Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Venture off-road with confidence in the all-terrain traction of these Brooks trail-running shoes. The nitrogen-infused midsoles make every landing feel soft and cushy.




$15
10% Reward
on this and every eligible full-price item*
+
$30
Bonus Card
valid for 30 days after joining*
=
$45
Value
Keep shopping
Imported.
View the Brooks Ghost Product LineView all Brooks Women's Trail-Running Shoes| Best Use | Trail Running |
|---|---|
| Trail-Running Shoe Type | Light-Trail |
| Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 8 |
| Heel Stack Height (mm) | 36 |
| Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 28 |
| Footwear Height | Ankle |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
| Upper | 3D Fit engineered air mesh |
| Midsole | DNA LOFT v3 |
| Outsole | TrailTack Green rubber |
| Rock Plate | No |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 3.2 oz. |
| Gender | Women's |
| 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Women's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 |
| U.S. Men's | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11.5 |
| EU | 35.5 | 36 | 36.5 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45.5 |
Sizes along top of chart are U.S. Women's sizes. Correlating U.S. Men's sizes and EU sizes provided for clarity.
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love Brooks running shoes in general and the Ghost Trail running shoes are my new favorite trail running shoes. They provide a great amount of support and cushion to support long mileage. The support around your ankle and below your foot also make me feel more comfortable on various terrains. The traction is efficient on all sorts of surfaces from rock to gravel to dirt. The Ghost Trail can also be your one shoe for a hiking trip where you are doing both hiking and trail running, making them perfect for travel. Overall the shoes are incredibly comfortable and ones I would recommend to anyone looking for that perfect trail running shoe.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’ve been running on these shoes for about a week and they have been great. I usually wear a size 8, and size up to 8.5 for running shoes. For these, I may have been ok with an 8. They do not feel tight on my feet and I can see myself running and using them for more casual walking. They feel very breathable and have plenty of cushion. The traction is great for my running needs and I’ve had no difficulty transitioning from trail to gravel and back. I do mainly run on sidewalks and so far they are a great shoe for that. I’m not usually a Brooks Ghost shoe wearer but I may be ready to make the switch for good.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This is my first pair of Brooks and I have to say I am in love with them!! I will be completely honest with you, the first time I put them on I wasnt sure, how I would do running and walking in them. They took a bit to break in 1 or 2 days, but they seemed to form to my feet and give me the support I desperately needed. They easily grip to any surface without feeling heavy or restrictive. I have run on smooth paved surfaces as well as off the beaten path in these Ghost Trail shoes by Brooks. Each time I have taken them on a hike I've felt comfortable, agile, and confident. Thank you so much for allowing me to review these shoes.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Brooks Ghost Trail impressed me with how seamlessly it transitioned from road to trail. On pavement it felt smooth and cushioned, while on dirt and gravel it stayed stable and confident without feeling bulky or stiff. The midsole delivered the soft, responsive cushioning Ghost fans expect, making each step feel light and fluid even when the terrain changed frequently. During longer runs, the ride stayed consistent and comfortable, absorbing impact well and reducing fatigue, which made mixed-surface routes feel easy and enjoyable. Traction was excellent on gravel, packed dirt, and uneven trail sections, with a grippy outsole that felt secure without being overly aggressive on roads. The shoe felt durable and trail-ready, easily handling rocks and roots without any awkward slipping or hotspots. Fit was very consistent with other Ghost models- true to size with a secure midfoot and comfortable toe box. Breathability was great, keeping my feet cool and dry, and overall comfort was outstanding, making these an ideal option for runners who want one reliable shoe for both road and light-to-moderate trails.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’ve ran about 23 miles in these shoes so far and what I love the most about them is the soft cushion feel it’s like wearing a road shoe. You can’t even tell that it’s a trail shoe sometimes… I will say that I feel like this model runs a little bit bigger. I have ran in Brooks for over 10 years And usually and always I am a size 8, but in these I definitely feel like I possibly could’ve done a 7 1/2 also the shoelaces could be softer. I feel like they dig a little bit but overall an excellent shoe can’t wait to take them out this weekend on 100 km trail run.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] These shoes are great for trail as well as road to trail! Same comfort and support as the Ghost 17 with trail tread—perfect combo!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The grip on these shoes was absolutely perfect for uneven surfaces, like trail running- the stability is perfect. My only complaint is that I'm generally running a mix of walking/bike paths and trails, based on my location, and the tread is actually a little aggressive for smooth running paths! However, I'd much rather have the extra grip and reliability for the trails than have a smoother tread that is questionably sturdy on rockier terrain. Overall, the fit is great, if a smidge big. I generally waffle between 9 and 9.5, and the 9.5 felt a bit more spacious here, but I wouldn't have sized down to a 9...I just added a thicker pair of socks and it was fine. The light color on these makes me think that they'll hold dirt a bit more than others, but I would still pick them for the superior grip.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] My first shoes of choice from Brooks were the original Ghosts. These deliver many of the same aspects from that I loved from those shoes such as the cushion provided on heel strike and the stability. While these do seem to have a slightly thicker sole, they do not make me feel like my ankle will roll when I am maneuvering the uneven ground of trails. The increases insole thickness does provide enough protection when going over terrain with sharp rock ground surface. They do have less traction than other trail shoes that do allow transition to smooth road surfaces without that sticky feeling other shoes have. This does however mean you do lose some traction ability on steep climbs. Overall, as with the other members of the Ghost shoe line I am very happy with the overall quality, durability and practicality if this shoe!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I got these in a size 7.5, which is my usual size, but they feel like they might run a tiny bit bigger. But I’ll keep them because I feel like a 7 would be too small. They were comfortable right out of the box, well cushioned but not a huge monster sole which I am not a fan of. I started using these just during neighborhood walks of about 2-4 miles with my dog. The shoes did great on sidewalks, park grass and dirt paths. They felt good enough to try some short runs on mix of dirt paths, easy trails and sidewalk. The traction is great, without being too rugged. I feel like I will get many miles out of these shoes! In hindsight I would have gone with a darker color. The beige-ish color and light blue have gotten pretty dirty on the trails. I haven’t tried to clean them yet, so we’ll see how they hold up through a wash!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Women's Ghost Trail Running Shoes are very comfortable to wear when training for running on bumpy paths or rocky roads. The outsole pattern of the bottom of the shoes are great to prevent any slips or falls. There’s padding inside the shoes to provide comfort throughout the entire day. Its material is durable for rainy and windy weather. The fit can run small, so it’s better to wear half a size bigger than my usual sneaker size. I love wearing it a lot.