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Should you’re contemplating a shoe from Brooks, you might be torn between the Brooks Ghost vs Brooks Glycerin. Whereas each footwear are designed to offer a snug and supportive operating expertise, they’ve completely different options that cater to completely different runner wants. We’ll additionally throw within the Brooks Ghost Max and Brooks Adrenaline for comparability!


The good information is these are each very long time favorites of many runners, so that you’re already heading down the trail of selecting a operating shoe that you must take pleasure in for a lot of miles.
AND a shoe that can seemingly be round for a lot of extra fashions. As a result of let’s be sincere, nothing is worse than falling in love with a shoe and having it disappear (been there!).
Over time, I’ve run in a wide range of Brooks trainers, together with each of those.
On this article, we’ll evaluate the Brooks Ghost vs Brooks Glycerine vs Brooks Adrenaline that can assist you decide which shoe is the precise match on your operating wants. We’ll study the match, really feel, and particular options of every shoe, so you can also make an knowledgeable choice in terms of your subsequent pair of trainers.
Brooks Ghost vs Brooks Glycerin Overview
Brooks Ghost and Brooks Glycerin are two very completely different footwear that cater to completely different wants on the street or the path.
The Brooks Ghost is a superb possibility for runners who worth cushion and luxury in each day coach.
Alternatively, the Brooks Glycerin GTS is a shoe designed for stability and assist. It incorporates a GuideRails assist system that helps maintain the physique aligned and reduces extra motion whereas operating.
The Glycerin with out the GTS label is a impartial shoe with slightly extra cushion, slightly extra weight and slightly extra stability with the broader base than the Ghost.
Each footwear make the most of the identical cushioning system, so we’ll contact extra on that under. The Glycerin has the next stack peak and thus extra of the v3 cushion which may make it really feel a tad extra plush. My Ghost’s are fairly damaged in at this level and really feel lots smooth to me, so this wasn’t an enormous distinction.
However with the addition of the soundness to the GST mannequin, the shoe goes to really feel firmer. It’s a real stability shoe, in comparison with some newer fashions like HOKA that are utilizing a wider base and stack peak to create stability with out controlling foot movement.
But these two are nonetheless very related, it actually comes right down to really feel and performance.
- Similar cushioning system, 3mm extra cushion within the Glycerin
- Further 1mm of cushion within the Ghost Max to make it highest stack peak
- Tremendous related in weight
- 10mm drop in Glycerin
- 12mm drop in Ghost and Adrenaline
- Glycerin GTS and Adrenaline GTS are each stability footwear
- Glycerin is larger worth level as a consequence of extra cushion
- Glycerin has a barely wider toebox than the Ghost
- Adrenaline is the firmest of the 4 footwear
- Glycerin higher feels a bit hotter
Each footwear run true to dimension in comparison with different manufacturers.
Brooks DNA Loft Cushioning
Brooks DNA Loft is a cushioning know-how utilized in a few of Brooks’ trainers that mixes their DNA foam with a smooth, air-filled rubber compound. This mixture ends in an opulent, responsive really feel that’s designed to offer most consolation and assist throughout a run.
The froth used within the DNA Loft know-how adapts to the runner’s stride, offering cushioning the place it’s wanted most whereas additionally delivering vitality return to propel the runner ahead. The air-filled rubber compound is strategically positioned within the midsole to offer extra cushioning and shock absorption with out including additional weight to the shoe.
But it surely’s a lot extra than simply air right here. There may be lots of know-how taking place, “Utilizing the proprietary DNA LOFT cushioning as our base, we infuse it with nitrogen via a supercritical foaming course of that heats the liquid nitrogen till it turns to gasoline.”
Right here’s how this stacks as much as their different shoe cushions:
- DNA AMP gives essentially the most vitality return of all Brooks cushioning applied sciences, giving runners a full of life, springy experience that propels them ahead throughout their runs.
- BioMoGo DNA strikes a steadiness between softness and responsiveness, providing a snug really feel that’s softer than DNA AMP, however firmer than DNA LOFT.
- DNA FLASH is Brooks’ light-weight cushioning know-how, designed for velocity. It’s not as plush as DNA LOFT, however nonetheless gives a smooth, snug experience that’s very best for racing and fast-paced coaching. Moreover, DNA FLASH is infused with nitrogen for added efficiency advantages.
Technically the Glycerin makes use of the DNA Loft v3 model the place the Ghost makes use of the v2 model and so the Glycerin ought to be softer. They typically name it plush, however having examined a TON Of cushioned trainers, I wouldn’t name it plush.
Should you love a impartial each day coach that may deal with some mileage, I feel the Brooks Ghost 15 goes to make you very completely happy. Although the heel drop is larger than I usually use, I discovered it much less noticeable than in different trainers.
It’s not the lightest shoe, which is why I say is a superb coaching shoe, however not usually what I’d select for a PR race day. For instance, the Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 is definitely a full 1 oz lighter. Nevertheless, it’s additionally a extra maximal shoe and never everybody enjoys that model.
An incredible choose for cushioned impartial Brooks shoe for each day simple runs with the next heel drop.
Larger heel drop will be helpful in case you have Achilles ache whereas operating or probably for heel strikers. I’m unsure I at all times agree with that second level as a result of perhaps the shoe is contributing to the heel strike relatively than simply softening the touchdown…however hen or egg my mates.
I discovered this shoe to be proper within the center when it comes to cushion. Not so plush that I’m sinking in and never so skinny on cushion that my legs are noticing it by the top of a run.
- Impartial shoe
- 12 mm heel drop
- 9.1 oz girls’s, 10.1 oz males’s
- Average cushion
- Obtainable in 8 colours
- Obtainable in Huge
- Obtainable on BrooksRunning.com, Amazon, Zappos and retail shops for $140
Brooks Ghost Max Overview
Looks like this needs to be talked about right here as a result of so many at the moment are leaning in to the larger stack and extra cushion.
The Brooks Ghost is a vastly in style shoe, so after all they’d need to benefit from that when launching a brand new shoe. However my first take was a swing and a miss. I’d a lot relatively maintain operating within the Brooks Ghost.
That may not be a well-liked opinion and am I speculated to say that as somebody who hopes they may maintain sending me footwear to assessment? Dunno, however actually is what you’ll get right here.
I discovered the Ghost to be softer, whereas the Max is perhaps extra secure. So it might be the marginally extra cushioned secure possibility if you happen to aren’t wanting to choose up a assist shoe. Although we have now to say this shoe appears like an orthopedic assist shoe.
It’s not that I didn’t take pleasure in my runs on this shoe! It merely didn’t appear to be a greater possibility than the Ghost, Glycerin or Adrenaline on any stage besides the decrease heel drop.
- Impartial shoe
- 6 mm heel drop
- 9 oz girls’s, 10 oz males’s
- Average cushion
- Obtainable in 7 colours
- Obtainable in Huge
- Obtainable on BrooksRunning.com, Amazon, Zappos and retail shops for $170
The plushiest mannequin within the Brooks line options loads of DNA Loft foam, plus the Ortholite sock liner. That is designed to be the plushest experience they’ve with not solely their signature DNA, however a brand new nitro infused midsole.
To be clear whereas it is perhaps their max coach, as famous above it’s not the cushiest or softest each day coach that I’ve run in just lately. It’s extra cushion than the Ghost, however solely marginally in my view.
So what actually units the 2 aside for me is the broader toebox and the distinction heel drop.
Lots of people LOVE this shoe who spend all day on their ft and I can completely see why. It’s very snug for operating, strolling or standing round. And like most of the greater stack heights, it appears to have a barely wider base so it feels actually secure.
This has been a go to advice shoe for operating with bunions. It does have a wider toebox than the ghost.


The GTS model is their stability possibility, the place the shoe with out that label is impartial!
The general cushion across the heel and tongue are perhaps slightly greater than the Ghost, however very related.
- Impartial and stability choices
- 10mm drop
- 8.8 oz girls’s, 9.8 oz males’s
- Obtainable in 7 colours
- Obtainable in vast
- Discover it on Brooksrunning.com for $160
The “GTS” in Brooks Adrenaline GTS stands for “Go-To-Help.” It’s a nod to the truth that the Adrenaline GTS has change into a go-to shoe for a lot of runners who prioritize stability, assist, and luxury of their trainers. It’s merely gotten lighter and fewer inflexible over time!
The Adrenaline GTS has been a staple in Brooks’ operating shoe lineup for a few years, and its recognition amongst runners has made it a top-selling shoe within the trade.
One of many standout options of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS is its GuideRails assist system. This know-how helps maintain the physique aligned and reduces extra motion whereas operating, which will be significantly necessary for runners who overpronate or produce other gait points. The GuideRails assist system works by gently guiding the foot and ankle into correct alignment, serving to forestall knee and hip ache and lowering the chance of damage.
It’s a shoe that’s well-suited for runners who want stability and assist, significantly these with overpronation or different gait points. It’s additionally a fantastic selection for runners who desire a snug, cushioned experience with out sacrificing responsiveness or efficiency.
- Stability shoe
- 12 mm heel drop
- 9 oz girls’s, 10.2 oz males’s
- Average cushion
- Obtainable in 20 colours
- Obtainable in Huge
- Obtainable on BrooksRunning.com, Amazon, Zappos and retail shops for $140
When to Select the Glycerin over the Ghost?
As famous these two are actually related, however I feel the deciding issue might come right down to what you need out of your shoe. If you would like an throughout each day coach that you may additionally use for some tempo work, then the Ghost goes to be your winner.
Once you need slightly extra cushion and a lightweight feeling of stability (not the GTS mannequin) then the Glycerin goes to be your winner.
If you would like stability initially you then’ll go along with the Adrenaline, although it would really feel the least smooth of the 4 footwear.
As I stated to begin, all of those footwear will be nice choices. So lots of it comes right down to what feels good for you as a result of that’s truly a giant piece of avoiding damage.
I like to recommend shopping for from Brooks or your native operating retailer, as a result of you may take them for just a few runs and return if it’s simply not figuring out.
Drawbacks to Brooks Operating Footwear
As famous, each runner has a choice, so there are only a couple of issues from my expertise.
- They don’t seem to be very best for these with excessive arches or a excessive mid-foot
- Most of them run a bit extra slim than say HOKA or Altra, however not as slim as Saucony and Nike
- Nonetheless a really conventional wanting run shoe, not vogue ahead
- Vivid colours or white dominate the choices
- Restricted big variety
All proper, hopefully this Brooks Ghost vs Glycerin breakdown gave you the insights you wanted to choose the right shoe! The excellent news is, you’re by no means married to at least one operating shoe for all times! You’ll be able to maintain testing and testing til you discover the one which works RIGHT NOW.
Your ft and physique change, so you might change what footwear you like over time.
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