Brooks Ghost 13 Review
Like Your Favorite Pair of Jeans
Likes
- Soft and supportive upper
- Balanced cushioning
- Plush heel collar
Dislikes
- Not as soft as previous models
What's New
The Ghost is Brooks's most popular everyday running shoe for a reason. Although it is not the fastest or most cushioned model on the market, it's the shoe that almost anyone can put on and feel comfortable running in, and thanks to an updated design, the new Brooks Ghost 13 is more comfortable than ever before. In order to provide a softer underfoot feel, Brooks extended the DNA Loft foam through the full length of the shoe. On top of making the forefoot softer, this new design works with the segmented outsole to offer a smooth ride that makes the Ghost 13 feel like it disappears on foot. Meanwhile, for an improved fit and enhanced breathability, the Ghost 13 features a new Engineered Air Mesh upper that retains the shoe's sleek design while delivering a more adaptable fit.
The Bottom Line
Like a favorite pair of jeans, the Brooks Ghost 13 has that perfect fit and comfort that will keep you coming back to it again and again. While it may not be the highest-tech running shoe in the arena, the Brooks Ghost offers soft underfoot cushioning and a smooth transition with each stride. This shoe's low-profile design and casual styling make it a great option for everyday wear, and the breathable mesh upper offers a secure fit that works for a wide variety of foot sizes. If you want a comfortable, stylish, no-nonsense shoe for anything from marathon training, to gym workouts, to casual wear, the Brooks Ghost 13 is sure to please.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium to narrow | Height: Medium to low | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.7 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.5 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 32 mm (Heel), 20 mm (Forefoot) | 12 mm Heel-Toe Offset | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
To increase the softness in the forefoot, Brooks extended the plush DNA Loft foam throughout the full length of the shoe. Although our testers would not describe the shoe as pillowy, they agreed that the new midsole has a comfortable step-in feel that continued to feel soft as they picked up the pace.
Kaitlin: "This is not a squishy shoe. Instead, the cushioning feels like dense memory foam that's more responsive and protective. It also feels very light for how much protection it offers."
Ben: "The Ghost 13 feels a lot softer than the Ghost 12. I have no trouble standing around all day in my pair or using it for my long runs."
Ride/Energy Return i
The Brooks Ghost 13 is built for comfort over speed, but our testers enjoyed the touch of responsiveness provided by the layer of BioMoGo DNA foam in the midsole. They felt that the shoe offered a neutral energy return that neither inhibited nor aided them during their faster efforts.
Kaitlin: "I wouldn't recommend this shoe for racing, but it is great for both trotting around and pushing the pace. The faster I went, the more responsive it felt."
Ben: "The Ghost's weight and stack height did not keep me from running a six-minute mile, but I did not notice any bounce or energy return at faster paces. The Ghost doesn't slow me down, but it doesn't make running faster feel easier either."
Underfoot Protection i
With a blend of DNA Loft and BioMoGo DNA foams in the midsole, the Ghost 13 offers comfortable cushioning that feels protective underfoot without adding too much stack height. Our testers felt confident running longer distances in the shoe with no pain or soreness.
Kaitlin: "The cushioning feels dense and protective while I'm running, but much softer while walking. It allows me to feel very stable and less sore in my ankles and hips after running."
Ben: "Even with tired legs, I barely felt the road in these shoes, because the DNA Loft cushioning does a superb job. With the level of cushioning, I would have no trouble doing an easy 15 miles in these."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The Ghost 13 offers moderate cushioning without sacrificing a flexible design thanks to the segmented outsole and full-length DNA Loft foam. Our team enjoyed this shoe's smooth ride and felt that it offered a seamless transition throughout their stride.
Kaitlin: "The Ghost 13 is very flexible for a daily trainer. The ride is smooth and fluid, no matter how you touch down. It feels like I can roll through without any effort."
Ben: "While running in the Ghost 13, I didn't feel that my stride was inhibited in any way, and my feet had a full range of movement."
Upper Feel i
Switching to a new Engineered Air Mesh upper, the Brooks Ghost 13 improves on the breathability issues found in the previous model. The updated upper delivered a soft yet secure hold of the foot, comfortable enough for any run our testers tried.
Kaitlin: "This shoe feels effortlessly structured. From the plush heel counter to the supple upper that wraps your midfoot, the material moves with your foot and is very accommodating."
Ben: "While the heel is definitely structured, the upper is very pliable in the forefoot and toe box. I had no issues with blistering or hot spots, even on my long runs."
Individual Thoughts
I haven't used the past several versions of the Brooks Ghost because the model was never quite as soft as I wanted it to be. However, this new version was much improved. The underfoot cushioning feels protective for longer mileage without feeling heavy. The Ghost 13 is a great daily trainer, and I will definitely continue to keep it in my rotation. As someone who isn't moving fast and is injury prone, the Ghost helps me feel protected and comfortable. My one complaint is that I felt like my pair fit a little short, but the upper material is accommodating enough that I didn't need to size up.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
Like an oft-read 19th-century novel or a favorite movie, the Ghost 13 is worth returning to again and again. The flexible upper and solid underfoot protection provide the formula for running hundreds of miles in comfort. It may not be a race-day shoe, but the Ghost 13 is very well suited for training and tempo runs.