Races - Places: We just can’t get enough of Brooks’s Ghost. Its consistency with cushioning, high rebound, and subtle updates are proof of its ability to endure.
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Price: $130
Weight: 9.9 oz (M), 8.2 oz (W)
Type: Road
I could wax poetic about Brooks’s Ghost, but you probably already know that it’s the kind of shoe that crosses boundaries between workhorse trainer and speed racer, that it’s the shoe we recommend to new runners because of its versatility, and that it delivers high energy return in spite—or because—of its soft cushioning. Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate goes into further detail on the indomitable trainer’s chameleon-like abilities in our September/October print issue, on newsstands now.
The point is, we don’t just hand over the Editors’ Choice to this specter; an eighth accolade isn’t without pause and heavy deliberation. The proof, as always, is in the run.
Our testers and staff had plenty to gush about when it came to the Ghost’s ride and feel. They sang praises on how the shoe delivers the right amount of bounce during pushoff , how their ankles felt supported and their hips and knees weren’t jounced with pain on rolling hills, and how the shoe’s über-soft cushioning willed them to tack on the miles and run longer than they had originally planned.
Pros
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Cons
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Some new things are right because, in many respects, they stay just the way they were. Like the 11, the 12 has a dual midsole, with DNA Loft in its heel for plushness and support (a feature of great value to heelstrikers, as well as everyone else) and BioMoGo DNA cushioning for a responsive, springy ride. A minor change is the sleeker engineered mesh upper. Overlays, which tend to add weight, are replaced with 3D Fit Print for a subtly racier aesthetic. One minor complaint about the 12 is how the upper holds in more heat than the previous Ghost—but that didn’t sway testers from giving the shoe a near-perfect rating after testing.
Lofty Sole
The Ghost 11 introduced Brooks’s proprietary DNA Loft crash pad, which provides a softer landing toward the back of the foot, minus the extra weight. Testers raved about the heel’s cushioning in the 11 but suggested that the forefoot could have used more—and Brooks listened. Our lab results showed there is indeed softer cushioning in both the men’s and women’s forefoot of the 12, a change that didn’t go unnoticed.
“From front to back, the cushioning is superb without being too mushy,” said a tester. “The forefoot was cushioned enough to provide a soft landing while also letting me feel the terrain beneath me.”
Run Fast or Slow
The 12 is slightly lighter than its predecessor (the men’s 11 was 10.2 ounces and the women’s was 8.4 ounces), but its weight still puts it in the middle of the pack compared to other running shoes we’ve tested. While some runners considered the Ghost an everyday trainer due to its weight, others threw in some interval and tempo training, taking advantage of the shoe’s responsiveness on faster-paced runs. “I loved the bounce I felt when I pushed off,” said a tester. “It felt like an ideal shoe for a mid-mileage person to train in.”
Wear Tester Feedback
Jen Sherry, Runner’s World A Part of Hearst Digital Media
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“It’s hard to rate this shoe as anything less than ultra comfortable, super stable, sturdy, and true to size. Everything from the soft, padded tongue to the silky smooth ankle collar to the cushioning and stability on roads and gravel paths alike make the Ghost 12 a shoe I have a hard time finding something negative about.”
Soft-yet-responsive DNA Loft and BioMoGo DNA midsole
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“I used this shoe for all my daily runs, speedwork on Tuesdays, hills Thursdays, 12-plus miles on Saturdays—no issues. The shoe is a performer. It’s just right in terms of cushioning and comfort without being over the top soft and spongy.”
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
