The Brooks Ghost AMP was announced at TRE in 2025, entering the Ghost family as a more energetic, more dynamic version of the classic Ghost. With a new midsole compound, it raised a lot of attention and I can already tell it’s a great addition to the Brooks lineup and a shoe that will please many people.
Upper and Fit of the Brooks Ghost AMP
What works for me
As per Brooks’ tradition, the fit is very, very good. The shoe genuinely hugs your foot. The heel cup is super solid, offering great lockdown, and the heel counter is very plush. Plushness is really a word that keeps coming back with this shoe: it is very, very plush pretty much everywhere. The semi-gusseted tongue actually helps a lot in achieving a good midfoot lockdown. My true size US 11 / EU 45 fits well.
The duality between the dynamic, responsive midsole and how welcoming the upper is forms a big part of this shoe’s charm.
What doesn’t work for me
The tongue is a bit too thick. Many Brooks shoes run a bit short in the laces department, and this one is no exception. The laces themselves are not top class. Brooks could use the same laces as on the Hyperion Elite 6 here. The upper also runs a bit warm.
Midsole and Ride of the Brooks Ghost AMP
What works for me
The magic is the midsole. The new compound is DNA Hype and it is super responsive and dynamic, a real pleasure to run in. Not too mushy, not too soft, but also not firm or boring. It’s really the perfect blend. The midsole shines at all paces: easy recovery runs feel comfortable, and as you increase the pace it keeps delivering. The SpringrAmp rocker technology helps propel you forward and adds to the overall magic of this shoe.
What doesn’t work for me
Honestly, the midsole is so good that its only issue is that there isn’t more of it in the Brooks lineup. DNA Hype is a compound and technology I strongly believe will be liked by many people, and I’d love to see it spread across more models in the future.
Outsole of the Brooks Ghost AMP
Grip and Traction
The grip is where this shoe disappoints. The rubber compound is not on par with the rest of the shoe, and it let me down on wet terrain. I was slipping around in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time. This is definitely an area that needs improvement.
Durability
The rubber coverage is pretty good, and I expect the midsole to hold up well beyond 600-700km while retaining its dynamism. That said, I don’t think this shoe will reach 800 or 1000km. Given the price point, that is perfectly acceptable.
Conclusion
Value for Money
At €150 / $150, this shoe is exactly spot on. I don’t say this very often, but it could almost be more expensive. Fantastic value.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
This is your all-round uptempo shoe. You can replace pretty much all your shoes with it, including on race day, which again is not something I say very often.
Final Verdict
An absolutely phenomenal shoe. Here in 2026, it is a serious contender for shoe of the year. I genuinely recommend everyone reading this to go pick up a pair, purely for the joy of running in it.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
Brooks Ghost AMP vs. Adidas EVO SL
The Ghost AMP is more tolerant, more democratic and more accessible for a wider range of runners. It is easier to run in and probably more fun too. The only advantage the EVO SL holds is that more advanced runners will find more outright speed in it.
Brooks Ghost AMP vs. Puma Deviate Pure
The Ghost AMP offers much more foam underfoot, exactly what was missing in the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Pure. A clear win for the Brooks in that respect.
Brooks Ghost AMP vs. ASICS Novablast 6
The Novablast 6 feels too clunky, and lacks the bounciness and dynamism of the Ghost AMP. No contest here.
