First Look: Brooks Ghost Trail

Need a reason to take your running off-road? Here are three: great scenery, softer surfaces, and expanded running terrain. Whether you’re new to trail running or regularly run roads to trails and back in one outing, the Brooks Ghost Trail is the perfect crossover shoe. Here’s why.

First, it’s built on a proven platform. The Ghost road shoe has long been a favorite of runners seeking comfort and cushioning—that’s why it’s still going strong in its 17th iteration. The new Ghost Trail takes the trusted fit and ride of the Ghost and infuses it with more traction and durability, which makes it an extremely versatile shoe for a range of runners.

That means you get:

Proven Fit and Comfort

Like the Ghost 17 road shoe, the Ghost Trail securely holds the heel and midfoot while giving way to a just-roomy-enough toe box for a fit that works across most foot types. Soft yet responsive DNA LOFT v3 cushioning underfoot—25mm under the heel and 17mm under the forefoot—gives the shoe a smooth, balanced ride that feels stable. A padded tongue and heel collar add all-day comfort.

On- and Off-Road Performance

Multidirectional traction made of the brand’s grippy TrailTack Green Rubber gives the Ghost Trail superior grip. The 3mm lugs provide secure footing on mellow dirt and gravel surfaces, while still allowing the shoe to run smoothly on roads—there’s no slapping sound or feel of hard rubber hitting pavement, or clunkiness from toothy lugs meant for super-technical terrain. It’s just smooth rolling.

Easy Transition

Due to its road shoe-comfort and familiar feel, plus traction that’s not overly aggressive, the Ghost Trail is the perfect shoe for road runners who are trail-curious. It has the features and performance to venture off roads but still feels lightweight and smooth. A welcome flex at the forefoot adds to a feeling of control.

For the Road-to-Trail and Back Crew

For runners who cover multiple surfaces in one run—roads, dirt paths, gravel, and back to roads—the Ghost Trail delivers. Thanks to the balanced design and low weight (9.6 ounces for women, 10.6 for men), there’s no sacrifice in performance on one surface or the other. Go ahead, mix things up.

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Brooks makes performance running gear for runners everywhere. Propelled by a never‑ending curiosity with how humans move, Brooks designs gear to make every run, walk, and workout better than before. To learn more, visit BrooksRunning.com.