Brooks has expanded their Ghost lineup by introducing a brand new shoe called the Ghost Amp.
An amped up version of the Ghost? Yep! Those of us that love the Ghost but also appreciate a shoe that allows us to comfortably run a little faster will surely appreciate this option.
The Ghost has been a tried and true favorite for many runners for years. They are predictable and a shoe that allows you to get in many quality miles.
However, on some runs it’s nice to run faster, to add in some pace work, or to just have some extra pep in your step.
The Brooks Amp is a great option for this, and can be used for speed workouts, tempo runs and even race day for some runners.
The Brooks Ghost Amp is a lightweight daily trainer with a lower heel drop, featuring a new cushioning to help create a smooth and fast ride. While it is has a similar fit and comfort to the original Ghost, there are definitely some changes you will want to know about.
Our Verdict
The Ghost Amp are a fun upgrade to the regular Ghosts, perfect for easy runs when you want a little extra pop or even for some faster running. The light cushioning and 6mm drop are a nice alternative to the heavier, high cushioned shoes and the more expensive super shoes.
Who Is It Good For?
- Wide Feet: These are available in wide, and have a similar fit to the Ghost.
- Heavier Runners: Some cushioning and decent support, but it’s still a light shoe.
- Long Runs: Great for all distances, especially with some faster running.
- Front of the Pack: Can be used for speed workouts, tempo runs, and even an option for race day.
The Ghost Amp would work well for anyone looking for a comfortable, lightweight shoe that makes you feel fast. Important to know that the AMP is not a super trainer or a super shoe. It’s an upgraded daily trainer.
This must be the year of adding a premium revision to a classic shoe. We’ve now tested the Clifton Pro, the Vomero Plus, and now the Ghost Amp. The best way to think of these are shoes where they’ve updated the tech, but tried not to overhaul what you already liked about a shoe.
Brooks Ghost Amp Overview
I’ve gone through many pairs of Ghosts over the years. They’re my “default” shoe on Strava for good reason. For my easy runs, long runs and when I don’t feel like wearing anything else I can throw them on and know I’ll have a good run.
The Ghost Amp sounded intriguing- a lighter, faster version of one of my favorite running shoes.
I did wonder if the appeal of the standard Ghost could be upheld even with some of the changes, and I think Brooks did a great job with this.
They definitely feel lighter and springier, with a lower heel drop.
I love the feeling of the SpringRamp forefoot, which is supposed to help push you off the ground with pop and momentum. The cushion feels just soft enough to make this a good long run shoe but it does not sacrifice responsiveness.
What makes this shoe so different from many super trainers? Rather than adding a plate, Brooks used a SpringRamp, an engineered foam that springs you forward. The cushioning is made with Nitrogen-infused DNA HYPE which is a blend of PEBA and EVA foams.
I think the best part is that for the purpose of these shoes, you don’t really miss the plate at all, and the price point is more reasonable than super shoes.
Coach Amanda: Total transparency I’ve been pretty ho hum about recent Brooks Ghost releases. They just felt like something was missing as brands continue to improve the midsole in other shoes. BUT of course that’s also a win for those of you who love what it is.
That meant I was really, really excited to get my hands on this upgrade. I loved the Clifton Pro over the Clifton 11 and found something similar here. This still won’t be a go to shoe for me, but I enjoy it a great deal more than the regular model.
One of the areas that bothered me was the forefoot. I am able to pick up the pace and roll forward, but there’s less padding in the forefoot than other areas and I just found that over time that wasn’t a comfortable ride. So maybe a small tweak in the next model that would put this on my rotation list!
Brooks Ghost Amp Specifications
- Brand: Brooks
- Usage: Daily Trainer
- Previous Model: None
- Weight: 9 oz Men’s, 8 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 36 mm heel
- Heel Drop: 6 mm
- Available in 12 Colors
- Available in wide and extra wide
- Available at Brooksrunning.com $150
The shoe comes in many different color options. You can choose something plain and standard (like light blue, black or gray) or something brighter with pops of yellow or orange. Very Brooks to provide a variety!
Quick Take
Pros
- Price point for updated tech is great
- Versatile pace shoe
Cons
- Minimal forefoot cushion
- Some may not like the lower drop
Brooks Ghost Amp Vs Brooks Ghost 18
Let’s get into what you really want to know, how do these two shoes stack up! There’s only one true way to compare and Coach Amanda once again put on a shoe from both pairs to go for a run.
The major difference is the foam used through the midsole. It’s the same amount of cushion with the 36mm heel stack height, but the Amp has a bit more energy to it. The shoe doesn’t feel as firm. However the spring ramp also means there’s less foam under the toes which is not something you notice with the Ghost 18.
You can see from the stats that the AMP is lighter with a lower heel to toe drop, which goes towards that ability to pick up the pace. But it’s still not a lightweight shoe or a plated shoe designed for high speeds.
- Heel collar is more padded in the AMP which could make it feel shorter
- Tongue design is better in the AMP if you’re a sockless or low sock runner
- Heel counter is more rigid in the Ghost 18
- Similar fit through midfoot and toes
- Lower heel drop in AMP we love for folks with more ankle mobility, but 10mm is better if you have Achilles issues or less ankle mobility
- Price point is the same, which is really interesting
- Thinner outsole rubber coverage on the AMP, might make it less durable long term
Brooks Ghost Amp Fit
The Ghost Amp have a similar fit to the regular Ghosts. As someone who sometimes needs a bit of a wider toe box, I feel like my toes fit comfortably in these shoes. To be clear it’s not a wide toebox shoe.
And while they aren’t a wide shoe, there is a decent amount of space in the midfoot to accommodate a wider fit and a higher arch.
They also have a soft but sturdy heel cup so it doesn’t feel like your foot will move in the shoe.
The gusseted tongue for midfoot lockdown makes it easy to get the tongue to lay flat. The upper is made from a lightweight warp knit, and it’s a very lightly padded tongue, making is breathable and comfortable even in the crazy heat we’ve been experiencing lately.
The laces are super long making a heel lock absolutely doable!
While this is not a stability shoe, the secure heel gives a touch of support while the dynamic forefoot allows your foot to move as needed as you pick up the pace.
Compared to the regular Ghosts, these are more flexible and feel like they are giving your foot a soft hug.
Brooks Ghost Amp Feel
While the Ghost Amp has a similar fit to the Ghosts, there is definitely a difference in the feel due to the weight and soft springy feel.
It falls somewhere between a daily trainer and a super trainer. It’s a shoe you may put on for an easy run and then run a little faster than planned. There is also a lower heel drop, which is 10mm in the Ghost 18 and 6 in the Ghost Amp.
Brooks removed the strobel from the shoe, which is a thin layer of material sewn to the upper and attached to the outside. Removing this part of the shoe allows your foot to sit closer to the midsole. It makes your foot feel more connected with the shoe and ground, providing a light and responsive feel.
Most of my runs in these shoes were at an easy pace, and I did run a few seconds faster per mile than a typical easy run in my daily trainers. However, I think on a recovery day I’d reach for something with more cushioning.
They were a good middle ground for an easy run with strides. I comfortably ran my long run of 15 miles in these, and plan to use them for future long runs during marathon training.
I did one interval workout in the Ghost Amps, which included 5k and 10k paces. I was comfortable hitting those paces in these shoes, but I didn’t get the same “wow these shoes make me feel so fast” feeling like I get with the Hyperion Max or Elites, so personally I don’t think I’d reach for them on race day.
Coach Amanda: Absolutely agree with these being a versatile shoe that can pick up more speed than the Ghost, but aren’t meant for big meaty fast workouts. Like they might feel good for 4+ hour marathon runners to do marathon pace work and tempo runs, but less enjoyable than other options to hit 7min paces.
Our team has tested a ton of daily trainers, here’s a few other similar shoes: There you have it! One long time super Brooks running shoe fan who adores the shoe and another tester who thinks it’s a definite upgrade, but still wants to see some refinements. The post Brooks Ghost Amp vs Ghost 18: Which Should You Buy? appeared first on RunToTheFinish.
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