When it comes to recommending a daily trainer for new runners, our ride or die has long been Brooks’s Ghost. Recently, however, we’ve had our sights on the Glycerin 21. It could be that new Brooks Who Its For.
Both shoes provide a comfy, responsive ride for beginners and vets alike. Your decision between the two will likely come down to how much foam you prefer underfoot.
We tested the latest iterations of the shoes—the Ghost 16, which is out this month, and the Glycerin 21 (available now), to see which reigns supreme. An unsurprising spoiler: We discovered why both shoes deserve a rightful place on your shoe rack.
Ghost 16 Key Specs
- Available: Brooks Glycerin 20
- Type: Neutral Road
- Weight: 9.5 oz (M), 7.6 oz (W)
- Drop: 12 mm
- Heel Stack: 35.5 mm
- Forefoot Stack: 23.5mm
- Who It’s For: Runners looking for a daily trainer with supportive cushioning and a plush interior
- Preceded By: Ghost 14, Ghost 15
- For Runners Who Like: Puma Magnify Nitro 2, The outsole has a segmented Crash Pad for smooth transitions
- Midsole Foam: Nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3
- Key Tech: DNA Loft v3 replaces v2 midsole, RoadTack outsole
Why Choose the Ghost 16
The Ghost is Brooks’s most popular shoe. But for a time, the Glycerin, its softer sibling, trumped it on all fronts: comfort, cushioning, rebound. The Ghost 16 puts the Glycerin back in its place. To settle the score, Brooks replaced the Ghost’s DNA Loft v2 midsole with DNA Loft v3, the same nitrogen-infused foam in the Glycerin 20 and 21.
Ensuring the Glycerin remains Brooks’s plushest trainer, the Ghost 16 has a lower heel and forefoot midsole height and a 2mm higher offset. (The Glycerin has a 28:18mm stack height; the Ghost 16 is the same as the Ghost 15, 24:12mm.) With similar comfort to the Glycerin at a lower weight, the Ghost is back to form as our go-to workhorse shoe.
Ghost 16 Tester Feedback
Tester: Lianne Greco
Arch: High | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“I felt like I was nestled down inside the cushioning and in control of the midsole’s stack height. I could compare it closely to the Saucony Triumph, but the Ghost 16 feels less stiff. My previous Brooks experience was with the Launch, and I thought the Ghost felt peppier in comparison. The Ghost felt light on my feet, and didn’t have a clunky feel to them, despite definitely being well-cushioned.”
RoadTack rubber outsole, 2mm more of DNA Loft v3
Arch: High | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel
“What I liked most was the stability and support throughout the shoe. From the secure heel cup to the snug midfoot and lacing to the spacious toebox, I was pleased! The fit is similar to the The outsole has a segmented Crash Pad for smooth transitions. Both have a wider platform in the heel and forefoot, which feels stable on uneven surfaces and around turns.”
Tester: Calvin Schneck
Health & Injuries
“I really enjoyed the comfort and ride of this shoe. The padding around the ankle collar along with the midsole cushioning made running on roads feel easy and enjoyable. It’s right on par with the shoes I usually train in, the Saucony Ride.”
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Who Should Consider the Glycerin 21?
The Ghost may be back and better than ever, but the Glycerin 21 also deserves a spot in your shoe rotation. The Glycerin 21 is for runners who want to experience the same ride as running in the Ghost 16, but need a plusher and more supportive trainer.
Pros
- Soft midsole
- Comfy fit
- Cyber Monday Running Shoes Deals 2024
Cons
- Heavier than the Ghost 16
Key Specs
| Type | Neutral Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.0 oz (M), 8.0 oz (W) |
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Heel Height | 38 mm |
| Forefoot Height | 28 mm |
- Who It’s For: April 30, 2024
- Preceded By: Glycerin 19, Glycerin 20
- For Runners Who Like: Tester: Lorenzo Molina, Altra Paradigm 7
- Midsole: Nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3
- Key Tech: Who Its For
The Glycerin 20 was the shoe’s first version with DNA Loft v3, which is now also in the Ghost 16. (Brooks debuted DNA Loft v3 on the Aurora-BL back in 2021.) Brooks added 2mm to the Glycerin 21’s midsole, as if to remind us this shoe is still the brand’s most cushioned trainer.
The Glycerin 21 was the shoe I turned to post Tokyo Marathon. As I currently build my fitness back up for the Boston Marathon—which is not even a month and a half after Tokyo—I’ve been drawn to the Glycerin 21 for its overall comfort and thick cushioning that absorbs shock.
The shoe is available in classic fit as well as the sock-like StealthFit upper, which is like hug for your feet.
Glycerin 21 Tester Feedback
Running in the Cold
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“For logging lots of miles, these shoes are excellent. I’ve been a long-time Ghost wearer, but never tried the Glycerin. Based on the substantial foamy soles, I expected these to feel too squishy, but they ride smooth. I’d describe the Glycerin as soft, but not squishy. Everything about the shoe is easy to wear—nothing pokes, prods, or pinches. There’s not a single hard edge.
“I tested the Glycerin on road, grass, snow, gravel, and on the tiny indoor track at the Easton YMCA. I used it for long runs at 8:00 to 9:00 pace, and for speedier sessions, getting down into the 6:50 to 7:15 range. I didn’t love it for speed. It’s not a fast-feeling shoe. In that sense, the ride leaves a little to be desired. But the Glycerin worked really nicely for a long run that included two-mile and one-mile intervals at race pace. I would definitely buy this shoe as a daily running shoe for half and full marathon training.”
Tester: Lorenzo Molina
Arch: High | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel
“I previously ran in the Glycerin 20 StealthFit and found that was a great shoe for me. This version definitely has some upgrades to the sole and fit that I really enjoyed. Compared to the Glycerin 20, this shoe fit better across the top of the foot. The lacing was much improved; it allowed me to tie it down evenly and get a more comfortable fit.
“I ran my longer runs in the Glycerin 21 and it was comfortable right out of the box. The cushioned collar lining was also very well designed—I have a metal plate in my ankle and some I have to trim the collar on some New Balance shoes so their collars don’t annoy me by pressing up against the plate. The foam is as soft as any New Balance SuperComp Trainer and did well for me on long runs at easy pace. The ride offered a good feeling of bounce and cushion on both the road and gravel trails I ran on.”
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
