By Paul Freary
As a well-established model in the Brooks lineup of shoes, the Ghost is one of the most popular and important models in the range. Find out in my review, if the Ghost 16 is the best version, where I breakdown all the important points.
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With models such as the Ghost brands have a fan favourite that continues to deliver solid sales year after year, so it’s always important that they get it right. With the right improvements and developments runners will stay loyal to the brand but make a mistake and sales will quickly fall away and fans may be lost forever.
With this in mind, I am happy to say that the new Ghost 16 remains every bit as good as the Ghost 15.
I’ve run in many versions of the Ghost and sold thousands of pairs, so let’s look at what’s changed.
Stats
Brooks | Ghost 16 |
|---|---|
Best for | Daily miles with a newly energized feel |
Support | Neutral |
Cushion | Mid-to high level cushioning |
Stack Height | 36mm forefoot /24mm Heel |
Drop | 12mm |
Weight | Men 270g (9.5oz) |
Suggested Retail Price | $140 / £135 |
Fit | True to size |
Rating | 9.5/ 10 |
The Old and the New: Ghost 15 v Ghost 16
The main point of difference with the new Ghost 16 is the introduction of the brand’s DNA LOFT v3 foam, a nitrogen-infused foam used previously on the range-topping Glycerin models.
I’ve long been a fan of this cushioning and found it to offer great levels of shock absorption alongside a good level of energy return. It’s also proved to be one of the most durable cushioning foams in my experience.
I’ve covered hundreds of miles in shoes from Brooks with the DNA LOFT v3 midsole and find they remain as cushioned and responsive after 300 or 400 miles as they do on day one!
Brooks Ghost 16
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Fit
The fit, as I’ve become accustomed to with Brooks is true to size. The Ghost 16 fits the same in terms of length and width as the previous version.
Brooks tend to have slightly generous uppers that can accommodate various foot shapes as well as this model being available in narrow, regular and wide options for both men and women.
Technology
With the new Ghost 16, Brooks has packed in the features and technology. From the sole to the upper, I see improvements in every area.
Engineered Air-Mesh Upper
As is usual with Brooks, the upper design is relatively plain and straightforward, but highly effective. I find the fit in keeping with other models from the brand with a small degree of stretch to the upper that allows for slight movement of the foot and also accommodates those with less regular foot shapes.
DNA Loft v3
Previously seen in the range-topping Glycerin models, the DNA Loft v3 is the brand’s premium cushioning material and a great boost to the Ghost, their most popular neutral trainer.
I find the Nitrogen-infused foam to offer a nice blend of shock absorption and energy return.
Okay, it’s not super-shoe springy, but for everyday miles, I think the nitrogen-injected foam is great. I also find it one of the most durable midsole foams around, having put over 500 miles on a pair of Glycerin without them showing any noticeable signs of deterioration.
GlideRoll Rocker
The GlideRoll rocker is rather a simple, but highly effective design feature that gently places the foot in a neutral position from heel-strike to toe-off. It provides a smooth ride and a welcoming feel to the shoe from the word go.
Recycled Silica-infused Rubber Outsole
A new silica-infused rubber compound on the outsole of the Ghost 16 makes it more durable and gives a little more traction. I’ve noticed this traction, particularly in the wet, where the shoe seems to have more grip than the previous models.
Performance
The Ghost has always been an easy shoe to get along with. From the word go, it provides a nice fit, a seamless upper that wraps the foot beautifully and a light but well-cushioned feel.
I think I must have sold over a thousand pairs of Ghost to runners in the last few years and it’s a shoe that I recommend daily.
Yes, it may not feature fancy bells and whistles, but it just works. In this updated model, the use of DNA Loft v3 enhances the model but without increasing the price, a real bonus.
With so many ‘fast options’ available, it’s often easy to reach for a super-shoe for some of your daily miles, but the Ghost 16 is a shoe that I have no problem pulling on for any paced running.
I’ve used the Ghost 16 for easy runs and some of my up-tempo miles at paces ranging from 8 minutes per mile to as quick as 6 minutes and 30 seconds per mile and it’s always delivered with ease and comfort.
Comparisons
The neutral, daily trainer category is one of the most competitive around, where many brands produce their best value-for-money offerings. Here I’ll compare three of the most popular shoes from leading brands.
Nike Pegasus 41
The Pegasus 41 is a versatile shoe, with reasonable cushioning that feels responsive thanks to the Zoom Air units within the midsole and the famous waffle design outsole that provides good traction on a variety of surfaces.
The latest Pegasus is a good daily trainer but in today’s market, the forefoot cushioning feels a little lacking. The shoe feels great at slightly faster paces, but for those easy miles, it seems to lack a little of the plushness of the competition.
New Balance’s FreshFoam X 860v14
New Balance’s FreshFoam X 860v14 is perhaps the closest in terms of feel to the Brooks Ghost 16, but for me, the Ghost just edges it. The FreshFoam X has been updated in the latest model and is soft, light and springy, but just quite as responsive as the Nitrogen-infused foam of the Ghost.
I find runners visiting my store are split almost 50:50 between the Brooks and New Balance in this shoe type, so it comes down to personal preference with regard to fit on the individual’s foot.
HOKA Clifton 9
One of the most popular running shoes of recent years from the HOKA line-up is the Clifton 9, which is another close competitor to the Brooks Ghost 16.
There’s no arguing with the success of the Clifton, so again it comes down to how it feels on an individual’s foot. For me, I prefer the higher heel drop offered by the Brooks as well as the Brooks now offering a nitro-infused foam midsole, it has that more responsive feel than the EVA-based foam of the HOKA.
That said, here’s a spoiler alert, the Clifton 10 might see a change to both the heel drop and midsole in 2025!
My Verdict
One of the best value shoes on the market, the Brooks Ghost 16 may not excite Instagrammers or YouTubers who are gifted with range-topping models, but it continues to be one of the best-selling models in specialist running stores.
The Ghost 16 remains a great, value-for-money option that suits a wide range of runners and delivers mile after mile.
From my experience selling the shoe for the last ten or more years, the Ghost is a shoe that runners both new and old can pull and instantly feel at home in.
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