REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Reliable
More breathable than previous versions
Well-tractioned
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks tech
Not built for speed
Brooks Ghost 16 - Women's Review
With a 10 mm drop, this updated version is as reliable, stable, and perfect for moderate running as ever
Breathable and stable, the Ghost is made for runners seeking a stable ride above all else.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
By Ally Arcuri ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ June 16, 2025
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
The Brooks Ghost 16 has been minorly updated to be a more comfortable, lightweight road shoe, and I love the new updates. While the overall fit of the shoe feels nearly identical to its predecessor, its new nitrogen-infused midsole provides a bit more bounce and underfoot rebound. The Ghost has always ridden like every runner's most reliable shoe — one without a lot of bells and whistles. With a 10 mm drop, plentiful cushion, and a way of accommodating your unique foot shape, the Ghost remains a familiar, reliable shoe that is a solid choice for daily running and walking.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The heel of the Brooks Ghost 16 stands 33 mm high, providing a comfortable amount of cushion beneath the rear foot. The DNA Loft v3 midsole offers a smooth underfoot feel, with its 10 mm differential helping each footfall roll into the next.
Severing the Ghost 16 in half to get a better look at its smooth interior.
Cushioning
One of the highlights of the Ghost is its underfoot cushion. It doesn't have a double-stuffed style stack, but it offers plenty of cushion in all of the right places. The Ghost is comfortable, but not in a maximalist way. Its rearfoot sits at 33 mm while its forefoot sits at a much lower 23 mm off the ground. That 23 mm is stuffed with predominantly recycled materials-turned-cushion with a hefty dose of nitrogen-infused foam. The culmination of these materials and the Ghost's segmented CrashPad landing make this a shoe you can wear all day, from punishing road miles to the gym and then to work. A few internet reviews noted that the Ghost lacks a bit of arch support. The Ghost is a neutral shoe, so its ride feels less supportive than some of Brooks' more structured shoes. For all-day running comfort, the landing comfort and cushioning of the Ghost 16 are smooth and creamy without feeling overstuffed or overstacked.
While the Ghost is one of the more basic shoes in our lineup, it provides enough comfort, stability, and traction for moderate running.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Upper Comfort
Aside from its updated midsole, this is where the new Brooks Ghost has seen a bit of a glow-up. With each release, Brooks seems to make its uppers feel a bit lighter and more breathable. The redesigned engineered mesh upper is smooth to the touch and remains breezy and comfortable on warm days. The levity of the upper textiles doesn't compromise the stability or durability of the upper, making it a great choice for summer marathon training and beyond.
Simple and breezy, the upper of the Ghost lets the air flow as you tackle warm miles.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
Brooks is known for making reliable and stable shoes, and the new Ghost follows that model perfectly. While the Ghost is not a shoe with built-in supports for stability, its overall ride, forgivingly rigid structure, and heel collar cushion help your ankles stay strong as you run. This is actually a great shoe to consider for runners seeking a daily trainer that is stable and plush without feeling over-architectured. It doesn't offer very strong arch support, but it feels very similar to all of the previous versions from this line. The stability of the Ghost hasn't been upgraded, but it holds true to its history in that it is stable, strong, and ready to tackle long, slow distances with you.
Though marketed as a neutral running shoe, amid a sea of high-stack, speed-focused runners, the Ghost rides like your tried-and-true stability shoe.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
While the upper textiles of the new Ghost 16 feel lighter and breezier, the overall weight of the shoe is 0.01 oz heavier than the Ghost 15. I love picking apart each detail of my running shoes, but that minor of a weight difference is truly negligible. The Ghost is a plush, well-built shoe that isn't really meant to feel light or streamlined. Each women's size 6.5 shoe weighs 7.70 ounces. As road shoe materials are getting lighter and lighter, this weight remains firmly planted in the middle of the pack. The weight and bulk of the Ghost may prevent it from being your go-to tempo running and racing shoe, but for mellow miles and long training days, it offers the support and comfort that many runners need.
The 7.70-ounce weight of a women's size 6.5 running shoe is about average across our collection. Not meant for speed, the weight of the Ghost is neither something to be excited about nor disappointed by.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
The Ghost has great traction. It held its grip well on most surfaces, save for an algae-slick rock I attempted to find purchase on while crossing a stream. Since the Ghost is made for stability, it makes sense that it comes with a beefier rubber outsole than many of its competitors. Still not a trail shoe, this stable and comfortable runner is trustworthy enough for mild dirt paths and the like.
With a slightly thick and texturize lug pattern, the Ghost is great for traversing mild kinds of organic earth.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Brooks Ghost 16?
Depending on your running needs, yes. There is nothing wrong with the Ghost, which is something I need to make very clear since it scores lower than many of the other shoes in our lineup. It doesn't offer exceptional responsiveness, out-of-this-world stability, or a profoundly lightweight. This is the kind of shoe that you buy when you want a ride-or-die shoe for long miles in comfort. Time after time, the Ghost is a shoe that I am super happy to have in my closet for average runs, long days of walking, or unending standing work. Runners who want a regular running shoe will find that the Ghost is one of the most reliable road shoes on the market.
The Ghost is a great addition to any runner's shoe collection because of its reliability and familiarity. It isn't going to be the best race-paced shoe, but for predictable comfort and stability, we don't hesitate to recommend the new and improved Brooks Ghost.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If the Ghost sounds like it's a great match for you but you want something with a bit more stability, I don't hesitate to recommend Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24. Constructed with the same body style and comfortable cushion, the Adrenaline provides lateral GuideRails for additional stability. The Asics Gel Kayano 31 is another stability favorite with plenty of underfoot cushion. If you want a shoe with a bit more versatility, pizzazz, and pep, one of my favorite pairs, the Asics Novablast 5, is a seriously comfortable contender for you to consider.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Brooks Ghost 16 - Women's versus top competing products:
—Ally Arcuri
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