GET TO KNOW THE BROOKS GHOST AMP 

Published: 03/08/2026 | By: Alex Courbat

The Ghost name hardly needs an introduction. It has become one of those shoes that runners recommend without hesitation because it has earned its reputation the old-fashioned way. Comfortable, reliable and brilliantly consistent, it is a franchise that has quietly carried thousands of runners through first 5Ks, marathon blocks and everything in between. The Ghost Amp doesn't rip up that playbook. Instead, it adds another chapter, bringing a little more energy to one of Brooks' most trusted names. 

The biggest talking point sits underfoot. Brooks has introduced its new DNA HYPE midsole, a nitrogen-infused blend of PEBA and EVA that delivers a noticeably more responsive ride while keeping the comfort the Ghost has always been known for. PEBA has become one of running's favourite materials in recent years, often reserved for race shoes and performance models, but here it has been tuned for something a little more relatable. Rather than chasing seconds, it is designed to make everyday running feel just that bit more enjoyable. And that is what stands out most about the Ghost Amp. It never feels like a shoe trying too hard. 

There is a lightness to the ride that immediately feels inviting. Soft enough to smooth out longer miles, lively enough to encourage you to keep rolling when your watch tells you the pace has started creeping up. It’s the sort of shoe that quietly rewards curiosity. You head out expecting an easy run, throw in a few quicker kilometres for good measure and suddenly realise your legs are feeling fresher than expected. 

Brooks has also introduced SpringRamp technology into the forefoot, helping create a smoother, more energetic toe-off without relying on a rigid plate. It is a subtle feeling rather than an exaggerated one, adding just enough momentum to make each stride flow naturally into the next. It feels intuitive, which is often the highest compliment you can pay a running shoe. That sense of balance runs throughout the entire shoe. 

The lightweight warp knit upper wraps comfortably around the foot without overcomplicating things, delivering the kind of fit Brooks has built its reputation on. It’s breathable enough for warm summer miles, structured enough to inspire confidence when the pace lifts and paired with a gusseted tongue that keeps everything exactly where it should be. At just 226.8g in the women's model with a 6mm drop, it feels agile without sacrificing the reassuring stability many runners look for in an everyday trainer. 

Perhaps the Ghost Amp's biggest achievement is understanding what modern running actually looks like. Most runs are not race day. They are the miles squeezed in before work, the lunchtime loops that clear your head, the Sunday mornings where coffee tastes infinitely better afterwards. They are the sessions that build fitness long before the medals, finish lines and personal bests arrive. Those are the moments where a shoe earns its place, and the Ghost Amp feels purpose-built for them. 

It also slots neatly into the wider Brooks line-up. The Ghost 18 continues to offer the familiar comfort that has made it such a dependable favourite, while the Hyperion Max leans further into performance training. The Ghost Amp finds the sweet spot in between, combining everyday comfort with an extra layer of responsiveness that makes it equally happy cruising through steady miles or picking things up when the mood strikes. 

There is no shortage of running shoes promising to transform your stride or unlock another level of performance. The Ghost Amp takes a different approach. It simply makes the run feel good. And sometimes, that is exactly what keeps us coming back. 

Because the best running shoes are rarely the ones that spend all their time talking about race day. They are the ones that make a wet Wednesday evening, an early alarm or another lap of the same familiar route feel like an opportunity rather than an obligation. The Brooks Ghost Amp does exactly that, adding a welcome spark to one of running's most respected franchises without losing the personality that made it a favourite in the first place. That feels less like a reinvention and more like a natural evolution. And for anyone looking for a shoe that can handle the everyday while making every run a little more enjoyable, that is a very good place to be.