Running Shoe Reviews
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Brooks Ghost Amp Review
July 24, 2026
Snapshot
The Brooks Ghost AMP brings more versatility and an amplified, energetic feel to daily training runs. It’s intended to be a lighter, faster, and more propulsive option for fans of the popular Brooks Ghost. How will this version of the Ghost fare as an energetic daily trainer? Does it amp things up enough, or will it leave us wanting more?
- Makes easy runs more enjoyable
- Lots of cushioning in the heel
- A livelier, lighter upgrade to the standard Ghost
- Not as energetic as other shoes in the category
- Relatively narrow
Best Use
Daily TrainersDaily Trainers
Surface
Roads & PavementRoads & Pavement
Stability
Neutral
Stable
Road Shoes Types
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Daily TrainersDaily Trainers
As the broad base of the running shoe pyramid, daily trainers are the definition of a go-to running shoe. They prioritize dependable comfort, support, durability, and routine versatility. They're a staple in every runner's closet. If you're newer to running shoes, you can confidently start your journey here.
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Performance TrainersPerformance Trainers
Performance trainers (or "super trainers") blend elements of daily trainers and super shoes, often giving you the benefits of advanced foams and plates while being adapted for daily training. They make fast runs faster and long runs easier. Their high versatility also makes them great choices as accessible racing shoes.
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Race Super ShoesRace Super Shoes
The pinnacle of the pyramid, super shoes are the fastest running shoes you can buy. They're designed to race your absolute best and are the apex of running-shoe technology and innovation. Often built with carbon-fiber plates and cutting-edge superfoams for the highest energy return, they're made for ultimate racing speed.
Surface
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Roads & PavementRoads & Pavement
Road running shoes feature smooth outsoles that are designed for running on paved surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, and bike paths.
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Smooth Trails & FireroadsSmooth Trails & Fireroads
Designed to handle most trail runs, these shoes prioritize comfort and a smooth ride. These shoes are great for anything from smooth singletrack, park trails, and fireroads making them ideal for those who run from their doorstep on streets before hitting the trail.
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Rocky & Technical TrailsRocky & Technical Trails
These shoes are best used for hard, rugged trails such as shale, granite or sandstone where grip on smooth surfaces and underfoot protection are important.
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Soft & Muddy TrailsSoft & Muddy Trails
Designed for use in muddy, soggy conditions, these shoes feature very aggressive outsoles that dig deep into soft ground for exceptional traction.
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Snowy & Icy TrailsSnowy & Icy Trails
These shoes feature technical outsoles designed to grip snowy and icy trails making them ideal for winter trail running.
Stability Level
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Neutral Running Shoes
Neutral shoes support the foot through a normal range of arch collapse and generally do not have built-in technology to correct movement.
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Stability Running Shoes
Stability shoes are a great option for those who overpronate or need added support. These shoes help to limit the inward rolling motion of the ankle while running or walking and assist in guiding the foot straight through the gait cycle.
Shoe Specs
- WeightMen's: 8.9 oz | 252 g
Women's: 7.7 oz | 218 g - Heel Stack37 mm
- Forefoot Stack31 mm
- Heel Toe Offset6 mm
- SizingSlightly Narrow
The Brooks Ghost AMP is for you if...
- You’re a fan of the Ghost and want something a little lighter and more fun
- You want a reliable daily trainer for cruising through miles
- You’re looking for a steady running shoe with a hint of propulsion
What is the Brooks Ghost AMP made for?
The original Brooks Ghost is a perennial top seller in running stores, having earned its place by consistently delivering comfort to runners and walkers alike. From its plush upper to a nearly universal fit, the Ghost simply feels good to a lot of people. An industry-leading standard daily trainer, the Ghost has been a reliable running shoe, confident in daily mileage, but without the bells and whistles for workouts.
Now, Brooks is introducing the Ghost AMP as a new offering in the Ghost franchise. It’s designed to be a faster, peppier version of the regular Brooks Ghost that gives you more options on your training runs. It’s a little bit taller, with a new foam compound in the midsole, a gusseted tongue for better lockdown, and a lightweight jacquard mesh to support the comfortable fit that Brooks is known for.
The upgraded midsole setup promises more pop in the forefoot and an overall more fun, propulsive ride than the base model Ghost. Nitrogen-infused DNA HYPE foam (a PEBA and EVA blend), plus SpringRamp tech in the forefoot, was designed to give the shoe a more responsive feel, balancing softness and energy.
On paper, this should give runners the ability to get some speed and versatility that they wouldn’t get from a regular Ghost. While the Ghost AMP is comfortable and still does well on the road for run-of-the-mill training, not all of our boxes were ticked in the performance department.
Our Breakdown
Performance
Overall, the Ghost AMP is a solid entry from Brooks that performs well as a daily trainer. However, while it delivers a bit more liveliness than the standard Ghost, the AMP doesn’t rev up the energy quite as much as other competing models in the energetic daily trainer category.
The responsiveness of the DNA HYPE midsole foam is lower than what we were expecting. When we tried to pick up the pace, it lacked the propulsion and energy that we've been finding in other energetic daily trainers.
The shoe feels good at easier paces, which gave us a good experience for standard training runs. The cushioning is appropriately comfortable for daily running, and the outsole is standard quality for running on pavement and asphalt. It had enough traction that we didn’t have to be overly cautious about sharp turns—it was in neither extreme of grippy or slippy.
It’s not a bad shoe; however, it lacks the versatility to excel at a faster pace. The Ghost AMP would work best for runners who run at consistent mileage paces throughout the week or month.
When I used the Ghost AMP for my easy runs, I thought it performed well, and it provided enough bounce and energy return to make my easy runs fun.
Comfort
The Brooks Ghost AMP's reliable comfort was a highlight for us. The cushioning is slightly soft with a little bit of energy return. It has plenty of cushioning to comfortably handle longer runs, more so in the heel and midfoot than in the forefoot, but as we mentioned in the above section, the foam compound itself lacks some excitement.
The upper of the AMP is less plush than the regular Ghost—it feels fairly basic, but not uncomfortable. The material is somewhat lightweight and provides a secure lockdown. There are no extra overlays, which is in keeping with the idea of a sleeker, livelier shoe. That said, the breathability and flexibility of the upper could be improved to enhance the experience.
[Brooks] consistently produces shoes that are the most comfortable on the market. From upper to midsole, the Brooks AMP is built with these lofty standards in mind.
Fit
The Ghost AMP fits true to size, and lengthwise the shoe felt normal. The upper provides a nice lockdown, with a secure fit in the midfoot and heel. The toe box is a little pointy, with less room around the toes than we would have preferred. It feels a bit narrower than a typical Brooks shoe, but we wouldn’t call this a true narrow-width shoe.
For the most part, we didn’t experience major pains as a result of the somewhat narrower fit. James notes some hotspots on the lateral side of his midfoot early on in his runs, but did not have any blistering as a result.
Comparison
Brooks Ghost AMP vs. ASICS Novablast 6
"The Novablast is a much more versatile shoe for a variety of paces. It feels softer than the Ghost AMP while also having more pop. You can cruise easy runs and enjoy the comfort or pick up the pace and appreciate some assistance from the shoe. The Novablast also has a more premium upper that is both light and supple." -Jonathan
"The new FF Blast Max midsole foam gives you a shoe that is just as light as the Ghost AMP, but more responsive. A run in the Novablast 6 feels fast and worth the extra $5." -Erik
Brooks Ghost AMP vs. New Balance Rebel v5
"The Rebel has the capability to thrive in a much wider range of runs, both on the slower side and when picking up the pace. For someone looking for a shoe that does it all, including the faster paces, the Rebel would be my recommendation over the Ghost AMP. If you are just looking for a shoe that makes your easy runs a little bit more fun, not considering picking up the pace, the Ghost AMP comes back into consideration." -James
"The Rebel has a dynamic feel that feels great as the pace picks up, but also has plenty of comfort for daily training. The Rebel has broader use case than the Ghost AMP and is the choice for someone who wants one shoe for several runs a week and one or two faster weekly runs." -Jonathan
Brooks Ghost AMP vs. Mizuno Neo Zen 2
"The Neo Zen has more cushioning than the Ghost AMP and is lighter in weight. It’s a more fun shoe compared to the Ghost AMP and has a more premium upper for elevated comfort. Some might find the amount of cushioning (stack height) of the Neo Zen to be overwhelming, and if that’s the case, the Ghost AMP provides a balanced, familiar feel."
-Jonathan
"The cost is a little more, but the Neo Zen 2 will give you a more dynamic ride. It feels more responsive under foot and is still a very comfortable shoe overall." -Erik
Spec Comparison
| Model | Brooks Ghost AMP | ASICS Novablast 6 | New Balance Rebel v5 | Mizuno Neo Zen 2 |
| Weight | Men's: 8.9 oz | 252 g Women's: 7.7 oz | 218 g | Men's: 8.8 oz | 249 g Women's: 7.6 oz | 215 g | Men's: 7.9 oz | 224 g Women's: 6.8 oz | 193 g | Men's: 8.5 oz | 241 g Women's: 7.2 oz | 204 g |
| Heel Stack | 37 mm | 42 mm | 38 mm | 48 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 31 mm | 34 mm | 32 mm | 42 mm |
| Heel Toe Offset | 6 mm | 8 mm | 6 mm | 6 mm |
| Price | $149.95 | $154.95 | $144.95 | $159.95 |
| Best For | Daily Training | Daily Training, Speed Workouts | Daily Training, Speed Workouts | Daily Training, Speed Workouts, Long Runs |
| Shoe Type | Daily Trainer - Energetic | Daily Trainer - Energetic | Daily Trainer - Energetic | Daily Trainer - Energetic |
Individual Thoughts
Jonathan
The Ghost Amp came about to provide a more energetic, dynamic shoe than the Ghost 18. The Amp is lighter and has more cushioning than the 18. It also does have more energy return. Compared to the Ghost 18, the Ghost AMP is a more run-oriented shoe. While the Ghost AMP lacks the plush feeling upper (to save weight) of the Ghost 18, and universal, dialed-in fit of the Ghost 18, the Amp delivers a dependable run experience.
Many people who have only one running shoe will be happy with the Ghost AMP as their daily trainer. However, runners shopping for an energetic daily trainer will find better options for varied pace training or that “make running feel fun” experience.
| Jonathan's Breakdown | |
| Performance | 7 |
| Comfort | 7 |
| Fit | 7 |
| Overall | 7 |
James
Overall, the Brooks Ghost AMP is a good shoe that brings an amplified layer to the Ghost silo. It is more energetic, fun, and cushioned than the standard Ghost 18. The Ghost AMP is a good shoe for runners who are looking for one running shoe that does it all. I felt like it has a relatively narrow fit, which generated hotspots on the lateral side of my midfoot, but for those who have a narrower foot should not run into the same issues. Overall, if you’re looking to inject a more fun experience, or an “amplified” experience, to your daily runs, the Ghost AMP is a great option.
| James's Breakdown | |
| Performance | 7 |
| Comfort | 7 |
| Fit | 7 |
| Overall | 7 |
Erik
Brooks gave us the industry-leading Ghost feel that is a little lighter and with a lower drop (6mm vs 10mm), but they didn’t go far enough. At the end of the day the Ghost AMP gives you a nice daily ride, but doesn’t give you an enhanced ride that makes you want to grab this shoe for your fast days.
If you love Brooks and want a comfortable daily trainer that has the potential to move a touch quicker, then the Ghost AMP will work. If you want to go fast, there are other options close to the $150 price point that will give you a faster ride and still give you the comfort you want out of your shoes.
There is nothing wrong with this new model introduction from Brooks. It fits well, it runs well, it is comfortable and cushioned. It just doesn’t live up to the level needed to call this a true energetic trainer and go against the category leaders from other brands.
| Erik's Breakdown | |
| Performance | 5 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Fit | 9 |
| Overall | 7 |
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