Brooks - Ghost 16

Ran with Brooks Ghost 14s for a few years but for some reason the 16s are just worse. Way tighter in front. So I just bought two more pairs of 14s from wherever I could find that had leftovers 😂 Nike Pegasus 41s are also great. Overall, both make me feel so much more in control, instead of running on mush. I did get Brooks Ghost Max 2 for longer (was preparing for a half-marathon) runs but a pair of Ghost 14 or Pegasus 41 would have also been fine. Am female, if that makes a difference.

I love my Ghost 16s

I have: a pair of Ghost Brooks 16, a backup pair of Ghost Brooks 16 in the closet, a pair of Altra Lone Peak 9 for trail running which I don’t really do so they’re my hiking shoes, and a three pairs of Saucony shoes I bought on sale but don’t really fit me so I never use them.  All that to say - one pair of running shoes that are currently used for running. 

You only run races in these? I got some don’t wear them often only if I wanna get a PR or something. Brooks ghost 16 are my daily shoes.

I went to feet fleet as a totally new runner and they suggested a stability shoe. I went with the glycerin GTS and while they are super, super comfortable, after about 7 weeks I thought they were just too soft and cushy. My feet were always sore. Went to a very active and independent running shop to get fitted again and I now am running in the Ghost 16s which I love so much more. I had nothing to compare the glycerins to so I didn’t really know what to expect but I prefer a shoe with less cushion.

So far I prefer the 16s over the 17s and yes they feel very different than the 16s to me, but I’m 5,6”and 145lbs just for reference. The 17s feel more narrow than the 16s and I don’t have wide feet by any means.

Oh wow I didn't even know the 17s were out, nice! I know you've already returned them, but I'm also heavy (currently 210), and also kind of tall (6'7"), but I absolutely hated the 16s when I first got them, took several runs to get them good and broke in, but after that they became my favorite trainer. Had I not gotten them for free I probably would've returned them too, but I'm glad I stuck with them. I have almost 600 miles on my 16s and they're in dire need of replacement, but Brooks loves to make updated versions of previous models feel nothing like the previous one, so hopefully my feet will take to these the way they did to the 16s. Because these look SO MUCH BETTER.

I can only say something about Ghost 16 which I use for walking/work. Did one run in them and I think they are a good allrounder but a bit more neutral than stable. If you also fancy a pretty natural feeling shoe that can go a bit quicker as well, the Hyperion 3 are pretty nice in my opinion. I have the Hyperion 2 GTS and version 3 doesn't come anymore as GTS version but it is quite stable that's why they didn't feel the need to make a dedicated GTS. I never had any durability issues so far with Brooks.

Brooks ghost 16. The ghost 14 were my first proper running shoe, went to the 15 loved those as well, now have about 340M on the 16 and they have been my favorite and still are in the lineup as my recovery run shoe. 17s are out and the prices on 16s have dropped significantly. Reason for choice is simply because it is an easy all around stable shoe. I have ran 5K to half marathons in them as well as survived a week at Univeral without issue. Whatever choice you make, I'd suggest finding somewhere that has the shoes you want and take a lap around the store in them.

Brooks ghost 16. The ghost 14 were my first proper running shoe, went to the 15 loved those as well, now have about 340M on the 16 and they have been my favorite and still are in the lineup as my recovery run shoe. 17s are out and the prices on 16s have dropped significantly. Reason for choice is simply because it is an easy all around stable shoe. I have ran 5K to half marathons in them as well as survived a week at Univeral without issue. Whatever choice you make, I'd suggest finding somewhere that has the shoes you want and take a lap around the store in them.

I've run around 500k on Brooks Trace 3 and decided to try Ghost 16 as I try not to pay more than £100. Even these Ghosts feel bouncy around the house and have a ridiculously wide toe box despite only being a B like my Trace, yet to risk a run. I need a bit of heel drop to ease achilles strain due to my inflexible ankles, but I like to feel the road a bit, Most shoes last me 2 years so have only ever owned 5 pairs in my 10 years of running. How does everyone try so many shoes without paying a fortune or amassing a big collection and having decision paralysis every morning? I've avoided the foamy marshmallow ones up until now after bad experience with some Hokas.