
The intro, as always, made me dig into the history of where it all began. The Ghost series as we know, didn't really launch in 2008. It was a relaunch of much-loved Burn series, which took the burn. Burn was a low-cushioned neutral trainer, and runners loved it for its lightweight and aesthetics. It was 2008 when the first edition of Brooks Ghost launched. The series has become so popular that Ghost and Brooks are synonymous. Ghost series shoes are popular among runners due to the comfort the shoe offers. 

Ghost 15 sticks to its legacy, and offers the same comfort and cushioning. It's a neutral daily trainer packing a mix of classic and modern elements. Compared to its predecessor, the midsole got a significant update. It is now lighter and softer than before. 

_So how does the Ghost 15 perform? Spoiler alert! If you are a Ghost loyalist, you will love this one more than ever. If not, errr, you should dive into the detailed review and check it out what the shoe feels like._

Disclaimer: Brooks Running India has sent this Ghost 15 to us. That said, stay rest assured this is a neutral review.  This is neither a sponsored post nor does Brooks Running India have any say about the review.

<ShoeCard shoeCode="007002015M"></ShoeCard>

##### What makes up Brooks Ghost 15?

The Ghost 15 is the same traditional	comfort-oriented neutral trainer. Not many things have changed when compared to its predecessor. It packs the high 12mm heel-to-toe offset, with stack height of 35mm (+3mm from Ghost 14) on the heel and 23mm on the forefoot. Its published weight is 286g (for UK 8), which is the same as its predecessor. But it is slightly heavier when compared to the new age daily trainers. Skechers GoRun Ride 10 and the Saucony Ride 15, are a few examples which weigh much less. Even the other best-selling running shoe counterpart, the Nike Pegasus 39 had shed some weight in 2022, yet kept all the elements it's known to offer. 

In India, the Ghost 15 retails for ₹12,499 (about $154 USD), which is about 10% more than the retail price in the United States. This is also slightly pricier than the other daily trainers in the market.  However, some of the features may justify the premium price. 

**Midsole**

The midsole is where the Ghost 15 sees a significant update. It features a full length DNA LOFT V2 cushion foam, which Brooks says is more softer and lighter than its predecessor. DNA LOFT is proprietary cushioning foam which is made up of a combination of EVA foam, rubber, and infused with nitrogen gas. We measured the durometer of both editions in our lab, and can confirm that Brook's claim of softer midsole is true. 

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
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    <LightBox
      src="/images/ghost15_1.jpg"
      caption="Softest Ghost"
      alt=""
    ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

The Ghost 14 measures at 32, whereas it is 27 for the Ghost 15. It even got more flexible compared to the Ghost 14. The Ghost 15 also packs the segmented crash pad, to help smoothen the transition from heel to toe.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
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    <LightBox
      src="/images/ghost15_6.jpg"
      caption="Compares well with other midsoles in the category"
      alt=""
    ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

**Upper**

There’s nothing majorly exciting in the upper. It features an engineered mesh which is quite comfortable. It’s not a single-layer mesh, yet it runs breathable. Brooks uses its 3D Fit Print technology, giving the upper an engineered structure and flexibility. Brooks says that over 60% of the upper is made up of recycled materials. A lot of the brands are now using recycled materials made of plastic bottles from landfills and converting them to usable filament fibres, hence reducing the environmental impact.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox
      src="/images/ghost15_2.jpg"
      caption="Upper is airy and extremely comfortable"
      alt=""
    ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

**Heel**

The heel counter in the Ghost 15 is pretty rigid and offers good stability around the ankle. There’s a reinforced wing-shaped plastic support that wraps the heel. There are reflectors on the sides. Inside is a soft and plush cushion padding that offers great comfort, thus no irritation felt on the heel. There was no heel slippage so I never had to use heel lock lacing, something that was a bummer for me in the [Hoka Clifton 8](https://geeksonfeet.com/shoegeeks/hoka-clifton8-review/). 

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox
      src="/images/ghost15_3.jpg"
      caption="Well padded heel with good stability"
      alt=""
    ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

**Outsole**

The outsole hardly changed. It's the same old thick rubber spanning almost throughout the outer, giving increased durability to the Ghost 15. The pattern in which the rubber covers the midsole also remains unchanged. The rubber on the heel is harder than the rubber on the forefoot. The durometer score for the rubber on the heel was averaging around 60, whereas on the forefoot it was a mere 40. This makes sense as Brooks understands majority runners using Ghost 15 are likely heel strikers. 

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
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    <LightBox
      src="/images/ghost15_4.jpg"
      caption="Durable outsole"
      alt=""
    ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

##### Why did I consider this shoe?

I have been eyeing the Ghost series since its 13th edition. The Ghost 15 came at the time when mileage was in focus in my marathon training block. Technically, I like to train in high offset trainers, courtesy Haglund deformity that I’ve. It's a big deal for me since Ghost 15, like a classic trainer, packs a 12mm offset. Not just that, I was looking for a trainer with more comfort and an apt cushion to put on the mileage-based runs. Ghost 15 checks all the boxes. 

##### Ride In Ghost 15

I have run about 190 KMs in Ghost 15 as of the day of publishing this review. My break-in run felt like I had met a perfect training partner. It was an easy-paced 10K averaging at pace 6:00 min/km. If I had to rate the Ghost 15 based on my first experience, it would have been a 10 on 10.

The next run was the 30K long run. The easy pace felt comfortable and stable. I can feel the midsole accepting the impact really well. It is not convincing that Ghost 15 has an offset of 12mm. It was pretty easy to land on my forefoot. All was fine until my legs started giving up, after 26KMs. It feels a little heavier once you are tired and the days when my legs are sore. The ride felt similar during my other 32K (20 miler) long run. The heavy feel could also be because of me moving into the Ghosts after putting a lot of similar miles on the Saucony Triumph 20 [(review)](https://shoegeeks.in/review/saucony-triumph20-006010020/)and the Hoka Clifton 8 [(review)]((https://geeksonfeet.com/shoegeeks/hoka-clifton8-review/)). 

Since then, I have mostly run in Ghost 15 for all my easy mid-distance mileage runs. I have also attempted some strides and a tempo run to understand how it performs. The Ghost 15 does a fine job when picking up the pace up to an extent. It feels squishy once you hit the tempo paces. Is it versatile? Yes, up to an extent. You'll feel nice running from an easy to moderate pace. Do you want a neutral trainer that can pick up some intense paces? Check out the conclusion for recommendations.

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    <LightBox
      src="/images/ghost15_5.jpg"
      caption="Versatile enough for most runs, but not great after fatigue sets in"
      alt=""
    ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

**Fit & Comfort**

Can we just cut this section short by saying the Ghost 15 aces in the fit and comfort element and deserves a 10 on 10? 

Right out of the box, one could sense the comfort. The heel counter is nicely padded, and so is the non-gusseted tongue. There is no irritation on the achilles. The Ghost 15 fits true to size. For someone with narrow feet, you'll feel the tox box is spacious. Brooks also runs a wide variant, to make sure everyone’s covered. The lockdown is also handled very well. The upper gives a socks-hugging feel. Ghost 15 surprisingly feels breathable despite the padding, which probably makes it my go-to trainer for the long runs during the summer. 

**Stability**

The Ghost 15 is on paper a neutral daily trainer, but has packed a few stability elements. The rigid heel counter paired with an arch support gives support to the ankle and the heel whereas the wide platform underneath offers a stable ride. The good midfoot lockdown made sure that cornering was worry free. The Ghost 15 will do nearly good for mild overpronators.

**Durability**

The Ghost series has been rhyming with durability since its inception. The midsole is well protected by a rubber in the outsole which runs deep. In my runs close to 200KMs, there's barely any wear and tear to be seen. Undoubtedly the Ghost 15 is gonna last long just like all of its predecessors have been. I put the Ghost 15 on par with the Pegasus series in terms of durability. One can expect it to last quite comfortably for at least 800KMs. While most of my runs have been on road, I have run occasionally on some rocky patches and on wet patches where the Ghost 15 have gripped very well. Since I don't own any trail running shoes, I wouldn't hesitate to take them on an occasional trail run. 

**Aesthetics**

Brooks Running India sells Ghost 15 in 10 different colour ways. I have the blue night life variant, which looks exciting compared to all. The variant I have has got some reflective elements, but may not match the one we had for the Saucony Kinvara 13 (review). 

**My wish list for Ghost 16**

As a Ghost series fan, I would like to see Ghost match or better new-age daily trainers, which offer a lot of versatility. I would like the Ghost 16 to offer much more versatility. Packing in the nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3, from the Glycerine series will give some excitement underneath. If this can be done keeping in the present-day configuration with reduced weight, the 16 would be my dream daily trainer. 

##### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="007002015M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Aces comfort",
    "True to size fit",
    "Feels stable",
    "Highly durable",
    "Breathable",
    "No break-in required",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "Not very versatile",
    "Not the lightest, when compared to peers",
    "Runs dull",
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
The Ghost 15 is still a classic daily trainer, which aces many of our test parameters. The comfort is top-notch, the cushion is apt, the upper is breathable, the stability is right and has always been durable. 

The shoe will remain an easy-to-recommend to all new beginners. For experienced runners, the Ghost 15 will be an ideal easy mid-distance workhorse, and that’s exactly where it will be used in my rotation cycle. Other shoes in my rotation cycle, Saucony Triumph 20 for long runs, Hoka Clifton 8 for recovery and the Nike Zoom Fly 4 for tempo workouts and race day.

If you are looking for a more versatile daily trainer from Brooks, which can pick up pace for mid-distance runs, you can try the lightweight and the low-to-ground Brooks Revel 5. If you are looking for some pep underneath while you aspire to clock miles, the Glycerine 20 would be ideal. The Ghost 15, if it had some more response underneath and had it run lighter this year, it would have been the top neutral-trainer of the year. To conclude, the Ghost 15 is a reliable, comfortable and durable daily trainer one wouldn’t regret having in their shoe rack. 
</InfoCard>


Ghost 15 is a classic daily trainer, with top-notch comfort, apt cushioning, breathable upper, good stability and a durable construction

Brooks Ghost 15 Review


Contemporary running shoes, especially those meant for speed and performance, are packed with many technological advances.  These new shoes feature beefy midsoles, carbon composite plates, high bounce foams, curved geometries, and fancy upper materials, which are supposed to make runners run faster and longer. There are, however, some shoes that buck the current trend and stick to the basics. These shoes don’t make you any faster than you are, and you have to put in your work.  However,  if you want to run faster, these shoes play along very well and don’t come in your way.  Newest Kinvara, the 13th edition of this legendary line-up is one such shoe.  __It is a no-nonsense running shoe that sticks to basics.__  

We’ve reviewed Kinvara 12 last year ([Check the review here](https://shoegeeks.in/review/saucony-kinvara12-006003012/)), so I can’t help but compare it with the previous edition. Please do read the Kinvara 12 review for a better understanding of what Kinvara 13 has to offer. 

<ShoeCard shoeCode="006003013M"></ShoeCard>

##### What makes up Kinvara 13?

As a running shoe, Kinvara 13 is as minimal a shoe as it can get. It has 4mm heel-to-drop, one of the lowest in the market.  It continues to maintain the light weight profile from the previous editions.  Its published weight is 213g (for UK 8).  We’ve measured UK 10 at 240 grams (a 2 gram increase from the previous edition).  It has a stack height of 28.5mm. The shoe is one of the lightest in this price range (under 10000 INR).

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_10.jpg" caption="One of lightest in this price range" alt="" ></LightBox>

Given how it is made up, it is hard to label Kinvara 13 as a daily trainer or speed trainer. It doesn’t have the versatility of daily trainers like Nike Pegasus 39 or Puma Velocity Nitro 2.  Even within Saucony’s own line-up, Ride 15, and Endorphin Shift 3 are way more versatile and can be rightly called as daily trainers. On the other hand, the speed trainer landscape has significantly changed, since we reviewed Kinvara 12.  [Saucony Endorphin Speed 2](https://shoegeeks.in/review/saucony-endorphinspeed2-006012002/), Puma Deviate Nitro 2, Asics Magic Speed 2, Adidas Takumi Sen 8 offer much better bounce, and are much fun to run at faster paces.

Kinvara 13 fits somewhere in between, and it indeed feels like a compromise.  It is a cheaper daily trainer that can be used for short-to-mid distances, and can double-up as a speed trainer.  

__Midsole__

Midsole shape is unchanged from Kinvara 12. If you place the two editions side-by-side, you can hardly find the difference. Like the earlier edition, Kinvara 13 is made of PWRUN Midsole, which is a light-weight blend of EVA.  EVA based midsoles are firm, but are very durable.  The EVA blend used in Kinvara 13 is much softer compared to the one used in the earlier edition.  I’ve measured it at 34 for Kinvara 13, as opposed to 37 for the previous one on the durometer.  The durometer matches that of React foam used in Nike ZoomFly.  But it is still a far cry from the softness offered by the likes of Saucony Endorphin Speed 2, New Balance Rebel 2 which are in the range of 25-30.

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_8.jpg" caption="Kinvara 12 (left) and Kinvara 13 (right) side by side" alt="" ></LightBox>

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_9.jpg" caption="Midsole is much softer than previous editions" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Upper__

The upper is a mono-engineered mesh, and is very well constructed.  This is probably the only biggest upgrade from the previous edition.  The upper is highly breathable and well-ventilated.  The eyelets standard configuration of 6+1. The laces used however, are strange. Instead of flat laces, it used one that is rounder.  Interestingly, the kind of laces used changes from one color-way to the other.  The colorway, I had used a rounded lace configuration, and I am not a big fan of those.  They are bulky and don't really tie well, a perplexing design choice. 

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_1.jpg" caption="Upper is a nice upgrade from previous edition" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Heel__

The heel is virtually unchanged from the earlier edition. It is very well padded at the back and gives plenty of confidence. The midsole below the heel has a flared bevel, and makes the shoe feel very stable. The addtion of a proper pull-tab is a nice touch.

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_2.jpg" caption="Heel is well padded, pull tab is a nice addition" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Outsole__

Outsole design is retained from Kinvara 12.  The midsole is fully exposed, with few patches of hard rubber at the heel and under-forefoot. 

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_6.jpg" caption="Kinvara 12 & 13 side-by-side, Outsole is unchanged from 12" alt="" ></LightBox>


##### Why did I buy it?

Having used Kinvara 12 and having seen the other interesting speed trainers, I was eager to check how Kinvara 13 evolved from its earlier edition. Given that I am also starting to train for an upcoming half-marathon in February, I was hoping Kinvara 13 could be a good addition to my rotation.

##### Kinvara 13 Ride

I’ve run about 90 kms in the shoe so far. Most of the runs are easy, but with a mix of speed training. 

The shoe is super comfortable to wear, and feels very light on the feet.  Given my recent marathon block training involved high stack shoes, the shoe feels too minimal. You can even feel occasional stones on the ground, if they are sharp enough.  That said, the shoe has plenty of cushion to protect your feet.

The firm ride the shoe offers makes it a bit harder to use it for easy or recovery runs. It took me a couple of runs to get used to the firmness of EVA foam, after all that PEBA goodness that I was used to during the marathon block training. 

The longer 800m uphill repeats, during which I started to feel the goodness of what Kinvara has to offer.  The lightweight nature, and the firm ride is all you need to have the right leg stiffness go fast against the gravity.  Despite the firmness, the EVA blend used in the shoe does offer a bit of bounce.  But don’t expect too much from it.  It is barely comparable to that offered by speed trainers such as Saucony Endorphin Speed 2.

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_3.jpg" caption="Firm ride, but lighter weight helps" alt="" ></LightBox>

I have also used the shoe for the shorter 400m intervals, but with little bounce it offers, I hardly feel good about the shoe. For shorter repeats, any day, I prefer something like [Puma Liberate Nitro](https://shoegeeks.in/review/puma-liberatenitro-005004000/) which also has similar profile, but is much softer and has much better bounce. 
I also ran a half-marathon distance in the shoe.  While I could get through the distance fairly easily, the shoe is not fun to run the slower and longer runs. 


__Fit and Comfort__

Fit wise it is slightly relaxed compared to Kinvara 12. As a speed trainer, I would have preferred a more snugger fit, like that of Endorphin Speed 2. If you like a snug fit, you might want to consider a half-size smaller than your usual.  As with other Saucony running shoes, the toe box has plenty of room.

__Road Grip__

As the outsole doesn’t have much rubber, the grip is just enough on tarred roads.  On roads with loose gravel, and sand, the shoe doesn’t give any confidence to run faster. 

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_4.jpg" caption="Hardly any rubber on outsole, and the grip is barely okay" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Aesthetics & Ergonomics__

Saucony India sells Kinvara 13 in 5 different colorways, each more beautiful than the other.  Vizi Pro Night Light color way that I have is a beautiful gradient of Purple Blue to Orange Red.  Night Light offers reflective detailing, which is handy when running the dark. 

### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="006003013M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Low drop and lightweight natures of the shoe promotes natural running",
    "Breathable and airy upper, an upgrade from Kinvara 12",
    "A medium soft midsole, yet offers a firm ride",
    "Affordable price point with discounts",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
"Very little bounce for a speed training shoe",
"Too firm, and not cushiony enough for longer runs", 
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
Kinvara 13 is a minor upgrade from Kinvara 12, which is a bit disappointing.  Much of Kinvara 12 goodness is retained, but for a softer midsole, and better upper.  The shoe feels a bit dated when compared to the peers.  
<br/>
The shoe is designed for runners who enjoy low-drop and firm rides, and have a midfoot or forefoot strike. If you are in that niche, Kinvara 13 can make a good no-frills speed trainer, and is versatile enough for you to run distances up to half-marathons.
</InfoCard>


Reviews

Brooks Ghost 15 Review

Saucony Kinvara 13 Review