Brooks Ghost 16 Review: Still the Best Daily Trainer?

The Brooks Ghost has been one of the best-selling running shoes in the world for nearly a decade. It has earned that position by being relentlessly, almost stubbornly good at the basics: forgiving cushioning, accommodating fit, dependable durability, no surprises. The Ghost 16 is the most significant update in years, with an entirely new midsole foam, and it is finally the version that justifies the upgrade.

Here is our full review after 500 km of testing.

Some links in this article are affiliate links. SoleHunt may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The short verdict

The Brooks Ghost 16 is the most forgiving, accommodating daily trainer on the market in 2025. The new DNA LOFT v3 midsole is plusher than previous versions, the fit remains generously wide-friendly, and the durability is exceptional. It is not the most exciting shoe, but it is one of the most consistently good.

Rating: 9/10. The best first running shoe for most people, and a strong choice for high-mileage runners across every level.

What changed from the Ghost 15

The Ghost 15 was good but iterative. The 16 is the first version in three generations to feel meaningfully different:

  • New midsole foam. DNA LOFT v3 is nitrogen-infused, which makes it noticeably softer and slightly more energetic than the DNA LOFT v2 in the Ghost 15. This is the big change.
  • Reworked upper. The engineered air mesh is now softer with fewer overlays. Breathability is improved, structure is reduced slightly, but the heel hold remains excellent.
  • Same fit. Brooks did not mess with the fundamentals. The toebox is generously rounded, multiple widths are available, and the heel collar is well-padded.
  • Same 12 mm drop. The high traditional heel drop is unchanged, which means the Ghost remains a safe choice for runners with calf or Achilles issues.

The Ghost 16 looks similar to the Ghost 15, but it feels different. Worth the upgrade if you are a longtime Ghost wearer.

First impressions

The first impression of the Ghost 16 is "comfortable." Not flashy, not technical, not exciting — just comfortable. Step into them and there is no break-in period. The fit is immediately natural, the cushioning feels plush from the first step, and the shoe does nothing to demand your attention.

This is the highest compliment you can pay a daily trainer.

The DNA LOFT v3 has more visible compression than v2. Press your thumb into the midsole and it sinks in noticeably. On the foot, this translates to a softer landing without ever feeling unstable.

The upper is one of the most accommodating in the category. The toebox is rounded rather than tapered, the midfoot is structured but not tight, and the heel hold is excellent. Brooks has consistently produced shoes that fit a wide range of foot shapes, and the Ghost 16 continues that tradition.

On the run

Easy pace is where the Ghost 16 shines. At anywhere between 5:30 and 6:30 per kilometre, the shoe rolls quietly underneath you. There is no rocker to speak of, no obvious propulsion, no design element pushing you toward any particular gait. It just gets out of the way.

This sounds unexciting until you try to do the same thing in a more aggressive shoe. The Ghost is one of the few daily trainers that you can run for 20 km in without ever thinking about your feet, and that quiet competence is its greatest strength.

At moderate pace — 4:45 to 5:30 per kilometre — the Ghost holds up better than the previous version thanks to the new foam. There is more energy return now, and the shoe feels less like it is dampening your effort. You would not race in it, but you can comfortably do a tempo run at half marathon pace and not feel held back.

At fast pace — under 4:30 — the Ghost is overmatched. The foam is too soft to push back efficiently. For intervals or short fast efforts, you want a different shoe. But for everything else, the Ghost is excellent.

It is particularly good as a high-mileage long-run shoe. The cushioning protects tired legs at the back end of a 30 km effort, and the durability means you can use the same pair for months without worrying about midsole pack-out.

Pros

  • Outstanding fit accommodation across foot shapes
  • Multiple widths in both men's and women's sizing
  • New DNA LOFT v3 foam is noticeably plusher and more energetic
  • Exceptional durability — many runners get 800+ km
  • High 12 mm drop suits runners with tight calves or Achilles issues
  • Reasonable price for the quality
  • Holds up to varied terrain — pavement, gravel, treadmill all fine

Cons

  • Not exciting — no obvious "wow" factor
  • Heavier than some competitors at around 280 g
  • Not responsive enough for genuinely fast running
  • The traditional ride feel can seem dated next to rockered shoes
  • Outsole rubber pattern is dated and could be more aggressive

Durability

After 500 km of testing, the Ghost 16 looks almost new. The outsole has visible but moderate wear, the midsole still feels full, and the upper has held up perfectly. Expect 800-1000 km of useful life from a pair, which is exceptional at this price point.

The Ghost has always been one of the best durability shoes in running, and the 16 is no exception. Cost per kilometre is excellent.

Sizing

True to size for almost everyone. The fit is more generous than most brands, so if you are between sizes you can usually go true to size rather than up. If you have wider feet, the 2E and 4E widths are some of the best-fitting wide versions in the industry.

The toebox is rounder than most shoes — bunion sufferers and runners with high-volume forefeet do exceptionally well in the Ghost.

Who should buy the Ghost 16

The Ghost 16 is the right shoe for:

  • Beginners looking for a safe first running shoe
  • High-mileage runners who want a long-lasting, dependable workhorse
  • Runners with wider feet or naturally roomy foot shapes
  • Anyone with calf, Achilles, or plantar fasciitis issues benefiting from a higher drop
  • Marathon trainees who want a forgiving long-run shoe
  • Runners who value consistency over excitement

Who should skip it

The Ghost 16 is less ideal for:

How it compares

Against the Hoka Clifton 9, the Ghost is more traditional, more grounded, and has a higher drop. The Clifton is lighter and more rocker-driven. Pick the Ghost for consistent everyday comfort, the Clifton for long-run efficiency.

Against the Nike Pegasus 41, the Ghost is softer, more accommodating, and less responsive. The Pegasus is firmer and more energetic. Pick the Ghost if comfort matters more than pop, Pegasus if you want some snap.

Against the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, the Ghost is the neutral version. If you over-pronate, go Adrenaline. If you do not, go Ghost.

Final verdict

The Brooks Ghost 16 is the most consistently good daily trainer on the market. It does not win the foam-tech wars, it does not have a sexy plate or rocker geometry, and it does not turn heads at the start line. What it does is fit almost any foot, ride smoothly at any pace, and last forever.

For most runners, this is still the best daily trainer you can buy. After three generations of incremental improvements, the new DNA LOFT v3 midsole finally pushes the Ghost from "consistently good" to "genuinely excellent."

If you are looking for one shoe that will not let you down, this is it.