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.




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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.
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[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.] FINALLY a shoe I don’t have to send back. I have flat feet, and a major bunion on my right foot. I love to hike and am very active.. so need something comfortable, supportive and grippy. These check the box on all of those. I ordered the wide version of my usual size. Completely expecting to be disappointed and have to send them back like the past 12 pairs I’ve tried from various highly rated companies. The toe box is amazing and the rest of the shoe fits securely. I am impressed by the arch support. And they have more cushion that my Cascadias. The color is lighter than shown, more of a grey and pale pink. But I am so relieved to have this pair!
[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.] I love the concept of this shoe as most of my runs are 50/50 road and trail. Pros: grip is great! I have taken on technical trails, loose gravel, rocks, they have performed wonderfully! The cushioning is perfect, providing comfort with no sacrifice of stability. Style - my 10yo daughter said “finally you chose a shoe that looks cool!” Cons: I’m not a fan of the upper. I am disappointed there is not a gusseted tongue. I have to physically be sure the tongue is placed more medially when lacing up. First run over 60min I started to get pressure point pain from the grommets at the medial side. This hasn’t been an issue since paying attention to tongue position and breaking in a little more. I also love the serrated laces on my catamounts and hyperions. I thought the normal smooth laces were a thing of the past. Overall, I prefer the catamounts, but I’ll wear these until they’re worn out.
[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.] I have been wearing Brooks Ghost for 5 years, the 13, 14 and 15 (two pair). I have not had any luck with the Ghost 16, 17, and now the Trail. They just do not seem to fit the same. I ended up returning the Ghost Trail because my heels felt like they were slipping and the toe box just felt a bit wide and... weird? I was hoping to use these on the icy, snowy paved trails in the forest preserve (Chicagoland), and the tread seemed promising, but I just couldn't get past the fit to even give them a try outside.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]