SCORE: 7.5/10                                       (May 20, 2021)

Weight: 9.1 oz for Men’s size 9
Heel Drop: 12mm
Shoe type: Mid-cushioned neutral shoe

Pros
• Highly breathable
• Premium upper
• Soft and responsive
• Versatile daily trainer
• Stable

Cons
• It may feel heavy for some runners
• Not for exciting runs because the midsole is not very responsive.
• It may not last longer as expected because of the soft rubber at the forefoot.

Take Away
Brooks Ghost 13 is not the most expensive trainer shoe, but it outclasses most daily trainer shoes in the shoe industry in plush appearance and performance. It carries with it Brooks reputation for comfort, simplicity, and getting the job done. Brooks did not make significant changes to the Ghost 13. As always, it is typical of Brooks to retain what works and adjusting what isn't working. The Ghost 13 is a go-to shoe if you are looking for an easy, consistent, and stable ride of up to 9miles.

Brooks Ghost 13 Instant Impressions
I could not quite notice the difference between Brooks Ghost 13 and Ghost 12. I had to be keen to notice major updates on Ghost 13. However, one thing that stood out was the slick graphic overlays on the lateral sides of the shoe. It gave Ghost 13 a premium look, which was absent in the previous version. I felt that Ghost 13 could easily go as one of the coolest trainer shoes in the market.

I could not stop noticing the slide-in fitting when I tried it on. My foot went in easily, and I could feel it sinking into the thick and soft BioMoGo sock liner. The comfort was unimaginable. It affirmed Brooks's reputation for designing comfortable running shoes.

A thin, stretchy Air Mesh also welcomed my foot. The mesh wrapped around my foot without any restriction. I could feel air permeating into the shoe and my toes splaying out unrestricted.

I took the Ghost 13 out for a run. The ride was easy and somehow bouncy but not as exciting as running in the Glycerin 19. Despite the 12mm Heel drop, I loved its consistency. I could easily focus on the run and not the shoe. I felt confident with every stride. The heel-to-toe transition was seamless.

The ride was quite bouncy and slightly responsive. Ghost 13 did not respond well to quick runs but performed greatly on short and long-distance running. I did a 6k on the first day, and I did not experience major faults with the shoe.

Brooks Ghost 13 is a neutral shoe that works for anyone. It is simple and accommodating. It does not come with significant changes, but one thing for sure; this shoe rides soft than the previous version. Brooks did not let its fans down.

Brooks Ghost 13 Sole Component

In Brooks Ghost 13, all the magic happens in the midsole. Like in Ghost 11 and 12, Brooks carried on with the DNA Loft cushioning in Ghost 13. However, it made a significant change with the DNA Loft placement in the midsole. In the previous versions, Ghost 11 and 12, the DNA Loft was placed at the heel and extended halfway to the midfoot. The midsole comprises two foams, the BioMoGo DNA foam, a responsive foam sitting above the DNA Loft foam. Its role is to provide responsiveness from a runner's stride while retaining the soft cushioning of the DNA Loft foam.

In Ghost 13, Brooks extended the DNA Loft up to the forefoot to enhance cushioning. Practically, Ghost 13 rides softer than the Brooks 12. Ideally, the extension of the DNA Loft cushioning allows types of foot strikers to enjoy the shoe.
As a heel striker, I felt softness beneath the foot.

Even with the extension of the DNA Loft cushioning, the Brooks Ghost 13 is not extra soft. It has a middle ground cushioning just enough to support the foot as you rack up more miles.

It is not as springy or squishy as the Hoka Clifton 7 but rides soft in almost all terrain. The midsole responded well with each foot strike, and it felt great running on road and trail. On the other hand, it is not as soft or forgiving as the Glycerin19 but has more of a bounce feel than the Glycerin 19. The 12mm Heel drop guarantees a seamless heel-to-toe transition. I felt that this shoe performs best on the road. The ride was easy.

Brooks did not disappoint with the outsole design. While most shoes are cutting off rubber at the outsole to keep their brands lightweight, Brooks splashed rubber in the entire outsole to make the shoe more versatile and durable.

Brooks has used the same rubber applied in Ghost 12 but proceeded to make a slight change in the outsole of Ghost 13. It may go unnoticed, but you will see a trusstic system placed on the medial side if you look keenly.

While the abrasive rubber in the Ghost 12 extends deep into the midfoot, in Ghost 13, the trusstic system rubber placed in the medial side has been pushed further back. Brooks splashed more rubber to cover an extra surface area in the midfoot. The intention is to counter the additional soft cushioning of the midsole by enhancing support of the forefoot to allow a stable toe-off or efficient heel-to-toe transition.

The hard rubber in the lateral side of the heel helps protect the shoe from abrasion and increases traction and stability during running. The rubber is solid enough to sap up the landing impact.

The outsole rubber at the forefoot area is softer and more forgiving to provide an extra bounce during propulsion. It also allows the flex grooves under the toe box to effectively free up the DNA LOFT in the forefoot to conform to a runner's foot strike.

I felt the outsole less restrictive during propulsion. The downside is that the soft lugs in the forefoot appeared to give in to abrasion. I fear that though durable, this shoe may not last longer than top stability running shoes like Nike Pegasus 37.

I did over 10k miles, and the ride was stable, soft, and easy. The shoe felt responsive but not like the Nike Pegasus 37.

Brooks Ghost 13 Upper Component

The major update is in the upper. Brooks is known for keeping it simple. Interestingly, this time around, it changed the upper from simple mesh to plush-looking. The mesh has graphic overlays in the upper and across the midfoot. The icy-like shimmering overlays give the shoe a 'cool' appearance than in the Ghost 12. Just like in Brooks 12, the upper is accommodating.

The flexible 3D jacquard Air Mesh material combines with the roomy toe box and steady heel counter to provide a perfect fit for any foot, whether wide or narrow. I felt comfortable and secure in Ghost 13.

The midfoot area of the upper is a combination of security, strength, and frame. The lacing system enhances a good lockdown. Brooks has a spot on fitting.
Brooks did try much to make the dual-layered upper material more breathable by using a thinner version of the mesh is used in the Ghost 12. The approach has also helped in shading off some weight.

The combination of breathability and flexibility felt like a significant upgrade to me. The 3D mesh in the Ghost 13 stretches more than the 3D material used in the Ghost 12 but maintains a snug fit. I felt my foot perfectly accommodated. My toes could spread out naturally without any restriction.

The tongue is thickly cushioned yet not gusseted. Still, it does a good job of providing comfort and enhancing the fit. Moreover, I did not experience the tongue slipping sideways or downwards. Instead, it settled undisturbed on top of my foot.
Ghost 13 has an internal heel counter made of lightweight plastic. It is rigid but very forgiving. It securely locked down my heel to assure me a confident foot gait. The collar felt well-padded, and I did not experience irritation.

Overall, Ghosts 13 fits true to size. It is the greatest consistency demonstrated by Brooks. I think Brooks only needed to enhance breathability, and it did so by going for a thinner double-layered mesh. The upper layer is comfortable, soft, and fits true to size. I have never felt my feet tiring whenever I go for the extra miles. The ride always feels soft and plush.

Conclusion

Brooks Ghost 13 works well for heel strikers who need a high heel-to-toe offset. The heel drop of the Ghost 13 is fairly high. Still, the 12mm heel drop tends to go unnoticed when running. With the 12mm heel drop, this shoe perfectly fits a beginner or a runner who does not know what to wear.

Though not as soft as the Glycerin 19, Ghost 13 is a shoe to consider. It is quite lightweight, well-cushioned, bouncy, stable, and versatile. Therefore, you can use it for tempo runs, long and short distance running.

You can comfortably rack up longer miles with Ghost 13. It means it is a go-to shoe for a runner looking for a running shoe that does everything. Ghost 13 perfectly suits a runner with a wide foot. You have to purchase a pair with a narrow toe box if you have narrow feet. Besides, the Ghost 13 comes in all sizes, Wide, extra-wide, standard, and narrow.

Since it does not have major flaws, you may consider having Ghost 13 as your main trainer or rotational running shoe. It does match the price tag.

The article is written by: Robert Holding, who is a regular runner living in Boston. He has thousands of miles under his foot. Robert is also a lover of Brooks and has a taste for excellent running shoes.
.