Do you desire trainer shoes that provide enough cushion for most distances and at a competitive price no less? Then that’s what the Brooks Ghost 11 was built for. Is it the running shoe of the year? Quite possibly yes.
Read our buying pack packed with information to help you decide if the Brooks Ghost 11 is the right pair of shoes for you.
Fit & Design for the Brooks Ghost Running Shoes
The Brooks Ghost 11 is a unique runner that provides a lot of cushioning and support. Its medium arch supports average feet nicely.
If you’re looking for a pair of shoes to run your next marathon in, these could certainly be the ones for you.
Cool and Comfortable
The meshed upper material breathes well and stretches as your feet expand and shrink due to external factors and varying effort levels. There’s even a bit of stretch in the laces that keep your feet comfortable as they move while running.
A Nice, Smooth Run
When we tried the Ghost 11 for the first time, we were quite surprised at the level of comfort we felt. We say this because we usually try out a lot of running shoes. If you like to keep a fast pace, along with a soft, smooth run, these might be the shoes for you.
- SHOE SIZE: "B" = Medium width, "D" = Wide width
- FOOT SUPPORT: Ideal for runners with a medium to high arch looking for neutral support.
- BALANCED, SOFT CUSHIONING: BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT cushioning work together to provide a just-right...
- SMOOTH, STABLE RIDE: The Segmented Crash Pad is designed to adapt to each foot fall, so no matter...
- SOFT, SECURE FIT: The newly engineered mesh upper practically disappears on foot with strategically...
Where Can I Buy Them?
These sneakers are one of top picks for running shoes. Forget your previous shoes and give these ones a try. They really are that good and a top choice for people who do daily runs.
You can buy them at Amazon.com and you’ll often get free shipping with a Prime membership. Shop now online for the best prices:
Key Features:
- 12 mm heel to toe drop
- Neutral support runner (the Brooks 10 was considered more of a stability shoe for overpronators)
- Very supportive cushioning that leads to softer foot strikes
- Medium to high arch support (Check out the Nike Lunar Glide if you want less arch support)
- Engineered mesh upper provides excellent breathability
- Plush tongue and collar that’s comfortable for long runs
- Removable foam insole (can be used with orthotics to improve your gait if necessary)
- Responsive midsole with a nice level of flexibility
- Variety of size options
- Brooks logo on the side
- Durable toe cover at the front
- More of a road runner than a trail one
- Ideal for long runs
- Available in men’s and women’s versions
Outer & Inner Mesh
The upper mesh has been constructed in a way that provides stretch and support wherever needed and we believe it does a fine job at that. With a new structured upper mesh, the Ghost 11 wraps your for more securely and gives it a better fit than the 10. The stretchy material has been designed to fit snug through the midfoot and heel for greater support, providing a little more wiggle room for when you want to flex your feet.
What it means is that the 11 has a looser knitted mesh around the forefoot and offers extra roomy toe box. Our testers also liked that the Ghost had sacrificed some of the heavier overlays of the last model, deeming the shoe to be much more breathable and accommodating to sweaty feet.
There were far fewer gripes for the Ghost along the testers. Even though some felt that the toe box was a bit too generous for narrow feet, or missed the 10’s extra pinch of stability, many of them think that the 11 is another great entry for the Ghost line.
Ghost 11’s inner mesh is a key factor that makes the shoes comfortable. The upper’s inside layer material is made from the same fabric that’s on the heel wall.
Heel Support
We really loved the soft cushioned material here as well as knowing that the wall doesn’t extend too high up the heel. The heel underfoot provides great cushioning as well. Brooks’s patented “DNA LOFT” and “BioMoGo DNA” give the shoe the right amount of softness underfoot without forsaking responsiveness.
The Brooks Ghost series is designed for neutral runners. This means that you neither role your foot inward, nor outward when you run. If you turn your feet inward, you’ll need some extra stability and will want to consider the Top Shoes for Overpronators.
The Laces
The laces are an appropriate length and you don’t have to do a double knot for fear of them becoming undone. There’s also a bit of stretch in them when your feet expand and then shrink slightly as and when your body heats up or cools down.
The Tongue
The tongue of the shoe is pretty thick and provides lots of padding between the top of your feet and the laces.
The Outsole
The staggered tread pattern on Ghost 11 is quite neat. It’s designed to be that way so that no matter how you land, you’ll always get maximum grip.
The very fine micro-faceted texture on the sole adds extra grip on slicker surfaces. The sole also has integrated absorbers that are rounded edges that can be seen connecting the colored grip sections with the bottom of the shoe.
Heel-Toe Drop
The shoe has a heel-to-toe differential of 12 mm, which is more than the average foot that measures in at 8 mm and even still, there’s nothing troubling about that.
This is higher than cross-training shoes that come in at 6-8 mm, and weightlifting shoes at 0-2 mm. This means that they’re not the best option for weightlifting in most certainly. You won’t have enough stability and grip, especially when doing things like squats or deadlifts.
To learn more about this, see: Cross-Training vs. Running Shoes.
What Do People Think About Them?
—>See More Customer Reviews and Ratings Here<—
“I work in healthcare and have to spend up to 12 hours a day on my feet. I suffer from plantar fasciitis and have a really difficult time finding comfortable enough shoes that I’m not in excruciating pain at the end of the day. Thankfully I tried out these on the advice of my physiotherapist and am very happy that I did. They have a nice level of arch support, great cushioning and are some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn.”
“So much lighter and more comfortable than the shoes I was using before. I’ve been running almost daily, around 50 miles per week in them for the last six months and they’re only now showing some initial signs of wear and tear. I think I’ll get another six months out of them for sure. Quite impressive!”
“Over the years, I’ve been running with Nike, Saucony, New Balance, and Adidas shoes, but have been having some injuries lately. I did a ton of research because I wanted to mix things up a little bit. I decided to go for the Brooks Ghost shoes and I’m so happy I did. The second I put them on, I just knew they were right for me. Kind of like pillows on my feet and they’ve helped keep my plantar fasciitis at bay.”
Brooks Ghost 11 Review
Trusted Traction
The outsole of the Ghost 11 remains as it is from 10, and it continues to perform well on a variety of terrains and conditions. A group of our testers ran in the rain without experiencing any slipping or sliding – this is also during heavy downpours and on slick blacktop – and we even thought that the traction far surpassed the average road shoe.
Most of it has to do with the shoes’ deep thread for the great grip, as it handled gravel, light mud and wet grass with ease. Some of our testers even liked the Ghost for tame trail excursions.
Excellent Shock Absorption
The Brooks’ Ghost 11’s refreshed foam midsole has a better crash pad than the average trainer. Seeing as how it’s divided into a barrage of shock absorbers, the new platform design disperses impact more efficiently when you land and then sends you rolling smoothly right into the next stride.
The heel-striking testers loved this improvement in the shoe’s ride, and felt as though they could transition quicker from heel-to-toe with solid protection. The midsole zone is mostly responsible for this.
Those who are reported a midfoot or forefoot strike liked the Ghost more for its cushioning than its responsiveness and preferred to save the shoes for their easy days. But as comfortable as the Ghost is, it doesn’t deliver on the speedy on-foot experience that the testers were looking.
Weight
Brooks Ghost 11 weighs in at 309g (US M 8.5). It might not be the lightest shoe in the market, but with that much cushioning and comfort, it’s a compromise that’s worth winning us over and it certainly doesn’t keep it from being a favourite of many of our readers.
Long runs? No problem and you should be able to complete the miles without more than normal fatigue.
Toe Box & Shoe Width
The shoe’s toe box has plenty of room for you to wiggle your toes and feels airy on the inside because of its breathable upper. This shoe can come in a medium width, which is appropriate for average-sized feet, but it’s also available in “Wide 2E,” “Narrow B” and “Extra Wide 4E” sizes.
Are they Good For CrossFit?
A common question that people have is whether or not these shoes work well for CrossFit workouts. Take a look around during your next WOD and you’ll see a huge variety of shoes. Everything from lifting shoes to minimalist ones. And of course, many people will be wearing the very popular crosstrainers: Nike Metcon 4, or Reebok Nano 8.
But, what about running shoes? It kind of depends on the kind of workout you’ll be doing. If it’s heavy on the sprints or cardio, then something like the Brooks Ghost sneakers may work well. However, if it’s heavy on the weightlifting, then you’ll want more of a cross-trainer.
These shoes will have a lower heel-toe differential, which will give you a more stable platform. They’ll also be more durable for rope climbs and wall handstands. Finally, they’ll offer better support for things like box jumps.
Running With The Brooks Ghost 11
Road running with the Brooks Ghost 11 is fun when you’re hitting goals and your feet aren’t in pain. They’re good for running on trails and roads where you can train for speed and mileage consistently without worrying about too many hills or technical terrain getting in the way of your training ‘numbers.’
Very Comfortable and Durable
The shoes are so comfortable that you’ll always look forward to your next road run knowing that you’re going to push hard and get faster without making your feet suffer for it. They absorb shock extremely feel and are also durable and will last you a lot longer than some other brands of running shoes.
Where to Get Them?
Do they sound like the right pair of shoes for you? You can learn more about them on Amazon.com and you’ll often get free shipping with a Prime membership:
What about the Brooks Glycerin vs Ghost?
These two running shoes from Brooks are quite similar. They both have a lot of support and cushioning. You probably want to know what the differences between them are, along with which one is right for your needs.
Find out everything you need to know here: Glycerin 17 vs Ghost 11.
Have your Say about the Brooks Ghost 11
What are your thoughts about the Brooks Ghost 11 Running Shoes? Leave a comment below and let us know.
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Last update on 2023-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
