Brooks Ghost Trail Running Shoes Review: Built for the Road-to-Trail Transition
An in-depth review of the Brooks Ghost Trail for gravel running and multi-surface runs
October 30th, 2026
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Our verdict
The Brooks Ghost Trail is the off-road trail version of the very popular Brooks Ghost road running shoe. We like the Ghost Trail for mixed-surface runs: gravel and dirt roads with some pavement and singletrack thrown in.
After a full summer of testing, we determined they’re also an excellent shoe for beginner trail runners because they have 8 mm of heel-to-toe drop, similar to a typical road running shoe, which puts more cushion under your heel. They’re very affordable, making them doubly great for both newbies and high-mileage runners who burn through shoes.
Though the Ghost Trail is based on the perennial favorite Brooks Ghost, it isn’t simply that same road running shoe with grippier tread. The Ghost Trail has an 8 mm heel-to-toe drop, which is notably less than the Ghost road running shoe’s 10 mm drop. The Trail also features a 3D-printed toe cap and mudguard for added durability, a nitrogen-infused midsole for added bounce and weight savings, and a grippier outsole made with Brooks’ proprietary TrailTack Green rubber.
The Ghost Trail shoes are very comfortable. They have a soft, highly breathable upper and a responsive midsole that keeps you moving and keeps your feet comfortable while doing so. The midsole feels soft yet springy and delivers excellent energy return with each stride.
Brooks Ghost Trail Running Shoes
Men's
Women's
The biggest downside is that these shoes aren’t ideal for rugged, technical trails. They’re more suited for gravel roads, crushed limestone trails through city parks, and groomed singletrack. However, the fact that they aren’t designed for the gnarliest trails is likely an upside for many people. If your definition of trail running also includes a lap around your city park’s gravel path with city streets to get there, these are a great option for you.
If you want a higher-drop running shoe for gravel or road-to-trail running that doesn’t cost much and still performs well, check out the Brooks Ghost Trail.
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Brooks Ghost Trail specifications
MSRP: $150
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8 mm
Stack Height: 36/28 mm
Lugs: 3 mm
Upper: Air mesh with 3D-printed toe cap and mudguard
Midsole: Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3
Outsole: TrailTack Green rubber
Weight (pair): 1 lb 5.3 oz (men's), 1 lb 3.2 oz (women's)
Comparison table
| TRAIL RUNNING SHOE | MSRP | M’s WEIGHT | W’s WEIGHT | CUSHION | HEEL DROP | STACK HEIGHT | ROCK PLATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Ghost Trail Men's Women's |
$150 | 10.7 oz | 9.6 oz | Moderate | 8 mm | 36 - 28 mm | No |
| La Sportiva Prodigio 2 Men's Women's |
$170 | 9.3 oz | 7.9 oz | Moderate | 6 mm | 34 - 28 mm | Yes |
| Craft Xplor 2 Men's Women's |
$150 | 11.1 oz | 8.9 oz | Moderate | 6 mm | 38.5 - 32.5 mm | No |
Best for
Gravel and dirt road running
Road runners transitioning to trails
Mixed-surface runs
Runners who prioritize an affordable shoe that performs well
What we liked
Grippy enough outsole for gravel and dirt roads without slowing you down
Midsole feels lively and provides great energy return
Higher heel-to-toe drop is great for newbie runners and those who prefer more cushion under their heel
Mesh upper is extremely comfortable for long days
Affordable price
What could be better
Higher (8 mm) heel-to-toe drop isn’t for everyone
Not enough traction for technical trails or muddy conditions
How we tested
I tested the men’s Brooks Ghost Trail while trail running, hiking, and using it for everyday wear in Colorado and Utah during the summer and fall. I’ve logged about 50 miles in them, wearing them on high-elevation trails in Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley, along the Collegiate Peaks sections of the Colorado Trail, and in southern Colorado on trails and dirt roads in the La Garita Mountains. In the fall, I continued testing them in southern Utah in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the surrounding areas. Over the 3-month testing period, I ran dirt roads, scrambled rocky outcroppings, and ran singletrack trails.
Our women’s tester, Becca, has logged over 30 miles in the women’s Brooks Ghost Trail over the summer, taking them on trail runs throughout the Colorado mountains, and road-to-trail runs in Alaska. She tested them in muddy, rainy conditions while in Alaska, and primarily hot and dry conditions in Colorado.
I tested trail conditions ranging from smooth dirt paths to rocky desert doubletrack, sand, dirt, and bare rock. I ran uphill on steep, rocky dirt roads and on flatter gravel roads. Most of my testing happened in clear summer and fall conditions, but I also experienced some rain during a particularly wet monsoon season in southern Utah. I used the Ghost Trail in temperatures ranging from 40°F to nearly 100°F.
I tested the Ghost Trail alongside several other gravel running shoes.
Performance in the field
Fit and comfort
The Ghost Trail shoes are comfortable right out of the box. I’ve worn them for tons of 3+ hour runs, and have never had any issues. They fit true to size and aren’t too wide or too narrow. I have wider-than-average feet (E width), but I didn’t find these shoes too narrow despite being the standard D width.
Brooks shoes run pretty true to size, overall. If your foot fits a shoe like the HOKA Speedgoat or Challenger, the Ghost Trail will probably fit your foot too. They’re not as wide as an Altra, nor as narrow as a Salomon. If the Altra Lone Peak feels too wide, the Ghost Trail is a good shoe to try. If you find the Salomon Speedcross or Genesis too narrow, you should also try the Ghost Trail.
The Ghost's 3D mesh upper is subtly stretchy and lets your foot spread out more than some running shoes. So even if you do prefer the width of an Altra, you will probably also like how these feel.
Fit in toe box
The toe box isn’t particularly wide, but it’s not narrow either. The 3D mesh upper is soft and slightly stretchy, which makes them feel roomier even if the actual toe box fit is average. So while they don’t have nearly as wide a toe box as the Altra Lone Peak or Olympus, they’re about on par with the HOKA Speedgoat trail running shoes or HOKA Clifton road running shoes.
Fit in midfoot
They fit snugly through the midfoot. The higher heel gives them a higher arch than lower-drop shoes. This higher arch causes the shoe to hug the midfoot tighter than some shoes. The mesh upper stretches enough that the tighter midfoot fit isn’t uncomfortable.
Fit in heel cup
They have a padded ankle collar and heel cup that keeps your heel locked in place. They also have an extra set of eyelets near the ankle for heel-lock lacing. My heel never feels like it’s slipping in these shoes, though, so I never needed to use alternate lacing patterns to get that locked-in-heel feel.
Midsole and cushioning
The Ghost Trail has 36 mm of stack in the heel and 28 mm in the forefoot, providing plenty of cushioning. It has a springy but not-too-springy, supportive midsole made of Brooks’ nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam.
Level of cushioning compared to other trail shoes/road shoes
Compared to other trail and road running shoes, the Ghost Trail has moderate cushioning. The higher heel-to-toe drop makes its heel cushioning comparable to a higher-stack shoe, such as the HOKA Speedgoat (37.3 mm stack in the heel). But despite the comparable heel, the higher drop means less forefoot cushioning than the Speedgoat, which has 33.3 mm of forefoot cushioning compared to the Ghost Trail’s 28 mm.
The Ghost Trail has comparable cushioning to the La Sportiva Prodigio 2. The Prodigio 2 has 34 mm of heel stack and 28 mm in the forefoot. So, the Ghost Trail has slightly more heel cushioning than the Prodigio 2 and the same forefoot cushioning.
Impact absorption and energy return
The Ghost Trail midsole is soft enough to absorb impact with every footfall, but that midsole springs back when you push off the ground. The higher heel-to-toe drop also causes your foot to roll forward as you stride.
Stability
The Ghost Trail is relatively stable overall. I wouldn’t recommend these on rough, rocky, or rooty trails. But on dirt and gravel roads or smooth singletrack trails, they don’t feel like they’ll tip over. I find higher heel-to-toe drop shoes, like these, often feel less stable. But the Ghost feels stable enough for forward running without sharp lateral movements.
As an aside, in the running shoe world, a “stability shoe” is designed to support the foot and reduce excessive inward rolling, known as overpronation. The Ghost Trail isn't a stability shoe in that sense.
Support
The Ghost Trail is a neutral support shoe. “Neutral” support means that it isn’t designed to prevent overpronation (as a stability shoe does, see above).
Even though it’s a neutral support shoe, it offers much more support than a minimalist shoe with no arch support and minimal underfoot cushioning.
Arch support
The Ghost Trail provides more arch support than many trail and road running shoes. I’m used to wearing shoes with less arch support, like the Altra Lone Peak 9+, and I can feel the higher arches in these shoes. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. If you have higher arches and prefer more arch support, these shoes are worth trying.
Lateral support
The Ghost Trail has good, but not great, lateral support. The higher drop and higher arches cause them to feel like they’re pushing your feet to roll outward. I've never actually rolled an ankle with these, but the position they put my feet in makes me limit the types of movement I do with them.
Ride
The Ghost Trail offers an efficient and smooth ride. The nitrogen-infused midsole foam is pretty bouncy. But they bounce predictably, so it isn’t too bouncy. The higher heel-to-toe drop places your feet, and the rest of your body, in a forward-leaning position that propels you forward.
These shoes feel similar underfoot to the HOKA Speedgoat. The Ghost Trail doesn’t have a structured rocker in the midsole like HOKA’s Meta-Rocker, which rolls your foot forward with a curved midsole, but the Ghost's relatively higher heel does something similar. The midsole also feels soft and springy, like the Speedgoat.
Outsole, grip, and traction
The Ghost Trail has a grippy rubber outsole that is well suited for gravel and dirt roads. It isn’t as grippy as a Vibram Megagrip outsole, for instance, and I wouldn’t trust these shoes on wet, rugged trails, but they’re grippy enough for wet gravel and dirt-road running or dry singletrack.
The rubber outsole, made of Brooks’ TrailTack Green rubber, covers most of the underfoot tread. It has 3 mm lugs, which grip hard-packed dirt and gravel surfaces. The lugs create a series of V-shapes that point toward the back of the shoe.
There is a small portion of exposed midsole foam under the heel. This exposed midsole foam section isn’t as large as on many road running shoes, and it’s pretty on par with a lot of trail shoes.
Performance on various terrains
The Ghost Trail has 3 mm lugs and a relatively sticky rubber outsole. The lugs aren’t deep enough to bite into loose dirt and mud, and they aren’t as grippy in wet conditions as some shoes.
The Ghost Trail is best suited for hard-packed dirt and gravel trails. These shoes excel at running out your front door on pavement, then moving onto gravel or dirt, whether that’s a gravel path through the park or a dirt road outside of town.
Wet and dry conditions
The Ghost Trail outsole rubber is grippy enough for running on wet dirt or gravel roads. I’ve crossed several streams in these shoes, then continued down the dirt road, and the wet tread doesn’t slip. I haven’t noticed a drop in grip when they’re wet and have never slipped, but I also don’t get too rowdy in these shoes because the lugs aren’t very deep.
Versatility
The Ghost Trail is versatile enough for running on pavement, gravel paths, and dirt roads. They're grippy enough for smoother dirt trails, too. You can also hike or backpack in them, and their non-ostentatious look works in casual settings, like around town or at the gym.
Responsiveness
The nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 midsole feels bouncy without feeling too springy or mushy. When you push off, the midsole compresses slightly, then bounces back in a way that feels quick and playful.
Warmth
The Ghost Trail has a breathable 3D mesh upper, so it won’t keep your feet warm in cold weather. If you’re using these in cold weather, consider thicker socks or a winterized waterproof shoe.
Break-In time
I pulled these shoes out of the box, put them on to check the fit, and then immediately went on a 5-mile run on dirt roads and trails. They’re very comfortable right out of the box, and I had no issues on that first run. Over three months of testing, I haven’t had any issues while the shoes break in, either.
Upper and breathability
The 3D mesh upper is extremely breathable. I’ve run in temperatures nearly 100°F, and they’ve never made my feet overheat.
Durability and longevity
The Ghost Trail is about average in terms of durability. They’re more designed for “crossover” use, meaning they’re more durable than a road running shoe but not actually as burly as a full-on trail shoe.
They have a rubber outsole that covers most of the tread underfoot, but it leaves a small portion of exposed midsole foam that could rip or tear prematurely if it hits the right (or wrong) sharp rock. The midsole foam itself will last about as long as other running shoe midsoles, or between 250 and 500 miles. The 3D mesh upper is reinforced with rubber overlays where the midsole meets the upper. These shoes also don’t have a burly rubber toe cap like some trail shoes.
Midsole durability
The DNA LOFT v3 is a lightweight EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) foam with nitrogen injected into it. Nitrogen-infused EVA foam will last longer than some supercritical foams that use PEBA (Polyether Block Amide). In the running shoe world, PEBA is known as the premier "superfoam" responsible for the racing supershoes that keep setting marathon records. PEBA foam offers better energy return but doesn’t last as long as EVA foam. The Ghost Trail uses the same nitrogen injection as a supershoe, so it’s lighter and springier than traditional EVA, but it lasts longer than a PEBA supershoe.
That said, the Brooks Ghost Trail’s midsole will last about as long as other running shoes with an EVA midsole, or about 250-500 miles.
Wear and tear in upper materials
The 3D mesh upper is abrasion resistant enough for running on dirt roads and gravel trails. If you use these shoes on very rocky terrain, I would expect the upper might tear. It has rubber overlays that increase durability slightly, but these shoes use the same mesh as many road and trail running shoes, so the upper isn’t the most durable. They aren’t any less durable either, though.
Outsole longevity
The TrailTack Green rubber outsole isn’t the softest, so it will last longer than the even softer rubber used on the grippiest running shoes. Generally, the softer the rubber, the stickier it is, but then it’s also less durable. The Ghost Trail has a relatively sticky, but not too sticky (and therefore soft) outsole, so it hits the sweet spot between longevity and grip, at least for gravel.
The rubber covers the majority of the underfoot tread, too, so it only leaves a small 3-by-1-inch section of exposed midsole foam.
Price and value
These shoes are an excellent value. At $150 per pair, the Ghost Trail is one of the least expensive trail running shoes I’ve tested recently. And they perform about as well as shoes that cost closer to $200. For comparison, the HOKA Speedgoat 7 costs $165, and the La Sportiva Prodigio 2 costs $170.
Sustainability/Ethical company
The Ghost Trail has 62.3% recycled materials in the upper. It also has 25% recycled materials in the outsole rubber.
As a company, Brooks is committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040. To do this, they plan to cut their “Scope 3” emissions per unit of production by 97% by 2040, compared with 2021. They define Scope 3 as indirect emissions across their entire value chain. You can read more about this on Brooks’ Climate Action page.
Brooks is also aiming to launch a fully circular gear line by 2030. They’re also working to use only recycled or bio-based materials in their shoes and clothing. You can read more about these initiatives on their Sustainable Consumption page.
Features
Volume
The Ghost Trail is a standard-volume shoe. It’s not designed for people with wide feet, but it’s not too narrow for my E-width feet.
Weight
The Ghost Trail weighs 10.8 oz per shoe in my men’s size 9.5 test pair.
Stack height
The Ghost Trail has a 36 mm heel stack height and 28 mm in the forefoot.
Nitrogen-infused cushion
The EVA midsole is injected with nitrogen bubbles, creating small air pockets that make it lighter and bouncier than solid EVA foam.
All-terrain traction
The Ghost Trail has cross-terrain features, such as shorter 3 mm lugs, designed for groomed trails, gravel paths, city parks, dirt roads, and gravel road running.
TrailTack green rubber
The Ghost Trail is made with TrailTack Green rubber, which is sticky enough for wet and dry conditions and is made with 25% recycled materials.
DNA LOFT v3
The midsole foam is nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 EVA foam. This foam is lightweight and bouncy, and provides plenty of cushion underfoot.
Breathable 3D mesh upper
The Ghost Trail features a soft, slightly stretchy 3D mesh upper that's highly breathable and very comfortable.
Reflective material
The 3D mesh upper has reflective fibers woven into it. If you’ll be running in the dark, check out additional safety gear in our Best Reflective Gear for Running in the Dark guide.
Should you buy the Brooks Ghost Trail?
Buy if you want an affordable crossover shoe for runs on smooth dirt, gravel, and everything in between, and you prefer a higher heel-to-toe drop.
Skip if you want a dedicated technical trail running shoe or want a lower heel-to-toe drop.
Where to buy the Brooks Ghost Trail
The Brooks Ghost Trail running shoes are popular footwear, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership (can be same-day delivery in major metropolitan cities)
evo
Pros: 365-day returns, store locations in ski towns for easy last-minute pick-up, may offer rentals if you want to try before you buy, earn 10% back in Rewards, free membership gets discounts on services and rentals
Returns and advice on where to buy
In general for shoes, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns, like REI. Trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right. At REI, if your funds allow, you can buy two sizes and easily return one. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
Similar trail running shoes
La Sportiva Prodigio 2
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 6 mm
Stack Height: 34 mm heel / 28 mm forefoot
Lugs: 4 mm
Weight (per shoe): 9.3 oz (men’s), 7.9 oz (women’s)
The La Sportiva Prodigio 2 is our favorite overall trail running shoe in our men’s trail running shoe guide. The Prodigio 2 feels similar to the Ghost Trail in terms of stack height and drop. However, the Ghost feels bouncier through the midsole, while the Prodigio 2 feels faster and better suited to technical trails. The Prodigio 2 has less heel-to-toe drop than the Ghost Trail, but similar forefoot cushioning (and slightly less under the heel). The Prodigio 2 is over an ounce lighter than the Ghost Trail, but it also costs $20 more.
If you want an all-around trail shoe, the Prodigio 2 is the way to go. If you want a shoe better suited for dirt roads and that costs less, go with the Ghost Trail. Learn more in our in-depth review of the La Sportiva Prodigio 2 trail running shoes.
La Sportiva Prodigio 2
Men's
Women's
Craft Xplor 2
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 6 mm
Stack Height: 38.5 mm heel / 32.5 mm forefoot
Lugs: 3 mm
Weight (per shoe): 11.1 oz (men’s), 8.9 oz (women’s)
The Craft Xplor 2 feels more like a purpose-built gravel running shoe than the Ghost Trail, which feels like a road running shoe with a burlier outsole added. The Craft Xplor 2 is our overall favorite gravel running shoe from our gravel shoe guide, as well as our favorite gravel shoe in both our Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes and Best Women’s Trail Running shoes guides.
The men’s Xplor 2 weighs slightly more than the Ghost Trail (the women’s is lighter), but it has a full-coverage rubber outsole with deeper lugs. The Xplor 2 performs better on rougher terrain because its wider toe box creates a more stable platform on uneven surfaces. The Xplor 2 costs the same as the Ghost Trail, too.
If you’re looking for a gravel or crossover shoe and like how a traditional road running shoe feels, choose the Ghost Trail. If you want a gravel shoe that can handle rougher singletrack, go with the Xplor 2.
Craft Xplor 2
Men's
Women's
Why you should trust us / About the author
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, trail runner, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado. He's been a runner since childhood, when he ran five days a week as cardiovascular training for soccer. As he grew older, he stopped playing team sports and focused on running and cycling. Sam tests men’s running shoes for Treeline Review and wrote the men’s Trail Running Shoes, Road Running Shoes, and Gravel Running Shoes guides.
After moving to Colorado a decade ago, he started trail running on the local trails. Since then, he has completed countless ultra-distance self-supported trail runs across Colorado and the American Southwest. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Appalachian Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Arizona Trail, Hayduke Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice, always in trail running shoes.
You can read more about Sam on his author page, website, or Instagram.
