Adidas Adistar 4 vs Brooks Ghost Max 4:
Which to Choose

Start with how much they overlap: cushioning (5/6), stability (5/6), responsiveness (3/6) and pace (3/6) are identical, both are stable-neutral with no plate, both sit on a tall ~39–40mm heel stack, and both share the same comfortable training zone of roughly 5:30–6:30 min/km. Both prioritize impact absorption over energy return, so neither rewards a hard surge — push the pace and the soft foam goes a little flat on each. The meaningful split is drop and the foam setup. The Adistar 4 runs a lower 6mm offset on a dual-density midsole — firmer Repetitor+ under softer Dreamstrike+ — which keeps the tall platform feeling composed and planted rather than tippy, with smooth but unhurried transitions. The Ghost Max 4 runs a higher 9mm drop (Brooks advertises 6mm, but it measures closer to 9) on a single DNA Loft v3 foam, and leans on a pronounced GlideRoll rocker to roll you heel-to-toe; the taller rocker does more of the work moving you forward, which encourages a relaxed, steady cadence. Both feel soft and protective, but the Ghost Max's rocker gives a more rolling, guided transition, while the Adistar's dual-density stack feels more grounded and supportive underfoot. The other difference that decides it is intended range: the Adistar 4 is tuned for the half and full marathon, where its deeper, dual-density cushioning and durable outsole earn their keep on long efforts, whereas the Ghost Max 4 tops out comfortably at 10K to half-marathon, with its real sweet spot on relaxed aerobic daily mileage. Both are substantial, heavier shoes by design — that protective build is the point, and neither is a shoe you reach for when you want to feel light and fast.