Inoffensive and bland, but not in bad way
4/5
Overall
jhkratos · Jun 2, 2020
30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Winflo 6
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 3/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Brooks Ghost 12
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.9 oz · 31/19mm stack · 12mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Brooks Ghost 13 replaced it
How it ranks
The Brooks Ghost 12 ranks above most daily trainers in our data. Comfort and durability are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 50 runner reviews and 13 other rated shoes in the Ghost product line.
Decent
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
99 Very high
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
- Product line track record
- Our ratings
- External ratings
What runners say
“Fabric ripped at instep in both shoes under 4 months”
“Roomy toe box, snug fit, no smashing or slipping on downhills/uphills”
“Higher offset takes stress off calves and achilles”
“Incredibly lightweight without sacrificing cushion”
“Doesn't flex at 1st MTP joint, alleviates toe soreness”
“Every stride feels like nothing on your feet”
“Heel to toe transition smooth, never clunky”
“Responsive, good cushioning, versatile on roads and trails”
“Firmer shoes take less lower leg work than super soft ones”
“Only 300 miles before wearing through outer sole”
“Get almost twice as many miles as Sketchers”
“Lots of cushioning and support without feeling bogged down”
“Solid heel cup support from first wear”
“Not as sturdy, supportive, or cushioned as Ghost 11”
“Cushion slightly below Adidas or Asics level”
“Fit, ride, and durability excellent, but boring looking”
“Don't recommend for speed work due to weight”
“Durable up to 400 miles”
“Ghost 12 feels heavier than prior versions”
“Wear out sooner than previous shoes”
“Material wearing poorly on interior heel”
“Larger drop than prior versions requires adjustment”
“Runs a bit heavy and light on style”
“Clunky but well-cushioned”
“Can firm up after high mileage”
Prefer this shoe over another
36% 24/67
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Pros
- Reviewers repeatedly call it comfortable, with a smooth heel-to-toe transition.
- Many runners report getting 300 to 400 miles per pair.
- Reviewers use it for easy days, long runs and marathon training.
Cons
- At 11.1 oz, several reviewers find it heavy for speed work.
- Three reviewers prefer the fit and transition of the Ghost 11, which scores 98 on seventy-three reviews against its 83.
- Two reviewers report the upper fabric tearing at the instep or heel.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Brooks Ghost
Each dot is one version of the Ghost, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
-
2026 · 7 reviews
90 Very good
85 Confidence
-
2025 · 8 reviews
87 Good
85 Confidence
-
2024 · 38 reviews
94 Excellent
96 Confidence
-
2022 · 94 reviews
98 Exceptional
99 Confidence
-
2021 · 66 reviews
92 Very good
99 Confidence
-
2020 · 13 reviews
86 Good
88 Confidence
-
Ghost 12 This shoe
2019 · 50 reviews
77 Decent
99 Confidence
-
2018 · 73 reviews
95 Excellent
100 Confidence
-
2017 · 57 reviews
79 Decent
100 Confidence
-
2016 · 13 reviews
89 Good
97 Confidence
-
2015 · 11 reviews
75 Decent
94 Confidence
-
2014 · 74 reviews
71 Decent
99 Confidence
-
2013 · 55 reviews
70 Decent
98 Confidence
-
2012 · 4 reviews
73 Decent
91 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 9.9 oz
- Men's / women's
- Men's 10.4 oz · Women's 9.3 oz
- Release
- 2019 Q2
- MSRP
- $130
- Stack
- 31/19mm
- Drop
- 12mm
Runner reviews
Nice Neutral Everyday Trainer
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jan 29, 2020
50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance 1080 v8
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Great show that performs
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jan 28, 2020
15 mpw training for a half marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Excite 7
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
Brooks Ghost 12
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jan 28, 2020
15 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Ghost 11
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
#1 trainer
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jan 28, 2020
40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Ghost 11
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from Brooks
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Brooks Ghost 12 In Context
More on the Brooks Ghost
- Brooks Ghost 18
- Brooks Ghost 17
- Brooks Ghost 16
- Brooks Ghost 15
- Brooks Ghost 14
- Brooks Ghost 13 next version
- Brooks Ghost 11 previous version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Brooks Ghost 11 11 runners
- ASICS GEL-Cumulus 21 2 runners
- ASICS GEL-Kayano 5 360 2 runners