Brooks Ghost 15 review

Speak to most runners and something they’ll most likely all have in common is Brooks has been part of their running shoe rotation at least once.

Whether it stays there is an entirely different thing. Brooks, well known for creating reliable, high-quality kit, looks to maintain that reputation with the Ghost 15.

Brooks Ghost 15 review

Before we get into the nitty gritty, the Ghost 15 gets a tick for its eco-credentials, as the shoe’s upper is made from 57% recycled materials and is a carbon neutral product.

While there’s still room for improvement, kudos to Brooks for taking it this far.

Weight and comfort

We expected the Ghost 15 to be a weighty shoe given the use of recycled materials in the upper but that’s not the case.

Our men’s size UK7 weighs 260g and, while not as light as a ghost (no apologies for the pun), that’s light for a daily trainer.

The moment we laced up into the Brooks Ghost 15, we were met with immediate comfort.

There’s plenty of padding around the heel and tongue, which team up with the mesh upper for a very comfortable ride.

We found the toe box to be just-right, with lots of flexibility and the shoe runs true to size.

Durability

In terms of durability, the build quality on the upper is superb and we have no doubts it would survive years of use.

That said, we do have some concerns that the relatively thin forefoot area on the outsole will wear out quicker than the heel.

We’ve already noticed scuffing under the forefoot during testing while the heel remained intact.

This may be fine as most runners are heel strikers (even those who don’t think so), but it’s a point to watch out for.

Ride and performance

During testing we found the shoe lacked versatility. We tried it at the track and on some speed sessions, and it just didn’t give us that pop or responsiveness we’d want to feel in a speedy workout shoe.

However, it’s hard to truly fault the shoe for this as it’s designed for munching up easy miles rather than motoring through the gears.

It’s worth mentioning the tongue in the Ghost 15 isn’t gusseted. Not a big deal for us, and we felt like we were still able to get a snug fit, but if that’s a dealbreaker, the Brooks Ghost 15 may not be the shoe for you.

The Brooks Ghost 15 is one of those shoes that does what it says on the box. It’s a respectably light, comfortable daily trainer that anyone can run in.

At £130, this is a great shoe and a low risk buy for anyone wanting to tick off easy daily runs in a plush, comfortable, smooth ride.

Verdict: A no frills, no fuss shoe which gets the thumbs up for those daily miles.

Score: 81%

Pair these with…

2XU Vectr Light Cushion No Show Socks

Given the plush upper and substantial cushioning, you shouldn’t need thick socks to accompany the Ghost 15 shoes.

Instead, something light, breathable and moisture-wicking would suit, and 2XU’s Vectr Light Cushion No Show socks seem to fit the bill.

They’re moisture wicking, have utilised 2.5mm of cushioning and also come with the brand’s X-Lock anti-blister technology, which is promised to support the arch and plantar fascia while locking the foot in place to reduced the risk of blisters.

Mesh panels help with breathability and cooling, while the toe box has been designed to be wide to avoid unwanted pressure on the toes.

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Top image credit: Dave Caudery/Our Media