The Brooks Ghost Trail. All photos: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
It’s the perfect time to be in the market for a shoe in the road-to-trail or gravel category, and the Brooks Ghost Trail ($150) stands out with ample cushioning and that smooth, road shoe roll-through feel that lends itself to comfort over longer miles. This genre of shoes has a bit more cushioning for paved sections than normal trail shoes, but with enough outsole traction that they are adept at cruising over smooth, non-technical trails and gravel roads as well. The outsoles are typically less aggressive than most trail shoes and struggle at challenging angles and footing situations, but they are better at handling the dirt over hill and dale than a standard road shoe.
In the past year, I’ve reviewed several shoes that could be classified as road-to-trail shoes. I loved the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 (review) and Salomon Pulsar Trail (review), both of which feel closer to true trail shoes than road shoes, yet remain quick and agile over easier terrain at sub-ultra distances. With a stronger connection to the Brooks road heritage, the Ghost Trail leans further to the road side of the spectrum. I’m currently using them for the bulk of my hilly winter runs that take place close to home on smoother trails, crushed gravel, and the occasional dirt road. My feet are enjoying the added cushioning during this dry winter while I wait for moisture to soften the dirt surfaces a bit.
The 36.5-millimeter stack height at the heel and 28.5-millimeter stack at the forefoot provides my personal favorite 8-millimeter drop, so the running feels stress-free and fluid. The shoe has an actual weight of 10.4 ounces (294 grams) for a U.S. men’s 9, and while not quite as light as some shoes, it is very comfortable over long miles, yet still lets me press the pace. If I need more agility and true speed, I may opt for one of the other road-to-trail shoes I mentioned above. In comparison with other Brooks shoes, the Ghost Trail sits between the Brooks Ghost 17 (review) road shoe and the Brooks Ghost Max. It is also very similar to the Brooks Cascadia 19 (review) in weight, but trends closer to the Ghost 17 road shoe in the feel while running.
I found this shoe to fit true to size, on par with Nike.
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Brooks Ghost Trail Upper
A lateral view of the Brooks Ghost Trail.
The Brooks Ghost Trail upper is made of mostly recycled materials, with the bulk constructed of breathable, soft, air-mesh material reinforced by a 3D printed layer for the relatively flexible toe cap and unobtrusive abrasion reinforcements down the sides. Further lightweight structure is added with a dense Brooks logo on either side of the midfoot and thinner strips through the medial and lateral aspects of the shoe.
The heel cup provides firm security, and the perfectly padded ankle collar has a low profile such that the ankle bones and Achilles are supported but not negatively impacted in any way. Laces are woven through reinforced loops and slits, which are surprisingly sturdy, and the whole lacing system lies flat over the top of the foot. Interestingly, the tongue is not gusseted, which I didn’t realize until I was really inspecting the shoe for this review. I’ve had no issues with the tongue sliding off the foot, and the padding is the perfect weight and thickness for my preferences. A simple heel loop — correctly sized for fingers — allows for easy on and off.
From an experience perspective, the upper feels super comfortable, like your favorite road shoe, but has just enough added structure so that my feet stay centered on the shoe even as I run quickly around switchbacks or sloping corners. They don’t have quite enough structure for true technical and off-camber rocky terrain, but that’s not what the shoe is designed for. The shoes breathe well, drain quickly, and are easily dry by the next day if I happen to hit some puddles in the middle of my run. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them in hot summer weather — most of my testing has been mildly cold to moderate temperatures — as the mesh runs the fine line between breathability and keeping dust out effectively.
My only challenge with the upper is the laces. Somehow, I never get them quite right on the first tie. Perhaps due to the extra-strong lace holes and lack of stretch there, my standard lacing habits result in over-tightening the laces over my midfoot, and invariably, I have to readjust them about two minutes into my run. I’ve got over 200 miles in the shoes, and I still struggle with this on almost every run. A double knot is also mandatory, as the laces often come undone with anything but a very tight knot. In the end, this is a very small issue, and I could be more mindful as I tie them, but it’s an interesting thing that somehow does not arise for me with other footwear.
Brooks Ghost Trail Midsole
A medial view of the Brooks Ghost Trail.
The Brooks Ghost Trail midsole may be one of my favorite ones currently on the road-to-trail market due to the dynamic cushioning that provides dialed-in support without veering into the boggy or bouncy territory. Every step allows smooth, easy forward propulsion, like you expect from a road shoe. Every landing receives firm, responsive protection that keeps my feet and legs happy even after 15 to 20 miles of hard dirt.
Brooks uses the same nitrogen-infused DNA Loft V3 in the Ghost Trail as they have in their Ghost 17 road shoe and the Cascadia 19, and it is equally adept on the road and on gentler trails. It’s worth noting that the Ghost Trail lacks the flexible rock plate of the Cascadia, so if you mistakenly find yourself on a technical and rock-strewn segment of trail, wise foot placement is key not only for midsole performance but for traction and comfort. That aside, for me, the Ghost Trail feels more suited to easier trails and dirt roads than a total pavement run, perhaps due to how the whole shoe comes together.
Brooks sculpted the midsole with a little more prominence along the sides and rear of the shoe. The outer edge of the midsole rises from toe to heel, which provides a bit more protection from trail elements. Combined with the lightly structured upper and the traction provided by the outsole, this incredible midsole really lets those buffed dirt miles fly by.
Brooks Ghost Trail Outsole
The outsole of the Brooks Ghost Trail.
The outsole of the Brooks Ghost Trail is much better suited to handle a variety of surfaces than the Ghost road shoe. The Brooks TrailTack Green rubber is well suited for both wet and dry surfaces, and while the 3-millimeter lugs, which are in a linked chevrons pattern, are very low profile and lack grip in mud and snow, they are excellent for striding up or down that thin film of gravel, dust, debris that often lies atop smoother trail surfaces. The outsole grips well on both damp and dry surfaces, and hitting the occasional wet root or rock slab is no trouble for this rubber compound’s excellent traction. The cutouts through the middle of the heel lighten the shoe and improve the flexibility of the outsole surface. The durability is proving impressive when compared to the Ghost road shoe. With 200-plus miles in the shoe, there is no sign of wear or breakdown, even where I land as a heel striker.
While the outsole performs impressively for what it is, I have had a few interesting experiences when traversing some snowy and icy segments on both trail and dirt road. This outsole, in my experience, is categorically not built for that. I may or may not have looked like a baby deer on new legs as I skated, rotated, and danced my way to the dirt edge of the icy patch. To be safe, after doing this on three different runs, I decided to stick to routes I knew had no surprise snow sections when running in these shoes.
Brooks Ghost Trail Overall Impressions
A top view of the Brooks Ghost Trail.
Overall, I absolutely love the Brooks Ghost Trail for my daily runs on relatively buffed singletrack, gravel paths, and the occasional dirt road — particularly if I’m running longer, feeling a little beat up, or in need of extra cushioning. The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 and the Salomon Pulsar have a speedier and more agile vibe in this category of light-trail or road-to-trail shoes, but the Ghost Trail has the quintessential road shoe feel and comfort, coupled with just enough stiffness and structure to feel secure and efficient while running most paces along non-technical surfaces. If more technical trails or all-mountain capability is the goal, the Brooks Cascadia 19 would be a better choice. It has the same midsole as the Ghost Trail but a burlier upper and outsole for better stability and traction on more challenging terrain.
Although the Brooks Ghost Trail may not be the one-and-done trail shoe for those with wide-ranging route choices, if you find yourself primarily on the lighter side of the trail world, or if you’re dabbling in the trail scene and not sure you want to fully commit to the dirt/dark side, the Ghost Trail is a fabulous choice.
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Call for Comments
- Have you run in the Brooks Ghost Trail? What did you think?
- What other Brooks shoes do you like?
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Learn more about our current favorite trail running shoes in our Best Trail Running Shoes guide.
