REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable upper
Durable
Relatively stable
REASONS TO AVOID
High drop can feel awkward
Still firmer than it needs to be
Unresponsive
Brooks Ghost 16 Review
Though it lacks plush comfort or speed versatility, this everyday shoe is still a solid option for long-time Ghost fans
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 21, 2025
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Our Verdict
The Brooks Ghost 16 brings some welcome changes to the Ghost lineup, namely an updated DNA Loft v3 midsole foam, without offering more speed-focused technology. This is the most popular running shoe out there, and for long-time fans of this line, this iteration is likely to please. For folks looking for speed, this isn't the most exciting option. The updated foam lacks the resilience to bounce back at quicker paces, and landing transitions feel rough and choppy through the midfoot. The 14 mm drop can also feel unnatural for many runners. That said, for slow-paced jogs, the upper is very comfortable, the geometry is easy to approach, the shoe is extremely durable, and it is pretty stable. All that makes it a safe choice for beginners, leisurely heel strikers, and long-time fans of the Ghost line.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Brooks Ghost 16 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall | Best for Uptempo Training |  Best Under $100 | ||
| Price | $99.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $139.90 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $135 List $134.95 at Amazon | $120 List $84.88 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A reliable shoe that sticks to the basics | A versatile and comfortable option we think most runners will love | A nearly perfect blend of performance and comfort makes this shoe one of the best we’ve tested | A daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price | Plush cushioning and a bit of pace in a budget shoe |
| Rating Categories | Brooks Ghost 16 | Asics Novablast 5 | Adidas Adizero Evo SL | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 | New Balance FuelCel... |
| Cushioning (35.0%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (25.0%) | |||||
| Stability (20.0%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (10.0%) | |||||
| Weight (5.0%) | |||||
| Traction (5.0%) | |||||
| Specifications | Brooks Ghost 16 | Asics Novablast 5 | Adidas Adizero Evo SL | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 | New Balance FuelCel... |
| Sizes Available | 7 - 15 US, narrow, medium, wide & extra wide | 6-15 US, regular & wide | 6.5-16 US, regular | 7 - 14 US, regular | 7-18 US, regular & wide |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
| Best Use | Relaxed running | Relaxed running, versatile for variable paces | Versatile for variable paces | Relaxed running, versatile for variable paces | Relaxed running |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 36 mm | 41 mm | 39 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 14 mm | 5 mm | 9 mm | 11 mm | 7 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | Full-length plastic |
| Rocker Angle | 20.5 deg | 25.0 deg | 23.5 deg | 18.0 deg | 19.0 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 70.0% | 56.0% | 52.0% | 66.7% | 68.3% |
| Measured Weight | 10.30 oz | 9.50 oz | 8.73 oz | 10.07 oz | 10.52 oz |
| Upper | Engineered knit | Engineered jacquard mesh | Engineered mesh | Engineered knit | Engineered mesh |
| Midsole | DNA Loft v3 | FF Blast Max | Lightstrike Pro | Profoam | FuelCell |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR LO | Continental rubber | PumaGrip | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | None | Finger loop | None | None | None |
Our Analysis and Test Results
We get it. The Ghost line is extremely popular, so making radical changes is a huge risk for Brooks. But honestly, this shoe feels more like an option from the mid-2010s than 2024.
The Ghost has improved midsole cushioning, but rides like a retro shoe.
Cushioning
The Ghost 16 brings significantly improved cushioning with the DNA Loft v3 midsole foam and higher forefoot stack. It's comfortable underfoot, particularly when landing at the heel. The foam has less compression than we've come to expect, and while resilience is improved, the shoe still doesn't have much in the way of energy return.
The shoe doesn't compress as much as we expect from more modern foams.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Transitions from the rear of the foot forward are awkward; somewhere around the arch of the foot where we would expect a smooth transition, we instead find a rough drop forward. Thanks to the 14 mm drop, we don't think this is a good choice for anyone who isn't a heel striker. Finally, the foam at the forefoot feels firmer than we'd prefer. That leads to some discomfort over 15+ mile runs.
The low and firm forefoot makes this shoe a poor option for runners who land midfoot and want cushioning.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Upper Comfort
The Ghost 16 upper is quite comfortable, as are most Brooks uppers. The soft materials around the stiff heel prevent rubbing, and we experienced great lockdown. The toe box does run a bit narrower than average, particularly in comparison to other Brooks shoes we've tested. Overall, the shoe takes high marks for upper comfort.
The upper is one of the highlights of this shoe.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
The Ghost 16 is a neutral shoe, but it errs on the side of stability. That's thanks to the crash pads that help direct motion and the lower stack with small sidewalls. We think this is a decent choice for heel strikers who don't need support but prefer a shoe that feels very stable.
This shoe errs on the side of stability for a neutral daily trainer.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Responsiveness
The Ghost 16 is moderately responsive, thanks to the firmer foam and lower stack. The nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 has more energy return. However, the difference isn't as much as we'd hoped. This is a shoe for logging daily miles and enjoying being out at low speeds. It's alright for moderate paces, and it can be wrangled into threshold sessions. However, this isn't a great choice if you're looking for a shoe to run workouts and push your pace.
Between choppy transitions and poor forefoot comfort, this shoe isn't a good choice for uptempo training.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Weight
The Ghost 16 weighs about average for a daily trainer, coming in at 10.31 ounces in our testing. For the daily mileage orientation of the shoe, that's a perfectly acceptable weight.
It's no lightweight, but it isn't too heavy either.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
Overall, traction on the shoe is above average. The durable outsole grips well on wet surfaces, and the rectangular lugs help bite on loose gravel. While we haven't tested it on ice yet, we're confident that the siping and patterning of the outsole should grip well in bad conditions.
The traction of the Ghost 16 is solid, thanks to a durable rubber outsole.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Brooks Ghost 16?
If you absolutely love the Ghost line, this shoe offers a welcome improvement. If you're a heel striker moving at low speeds and you prefer a shoe with a high heel-toe differential, the Ghost might be just what you're looking for. On the other hand, if you're a midfoot striker, quick-paced runner, or you want a shoe that's versatile enough to carry you through workouts that push your limits, there are far better options out there.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you just want a simple daily trainer to handle your miles, you should consider the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 or the Saucony Ride 18. Both have a higher stack but are similarly stable, have more comfortable cushioning, and are far more versatile. They're also cheaper. The Asics Novablast 5 is one of our favorite daily trainers, sits at the same price point as the Ghost 16, and significantly outperforms it as well. If you want to stick with Brooks, check out the Brooks Glycerin 22, which has better cushioning, transitions, and a touch more versatility, although not much.
—Nathaniel Bailey
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