As I get older, my preferences for a perfect walking shoe have changed significantly. Due to a recurrent bout of plantar fasciitis and lower back pain, comfort now takes priority over aesthetic—which is actually great because cushioned shoes are in right now. If you take a look at the strides of walkers on your local streets, you’ll likely see the brands Brooks and New Balance again and again. That’s because the two brands are some of the top-ranked when it comes to support, stability, and comfort. But which one is actually better?
In order to determine the winner in our Brooks vs. New Balance battle, I spent the last few months walking city streets in the most recent iterations of the brands’ most cushioned sneakers—the Brooks Ghost Max 3 and New Balance 1080v15. Turns out they both have their benefits, but for different reasons. Not sure which one is for you? Keep reading to see my in-depth breakdown.
Brooks Ghost Max 3 vs. New Balance 1080v15: Key Differences
| Sizes | 5-13 |
| Widths | Medium, Wide, Extra-Wide |
| Weight | 10 oz |
| Heel-to-toe-drop | 6 mm |
Brooks’ Ghost Max 3 is the latest in its Ghost line (a perennial favorite among Prevention editors and podiatrists alike). Its balanced cushioning is thick and sits atop a rocker outsole that helps propel you forward for a smooth stride. At 10 oz, they are heavier than the New Balances by a significant amount, but they also offer the maximum amount of support possible from any Brooks shoe, meaning that your joints are in good, stable hands.
| Sizes | 5-13 |
| Widths | Narrow, Medium, Wide, Extra-Wide |
| Weight | 7.3 oz |
| Heel-to-toe-drop | 6 mm |
New Balance’s Fresh Foam 1080v15 also features maximum cushion and the same 6 mm heel-to-toe drop as the Brooks, meaning the foot sits at the same angle within the shoe. While the numbers might be similar, the feel is extremely different because of the brand’s signature Fresh Foam, which allows these sneakers to feel much more lightweight (by nearly 3 oz!) and offer a softer feel with each step.
Fit
In terms of fit, these two might look fairly similar, but I actually found them extremely different. I have always been told to size up half a size in athletic shoes from my typical size—and that is true of all the Brooks silhouettes I have tried (a 9.5 is perfect with ample room to spread my toes). The New Balance runs big, and I found that a 9 was actually the best fit for my length.
Brooks, a sturdier and more spacious fit.
New Balance, a close-hugging and stretchier fit.
The actual shoes differ as well, mainly due to the New Balance’s stretchy knit upper, which offers more of a sock-like fit that adapts to your stride. The Brooks are somewhat sturdier, offering less flexibility and thus felt a bit more secure, especially if your foot tends to move around on long-distance walks. The toe box is also impressively roomy and allows your foot ample room for post-walk swelling and a more locked-in feel. However, the New Balance is available in a wider range of widths (from narrow to extra-large) and its knit can accommodate more foot types, especially for those with calluses or bunions, who might benefit from the stretchier upper.
Cushioning
Cushion is where both these shoes shine, and I enjoyed them both—but for different reasons. While both of them have the maximum amount of cushion offered for each brand, the Ghost Max is made of a firmer DNA Loft and offers a more supportive feel that made it extra comfortable on long days on my feet and long distance walks. The first nice day of the year, I donned them and walked about 30,000 steps with no pain, blistering, or chafing. I also appreciated that it did not cause my intermittent back pain to flare up.
Brooks, thick and sturdy cushion
New Balance, soft and lightweight cushion
The New Balance 1080v15 features much softer and lighter weight cushion, made from its proprietary Fresh Foam X, that feels almost like memory foam beneath your foot. My toes sink into the cushion, almost like walking on a cloud. This plush level also helps with shock absorption, and I noticed that I enjoyed wearing this pair most on short, easy walks on recovery days for their utmost comfort. Truly, my sore muscles felt less achy while wearing these shoes post-workout because of the level of softness—as if they’d been highly broken in, right out of the box.
Stability
When it comes to stability, the Ghost Max were significantly better. Due to the firmer cushion and the structured upper, my foot felt nothing but 100% secure in these shoes. Its rocker outsole reduces impact, plus makes sure every step feels nothing but smooth. As someone who needs a ton of arch support, I appreciated how wide and stable the platform felt. Also, the shoes have an extremely wide toe box, which allowed me to never feel cramped, but if you need to insert your own custom orthotic they would definitely be able to accommodate that, too.
Brooks, supportive and grounded comfort
New Balance, ultra-plush and flexible comfort
New Balance is known for its stability (in fact, my mother-in-law swears by them!), but this ultra-cushioned pair felt a little unstable to me. The design seemed to move with my natural stride a little too much, and I realized that they were more flexible underfoot than I preferred.
Final Verdict
If you have ever felt a little wobbly in super soft shoes, the Ghost Max 3 will treat you right. They offer easy transitions and all-day support due to its medium-firm cushion, which lends itself to long walks and joint protection. However, if sink-in soft comfort is your primary concern, the plush softness of the New Balance 1080v15 is the way to go.
To be honest, I plan on wearing both all summer long: the Ghosts for my long walks (especially on days when my toes are going to swell from heat) and the 1080s for lighter, easier recovery days when my feet need more support than my well-worn flip-flops.
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