Brooks Ghost 10 Shoe Review

July 19, 2017 By Hollie in Gear Review, Running Tags: brooks, fitness, gear review, run, running, shoes 7 Comments

In the Spring, I ran in the Brooks Ghost 9, and it was one of my favorite shoes of 2017. I ended up running the entire 300-400 miles, and it was replaced in my rotation with other models including the Glycerin 14 and Launch 4.

To be honest, the Brooks Ghost 10 was one of my most anticipated updated shoes! Brooks is not paying to me review their shoes.

Working in the running store, I can tell you the Brooks Ghost is one of the most consistent shoes on the market. If you like the 1…you’ll probably like the 2 and the 5 and the 10. I like the Ghost 9, and I also like the Ghost 10.

Most of the update from the 9 to 10 is in the midsole. The Ghost 10 introduces a new two-piece midsole design. It makes it more fluid for running and able to accommodate many different foot strikes evenly (IE: whether you run heel to toe, on your toes on somewhere in the middle).

The updated Ghost 10 also has less seems with minimal stitching and overlays. For someone with wider feet, like myself, nothing rubs. If you have bunions or a wider forefront, you’ll probably appreciate this as well.

Fit:

The Ghost has a narrow heel and wide toe box which is the ideal shape for many people’s feet. It hugs the arches appropriately and for the most part, fits true to size. It’s been hard finding shoes that do fit true to size recently, plus everyone’s foot shape is slightly different (including your left and right foot).

Finding a shoe that accommodates both feet can be a challenge. The Ghost has plenty of space. I wore a regular size 10 in the Ghost 9 and wear a regular size 10 in the Ghost 10.

Ride:

With the included new two piece and fluid midsole, the shoe is much more responsive to where you need the cushion. For many people, they benefit from a much softer heel. For myself, I benefit from a much softer and well-cushioned forefront.

How can the shoe be so adaptive to so many foot types? Brooks uses a unique Cushion Material called “BioMoGo DNA foam.” It’s essential, like memory foam. It molds to your feet and cushions you where you need it. Out of any brand, the cushioning is the most adaptable to your stride. It’s soft, light weight and well cushioned.

It’s soft, light weight and well cushioned. I’ve run speed workouts but also long runs in the Ghost. Ideally, I like to do my easy runs and long runs in the shoe though. Since I’m not running a lot, I do the majority of it in the Brooks Ghost 10 right now.

In summary, I like the Brooks Ghost and think it’s a great shoe. The updates from the Ghost 9 to the Ghost 10 have only enhanced the fit.

Current Rotation:
Brooks Ghost 10 (any run)
Brooks Glycerin 15 (Review to come! any run)
Hoka Bondi 5

Question for you:

What is your favorite running shoe? Has it changed through the years?

Brooks Pureflow 6 Review

June 14, 2017 By Hollie in Gear Review, Running Tags: brooks, fitness, run, running, shoe, shoe review 7 Comments

This Spring there have been a lot of updated shoes I’ve wanted to try. Since I took a big portion off, I have a lot of catching up to do! I haven’t necessarily found a shoe I’m “married” too, but I have found most of the shoes I’ve tried are good updates. I work at a local running store, but I’m not paid by any company. All thoughts are my own.

One shoe I’ve wanted to try for a long time has been the Brooks Pureflow. Unfortunately, I have a wide foot, and it never felt comfortable. I also don’t train every day in flat, minimalist shoes. For me, it’s more of a speedwork shoe.

The Pureflow was one of the last shoes I tried before taking a running break. I was using it as a speedwork shoe. During my running break, I rotated it into a casual shoe, and it was just as comfortable. The shoe has almost reached the end of its life, and I’ve probably logged equally speedwork and walking miles.

Fit:

As mentioned, the Brooks Pureflow has run narrow. The updated version has become wider and accommodating. Like many Brooks shoes, the upper is now seamless, so even if you have a bunion or wider forefront, your foot will probably still fit into the shoe. I usually wear a size 10 in running shoes, and size 10 fits well.

Feel:

The Brooks Pureflow is part of the Brooks “Pure” series which includes the stable Pure Cadence as well as trail Puregrit. The focus of the Pure line is low profile and minimal design. For some runners, this is their everyday trainer. For others, like myself, it’s more of a speedwork shoe.

To me, it feels like a typical speed work shoe. It has a little more cushion than the Saucony Type A and a little less than the Brooks Ghost. In my opinion, it would be an ideal half marathon to marathon racing shoe for someone looking for a little less shoe but not a racing flat.

Pros:

Less than most trainers ($100)
Wider than previous models and can accommodate more foot types

Cons:

Less shoe means less durability.

In my rotation, the shoe is replacing the Launch 4. I didn’t hate the Launch and would buy it again, but I wanted to try something different.

My Current Running Shoe Rotation:
Saucony Freedom ISO (long runs, daily runs)
Brooks Glycerin 15 (daily runs)
Hoka Bondi 5 (recovery runs)
Saucony Type A (races)
Asics Nimbus 19 (cross training)

Questions for you:
Do you prefer more cushion or less?
What is your current favorite pair of running shoes?

Brooks Launch 4 Shoe Review

March 15, 2017 By Hollie in Gear Review, Running Tags: brooks, fitness, health, review, run, running, shoe 7 Comments

The Brooks Launch 4 has quickly become a staple in my running rotation. A month ago, my second pair of Launch 3 were getting beat up, so I needed a new pair of shoes. I enjoyed the Launch a lot, so I decided to introduce the Launch 4 into my rotation.

Brooks is not paying me to review their shoes and I purchased the shoe myself. All thoughts are my own!

Fit:
The fit of the Launch 4 has a few significant updates including fewer seams and it’s wider! I barely wore a women’s size 10 in the Launch 3, and now a size 10 in the Launch 4 feels great.

Feel:
The Launch 4 includes an entire extra strip of rubber at the bottom. There are now 5 rows of rubber versus 4. This means it’s more responsive to different forms of running.

The extra strip of rubber helps forefront cushioning as well as a smoother roll from the toe off. What does this mean?

It feels like a smoother, less clunky shoe from the 3 (not that it ever felt clunky).

Weight: 9 ounces
Drop: 10 mm

Pros:

Cheaper: The Launch 3 was 110, and the Launch 4 is 100
More forefront cushion and deeper treads

Cons:

I have yet to find any

Current Shoe Rotation:
Saucony Freedom ISO (Long Runs, daily runs)
Brooks Ghost 9 (Long runs, daily runs)
Brooks Launch 4 (daily runs, tempos)
Saucony Type A (workouts)

Question for you:
What shoe are you currently running in?
What is your all time favorite shoe?

Brooks Ghost 9 Shoe Review

December 6, 2016 By Hollie in Gear Review, Running, Running Reads Tags: brooks, fitness, health, run, running, shoe 14 Comments

I haven’t had a shoe that impresses me during my first run like the Brooks Ghost 9 in a while. I am shocked of how much I like the shoe.

The Brooks Ghost is one of the staple running shoes in the industry. At our store, it’s one of the most popular neutral shoes. Brooks is also a great company to work with too. For no real reason, I haven’t run in a lot of their shoes. I’ve tried on almost every model, but the only model of Brooks I’ve put significant mileage in, is the Brooks Launch 3 (for speed workouts).

The Brooks Ghost 9 came out in June. Recently, I fell in love with the new Galaxy color and decided it was the perfect time to give Brooks another shot. I was due to rotate another high mileage trainer, so that worked out well.

Even the shoelaces are decorated

The Brooks Ghost 9 has enough cushion for high mileage but is also light enough for speed workouts and races. It’s a little more cushion and softer than the Launch.

As mentioned, I haven’t run much in any previous model of Brooks Ghosts. I had a pair of Brooks Ghosts 7 as well as 8s that I worked in but I never took them to the road.

Fit:

The update from the 8 to the 9 is significant. They have widened the toebox. I wore a size 10 in the Ghost 7s, 10 wide in the 8s and I’m back to a regular 10 in the 9s. Wider feet or those with bunions can appreciate the upper is now seamless, so there is no rubbing or bleeding (something that happened to me personally a lot with the Asics Nimbus).

The wider toebox is something I’m personally thankful for. Your feet need to spread out while running. If there isn’t enough room, you are much more susceptible to foot issues.

In summary, the fit of the Brooks Ghost is one of my favorite of any shoe I’ve run in recently. It has a wide, seamless upper which allows my foot comfort.