I Put Popular Brooks and Asics Sneakers to the Test: See the Results (2025)

I’m a creature of habit—especially when it comes to workout gear. I’ve tried plenty of athletic shoes over the years, but once I started wearing Asics all other brands went to the wayside. What can I say? I found what I loved and worked for me, and I had no desire to try something new. However, my running friends told me it’s important to switch up shoe styles and brands to prevent injuries and enhance your overall performance. (Who knew?!) A few days later, I got my first ever pair of Brooks.

On paper, the Brooks Ghost Max 2 is on par with Asics Gel Nimbus 26 (my current go-to). The shoes have a similar construction, can be worn for walking and running, and are designed for those with neutral feet. How do they actually compare when put head to head, though? I alternated between these two best-selling styles for a month, examining how they performed during everyday errands—as well as high intensity workouts and runs, to see which is the better shoe.

While similar, there are some specific features that set these shoes apart. Keep reading to learn all of the details—from their cushioning and fit to their stability—so you can determine which style is right for you. Make sure to also read up on our comparison between Asics vs Hoka for even more editor-testing results.

Asics Gel Nimbus 26

Asics has been making innovative athletic shoes since the 1970s—but the brand particularly excels when it comes to running footwear. Professional runners and repeat marathoners have sworn by Asics for decades due to the technology embedded in each pair. Plus, the sheer amount of models give runners the ability to find their perfect fit. While many running brands have around 15 styles, Asics offers double that amount (31 to be exact) for every terrain, foot type, and goal.

Of those 31 styles, the Gel Nimbus is consistently a bestseller—and my personal favorite. I’ve worn multiple generations of the Gel Nimbus (I’m currently on the newest Gel Nimbus 26) because it keeps my feet secure, has helped me improve my stride and time, and it’s the only running shoe that hasn’t given me painful mid-sole blisters.

Brooks Ghost Max 2

Brooks knows a thing or two about running. Founded in 1914 as a ballet shoe manufacturer, Brooks expanded to create athletic footwear for a variety of sports—including baseball, football, and roller-skating—before turning their attention to running shoes in the 1970s. From that point forward, the brand put all their efforts into designing performance-enhancing running shoes. They are even credited with creating the first anatomically-correct running shoes for women!

Now, Brooks excels at making comfortable, neutral running shoes for people at every level. The Ghost Max 2 is one of the brand’s bestsellers because of its soft yet solid cushioning and broad base that offers extra stability. Plus, it also has the coveted Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). This means it has been tested and proven by podiatrists to improve foot health.

Asics Gel Nimbus vs Brooks Ghost Max: Key Differences

Side-by-side the Asics Gel Nimbus 26s and Brooks Ghost Max 2s are strikingly alike. Both shoes are designed with ultra-plush, thick cushioned soles and have wide bases for extra stability. On paper, each has also earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance, and they’re both similarly priced—Ghost Max 2s cost $150, while the Gel Nimbus 26s will run you $10 more for $160.

But when you get into the nitty gritty details, there are some small nuances that make the shoes function differently, especially when it comes to the heel-to-toe drop and responsiveness.

Fit and Design

Both the Gel Nimbus and Ghost Maxs hug my feet securely without making them feel constricted. The toe boxes don’t feel tight or squish my feet, regardless of whether I’m walking or running.

Because of their plush design, both shoes are a bit heavier than a lot of running shoes, and the Ghost Max was noticeably heavier than the Gel Nimbus (there’s a 0.5 oz difference). It wasn’t a struggle to lift my feet, per se, but if you’re a beginner runner, it’s definitely something to keep in mind—the lighter the shoe, the easier it is to fall into a rhythm with each stride.

The Asics also have a more pronounced rocker design with an 8mm heel-to-toe drop that propels you forward with each step and lessens your energy output. This little detail helped me shave 15 seconds off my mile time. Brooks Ghost Max heel-to-toe drop is barely smaller—6 mm—but I could feel that it didn’t provide as much forward-moving motion. Though it didn’t make me feel faster, it did make the ground feel more stable beneath me.

Cushioning

The Gel Nimbus 26 and Ghost Max are the most similar in terms of cushioning. Just looking at them, you can see they both offer maximum, plush soles that provide enhanced shock absorption to take the strain off of your joints. When it comes to the cushioning height, the shoes are almost identical—Nimbus measures 40mm while Ghost Max is 39mm. However, the make up and softness of the cushioning differs greatly.

Much like the name suggests, Asics Gel Nimbus are made with PureGel technology. Paired with the brand’s FF Blast Eco Foam, it results in the softest landing of any athletic shoe I’ve tested. Brooks Ghost Max cushioning uses a different technology: nitrogen-infused foam, which can help reduce the likelihood of achey joints and helps with responsiveness that keeps you moving.

I walked around my apartment with each shoe on one foot and felt that the Gel Nimbus were just a touch softer and almost cloud-like. Whereas the Ghost Max felt sturdy, supported, and more substantial with each step—like a hug for my foot.

Stability

Both of these shoes are designed with neutral stability and are best suited for those with neutral or flat feet (like myself), and each one keeps me steady whether I’m walking or running. That said, if stability is most important to you, the Ghost Max is an overall more stable shoe. This is thanks to the slightly shorter heel-to-toe drop, which feels more grounded, and a lack of a pronounced rocker bottom, which is designed to feel more like a natural foot strike than propelling you forward.

How we compared Asics vs Brooks

As a writer with over six years of product testing experience, my career has been dedicated to trialing the best beauty, fashion, and fitness items to give readers firsthand insights on how each product functions so you can make better purchasing decisions.

For this comparison review, I tested the Asics Gel Nimbus 26 sneakers and the Brooks Ghost Max 2 sneakers for a full month; wearing both of them during daily activities and errands, as well as at the gym and on the treadmill to analyze their overall performance.

The Final Verdict

I mentioned earlier my love for Asics has maintained its stronghold because they are the only running shoes that don’t cause me mid-sole blisters. That fact remains true.

While I could walk over five miles at a time in my Brooks without any sort of rubbing or pain, as soon as I picked up the pace (even just to a jog!), that dreaded blister started to form. Despite being made for those with flat-to-neutral feet, I only managed to run a mile on the treadmill before I had to stop. For this reason, Asics Gel Nimbus 26s remain my top pick for road running, light jogs, and track sprints.

Despite this, it hasn’t put me off my new pair of Brooks Ghost Max 2 (as I said, it literally has happened with every other athletic shoe besides Asics.) I actually love them. Not only are they so comfortable, but I think their design is super stylish and I really enjoy the way they look. I now regularly lace up my Brooks when I’m running errands or going on leisurely strolls (just not during my training days).

When it comes down to it, both kicks earned a spot in my athletic shoe lineup—and I think you can’t really go wrong with either. My recommendation? If you’re jumpstarting marathon training or just getting into running, I can’t recommend the Asics Gel Nimbus 26 more. On the flip side, if you need a reliable, supportive walking shoe with good cushion, go with the Brooks Ghost Max 2. That said, everyones’ feet are different, so it’s a good idea to test each style out for yourself before making a decision.