Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. Brooks’ trail shoe lineup isn’t massive, with only a couple key franchise lines in place at the end of 2025. The Cascadia is a beloved do-anything trainer with a race-specific variant coming next spring, and the Caldera is a high stack, comfort-first model designed for ultra distances. What’s missing from those options is a hybrid road-to-trail trainer, which is where the new Ghost Trail shoe fits in. The shoe builds upon the popular Ghost road shoe (currently on its 17th version) and adds some key adaptations designed for off-road use.
The Ghost Trail is intended as an entry level trail shoe for runners accustomed to the fit and feel of road shoes. However, it incorporates high performance elements from both the Brooks road and trail lineup, so it’s also a capable higher mileage trainer for experienced runners who spend equal amounts of time on road and mild to moderate trails.
The uppers of the Ghost Trail are comparable to comfortable road trainers, with a soft air mesh material that breathes well and has good flexibility. Generous cushioning on the tongue and around the ankle collar provide comfort and a secure fit in the rearfoot, while the toebox is rounded enough to allow space for proper toe splay. Protective 3D printed overlays are added at the toe cap, as well as a lateral mudguard; these are very subtle, additions and don’t detract from the overall flexibility of the upper or from the external appearance of a road shoe.
The midsole uses the same nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 compound seen on the road version of the Ghost. This compound is the softest and most comfortable formulation in the Brooks lineup, made from a combination of EVA foam, rubber and air that provides a smooth balance of cushioning and responsiveness. The infused air and nitrogen make the compound lightweight, while the rubber increases its durability. One departure from the road Ghost is an adjusted heel-to-toe drop. The road version has a 10mm drop, while the Ghost Trail has an 8mm drop. This is on the high end for trail shoes but provides a great transitional opportunity for road runners to become accustomed to flatter platforms which are the norm in most trail models.
Similarly, the outsole configuration occupies a transitional zone between road and trail shoes. It consists of the same TrailTack Green rubber compound used on the Cascadia model, which provides outstanding grip in wet and dry conditions. A moderate 3mm lug height gives the outsole enough bite on mild trails and gravel roads, as well as decent stability on technical trails if you’re attentive to your line. The lugs roll smoothly enough on asphalt and concrete to give a similar feel as a road shoe, and flex grooves in the outsole facilitate natural heel-to-toe motion. Surface area mapping of the TrailTack rubber is almost exactly the same on the Ghost Trail as on the road model, with just a slight increase in the midfoot area.
Overall, the Ghost Trail does a nice job of straddling the categories of road and trail shoes. Longtime fans of Brooks road shoes should find that it provides familiarity and confidence when they’re ready to take on new trail adventures. The Ghost Trail is available in men’s and women’s versions at www.brooksrunning.com.
Features and Specs:
- Weight: 10.6oz men’s / 9.6oz women’s
- Stack Height (heel/toe, in mm): 36/28
- Heel-Toe Drop (mm): 8mm
- Upper: Air mesh
- Midsole: Nitrogen infused DNA Loft v3
- Outsole: TrailTack Green rubber with 3mm lugs
- MSRP: $150