Brooks Ghost Max 4

The Brooks Ghost Max 4 is the familiar Ghost with more foam underfoot and a geometry built to roll. You could call it a successor to the Adrenaline, which was originally a neutral shoe and ended up cannibalised by its stability version for overpronators, the Adrenaline GTS 25. In the American brand's road line-up it sits between the classic Ghost 18, with a lower stack height and more heel-to-toe drop, and the Glycerin Max 2, which raises the stack even further for those who want maximum cushioning. Anyone after something livelier within the Ghost family has the Ghost Amp, although the shuffle of names and suffixes admittedly leaves potential buyers rather confused.

Compared with the Ghost Max 3, the changes are subtle: 1 mm more stack height and yet slightly less weight, which you notice as soon as you put it on. The mesh upper is breathable and well finished, with a thick, plush tongue and a heavily padded heel with a stiff heel counter that holds the foot firmly. Brooks talks about a straighter last with more volume, and here the testers do not agree: for some it is roomy and high-volume, so much so that runners with narrow feet will need to cinch the laces tight; for others it runs short with a narrow toe box, and they end up going up half a size. Best to try it on first.

The midsole is DNA Loft v3, the nitrogen-infused foam Brooks has used since 2022 across much of its range, combined with the GlideRoll geometry, a rocker that makes for a smooth transition from heel to toe. Stability comes from the wide base, discreet sidewalls and a central groove in the outsole that guides the foot without resorting to a dual-density midsole. The outsole has good rubber coverage and grips very well in the wet, even on easy trails. Ideal for easy runs, long runs and recovery days.