Runners will no doubt remember the barefoot running craze that ensured us humans were fully-equipped to chuck perfectly good 8mm drop running shoes to embrace our Neanderthalic roots. Well, the Brooks Ghost 12 ($130) is the antithesis of the barefoot running absurdity.
In fact, it was an earlier iteration of the Ghost to which I had turned after injuries endured from that barefoot running craze. In 2016 I dared to wonder if I could find something better, which led me to a running season with a pair of forgettable ASICS, that in turn led me back to the enduring Ghost. Since late June, I’ve been running the 12th adaption.
If you’re new to Ghosts, prepare for the love. If you’re a convert, you won’t find a ton of changes from 11 to 12 but there are a few.
What I Love
Soooooo unbelievably comfortable. Like the Ghost 11’s, the Ghost 12’s have soft, stretchy mesh uppers that cradle my foot. There is no squeezing or restricting when my feet swell during long runs. What has changed, however, is an ever-so-slight narrower heel cup that mitigates any blister-causing movements. With the Ghost 11’s, I wore thicker socks for a snugger fit. With the Ghost 12’s I can wear a thinner, more breathable sock.
Same responsiveness and performance. A couple runners in my running group have shoes for intervals, tempo runs and races. They’re running tools, what can I say? I’m always in the same shoe unless I’m trail running (when I’m in my Solomon’s). What I like about the Brooks Ghost 12 is what I like about the 11’s: The segmented Crash-Pad system. Despite all my training attempts to change my natural propensity to heel-striking, my genetics and DNA prevail. I’m a heel striker. There’s nothing to be done about it—except be cognizant of a running shoe that absorbs the bulk of the shock on heel landings and then has three lateral flexible grooves on the forefoot to allow soft transitions to midfoot and toe. So I’m pleased to see that Brooks did not change this at all.
Sizing. Still runs true to size. I wear a 7.5 in a normal shoe and an 8.5 in running shoe. The Brooks Ghost 12, even with the enhanced heel cup, still feels like the correct fit.
12mm drop. During the barefoot running craze, a 12mm drop (or stack height) seemed like a platform shoe that unnecessarily increased my center of gravity. But it didn’t. Instead, the Brooks Ghost 12’s lofty drop reduces the amount of dorsiflexion and stretch on my tendons which ultimately contributes to injuries. This drop height, I have found, is ideal for asphalt—although I have plenty of miles logged on gravel paths—where the experience feels more like running on a fluffy cloud. However, be advised that this high stack height is not ideal for trail running or running on very rough uneven surfaces.
Neutral runner’s dream. There are three types of runners: neutrals, pronate’ers and supinate’ers. I was first turned onto the Ghost line in a running store in Minneapolis. The saleswoman had me run on a treadmill too determine where I fit. Turned out I’m a neutral runner so she suggested the Ghosts. If you’re not sure where you fall in the scale, either have a running shoe store tell you or take a peek at where the “wear lines” are in your current shoes. If wear is greatest along the inner edges, you pronate. If wear is on the outer, you supinate. If wear is fairly consistent, you’re neutral.
A bit lighter. If you’re a Brooks Ghost fan and remember the 10 and 11 you’ll notice that Brooks shaved a few ounces off the 12. But it’s literally a few ounces. My Brooks 11 weigh in at a beefy 10.7 ounces while my Brooks 12 tip the scales at a svelte 10.5 ounces. It may seem negligible but when you’re on mile 19 of that marathon, it all counts.
What I didn’t Like
Silky laces. It’s a marginal gripe but they never stay tied! I just replaced them with the laces from my Ghost 11’s.
Final Thoughts
There are a few slight upgrades to the Ghost 12 (from the Ghost 11). Slightly decreased weight, slightly narrower heel cup, and a few aesthetic changes here and there (like a different outsole pattern for example) that don’t impact performance either way.
And you know what? That’s why I love the Ghost 12’s.
I change out my running shoes every Spring. Every Spring, I agonize over the process.
When I find a pair of shoes that I love, it’s always a lottery if I’ll be able to get another pair just like them. As a Ghost loyalist, I was thrilled—THILLED!—that they still delivered the same comfortable and responsive performance.
