Brooks Ghost Max 2 vs Brooks Ghost Max 4:
Which to Choose

On the numbers that define the category, these two are close to twins: both score high for cushioning (5/6) and stability (5/6), moderate for pace (3/6) and responsiveness (3/6), and both sit best at an easy-to-moderate 5:30–6:30 min/km cruising zone where the soft foam and rocker flow without being asked to spring you forward. Push either past roughly 5:30 min/km and the plush DNA Loft v3 starts to feel a touch dead — neither is a tempo or race tool. The most concrete separation is weight and finish: the Ghost Max 4 comes in at about 292 g in a men's US 9 versus roughly 309 g for the Ghost Max 2, so the newer shoe shaves off a noticeable chunk of mass, which matters on a shoe this large and protective. Stack is essentially matched at 39 mm in the heel, with the Ghost Max 2's forefoot slightly taller (33 mm vs 30 mm), giving the Ghost Max 4 a marginally higher effective heel-to-toe ramp even though Brooks advertises 6 mm for both. Beyond the specs, the Ghost Max 4 is the more modern-feeling build — a lighter platform, a more comfortable upper, a redesigned outsole, and a softer, less rigid heel counter that makes it feel closer to a normal daily trainer than the firmer, more structured hold of the Ghost Max 2. What doesn't change is the core ride: soft, calm, deeply protective, and smooth-rolling rather than lively, on both.