We Tested the 2 Most Popular Brooks Running Shoes. Here’s Our Verdict.
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WHEN IT COMES to neutral and stability running shoes, Brooks is among the most reliable brands. Our team of fitness trainers and editors has logged countless miles in Brooks sneakers, and can attest to a balance of cushioning and support that suits a wide range of running preferences and fitness levels. Just take a look at the Seattle-based giant's two latest marquee models—the Adrenaline GTS 23 and Ghost 15—which are both highly popular with serious runners and weekend warriors alike. While both models make a great everyday running sneaker, between the two, there may be one that offers a better fit for you.
I'm a certified strength and conditioning specialist with more than six years of experience, and I regularly run and work out in Brooks sneakers. I've spent the past month running in the Adrenaline and Ghost to put them head to head, breaking down the details of what makes each design unique. To dive deeper into the Brooks Adrenaline vs. Ghost debate and consider a broad range of running styles, foot anatomies, and preferences, I tapped the MH team of fitness editors for input, who've been running in various iterations of Brooks shoes for years. Read on for our honest opinion on how these titans stack up, and ultimately, who each shoe may be most suitable for.
Ghost 15
Ghost 15
zappos.com
$139.95
Adrenaline GTS 23
Adrenaline GTS 23
zappos.com
$139.95
Brooks Ghost vs. Adrenaline: Stability
Without a doubt, the Adrenaline reigns supreme in terms of stability. In fact, our fitness editors say that the Adrenaline is one of the best stability running shoes on the market right now, and it was easy for me to see why. The brand's Guiderails technology—a proprietary midsole featuring a soft center and firm sides—supports the arch of the foot to help prevent inward rolling (aka overpronation). This design helps reduce strain on the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the feet. It's a great feature for people whose arches tend to collapse when running, resulting in overpronation.
I recently suggested the Brooks' Adrenaline series to one of my clients who started experiencing knee pain while training for the upcoming NYC United Half Marathon. The switch to the Adrenaline, along with some strength training exercises, helped alleviate some of those symptoms and gave them the confidence to continue on with their training.
SHOP BROOKS GHOST 15 ON ZAPPOS
Brooks Ghost vs Adrenaline: Cushioning
We'll be straight with you: compared to other running shoe brands, Brooks are known primarily for stability, not cushioning. That being said, slip on a pair of Brooks running shoes and you'll find balanced cushioning that softens landings for recovery runs and daily easy miles.
Between the Adrenaline and Ghost, the latter takes the cake when it comes to cushioning. Both models feature the brand's DNA Loft midsole (made from lightweight foam), but I found the Ghost has a softer, more airy ride compared to the Adrenaline. While this is Brooks' softest midsole yet, it's not plush, which makes for a balanced trainer that is comfortable without a massive stack height (think the Ghost Max or most Hoka models).
SHOP BROOKS ADRENALINE GTS 23 ON ZAPPOS
Brooks Ghost vs. Adrenaline: Responsiveness
Responsiveness refers to the shoe's ability to efficiently return energy to the runner with each stride. A responsive running shoe typically uses cushioning and midsole materials that compress upon impact and quickly spring back into shape, helping the runner propel forward.
I found the Ghost slightly edges out the Adrenaline in terms of responsiveness when picking up the speed and changing pace. This is primarily because the Brooks Ghost series provides a more neutral and responsive ride, while the Adrenaline offers more support and motion control. Neither model is the snappiest, fastest shoe in my lineup, meaning I don't reach for them when racing or speed training. However, for a daily training shoe to wear for recovery runs and relaxed miles, neutral runners like myself will likely get more out of the Ghost than the Adrenaline. “The Ghost is one of the most reliable shoe models in all of running, providing comfort and a smooth ride,” MH Senior Fitness Editor Brett Williams, NASM, said in his testing. “I lace them up when I want to knock out mileage without any fuss.”
Brooks Ghost vs. Adrenaline: Comfort and Fit
The Ghost felt comfortable as soon as I first slipped it on, whereas the Adrenaline felt firmer and less inviting through the midsole. I'm neutral runner, meaning I have a neutral gait and no stability issues, so the Adrenaline's extra support felt unnecessarily firm for my needs and what I'm used to.
While other running shoes I've tried typically require a breaking in period, the Ghost fit me surprisingly well fresh out of the box—not too tight and not too loose. It has a relatively wider footbed than other Brooks styles, making it ideal for runners like me who want the room to splay their toes, while still maintaining a secure fit.
Brooks Ghost vs. Adrenaline: Treadmill vs. Road Wear Test
I took the Ghost out on a five kilometer road run when I first tested it, and immediately found it felt responsive and smooth, even when changing speeds. Based on that initial road test, I expected the shoe to also do well on the treadmill, and it didn't disappoint. Since the belt of the tread naturally absorbs some of the impact from strides (and returns a bit of energy at the same time), I don't typically choose a highly cushioned sneaker for treadmill runs. The Ghost's soft-but-not-stacked cushioning felt quite nice opposed to a plusher sneaker, like the Hoka Clifton 9, which, in my opinion, feels too plush on the treadmill. My experience running on the road and tread with the Ghost was very similar, and 100% on par with my expectations. I'd take it out for a road or tread run any day.
As mentioned previously, the Adrenaline is a firmer and more stable shoe than the Ghost, which I noticed immediately during my first road run with it. The Adrenaline felt supportive and solid, and my ankles, which are prone to excessive movement and injury (I'm no stranger to ankle sprains), felt locked in. That being said, I preferred running in the Adrenaline on the treadmill more than on the road. Overall, my strides with the Adrenaline feel smoother and landings feel softer on the treadmill than on the road in this shoe, likely because the belt offers some shock absorption and cushioning that the shoe doesn't.
SHOP ALL BROOKS RUNNING SHOES ON ZAPPOS
What Type of Running Is Each Model Best for?
At risk of getting repetitive here, let's reiterate: the Adrenaline is a stability running shoe designed to provide support and stability for runners who overpronate, while the Ghost offers a slightly more cushioned, softer, smoother ride for runners with a neutral gait.
The Ghost is a good choice for medium to long runs, maintaining reasonable support and cushioning. The Adrenaline serves well for easy runs and recovery runs of 10 kilometers or shorter. Both models feature grippy outsoles to keep you grounded during rainy day runs. However, if you prefer a stacked cushioned shoe that feels super plush and bouncy, you can skip both models.
In terms of treadmill running, the Adrenaline came out on top for me. The Guiderail tech, its primarily stability feature, helped me stay in the middle of the treadmill, rather than swaying from side to side because of a wonky gait. Since I don't need much cushioning from my shoes when running on a treadmill, I like the Adrenaline for a comfortable and consistent ride when I'm in the mood to log mindless miles on the belt.
So, Which Model Reigns Supreme?
The specs of these two models are neck and neck, which makes this match-up very nuanced. Both models have the same type of lightweight foam cushioning lightweight foam cushioning (DNA Loft v2), the same midsole drop (12 mm), and have similar weights (10.1 ounces)—it’s literally a pound-for-pound fight. Other than that, the main similarity I draw from running in the Adrenaline and Ghost is that they are both fairly flat and offer decent stability.
The Ghost offers a more neutral ride and slightly more cushioning without compromising the overall support of the shoe, while the Adrenaline sacrifices some cushioning to make room for additional support. The midsole of the Adrenaline caters towards runners who overpronate, but does not provide the same level of responsiveness as the Ghost.
Both shoes are workhorses designed to handle a ton of miles. Ultimately, if you prioritize responsiveness and a more neutral ride, the Brooks Ghost may be the better choice for you. However, if stability is your main concern and you do a lot of treadmill running, the Brooks Adrenaline may be the more suitable option.
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