In the second huge flagship update launching 1st June 2024, we’ve finished up our Brooks Ghost 16 review (thanks to our friends at Brooks giving us the shoes nice and early!). The Brooks Ghost 16 is a neutral road running shoe designed for everyday use, great for easy runs, long runs and even some slightly quicker stuff. Now in its 16th version, the Brooks Ghost is a well-established incredibly popular running shoe. Due to its popularity, it’s remained almost unchanged for a number of years. Now though, the Ghost 16 has some significant updates. We’ll go through all the changes to the Brooks Ghost 16 vs. Brooks Ghost 15.
Midsole & Drop
Brooks haven’t altered the shape or heel to forefoot ‘drop’, so the Ghost 16 will be enjoyed by runners that loved the Ghost 15–and even earlier versions. The heel to forefoot drop is still 12mm, as the Brooks Ghost suits a traditional heel strike best. The heel offers a good level of heel cushioning, yet not soggy, and the drop helps the foot roll through to the forefoot, for a positive push off.
The big change to the Brooks Ghost 16 is the midsole foam. The Ghost 16 uses DNA Loft 3, which is a nitrogen-infused foam. If you consider a midsole foam as a rubber compound with lots of bubbles in it, that squashes some of the air out when you land and allows air back in when your foot leaves the floor, a nitrogen-infused midsole is sealed so the air can’t escape. Like an inflated yoga ball hitting the ground, the air doesn’t simply escape and your running shoes are now bouncier, with more energy return! It also makes the midsole more durable where others would compress completely, plus keeps water and dirt out.
BROWSE BROOKS GHOST 16
Fit of Upper & Heel
The Ghost 16 shape and fit of the upper is very similar to the Ghost 15. There is still a stiff plastic heel cup to offer a good level of support. The heel cup and cuff has the same nicely padded luxurious feel that you find in all of the Brooks running shoes designed for everyday training. The upper is made from an engineered mesh that is lovely and soft inside the shoe, with no seams to eliminate any rubbing. The padded tongue also adds to the comfort and even the laces feel lovely and soft. There is an extra lace hole to tighten the heel fit or butterfly lace the shoes.
Ghost Wide Fit
Like the Ghost 15, the Brooks Ghost 16 is still available in wide fit and even extra wide for men at launch, so if you have a wider than average foot you can still get the perfect fit.
How It Went
So the overall fit and comfort of the Ghost 16 is similar to previous versions, but the ride is certainly softer, bouncier and more ‘fun’. I found that I was aware of the increased energy return from the midsole and immediately after my heel hit the floor I was bounced into a toe off. It makes for a nice positive feel, if perhaps the Ghost 15 was a more ‘natural’ feel and required a little more effort. In the Ghost 16 I felt like I was making less effort in order to run at the same speeds. The bounce in the midsole will take away a bit of ground feel as a trade off for the increased propulsion. The width of the base of the shoe has increased at the heel and midsole in order to increase the stability of the new Ghost.
The foam is 25mm/13mm–the same as the Ghost 15 but now made from DNA Loft v3 it has a very different feel. Brooks also use this foam for their max cushioned neutral running shoe, the Glycerin 21, which has the higher stack. The Glycerin midsole feels noticeably softer, with more compression and is why it suits slow comfy runs, recovery runs and the like. The Ghost 16 doesn’t have as much compression and for that reason is still more versatile, allowing for some steady running etc.. without feeling that you are sinking into the cushioning and losing energy as a result.
BROWSE BROOKS GHOST 16
In many of the review miles we clocked in the Ghost 16, the roads and paths were wet. It gripped well. The outsole of the Brooks Ghost 16 is also new, manufactured from a durable recycled silica-infused rubber aka Road Tack. It offers a good level of traction on wet and dry roads.
“I liked the previous version/s, so will I like the new Ghost 16?”
Yeah, you probably will. The Brooks Ghost 16 is still a well-cushioned, versatile, neutral road running shoe perfect for everyday running and even quicker running mixed in. The Ghost 16 feels really comfy to wear, has the same fit, the same 12mm drop best-designed for a heel strike, but now with a touch of added softness and some extra spring from a bouncier foam.
Other Considerations
Karhu Fusion 4: Not quite as bouncy. The ride is slightly firmer with more feel for the ground. The Karhu Fulcrum offers a bit of propulsion. The big toe line is straighter which makes the Fusion feel roomier in the toe box. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-fusion-4-review/
Altra Experience Flow: A 4mm heel to forefoot drop with a rocker. Has the classic Altra rounded toe box but doesn’t feel any broader in the toe box at you move towards the toe joints. The low drop and rocker promoted a more midfoot landing. Firmer and doesn’t have the same bounce. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-experience-flow-review/
New Balance 880v14: Available in three width Men’s and two width Women’s. Straighter big toe line and a less bouncy ride with more ground feel. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-880v14-review/
Hylo Impact: Nitrogen Infused midsole like the Ghost 16 but, much softer. Takes away the feel for the floor. The toe box is less roomy and is a bit more pointed at the toes. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hylo-impact-review/
Topo Phantom 3: A much firmer ride. A broad rounded toe box allows more room for your feet to spread and function in the shoes. The firm, responsive feel to the midsole means that your feet get the stimulus to spread. More flexible through the midfoot and into the toe box. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-phantom-3-review/
Hoka Clifton 9: Available in two width Men’s and two width Women’s. A softer midsole with more compression on landing. The 5mm heel to forefoot drop and the rocker help move you forward. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-clifton-9-review/
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