Brooks Ghost Amp review | Tom’s Guide
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The Brooks line-up now has more ghosts than an episode of Scooby-Doo, but if I were only going to keep one of the Ghost 18, Ghost Max 4 and Ghost Amp, it would definitely be the Amp.
It’s exactly the type of shoe Brooks needed to modernize the Ghost and its array of daily trainers, with the Ghost Amp livelier and more versatile than the various Ghosts and Glycerins you can buy.
I enjoyed using the shoe for daily runs at easy, steady paces, with the new DNA Hype midsole foam and improved forefoot rocker making the Ghost Amp feel smooth and energetic.
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However, in its category, the Brooks Ghost Amp competes with some of the best running shoes available, and there are options I’d buy ahead of it, like the bouncier Asics Novablast 6 or the lighter Puma Deviate Pure Nitro.
Brooks Ghost Amp review: Price and availability
The Brooks Ghost Amp launched in July 2026 and costs $150 in the U.S. and £135 in the U.K., which is the same price as the Brooks Ghost 18.
It’s a good value shoe that comes in at around the same price as many of the most popular daily trainers, including the Asics Novablast 6, Nike Pegasus 42 and Hoka Clifton 11.
Brooks Ghost Amp review: Design and fit
The Ghost Amp is currently available in seven colors, including the light blue design I tested. There’s a wide version as well as the standard, and I found it fit me well in my normal running shoe size.
One big difference between it and the Ghost 18 is that the Ghost Amp has a 6mm drop from heel to toe, instead of the Ghost’s traditional 10mm.
The stack height is 36mm at the heel and 30mm at the forefoot, so the Ghost Amp isn’t as maxed out as many daily trainers these days, which have 40mm of foam or more at the heel.
It weighs 9.3oz in my US men’s size 10, which is 1.4oz lighter than the Ghost 18 in my size. It’s not a featherweight, but for a daily trainer with a padded upper and thick outsole, the Ghost Amp is impressively light.
Upper
The Ghost Amp’s upper is quite a thick knit material with plenty of padding around the collar and tongue. It has a stiff internal heel counter to add more support at the back of the shoe.
I prefer a more minimal upper myself, but the Ghost Amp was comfortable and held my foot securely during runs, and it retains the plush step-in feel expected of the Ghost and Glycerin lines.
Midsole
The Ghost Amp uses a new midsole foam called DNA Hype, which is a supercritical material made from a blend of PEBA and EVA foams.
It’s not as springy as the DNA Gold foam used in some Brooks shoes, which is made entirely of PEBA, but it’s livelier than the EVA midsole on the Ghost 18.
The Ghost Amp also introduces Brooks’ SpringRamp tech in the forefoot, which is a section of firmer foam designed to add more propulsion to your toe-offs.
Outsole
While it doesn’t have a full outsole, a thick layer of rubber covers most of the forefoot and heel on the Ghost Amp, and I have no concerns about its grip or durability after testing.
It’s not quite as thick and extensive an outsole as the Ghost 18, but the trade-off is worth it to have the lighter shoe, as there’s still plenty of rubber on the bottom of the Amp.
Brooks Ghost Amp review: Running performance
I used the Ghost Amp as part of my running shoe rotation for a couple of weeks of marathon training, mainly doing easy, steady daily sessions in the shoe, along with some strides.
I’ve been testing Ghost and Glycerin shoes for a decade, and while they are always solid, reliable options, the Ghost 18 felt a little dated when I tested it this year.
The Ghost Amp is the change the line needed, with the livelier midsole foam, lower drop, and more rockered feel bringing it up to date and giving it a more versatile ride than the Ghost 18.
While it’s not a pure speedster, I found that running at a steady or tempo pace in the Ghost Amp felt smooth and natural, and it’s also comfortable for long easy runs.
The foam isn’t as soft and springy as some, though, and it would be great to see Brooks release a shoe like this with a full PEBA midsole rather than the EVA/PEBA blend used here.
It brings something fresh to the Brooks lineup, but the ride isn’t as fun or versatile as some rivals from other brands. The forefoot is also a tad thin on the Ghost Amp, so it isn’t as comfortable in that area over long distances as a shoe like the Novablast 6, for example.
That said, one advantage of the slightly firmer material and lower profile is that the Ghost Amp feels naturally stable and is more supportive than some lightweight daily trainers in this area, like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL.
Should you buy the Brooks Ghost Amp?
The Brooks Ghost Amp is a good daily trainer and would be my pick from the brand’s lineup, unless you want the most cushioned ride possible, in which case the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 is worth the upgrade.
Outside of Brooks, however, there are several shoes I’d go for first, starting with the Asics Novablast 6, which is more comfortable and just as light and versatile as the Brooks, or the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro, another great all-rounder.
The Adidas Evo SL or Dynafish Xiaonian are also good options for those seeking a daily trainer that can handle fast runs well in particular.
I always prefer the Hoka Clifton Pro, which is a bit softer and more cushioned than the Ghost Amp, with a similar rockered ride and good stability, though a bit pricier.
It’s great to see Brooks move the Ghost in this direction, though, and I’m excited to see what happens with the future of the Amp, but right now it’s not topping my to-buy list for daily trainers.
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