If you’re considering a shoe from Brooks, you may be torn between the Brooks Ghost vs Brooks Glycerin. While both shoes are designed to provide a comfortable and supportive running experience, they have different features that cater to different runner needs. We’ll also throw in the Brooks Ghost Max and Brooks Adrenaline for comparison!
The great news is these are both long time favorites of many runners, so you’re already heading down the path of choosing a running shoe that you should enjoy for many miles.
AND a shoe that will likely be around for many more models. Because let’s be honest, nothing is worse than falling in love with a shoe and having it disappear (been there!).
Over the years, I’ve run in a variety of Brooks running shoes, including both of these.
In this article, we’ll compare the Brooks Ghost vs Brooks Glycerine vs Brooks Adrenaline to help you determine which shoe is the right fit for your running needs. We’ll examine the fit, feel, and specific features of each shoe, so you can make an informed decision when it comes to your next pair of running shoes.
Brooks Ghost vs Brooks Glycerin Overview
Brooks Ghost and Brooks Glycerin are two shoes that seem to keep getting more and more similar, especially using the same cushioning system.
The Brooks Ghost is a great option for runners who value cushion and comfort in a daily trainer.
The Glycerin without the GTS label is a neutral shoe with a little more cushion, a little more weight and a little more stability with the wider base than the Ghost.
- Glycerin is more cushioned
- Ghost is a better all around trainer for easy to pick up the pace for the mid pack runner
And the Glycerin Max 3 is a WHOLE different shoe. We love it. But it’s softer and springier than either of these.
Here are some key differences in the Ghost vs Glycerin vs Adrenaline:
- An additional 2mm of cushion in the Glycerin to make it the highest stack height
- All 3 shoes are similar in weight
- 10mm drop in Adrenaline and Ghost
- 8 mm drop in Glycerin
- Glycerin is higher price point due to more cushion
- Glycerin has a slightly wider toebox than the Ghost
- Adrenaline is the firmest of the 3 shoes
- Glycerin upper feels a bit warmer
When to Choose the Glycerin over the Ghost?
As noted these two are really similar, but I think the deciding factor may come down to what you want from your shoe.
If you want an all around daily trainer that you could also use for some tempo work, then the Ghost is going to be your winner. The 17 was updated to a 10mm heel-to-toe drop, so we’re no longer worried about it being an issue for knee pain or IT band issues.
When you want a little more cushion and a light feeling of stability (not the GTS model) then the Glycerin is going to be your winner.
If you want stability first and foremost, then you’ll go with the Adrenaline, though it will feel the least soft of the 4 shoes.
As I said to start, all of these shoes can be great options. So a lot of it comes down to what feels good for you because that is actually a big piece of avoiding injury.
Comparing the Stability Options
On the other hand, the Brooks Glycerin GTS is a shoe designed for stability and support. It features a GuideRails support system that helps keep the body aligned and reduces excess movement while running.
Both shoes utilize the same cushioning system, so we’ll touch more on that below. The Glycerin has a higher stack height and thus more of the v3 cushion which can make it feel a tad more plush. My Ghost’s are pretty broken in at this point and feel plenty soft to me, so this wasn’t a huge difference.
But with the addition of the stability to the GST model, the shoe is going to feel firmer. It’s a true stability shoe, compared to some newer models like HOKA which are using a wider base and stack height to create stability without controlling foot motion.
Brooks DNA Loft Cushioning
Brooks DNA Loft is a cushioning technology used in some of Brooks’ running shoes that combines their DNA foam with a soft, air-filled rubber compound. This combination results in a plush, responsive feel that’s designed to provide maximum comfort and support during a run.
The foam used in the DNA Loft technology adapts to the runner’s stride, providing cushioning where it’s needed most while also delivering energy return to propel the runner forward. The air-filled rubber compound is strategically placed in the midsole to provide additional cushioning and shock absorption without adding extra weight to the shoe.
But it’s so much more than just air here. There is a lot of technology happening, “Using the proprietary DNA LOFT cushioning as our base, we infuse it with nitrogen through a supercritical foaming process that heats the liquid nitrogen until it turns to gas.”
Here’s how this stacks up to their other shoe cushions:
- DNA AMP provides the most energy return of all Brooks cushioning technologies, giving runners a lively, springy ride that propels them forward during their runs.
- BioMoGo DNA strikes a balance between softness and responsiveness, offering a comfortable feel that’s softer than DNA AMP, but firmer than DNA LOFT.
- DNA FLASH is Brooks’ lightweight cushioning technology, designed for speed. It’s not as plush as DNA LOFT, but still offers a soft, comfortable ride that’s ideal for racing and fast-paced training. Additionally, DNA FLASH is infused with nitrogen for added performance benefits.
Technically, the Glycerin uses the nitrogen DNA-tuned cushioning version, where the Ghost uses the v3 version, and so the Glycerin should be softer. They often call it plush, but having tested a TON Of cushioned running shoes, I wouldn’t call it plush.
Brooks Ghost 18
The Brooks Ghost 18 still delivers everything a runner could ask for: just the right amount of cushion in midsole, a durable rubber outsole and a breathable mesh upper to keep your feet feeling comfortable mile after mile.
The Ghost 18 keeps the same DNA LOFT v3 cushioning from the Ghost 17, but Brooks made some real improvements to the upper to include the new soft flat-knit tongue, new sockliner for a softer inside, better breathability, and a slightly roomier toe box. Nothing earth-shattering, but the kind of updates that add up over miles.
This is useful to many runners who end up with lower back pain while running in a too cushioned shoe.
The Ghost 18 is your dependable daily training shoe. If you want something that’s going to hold up run after run without making you think too hard about it, this is it. It’s not your race shoe; it’s not your speed workout shoe. It’s the one you reach for the rest of the time, and it does that job really well.
- Weight: 10.2 oz Men’s, 9.2 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 36mm
- Heel Drop: 10mm
- Available in 6 colors
- Available in Narrow, Standard, Wide (2E), and Extra Wide (4E)
- Available at BrooksRunning.com for $150
- Read our full review of the Brooks Ghost 18 here >>
Brooks Ghost Max 3
Feels like this has to be mentioned here because so many are now leaning in to the bigger stack and more cushion.
While this is not a stability shoe, it’s going to offer a naturally stable ride with moderate cushioning, making it a good choice for runners who already love the fit and feel of a Brooks shoe.
This is going to be a shoe that we keep on our list of best shoes for heavier runners! It’s going to be great if you follow run/walk intervals.
There’s still DNA Loft V3 cushion in the midsole, but it feels a little softer this go around. Now, by no means does softer mean like a pillowy or a marshmallowy New Balance 1080, just that it’s not going to feel like a rock like the Ghost Max 2 did.
- Heel toe drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 9.7 oz women’s, 10.8 oz men’s
- Stack: 39 mm
- Available in 9 colors
- Available in Wide and Extra Wide in select colorways
- Available on August 1, 2025 from Brooksrunning.com for $150
- Read our full review of the Ghost Max 3 here >>
Brooks Glycerin 23
The Glycerin 23 uses nitrogen infused DNA Tuned cushioning, the same as the Glycerin 22s, with 2mm more foam in the forefoot. YES!! In our Glycerin 22, we mentioned a few times wisher for more under the forefoot. Clearly Brooks is taking feedback from runners.
You can feel that it’s soft and comfortable, but also more responsive throughout the run than the 22, with just enough support to make this a shoe that is great for long distances.
The midsole drop changed from 10mm to 8mm, given the extra foam in the forefoot.This is actually a pretty big deal because Brooks for so long has been on the higher end of heel to doe drop. We’ve seen that a more moderate drop might actually be beneficial to preventing knee pain for many runners.
The upper is thicker and plusher, adding some additional comfort and even warmth on colder days. I don’t think these would be too warm to wear in the heat, as I’ve had no issues wearing them on my treadmill in my warm basement.
- Weight: 10.6 oz Men’s, 9.5 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 38 mm
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Available 8 Colors
- Available in wide and extra wide
- Available on brooksrunning.com for $175
- Read our full review of the Brooks Glycerin 23 here >>
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
This shoe is great for runners who need more support without sacrificing comfort or cushion.
The cushioning is DNA LOFT v3 foam, with 3 mm added in the forefoot and 1 mm in the heel, making this shoe feel smoother and softer.
That’s right, more cushion is still the name of the game right now and in our stability shoes, it’s a bonus because the structure often make them much firmer.
With the changes from the Adrenaline GTS 24, Brooks made the platform more narrow to reduce the overall volume of foam but overall the shoe still felt a little big and clunky at first try. As someone with feet on the narrow side, I was able to very easily lockdown and noticed no movement through the midfoot while running.
If you’re someone who worries about too small of a toe box, this won’t be an issue with these shoes.
- Weight: 10.6 oz Men’s, 9.5 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 37 mm
- Heel Drop: 10 mm
- Available in nine colors
- Available in wide or extra wide
- Available on Brooks Running for $155.00
- Read our full review of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 here >>
Drawbacks to Brooks Running Shoes
As noted, every runner has a preference, so there are just a couple of things from my experience.
- They are not ideal for those with high arches or a high mid-foot
- Most of them run a bit more narrow than say HOKA or Altra, but not as narrow as Saucony and Nike
- Still a very traditional-looking run shoe, not fashion-forward
- Bright colors or white dominate the selections
- Limited wide selection
All right, hopefully this Brooks Ghost vs Glycerin breakdown gave you the insights you needed to pick the perfect shoe! The good news is, you’re never married to one running shoe for life! You can keep testing and testing til you find the one that works RIGHT NOW.
Your feet and body change, so you may change what shoes you prefer over time.
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