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Looking for a traditional running shoe with cushion, but not the max stack height? The high 12mm drop of the Brooks Ghost 16 isn’t my preference, but it’s still a go to daily trainer that many of you will love for short to long runs or if working on your feet all day.
There’s a reason this is one of their most popular models and I’m happy to have spent a month logging some miles to give it a serious test. I also reached out to a few other runners who’ve been in them for years to find out what makes the Brooks Ghost such a winner.
Most importantly, how does the Brooks Ghost 16 compare to the 15 and even the Ghost max? We’re going to find out.
As you know I’m always honest in my running shoe reviews with what I like, dislike and what might work for you that wasn’t a fit for me! So hopefully, once again I can provide you with some insights on if this is a running shoe you’ll enjoy.
There is no one perfect running shoe for all runners, so I’m going to share my findings. But as always I encourage you to head in to a running store and put them on! Run around the shop and see what you think.
A 12mm heel drop is a really standard running shoe style and yet one that many of us (myself included) have moved away from because a lower drop simply feels better on the IT Band or calves. That being said it’s still one of Brooks’ top selling shoes, so clearly a lot of folks still love the feel.
I heard a LOT of feedback from runners who loved the 14 and weren’t so thrilled about the 15. Meanwhile, I really liked the 15, but am less in love with the 16. Crazy how little changes can feel different for each of us.
Two big changes in this version the shoe. The first is the visible change to the outsole which now has RoadTrack Rubber and should provide better traction on your runs.
The second change is the one you’ll feel which is going from the DNA Loft V2 to V3 cushion in the midsole. Oddly the shoe felt less cushioned to me than the 15 and the heel drop felt far more significant. I have run the Ghost 15 in to the ground, but I don’t know that I’ll be putting in too many more miles on the 16. (At least for running, I’ll definitely take it for walks or shoot a long day on the feet.)
It’s not the lightest shoe, which is why I say is a great training shoe, but not generally what I’d pick out for a PR race day. For example, the Saucony Endorphin Shift is actually a full 1 oz lighter. However, it’s also a more maximal shoe and not everyone enjoys that style.
A great pick for cushioned neutral Brooks shoe for daily easy runs with a higher heel drop.
Higher heel drop can be useful if you have Achilles pain while running or potentially for heel strikers. I’m not sure I always agree with that second point because maybe the shoe is contributing to the heel strike rather than just softening the landing…but chicken or egg my friends.
I found this shoe to be right in the middle in terms of cushion. Not so plush that I’m sinking in and not so thin on cushion that my legs are noticing it by the end of a run.
- 12 mm heel drop
- 8.8 oz women’s
- 9.8 oz men’s
- Moderate cushion
- Available in 7 colors
- Available in Wide (and extra wide in men’s)
- Available on Brooks, Amazon, Zappos and retail stores for $140
- Brooks Ghost 15 is going to be majorly discounted and for me an equally good shoe.
If you are looking for their max cushion shoe, that’s going to be the Brooks Glycerin. Interestingly it’s only a 10 mm drop and slightly lighter! I think that’s a good sign that the Ghost is a model that works for people, so they aren’t making major changes.
Also LOVE that this shoe has a variety of wide options. That’s often hard to find, so a good neutral shoe to help out runners who need more than an average width.
You’ll also notice that there is just a slight heel flare. This gives this neutral running shoe a bit more stability, though honestly just not being a massive stack height makes it feel more stable too!
Bonus points that Brooks is continuing down the path of making carbon neutral shoes. As runners we care a lot about the environment we get to run in, so this is a nice way to know we’re helping.
Brooks Ghost Fit
I find Brooks running shoes to have a pretty standard fit. Unlike Nike’s which can feel a little narrow or short, Brooks always seems pretty comfortable on the first run. I always get the same shoe size (11)in them as I would in New Balance, Hoka or Asics.
Others have mentioned sizing up, but I put them on next to the 15 and the Max, my toes were in the same place.
In my case, the first thing I noticed was a feeling of a gap between my foot and the arch of the shoe. Over an 11 mile run this feeling never entirely went away. I was hoping it was a bit of needing to break in the shoe or something. While not horribly uncomfortable, I didn’t love it (and I have a very neutral arch). On the flipside, a number of male runners have found the midsole to be tight.
Padded tongue and collar both provide comfort, but as noted might be what’s causing the shoe to feel a little snug to some runners.
For some runners, the midsole with the padded tongue just didn’t leave enough foot room during those longer runs where your feet swell. In comparing to the 15, the whole shoe seems just a bit more narrow to me.
The toebox is tapered like most standard shoes, so you are not going to get a wide fit there either.
I’ve found these shoes are comfortable on most easy runs. I could probably wear them up to the half marathon distance for easy training. For those running a first race distance, you could absolutely still wear them on race day. They are the shoe you’re used to and that’s more important than trying to cut a few ounces!!
On 90% of my running shoes, I use a heel lock lacing and these have enough laces to make that easily doable. I noticed someone mentioning issues with the heel pulling out. I didn’t find that, but again used that lacing technique.
Ghost 15 vs Ghost 16
- The Ghost 16 is a little bit lighter
- Changed to a DNA Loft V3 midsole to get that lighter cushion
- Feel underfoot to me isn’t quite as soft
- Upper in the midsole might be more narrow (again this is debatable by tester)
If you want more cushion, checkout this comparison of Brooks Ghost vs Brooks Glycerin.
Brooks Ghost 16 vs Brooks Ghost Max
Between the 15 and the Max, I always picked the 15…but here I’d take the Ghost Max.
The heel drop is only 6mm! Which I greatly prefer for a lot of runners and it’s only $10 more.
The Max feels a little more cushioned and a lot more stable to me when in I put a shoe on both feet and run around for a bit. Obviously you’re getting more stack height and a smidge more weight, but for a daily trainer you probably won’t notice that on your runs.
Similar Shoes to Brooks Ghost
Not sure this is exactly what you want or are concerned about the updates, here are some options:
Who Should Not Get the Brooks Ghost 16?
If you have a tendency to overstride and heel strike, we know the higher heel drop can add to that. Additionally, if you tend to have issues with your calves being really tight or IT Band issues, I have found going down to a 4-8mm drop helps a lot of runners.
Those looking for a super cushioned shoe are going to want something more like the On Cloudeclipse or New Balance 1080.
Carbon Neutral Running Shoes
Brooks has stated they are aiming to achieve net carbon zero by 2040. Which means that they are taking out of the atmosphere anything they put in, to result in a net zero of greenhouse gases.
That’s pretty cool.
In the Ghost 15 they are up to 24% of the total shoe being made from recycled materials in the tongue, upper, and collar lining. They’ve also gotten another 6% drop in manufacturing emissions and are buying carbon credits to offset the remainder of the shoe.
What You Need to Know About Brooks Running Shoes
Believe it or not, Brooks started out in 1914 making ballet slippers and bathing shoes. Since then, they have made everything from baseball and football cleats to roller skates.
It wasn’t until Frank Shorter won the marathon at the 1972 Munich Olympics that Brooks considered limiting its focus. The first running shoe debuted in 1974 and their most popular running shoe, the Adrenaline GTS first hit the market in 1999.
In 2001, Brooks decided to focus solely on running.
They introduced the Transcend in 2013, a shoe that used new biomechanics technology to create a GuideRails technology, allowing runners to run naturally without trying to correct their gait.
The Seattle-based company is also well known for its commitment to sustainability and giving back. Brooks donates time, gear, and money to companies that align with their values around diversity, equity, and inclusion and staff receive paid annual volunteer time.
Am I Related?
Since I used to get this question a ton, let me help you out.
Sadly, I am not related to the folks who started Brooks running. But maybe there is something to the name because here I am writing about running, coaching and loving every mile I get to put in to a running shoe.
Drawbacks to Brooks Running Shoes
As noted, every runner has a preference, so there are just a couple of things from my experience.
- They are not ideal for those with high arches or a high mid-foot
- Most of them run a bit more narrow than other brands
- Still a very traditional looking run shoe, not fashion forward
- Bright colors or white dominate the selections
- Limited wide selection
All right I hope this Brooks Ghost 16 review gave you some insights that help you decide if it’s worth trying!
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