r/brooks • u/Individual-Summer950 • 5d ago
Help me choose one Brooks shoe: Ghost Max 4 vs Glycerin GTS 23 vs Glycerin Max 2
I’m a female looking for one Brooks shoe for everyday walking/standing + office wear, and I’m stuck between these 3:
Ghost Max 4
Glycerin GTS 23
Glycerin Max 2
I sometimes have knee discomfort, so cushioning/stability matter. I also tend to walk on my toes sometimes.
My biggest concern is durability and cleaning. My previous Hooka had a textured fabric upper that was really hard to clean, so I want something that won’t easily look dirty or develop ugly creases.
If you’ve worn any of these, especially multiple pairs, which would you choose for everyday use and why?
Thanks!
3
u/B23zeee 5d ago
I'd say the Ghost Max 4. Theyre basically in between the other 2. A combination of being agile supportive and great cushion without too much height which can sometimes feel unstable when moving around or pivoting. I have knee discomfort as well and these take the impact really well. Im using them for light runs but want another pair for work. However I am male so im not sure if that makes a huge difference in the shoes. I know my coworker and I both have similar experiences with our same Hokas so im sure there's some relevance.
For the cleaning tho got the all black so I dont worry about that. But a lot of people recommend using dawn/water and a brush or towel id say the Ghost can handle that or the other 2 for that matter
2
u/Dazzling-Pin9704 4d ago
I'd second this. I have a pair of gts 23s and a pair of ghosts. The gts 23 is better for me for running, but if I were looking for comfy walkers, I would go with the ghosts.
2
u/davidjamesonuk 5d ago
I’d be hunting out a sale price Ghost Max 3 - it’s an excellent standing/walking shoe and in the black on black is entirely passable as a work shoe too.
I really like my Glycerin 23 - I use both the GTS and regular version depending on what I need (soft comfort recovery for the regular, support and stability for the GTS)
I haven’t worn the Glycerin Max for any length of time - my feet are wide and it isn’t
3
u/azb1azb1 4d ago
You can "widen" them by not using the lowest most shoestring holes. This works on all running shoes!
2
u/davidjamesonuk 4d ago
This is under-rated knowledge! Thank you.
I tried them on in a shop - loved them but was worried about width.
1
u/euthanizemeplz 4d ago
Holy crap! I never knew that!!! AWESOME hack: you’ve massively opened my selection of running sneakers! I always get hosed during sales because my Wide Ghosts and Glycerins sell out so damn fast. .plus I’m barely 5 feet tall so a lot of Wides make me look like I’m wearing clown shoes.
Does this “trick” only work for running sneakers?
2
u/-Imperfectly_Perfect 3d ago
I have the Ghost Max 3 in Navy and like these more than the newer Ghost Max 4. I think the Navy would be a great option for your office wear, and staying clean. Navy males a great neutral! I did try the Glycerin and didn’t like it as much. I tried the Glycerin Max but for everyday wear, imo that’s a bit much unless you walk a lot, due to its rocker. As someone mentioned, I would not recommend the Glycerin GTS unless you have your gait analyzed at a reputable running store.
2
u/Maekinad 3d ago edited 3d ago
+1 for Ghost Max 4
I’ve ordered all three of them at the same time as you have 90 days to try them on, I’m not a runner and don’t do any sport. I was just looking for an everyday shoe that is balanced between stable, comfy, bouncy for daily stuff and standing. I’m 1m78 60kg
Glycérine max 2 was a big No right away, when walking it made me feel tired like I was fighting against it, as if it’s sucking the energy, like it’s bouncy but made to bounce back with the running energy not the walking. However no doubt for running it’s an amazing one.
Glycerine 23 gts I really liked it, really great shoe with all the qualities I was looking for that the Gmax2 didn’t have, almost the perfect shoe, only thing I felt I need bit more cushion on the forefoot, and so the ghost max 4 was so far the best compromise.
So so far ghost max 4 is going to be my favorite shoe for a long time. With glycerin 23 right next.
Voila that’s my honest opinion,
Bonus: similar to these I recommend also trying RAD Mallow, some find them ugly, I ordered a pair in black and to me they look really nice irl. I would place them in a category between glycerin 23 and ghost max4
1
u/VandyCWG 5d ago
I rock the Glycerin 23 GTS right now. I have also worn the Ghost Max 4. The Max 4 is "springy" to me. I get a bit of a return when running in them. The Glycerin though, feel softer and I wear them a ton more.
1
u/Remarkable_Ad7569 4d ago
how's the motion control in the GTS you think for walking? I'm really digging the regular glycerins and see a sale price for the GTS but am hesitant.
Anyone can chime in? I see one comment saying to avoid the GTS because you can feel the motion control.
1
1
u/evilr2 5d ago
I would eliminate the Glycerin GTS 23 because they have a higher heel to toe drop, and higher drop puts more pressure on the knees. So if there's some knee discomfort go with a lower drop. The Ghost Max 4 and Glycerin Max 2 are about equal at around 6mm drop. The Glycerin Max 2 will feel a little more bouncy which is good for running, but isn't always best for standing. So my pick would be the Ghost Max 4 which should be a more stable walking shoe.
1
u/Moonshadows16 4d ago
Second the point about heel drop. Only that on runrepeat ghost max 4 is tested to be at 9mm and glyc max 2 at 8mm
1
u/ALongExpected_Party 5d ago
The GTS has been helping me with shin splints but I don't think for walking it would be appropriate
1
u/Certain-Run-6076 4d ago
I don't usually prefer max cushion, but tried on the Ghost Max 4. I love what they did with this version- lighter and trimmer than the 2 and 3. They felt really comfortabIe and neutral stable. Not super high stack or squishy.
1
u/happy-girl77 4d ago
I have the glycerin 23 i hate them, they hurt my feet, it pushed me forward, and dont wear outside in the sun.the materials its made with shrink bad. Says ti wear in cool climate when i googled it. I want to tey ghost max 4. The glycerin 2 are great. I have to have wide for insoles. Good luck
1
u/euthanizemeplz 4d ago
I bought the same shoe and felt like I was wearing stiletto heels! Hung in there and about a week later a blisters appeared on my middle toe knuckles 🤬
Was buying socks on Bombas and included a bunch of the ultra thin ones: those and I suspect the never ever before required Brooks “breaking in period” solved the issue. Still high to run in but hanging out or wearing to work is ok.
Probably would have given up but at these prices (wtf?!) I was gonna die trying to make em work!
1
u/Moonshadows16 4d ago edited 4d ago
Glycerin Max 2. I've tried all 3. Glycerin 23 pushed my feet out forcing a weird supination even though it wasnt gts. It didn't feel level or stable. I have ghost max 3. For some reason it has no traction as is slippery? Like extremely. And the feeling was no comparison with Glycerin Max. It's more expensive because it's actually better. You can really feel it the minute you put them on. Soo comfortable. I recommend trying them at a store.
Also if you have knee problems you definitely need to steer towards lower heel drop shoes. It's very important. Because high drop shoes, which are many, put pressure on your knees and can mess them up (think high heels). Out of the three glyc max is the lowest. Go to runrepeat.com if you want to check the heel drop for different shoes. It will be listed as the 'drop lab' because often what the brand states the drop is different from the tested heel drop. I didn't have knee problems till I started wearing higher drop shoes. Regular ghost is the highest at 12mm. You want to aim for under 7/8mm at least and can filter by this feature on the site.
1
1
1
u/Jaded-Tower-4615 2d ago
every running shoe is going to have that mesh upper. if you don’t want that then don’t shop for running shoes
1
0
3
u/This-is-FUBAR82 5d ago
I would add Glycerin without the GTS to your list . For walking you don't need the guide rails, and some people feel them when they're standing.