ADRIENNE: The Brooks Ghost: a stalwart of specialty store sales racks and the unofficial gateway drug to the sport of running. Comfortable, dependable, and fairly cushy, these things sell like crazy. I guess buying a relatively no-frills daily trainer is the way to go if you’re testing the waters of this crazy sport. The Ghost 14 continues its lineage of no-nonsense running with a few updates.
ROBBE: Like Adrienne said, the Ghost is one of those tried-and-true staples of the running scene. You put it on your foot, you run a lot of miles, it feels pretty good, and then you buy the next version. Not much changes, which can be good (and bad). That said, we’ll tell you what does change and whether that matters or not.
ADRIENNE: Starting with the upper, the Ghost 14 features a similar engineered mesh to the 13 while further enhancing breathability. When I took these things out, it was well over 80 degrees (a Texas 80) and my feet shockingly didn’t feel like they were melting. The lacing system has also gotten a makeover, as they seem slightly broader and Brooks decided to go with reinforced slits this time around. I gotta admit, these changes feel nice on foot. The biggest difference may be the now built-up heel counter. This could go either way depending on runner preference, but this thing feels plush in the back with zero irritation whatsoever.
Following in the footsteps of its older brother, the Glycerin, the Ghost 14’s midsole is now 100% DNA Loft. The air-injected EVA is soft to the touch and forgiving without being too mushy. That classic 12 mm drop feels great with the new foam.
If you like plenty of rubber on your outsoles, the Ghost 14 has you covered. This shoe will haunt hundreds of miles, no problem. Despite that rubber coverage, flexibility is pretty decent, especially in the forefoot. Fair warning: this shoe takes a minute to break in.
I said this shoe was a gateway drug into running because of its soft, no-frills ride. Not everyone is ready for that second-mortgage super shoe world. The Ghost is one of the more reliable running shoes out there. Those who tend to heel strike will get the most out of it with the high drop, but any striker will feel the plush, forgiving sensation. It’s great for daily easy runs and leaves legs feeling fresh for the next day’s grind.
ROBBE: Look, this is a straightforward shoe. It’s impossible to say it’s a bad shoe, because it’s such a solid shoe. It has a pretty soft (but not too soft) full DNA Loft midsole, a super comfortable upper, and plenty of outsole rubber. Speaking of outsole rubber, you can wear this thing forever. You people out there sporting the Ghost 9, you know I’m talking about. It’s a perfect shoe for those who don’t want to think about what they want in a running shoe, or who are new to running and don’t know their specific preferences.
Get it for all those miles you’ll be racking up, from everyday mile runs to marathon training long runs. And in case you’re wondering, aside from the DNA Loft midsole, not a ton has changed from the last version. So if you liked the 13, you’ll definitely enjoy this.
Shop Ghost 14 – Men Shop Ghost 14 – Women
ADRIENNE: The biggest knock on the Ghost 14 is that it’s too predictable. While comfortable, this shoe features an uninspiring ride. It’s hard to pick up the pace, and those who are used to lower drops will struggle.
ROBBE: Again, I agree with Adrienne. This shoe has one speed, like a John Deere lawn tractor with a governor on it. It’s made to stack hay, giving you easy, everyday miles, and that’s about it. On the scale, it’s very average for its weight, but because of the thick-ass layer of rubber on the outsole, it comes off as bottom-heavy. If you’re into that sort of thing, cool.
Like I said, for most runners, this shoe will work. If you go into your local running store, they’ll probably put you in this and you’ll be happy. But if you’re looking for something new and different and exciting, well… this ain’t it. You want the Brooks Aurora-BL.
Shop Ghost 14 – Men Shop Ghost 14 – Women
ADRIENNE: The Brooks Ghost 14 sticks with its formula of a cushioned ride and fairly plush upper. This is an easy pick-up for your everyday, recovery day, and long day runs that will last hundreds of miles. At $130 retail, you can’t go wrong with the Ghost 14.
ROBBE: This review probably isn’t that exciting. And for that, I apologize. But nobody gets excited for the ballplayer who hits .290 with 25 home runs every year for 20 years. They want someone who burns bright and fast, launching moonshots into the bleachers. The Brooks Ghost 14 is not that superstar. But it is a reliable workhorse that will get you to the postseason.
You can pick up the Brooks Ghost 14 for $130 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.
Shop Ghost 14 – Men Shop Ghost 14 – Women
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As an O’s fan, I’m not sure I want the guy that blasts moonshots anymore. Chris Davis was enough of that
But if we had kept Nelson Cruz you’d be singing a different tune…
Who do I have to pay off at Brooks to get a 10mm drop on this? Because otherwise the Ghost is a perfect ultra-durable easy/long day shoe. They just feel so clunky until I grind a few mms off that heel about 100 miles in.
Robbe,
Your baseball stats reference wasn’t too far off of a guy you might have heard of named Henry Aaron. He didn’t hit moon shots but he did bat 305 and managed to hit 30 or more homes in 15 seasons (24 0r more for 20 straight seasons). And he still is number 1 in RBIs despite playing before anabolic steroids sullied the game (looking at you Barry Bonds). You tell any Coach or General Manager that he xan have a choice between that or an Alex Rodriguez or Mark McGuire and without exception they’re saying Oh, Henry!