Editor rating:
8/10 on
COURTNEY ROY
User's rating:

PROS

  • Smooth ride
  • Versatile
  • Reliable

CONS

  • Runners with narrow feet may have too much room in the toe box

OUR VERDICT

The Ghost 6 is a solid shoe that will not disappoint long-time Ghost wearers. It performs just as well on the roads as it does on the track, and has a soft, smooth ride, making it a great choice for everyday training as well as long runs.
SHOE INFO
Brand
Ghost 6
Model
Type
10.7 oz (M); 8.8 oz (W) oz. (303 gr.)
Weight
110 US$
MSRP
Family
Previous model
WHO IS IT FOR
Neutral runners looking for a soft, bouncy shoe that performs well in a variety of workouts

Brooks Ghost 6 General Info

The Ghost series has been extremely popular with runners, and is a core offering from Brooks. For this latest iteration, Brooks kept all of the features and feel that runners have come to know and love, and just made minor updates to the sole unit, creating a smoother ride.

Though Brooks did make some changes to the sole unit, the overall level of support and cushion remains unchanged, and the payoff of these changes is a smoother ride that allows the whole foot to make contact with the ground. The Ghost 6, like its predecessors, is a fantastic all-around shoe that is designed to appeal to a wide range of runners, and the latest edition only improves on the line’s strengths.

Brooks Ghost 6 Impressions

After spending the past few months in shoes with low heel to toe drops and minimal cushioning, I was blown away by how soft the Ghost 6 felt and remembered why they were a go-to shoe for me for so long. I loved the soft, smooth ride, and appreciated the bouncy feel, especially during runs on the road.

Having trained for two marathons in the Ghost 4 and 5, I have a lot of experience with the Ghosts, and this latest edition just continues to build on the best parts of the previous versions.

Since running in more minimal shoes with lower weights, less cushioning, and no to 4mm heel to toe drops almost exclusively through most of the spring, I was expecting the Ghost 6 to feel heavy and cumbersome. The Ghost 6, though it definitely felt much softer and bouncier than what I’ve grown accustomed to, has an smooth, natural-feeling ride.

Brooks Ghost 6 Sole Unit

The Ghost’s sole unit saw two significant updates to the sole unit in this version, meant to make for a smoother, more responsive ride.

The first notice that most runners will notice is that the plastic shank located just under the arch has been removed, and that the sole unit is now flat so that the shoe will make full ground contact from heel to toe. Looking at the shoe immediately after taking it out of the box, I was initially a little concerned that this change would significantly reduce the amount of support, but in testing, this wasn’t the case.

The other significant change to the shoe is that the caterpillar crash pad, has again been extended, wrapping all the way around the heel. The indentations in the crash pad are designed to expand as the shoe makes contact, allowing the running to feel the ground and making for a more responsive ride and adding additional shock absorption.

I found the sole unit of the Ghost 6 to be extremely durable, as in previous editions. It holds up well through the miles on pavement, even uneven, cracked, and rocky paths, non-technical trails, and on the track.

Though longtime fans may notice a different look on the sole unit, they shouldn’t worry that the overall ride and feel of the shoe has changed. The Ghost 6 simply highlights the previous editions’ most popular features.

Brooks Ghost 6 Upper Unit

Like the sole unit, the upper on the Ghost 6 did not see any major changes in this update. In keeping with the latest trends, some of the materials on the upper have been made slightly thinner and more of the overlays are “welded” with heat, rather than sewed on, but the overall feel of the upper is unchanged. As in previous editions, the upper manages heat and moisture well, even through rainy runs, and dries quickly.

The overall fit of the upper is nice and snug, with additional padding around the heel and collar to keep the shoe securely in place and prevent uncomfortable rubbing or chaffing.

Like the Ghost 5, it felt slightly wider than some shoes available on the market for me, but the lacing was easily adjusted to create the snugger fit I prefer. Though there was a little extra room in the toe box than I am accustomed to, especially after spending most of my miles in Saucony Mirage 3, I didn’t find that it was an issue on my runs.

Brooks Ghost 6 Opinion

The Ghost 6 reminded me why I loved my Ghost 4’s and 5’s for so long. It boasts a soft, smooth, and bouncy ride that kept my legs feeling fresh even on longer runs. Though I’ll likely stick with more pared-down models for most of my runs, the Ghost 6 will definitely still have a place in my rotation as the miles begin to pile up through the summer.

Brooks has done a fantastic job of updating the shoe without changing the things that runners love the most. Ultimately, the Ghost 6 is an incredibly well-balanced shoe—striking the perfect mix of cushioning, without being too heavy and support without sacrificing responsiveness or smoothness.

We thank the nice people at Brooks for sending us a pair of Ghost 6 to test. This did not influence the outcome of the review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.

Brooks Ghost 6 Price Comparison

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