Brooks Ghost 15 Shoe Review
Updated Brooks Ghost 15 Delivers Signature Ghostly Performance
Likes
- Spacious upper with a plush heel collar
- Versatile and reliable ride
- Simple, stylish aesthetic
Dislikes
- Midsole lacked responsiveness
- Lighter weight preferred
What's New
The Ghost is Brooks' signature neutral daily trainer and one of the most popular running shoes in the world, so runners are always excited when a new version of this workhorse is released. With updates throughout, version 15 of this iconic shoe is poised to live up to its lofty reputation, and what better way to do that than with an all-new midsole compound?
Sporting an upgraded DNA Loft v2 foam, the Ghost 15 promises softer landings and a lighter on-foot feel that will keep you comfortable over any distance. Combine this with a Segmented Crash Pad outsole, and runners can expect super smooth heel-to-toe transitions that will continue to delight mile after mile.
Finished off with a refined 3D Fit Print Mesh, the Ghost 15 has an enhanced lockdown that delivers heightened levels of security, further accentuating the model's versatile nature. And this is all without diminishing the Ghost's trademark roomier fit. Style is just another benefit of the Ghost 15, and these shoes offer a simple yet sleek design that will perfectly complement your casual wear, gym gear, and running kit.
The Bottom Line
It is always interesting to review an iconic shoe like the Brooks Ghost. Why? Because the proof is in the pudding with this shoe, and despite what any individual may say, it remains one of the top-selling shoes every year. There is no denying that runners, walkers, and fitness enthusiasts love and trust the Ghost to help them meet their training needs. This is a huge testament to both the brand and the shoe, especially in a world of countless offerings and constantly evolving technologies.
That said, despite its new upper, midsole, and outsole, the Ghost 15 is a relatively underwhelming update that performs very similarly to the Ghost 14. That is not necessarily a bad thing, as wearers will be able to enjoy a protective, though relatively firm, ride with smooth transitions that make daily training runs comfortable and easy-going. The firmer footbed contributes to the Ghost 15's versatile nature, creating a comparatively stable platform that athletes can depend on for faster-paced runs, agility exercises, or workouts in the gym.
The highlight of the Ghost 15 update is the redesigned upper, which has an all-new dialed-in fit that exquisitely balances comfort and performance by delivering a lockdown narrower-footed runners can rely on while providing the spaciousness that wider-footed runners need. The Ghost 15, like its predecessors, also remains a durable workhorse that will last for countless training sessions, which leads us to yet another huge benefit of this shoe: its incredible value.
Bottom line, the Ghost 15 continues to be a fantastic daily training option, and though it did not completely dazzle our testing team and could use more innovation moving forward, there is little doubt that this update will continue to be a favorite among runners and athletes worldwide. As we have said before and will say again, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Kaleb: "When my partner freely compliments me on the aesthetic of a running shoe, I know it is a good-looking shoe, and I greatly enjoyed the Flintstone/Peacoat/Oak colorway. It is not very flashy, but the grey and navy mesh with orange accents is very suave.
In terms of fit, the Ghost 15 had a surprising amount of room through the toe box, offering plenty of space that allowed my toes to splay nicely, and I did not struggle to find a secure hold. Though, I fear more narrow-footed runners may have too much space."
Risa: "The upper is probably my favorite part of the Brooks Ghost 15. I exclusively wore Brooks shoes for years before I started working at Running Warehouse, and the Ghost 15 reminded me how much I still love the fit of a Brooks. I have slightly narrower feet but had no issue getting a secure lockdown in these shoes. I also found the upper of the Ghost 15 to be fairly breathable."
Midsole
Kaleb: "The Ghost 15 is rocking a DNA Loft v2 midsole, which, sadly, is underwhelming. It is relatively firm underfoot and does not offer much in terms of responsiveness. I am surprised Brooks did not upgrade version 15 with a DNA loft v3 midsole like the Glycerin update, as I believe it would have greatly elevated the Ghost's ride.
On a more positive note, the platform has a super high level of inherent stability, and I understand why the Ghost is a favorite among cross-training athletes. I would have no problem running 3 to 4 miles before transitioning to a lifting session in the Ghost. Furthermore, I was initially worried that I would not remain comfortable on long daily training runs given the shoe's firmer footbed, but I was pleasantly surprised by how my feet and legs felt after a few 10K training runs. I probably would not push the distance much farther than that."
Risa: "I would describe the underfoot feel of the Ghost 15 as firm. Because of this, I found myself using this shoe as more of a gym cross-trainer. Typically, I know that people like a shoe with a lower drop and smaller stack for gym workouts, but I always felt stable in the Ghost 15 while lifting. I generally prefer a softer, bouncier daily trainer, and I wished the Ghost 15's midsole offered more of both attributes. Regardless, I got a lot of use out of this dependable shoe."
Outsole
Kaleb: "I am not worried at all that the Ghost 15's rubber outsole will last hundreds of miles, and the shoe remains worthy of the workhorse designation. The segmented outsole helped produce a very smooth ride that minimized the initial shock of foot strikes.
The outsole has grippy traction that was excellent on a variety of road surfaces and was dependable enough to accommodate circuit training and agility exercises."
Risa: "Given that I have grown very familiar with Brooks shoes over the years, I expect the outsole of the Ghost 15 to easily last about 400 to 500 miles. I did not get a chance to test it in wet conditions, but I had no issues with traction on road surfaces. Again, I appreciated the Ghost 15's ability to serve as a cross-trainer for gym workouts."
Comparable Shoes
Kaleb: "Again, the Ghost is a juggernaut within the world of running shoes, and it is clear why it is a favorite among runners, especially beginner runners, cross-training athletes, and walkers. The Ghost 15 compares well to the New Balance 880, Saucony Ride, and Nike Pegasus, as they are beginner-friendly workhorse trainers that have very loyal followings.
The Ghost 15's smooth heel-to-toe transitions stood out against the competition, but the midsole was not as comfortable or as lively as other daily trainers, like the Peg or the 880. The other models are also highly capable gym shoes. What shoe works best for you will likely come down to individual preferences."
Risa: "Though the Ghost 15 would not be my first choice, as I prefer a shoe with a softer and more energetic midsole, I would still highly recommend it to friends and family looking for a reliable daily trainer, especially if they want just one pair of shoes to meet all their needs.
I think the latest update looks great, and I received a multitude of compliments on the shoe while out and about. The Ghost 15 is comparable to other daily trainers like the Saucony Ride (though the Ghost is about an ounce heavier) and Nike Pegasus. It is hard to go wrong with any of these options as they are all versatile, durable, and trustworthy shoes, though not the most exciting. The HOKA Clifton is another daily trainer that offers more protection and softer landings."
Men's Brooks Ghost Running Shoes
Women's Brooks Ghost Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
The Ghost is a well-known daily trainer that has a huge following. That said, this update was a little lackluster for me, and I believe the Ghost is due for a more innovative update to compete with other offerings within the daily training category. Still, the Brooks Ghost 15 has a lot to offer, as it does a lot of things well, but in a year overwhelmed with exciting updates, it did not quite stack up.
The midsole leans to the firmer side and does not offer much energy return, but the platform is inherently stable, and the shoe's geometry enables it to roll smoothly through the gait cycle. There is a considerable amount of rubber underfoot, and the Ghost remains a workhorse that runners can pile daily mileage on. Also, if you enjoy sessions in the gym, then the Ghost has you covered there as well. The upper was pleasantly spacious, and people who love the Brooks Ghost will appreciate the more dialed-in fit of the 15.
I enjoyed using the Ghost 15 for easy daily mileage under the 5-mile mark, but I would prefer a more protective midsole for greater distances. Despite my hang-ups, I would have no reservations about keeping the Ghost 15 in my shoe rotation, especially as I look to build up mileage for this spring. I know I can always rely on it to deliver. Note: Get you a pair with the Flintstone/Peacoat/Oak colorway; it is very fashionable, and for those like me who transition from the office to the roads, it is perfect.
The Brooks Ghost performs well as a daily trainer, and I see why it has such a wide appeal. This is a shoe that you can trust to hold up for many miles and keep you comfortable for everything from gym workouts to jogs and long runs (though I would want more cushioning on 10+ mile efforts). Especially for beginner runners or those who want just one versatile shoe in their arsenal, the Ghost 15 is a solid pick.
While I did not enjoy the firm underfoot feel for running, I found it best for my gym workouts, and it is one of my better-looking shoes that pairs well with athleisure apparel when I am on the go. As someone with a more narrow foot, I also find the fit of Brooks shoes to be comfortable and easy to get a secure lockdown with.
Although I enjoyed the upper, I thought the Ghost was missing that "wow factor" at step-in, like some of my favorite trainers have. For reference, one of my top picks is the Nike ZoomX Invincible, which has a very different underfoot experience than the Ghost, delivering an amazing step-in feel that is hard to beat. That said, for the runner who does not like soft shoes and does not need a high energy return to complete faster workouts, the Ghost 15 might be their perfect fit.