two of the best kind of Brooks Ghost shoes that I've used I look at the Ghost Max first which is the first shoe That I had that is the heavier of the Two shoes but that's got a bigger stack Of phone there so that's a DNA Loft V2 Phone which is a bit more on the Protective side it's a bit more dense I Would say compared to what you're Getting in the gh6 which I'll get into But I think crucially you are getting This kind of Glide roll um rocker in That midso which I think when you are Slightly trying to pick the pace up in It just feels a little bit more you're Getting a more kind of more of a rocker
Prominent rocker feel in that shoe now I Would still use it for easy runs I think That's where it's best suited for I Think when I've tried to pick the pace Up in it the weight has kind of really Worked again it which is a shame because You do have that rocker in there and I Think if it was a little bit lighter I Think ultimately it might have a bit More versatility for me even for kind of A kind of big stack cushion uh trainer Like the ghost Max and look at the ghost 16 that has got the DNA Loft V3 Pham Which I you know I really liked I really Like the in the Brooks L and I'm glad to See it in the go 16 obviously there's Not as much of that foam there but I Think what is there still is very Protective I do think you can use it for Longer runs I do feel like it there's a Is a little bit more of a a plusher feel To that mid solone which I quite like But there's still I think you know Protection there and that's a key thing I think on the go 16 but what I found is With that shoe well it doesn't have that Rocker element to it I've tried to pick The pace up probably moderate Pace it Hasn't felt uncomfortable to do that to And I think that is probably a little Bit more of a versatile shoe for me so I Think those are kind of the biggest Difference for me and obviously that's The lighter shoe as well out Soldier
Ability wise those kind of things I Think you can get similar level here These are shoes designed as I said to Cover a lot of time on your feet I think Ultimately the level of rubber that I've See here on both of these outs you're Going to be covered well for a lot of Running time I think gripping traction Has been very good you know I've run Kind of slightly lighter Trails of both These shoes and they felt absolutely Fine to do that so I think if that's Something going to do go into a park and Run then I think they're going to be Absolutely fine and not feel out of Place to do that so yeah two very good Uh Brooks G shoes I think slightly Different in terms of uh some of the Characteristics I think designed for Similar types of runs but I do think are Some advantages and disadvantages going For one over the other I'll get into Which one ultimately I would pick and Because they are definitely the closest The well the ghost Max and the ghost 16 They definitely feel closer than I Thought they would be and but it's Definitely one I think will probably be A better fit for most People third it then I found both the Ghosts really great to run and I really Enjoyed the Brooks ghost Max one of my Favorite shoes of the year I found the Ghost 16 a really easy everyday mile or
Too I think these are two very Comfortable cushioned and capable daily Trainers and in all honesty don't find There's a huge amount to choose between Them in terms of the kind of runs that They might handle or what I would use Them for youve basically got two Workhorses here that can pick up those Nice easy slow and some a little bit Faster the ghost Max brings a shade more Protection with a smoother more rolling Rocket Ride the GH 16 is probably Lighter more agile and a bit better when You're moving at faster Pace it's got a Bit more range if you don't mind a lower Stack ride and you want to touch more Lightness on the foot I I think the Ghost 16 still serves up great Protection in terms of the cushioning And the road eating but it has a bit More spritely energy if you want Guaranteed roading into protection for Longer miles the ghost Max is the shoe To choose this one can also go fast if You really need it to if I had to choose One shoe though out of these two I think The GH 16 just about edges it on Versatility and that lower price but It's not by much so if you're looking at These two shoes in particular and not Looking at the Brooks ghost Max 2 then I Think you've got to choose basically Between your ride field and the foam so You want that higher drop OB the Brooks
GH 16 has it it's also got the better Foam I think it's a more versatile all Round daily trainer it's probably the One I'd go for if it wasn't for the fact That the heel of the shoe does irritate My achilles so that would be a point in Favor of the ghost Max for me but the Ghost Max is also a a good shoe if You're looking just on ride it's got That cruisy feeling from The Rocker the Foam's not amazing but the geometry of The shoe is really good it does roll you Through very nicely to give you a Comfortable ride that's reasonably verse I think the go16 is a slightly better Daily trainer in terms of the variety of Paces you can do in it I did enjoy Moving to faster Paces more in this shoe Than I did the go ghost Max but I think If you're looking at a long run shoe in Particular I think the ghost Max has the Edge because of the extra 4ot cushion And The Rocker but all around they're Quite similar shoes and it really will Probably depend a bit more on ride for Whether you want that slightly snappier Feeling with the high drop ghost 16 or The smoother rocker of the ghost Max and With this generation of the shoes you Have got the advantage of better Foams In the goh 16 although that is about to Be nullified with the Brooks ghost Max Too so yeah couple of good shoes here I Would look out for Achilles problems
With the go 16 though if you are some Sensitive about that because that was Something that really did diminish my Enjoy of the shoe obviously it meant I Wasn't going to take it out as much Which is obviously not what you want With the daily trainer and it's Something I didn't really get so much With the ghost Max so my take whether You should go for the Brooks ghost Max Or the Brooks ghost 16 now as I said I Do think these are shoes that are Designed for the same types of runs and I would be using them for the same types Of runs the kind of comfortable uh kind Of long easy runs these are both well Suited to offer that kind of kind of Solid consistent reliable experience now Obviously they're pretty similar in Terms of price I think it's about a 5 Pound difference between the two shoes In the UK now if I was going to put one In my rotation for the same types of Runs I think I would probably ve towards Going for the Brooks ghost 16 I think With the Brooks ghost Max I think Obviously you're getting more foam there I think you get more protection over Longer runs but I do think the ride of The Brooks go 16 is more memorable I Still think you can use it for longer Runs as well too and I think you're Going to get a life span very similar to The Brooks ghost Max as well too so for
Me personally I would be going for the Brooks ghost 16 just cuz it's got that DNA LOF V3 foam in there and I think There's enough of it there to be Something you can use for shorter and Longer distances I'm just gives a Slightly more memorable ride I think if You wanted a kind of a more rocked kind Of ride and you wanted a bit more Cushioning you preferred something a bit More denser and firmer feeling but want That bigger protection over longer runs I would be going for the Brits ghost Max Me personally I would be going for the Brits ghost 16 that's the one I think I've enjoyed the most in terms of my Running time the one that you know they Were both sitting there now if I had one To pick I would be going for the Brooks Go 16 I think ultimately you're going to Get good expens of both these shoes but I think the go16 just edges it for me in Terms of that overall ride the general Experience I've had and just having a Touch more versatility about it as well Too so there you have it that was our Head-to-head between the Brooks ghost Max and the ghost 16 I hope you found it Useful don't forget to hit like maybe Share the video if you did if you're not Already we'd love it if you'd hit Subscribe as well that helps us make More videos keep the content rolling if You're after more detailed reviews of
Both of these shoes I'm going to whack Those videos up on screen now otherwise Thanks as ever for stopping by we hope To see you again soon on the channel but In the meantime happy running people
