Brooks Ghost 9 Review

I have reviewed four shoes from Brooks in the past year.  The Glycerin 13 (which received Runner’s World’s Best Update Award for 2015), the PureFlow 5, the Neuro and the Launch 3 (one of my all time favorites).   They all are great shoes that I use on a rotating basis in my training.   

Brooks is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.  Brooks’ motto is to “Run Happy” but they also try to “Live Green.”  Brooks has four categories for their shoes.

-          Cushion Me – Soft and protective shoes

-          Energize Me – Responsive and springy shoes

-          Connect Me – Light weight and flexible shoes

-          Propel Me – Fast, low-profile shoes   

Shoes in Brooks’ Cushion Me series are soft and protective shoes that are great for training and long runs.  Let’s get the basic specs out of the way.  The Ghost 9 has a 12mm heel drop, is a neutral shoe, and weighs in at 10.6 ounces.  This shoe is ideal for people with medium to high arches and is a great shoe for all road running, from easy runs to races and everything in between.  They may not be your fastest shoes, but are a great performer.  I really like the Glycerin 13, but felt it was a little more sluggish compared to the Ghost 9.  I really liked how natural the transition from heel strike (midfoot strike) to toe off was with the Ghost. 

Brooks used their BioMoGo DNA midsole cushioning that dramatically adapts to each step and stride.  It is also more environmentally friendly, decomposing in less time than other midsole materials out there.  You get a fast heel-to-toe transition with the Full-Length Segmented Crash Pad and Omega Flex Grooves.  The shoe really flexes with your foot for a very smooth ride.  Brooks used blown rubber under the whole outsole for extra durability.  This shoe is built like a beast and should last for quite a while.

The upper material uses Brooks’ engineered mesh to provide structure and stretch where it is needed most.  The mesh is super breathable to keep your feet cool and comfortable.  The Ghost 9 uses special eyelets that make tying your shoes easy. 

Now that I have talked about the different materials, let’s break it down in Layman’s terms.  The Ghost 9 is not the lightest shoe at 10.6 ounces, but the flexibility and the way the shoe is constructed makes it feel much lighter than it actually is.  They are still light enough to not hold you back.  The materials are extremely durable, especially the blown rubber outsole.  There was a decent amount of cushioning but it never felt like it detracted from the performance of the shoes.

My first test run in the Ghost 9 was a 6 mile tempo run.  The shoes just felt great.  I had plenty of traction on the road, gravel, and even dirt.  It just felt great.  The results were repeated on my long runs as well.  It is simply a great shoe with some extra cushion that isn’t too squishy like many of the cushioned shoes out there.

Pros:

Great lacing system

Fit true to size

Great price $120

Looks awesome (several color options)

Light weight at 10.6 ounces

90 Day Trial at Brooks.com (Free Returns)

Brooks Social Media Links

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

Brooks Blog

Brooks keeps putting out great shoes.  I never expected the Ghost 9 to feel as light as it does.  The price point is great starting at $120 on the Brooks website.  You can also find them at your local retailer (click here for locations).  Go to your local running store and give it a test run.  There’s a reason why this was awarded the Best Buy in Runner’s World 2016 Fall Shoe Guide.  Get yours today and let me know what you think. 

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.