Men’s Brooks Ghost Trail Review

The Bottom Line

The Brooks Ghost Trail is Brooks Ghost’s new running shoe. And like the OG (original ghost), the Ghost Trail is a very comfortable, versatile everyday trainer. Brooks took the nitrogen-infused DNA Loft midsole cushioning and bumped it 36 ​​millimeters under the heel for one of the highest points of the stack among all the trail running shoes we tested. It creates a smooth ride without sacrificing much on efficiency.

While the foam midsole maximizes comfort, the plush upper is what really stands out. The upper has extra comfortable padding in the ankle and heel, and the highest tongue of all the shoes on our list of the best men’s trail shoes. The rest of the mesh upper is soft and has decent breathability.

Depending on what type of trail you’re doing, the Ghost Trail’s outsole will be noticeable or not enough. We’ll get the bad out of the way first. The TrailTack Green rubber outsole will not give you enough traction on your steep and technical trails. If you primarily run uphill, technical singletrack, steer clear. But if you have long routes to the road, spend time on gravel roads and packed dirt, or have a lot of flat or rolling trails, the outsole is great.

There are two aspects to consider about Ghost Trails. First is the weight. At 10.6 ounces per shoe, it’s one of the lightest trail running shoes on our list. And the heel-to-toe drop of 8 millimeters is high and won’t work for everyone. Those nitpicks aside, the Brooks Ghost Trail is affordable, versatile, and a very comfortable everyday off-road trainer.

Comfort

Comfort is where the Brooks Ghost Trail shines. The nitrogen-infused DNA Loft midsole foam is soft and comfortable. Brooks packs 36 millimeters under the heel, which is higher than other trail running shoes we tested. Brooks sticks all that soft midsole foam on top, with hard pads around the heel, ankle, and tongue. The midfoot and forefoot feature thin mesh, which is highly breathable but still comfortable.

If superior cushioning and a soft, comfortable ride are important when deciding on a trail running shoe, the Brooks Ghost Trail deserves a good look.

Pulling

Overall, the Brooks Ghost Trail has less traction than other trail running shoes we tested. If you run steep and technical trails, this is not the shoe for you. Brooks uses its TrailTack Green rubber outsole, which includes rows of 3-millimeter-deep lugs. It doesn’t really match any other lug pattern among trail running shoes we’ve tested.

That said, the outsole is great for off-road trails, flat or rolling trails, gravel, and full dirt. If you spend equal parts of your training on roads and trails, that’s a good option, as it works well on roads and less technical roads.

Weight

At 10.6 ounces per shoe, the Brooks Ghost Trail is on the heavier side. And it makes sense. It is difficult to make a shoe luxurious and comfortable without putting weight on it. That extra weight likely comes from the padded tongue and heel column, as well as the added stack height in the foam midsole. If you prefer light weight shoes, the Brooks Ghost Trail is not it.

Strength

After nearly 100 miles on the Brooks Ghost Trail, it shows no signs of wear or tear. Everything is still solid, and despite running a few runs on pavement in these, the outsoles still look pretty new. Brooks went trendy and high-tech in his approach to durability on the Ghost Trail, adding a 3D-printed protective layer to the toe cap and mudguard.

Breathing

While comfort and durability are excellent with the Brooks Ghost Trail, breathability comes first. These shoes were not the least breathable running shoes we tested. But they were down and out. The top is luxurious and comfortable. Where other brands prioritize lightweight mesh you can see through, that’s not the case with the Brooks Ghost Trail. But that’s only a problem if you live in a very hot area.

Reaction

The overall response to the Brooks Ghost Trail is good. As for breathability, it’s not the least responsive shoe we’ve tested, but it sits at the bottom of the pile. When Brooks stacks the soft and compact DNA Loft nitrogen foam in the middle, it creates a hotter than responsive ride. In other words, these are not your shoes for jogging or running fast. Great running shoes for recovery and daily training when you’re just packing on the miles.

Should You Buy Brooks Ghost Trail?

The Brooks Ghost Trail shoes are perfect for most runners, not just Brooks enthusiasts who run nothing but Brooks. Anyone dipping their toes into off-road trail running will love the Ghost Trail’s road-to-trail crossover features. Finally, they will work for anyone who prioritizes soft landings and high stacks for daily training and recovery runs.

If you run a lot on steep, technical terrain, we suggest choosing a different shoe. Likewise, if you’re looking for a shoe that can also work for speed workouts or running, you’ll probably want a different pair.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

Want to see how the Brooks Ghost Trail compares to our other top picks? Check out our lists of the best hiking shoes for men and the best hiking shoes for men. And if these caught your eye, consider these other winners:

Nike ACG Pegasus Trail Review: Peg Trails and Ghost Trails have many similarities. Both are off-road classics used in road racing. Both have high stack heights and 8mm drops. Both go well on mixed terrain and on flat or rolling terrain. And both are affordable, high-performance options that make entry-level running shoes.

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 review: These shoes split the difference between Ghost Trails and Cascadias. They are slightly better at tackling steep and technical terrain than the Ghost Trails, but not to the level of the Cascadias. They are also affordable and suitable for new runners and regular runners.

Brooks Cascadia 19 Review: If you’re considering Ghost Trails, you probably already know about Cascadias. If not, look. They have less stack height and less drop but better traction, making them more suitable for intermediate and professional terrain.