Brooks Ghost 14 Review Analysis

Published on: 12/18/2021
Last update: 07/05/2022

The Brooks Ghost 14 is a comfortable and versatile shoe with soft cushioning and a flexible foot lockdown.

The Consensus

Discover the latest version: Brooks Ghost 15 (2023)!

Brooks Ghost 14 Complete Review Analysis

Introduction

After version 13 received a mixed reception, Brooks returned to the drawing board to deliver the Brooks Ghost 14 with an updated configuration, including new cushioning.

In 2021, Brooks’ challenge is to maintain its bestselling shoe by modernizing it without losing the magic formula that earned the shoe its reputation throughout the years. It’s a running some that aims to be universal (in every sense of the word) to suit both beginners and experienced athletes for daily workouts.

As a result, the American brand’s approach is to soften the shoe and make it more responsive without jeopardizing the traditional configuration of the Ghost that fans of the series rely on.

The evolution is also at the sustainability and ethical level: it’s one of the first carbon-neutral shoes globally!

All in all, quite a challenge in this new carbon-fiber plated era! Let’s see if Brooks has managed to pull it off.

Cushioning

DNA Loft Foam

The main criticism of the Ghost 13 was that its midsole was too soft. Indeed, while historically, the previous versions were relatively firm and rigid with a good structure, the G13 made a bet to break with tradition and offer a much softer ride. Some runners liked it but not all. The consensus was that this softness was too mushy and significantly limited the responsiveness, especially under the forefoot.

The Brooks Ghost 14 retains this soft approach with a hint of firmness. Runners note that the shoe is still among the softest available in its category.

The real improvement is the bounce: the shoe uses a single DNA Loft midsole cushioning unit (instead of a dual-density blend with BioMoGo DNA before). Testers agree that the road running shoe offers a slight energy return for a more lively ride. The result is not extraordinary, but the shoe has the merit of being versatile: the comfort is there for easy runs and more vigorous sessions.

Finally, it’s important to note that one of the testers’ main criticisms concerns the high drop of the shoe: 12 mm. It’s funny because this drop was standard a few years ago, but things have changed, and the average is now closer to 8 mm. Only a few “traditional” models like the Ghost, the Mizuno Wave Rider, or the Asics Gel Nimbus continue to cling to this “high” drop.

Lastly, the shoe comes with a stack height of 31 mm under the heel and 19 mm under the toes, which runners say gives quite a contrast. Indeed, while the heel offers a well-cushioned feel, the forefoot appears barer in comparison.

Foot lockdown (upper)

Engineered mesh upper

We told you in the introduction that Brooks wanted to modernize its flagship shoe. It translates into a more flexible and thinner (and therefore more breathable) engineered mesh at the upper level. However, the weight remains the same, with 10 oz for men and 8.8 oz for women, which is reasonable.

Testers found the upper very comfortable! The fit is soft and pleasant with a relaxed foot lockdown. The heel collar is thick but padded to lock in the foot gently.

In terms of volume, the toe box is ample, maybe even too spacious, according to some users.

In short, Brooks chose comfort over performance. The mesh offers a good foot lockdown but risks feeling unstructured if you like a snugger fit.

Finally, note that the Brooks Ghost 14 is 100% vegan (like all Brooks shoes) with a neutral carbon footprint. Brooks is at the forefront of ecology and animal welfare, and we hope that many brands will follow in the same direction (the brand plans to be fully carbon-neutral by 2040, see here for more information).

Grip and durability

Rubber, Omega Flex Grooves, segmented crash pad

Now, the Ghost 14 being a Brooks, you almost want to skip this part as it’s so obvious: the outsole is super sturdy with an ingenious design to complement the cushioning effectiveness. It’s standard on all of the brand’s shoes (except maybe the Brooks Hyperion Elite…).

Testers confirm that this new Ghost is durable: they found no signs of wear even after several long runs. In other words, you can expect to put many miles on these shoes.

There’s durable and firm rubber on the lateral side and a softer rubber on the rest of the sole. Flex grooves partition the whole thing to maximize the shoe’s flexibility.  You can expect smooth transitions from heel to toe at any pace and effective traction, even on wet pavement.

The Ride

The 14th edition of the Ghost is still a daily trainer with a classic design. It’s good to see that, no matter how much the shoe has evolved over the years, it has remained true to its DNA.

Testers note that this running shoe feels great over any distance and at all paces. The underfoot feel is soft, with a slight bounce that was missing from the previous version. The cushioning offers a good level of shock absorption for a cushioned experience, even on long runs. Of course, without a carbon plate or rocker, the shoe may seem bland if you’ve succumbed to the trend and become addicted to this type of “kick.” However, this new iteration serves its purpose well and is perfect for everyday use. If you are looking for a fast shoe for speed work, another model seems more suitable.

There’s one thing to watch out for: in the past, the Ghost offered more structure (both in the sole and upper), giving good stability. The new Brooks Ghost 14 may be less suitable for runners with overpronation than in the past by providing more softness, flexibility, and less structure, hence less support.

Conclusion

After a version 13 marked by too soft cushioning and lacking responsiveness, the Brooks Ghost 14 seduces with a new, more responsive conception, especially under the forefoot for a more peppy toe-off.

The daily trainer remains versatile and accessible to everyone with its outstanding comfort and traditional design, ideal for everyday runs. It’s a flexible shoe recommended for all levels of experience unless you are an overpronator and need more stability or if you’re looking for a more secure fit in general.

In line with the brand’s reputation, the shoe offers premium quality for optimal durability. Finally, it’s great to see a carbon-neutral shoe made with 100% vegan materials!

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use

Comparisons – Brooks Ghost 14 vs.:

Brooks Ghost 13

What is the difference between the Brooks Ghost 13 and the 14? The Ghost 14 was released in July 2021 and offers more responsive cushioning. Indeed, the consensus is that the G13 was too soft to provide a lively ride. The Ghost 14 corrects this by adding a slight firmness to facilitate more responsiveness. Also, Brooks now uses only DNA Loft foam (first generation, not v2 as on the Cascadia or v3 as on the Aurora).

For the rest, the weight is similar; the stack height and drop of the sole are the same. The quality is also excellent both shoes are expected to last hundreds of miles.

However, the Ghost 14 fits a bit looser which may be disconcerting if used to a tight lockdown. If you have narrow feet, you may have to go down a size or two.

So Brooks Ghost 13 or 14? If you don’t have stability issues, the 14 is a better choice for its responsiveness.

Brooks Glycerin 19

See the side-by-side comparison with our comments.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21

See the side-by-side comparison with our comments.

Mizuno Wave Rider 25

See the side-by-side comparison with our comments.

Saucony Ride 14

See the side-by-side comparison with our comments.

Hoka Clifton 8

The Clifton is very similar but with one significant difference. Check out our analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)