Brooks Ghost 14 vs Adrenaline GTS 22 Reddit

Training for my first half in April and looking to add another pair of shoes to the rotation now instead of too much later. I currently alternate a pair of Brooks Bedlams and a pair or Brooks Launches. I love the Bedlams but I am literally looking for a reason to get rid of the Launches - it feels like it takes more effort to run in them? Can’t explain it.

I know there’s no reason for me to be brand loyal but tbh I’m overwhelmed by all the options out there, so I’m currently deciding between buying Ghosts or Adrenalines. People rave about ghosts but the Adrenalines seem closer to the Bedlams in terms of support so I’m thinking that might be a better choice. Does anyone have any insight that could help me choose?

I guess I could always buy both then use the 90 day return window for whichever I don’t prefer?

Edit/Update: Went to a store to have my gait analyzed, get fitted, and try things in person, per everyone's advice - turns out I do slightly overpronate, which explains why I loved the support shoes I already had so much. Feeling a little silly, but grateful for everyone's advice and input! I ended up liking both the Brooks Adrenalines and the Asics Gel-Kayanos, which felt like running on clouds. I also learned I have much higher arches than I'd realized, and that I've been mispronouncing Saucony, so overall a very educational experience.

Thanks all!!

There's some good sales on at the moment on Brooks and I've heard really great things about them! At the price they are at I am quite happy to buy without trying but I just wanted to come to RunningShoeGeeks to ask about the Adrenaline 21 GTS and Ghost 13 models and what might be better for me?

I tore my ACL in my knee maybe 5 years ago and never got a reconstruction. It has never really proven to be an obstacle with me running but its noteworthy as anything that is helpful with alleviating pressure is a plus. The GuideRails feature seems really appealing.

What makes this confusing is the Adrenaline seems marketed towards overpronators and I'm definitely neutral, maybe slightly unpronating if anything!

Hello, about 6 years ago I got a gait analysis done and it stated I’m an overpronater. I actually got more into running 1 and half years ago. I got some stability shoes which were the brooks adrenalines. due to lock downs I didn’t get a gait analysis. They’ve been working great.

i went for a gait analysis today just to make sure I have the right shoes because I would be replacing my shoes. I was told I’m “sort of neutral” and I didn’t need the adrenaline. I tried on the ghost and the person said I slightly pronated with them but not much and said would be fine if I got the ghosts.

so I have those now along with my older adrenaline.

Is it ok to use a support shoe one day and a neutral one another day? Do running gaits change over time?

Return them to Athletes Foot and book yourself to a more knowledgeable running specialist such as The Running Company.

Problem with Atheletes foot is that they "analyse" your foot using that inprint machine that u stand (toget pressure points), then ask you to walk off the pressure pad. This May Be OK if u are walking. But you are going to Run , not walk. What u need is a running analysis, which Athelets foot do not provide, nor do they have the expertise to do.

The Running Company staff are usually Physio or Podiatrist uni students.

Why do i say this???

Cause i been there and done that.

Bought Hoka Clifton online.. didnt fit... frustrated... wanted a quick fix cause i was super motivated to run.. So i thought go to Atheletes Foot. Went to pressure pad, they analyse, i have high arch and suppination. They recommended adrenaline gts 21. Ran for abt 50 kms in them (in a month) Then develop pains in knee, calf and ankle. Go to specialist runnin Physio Only to be told, shoe Bad. Cause im a neutral runner. GTS is very opposite to what i needed. Did gait analysis at Phsio and got recommended shoe..

Never look back since. No pain just pure running enjoyment and now doing abt 80 km a week...

Seriously, do ur self a favour. Start with a proper fitted shoe. You will save money and a lot of pain....

The Ghost and the Adrenaline are the most popular running shoes in the Brooks lineup. Here we will be comparing the latest version of each shoe: the Brooks Ghost 14 vs Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22

The Brooks Ghost 14 and Adrenaline GTS 22 are very similar shoes on the surface. So much so that the Ghost was initially knowns as "a neutral Adrenaline GTS".

This might give away the biggest difference of them all: the Ghost is a neutral trainer while the Adrenaline is a stability shoe. Both sitting at a similar price point, these shoes are trusted workhorses for logging lots of mileage.

Similarity and differences: Ghost 14 vs Adrenaline GTS 22

Verdict

The Ghost 14 is far from an exciting daily trainer but it's a dependable workhorse that has the perfect balance of long-distance cushioning and ride stability. It excels on long-distances and steady-paced runs.

Version 14 has been updated with a more streamlined upper and a snappier forefoot, making it a small improvement over version 13.

The Brooks Adrenaline 22 is a solid daily trainer. Its tried and true approach along with the small changes made in the 22 results in the Adrenaline becoming one of the most stable and comfortable trainers out there.

Recommended for

Daily training

Daily training

Cushioning type

balanced

balanced

Cushioning amount

Highly cushioned

Medium cushioning

Flexibility

flexible

medium

Stability

very stable

very stable

Sizing

true to size

true to size

Retail price

US$130

US$139.95

Sole unit: Ghost 14 vs Adrenaline GTS 22

The Ghost and the Adrenaline share a very similar sole unit, especially when it comes to the outsole and the patterns of the flex grooves.

The Adrenaline’s midsole is made of DNA Loft foam – providing a soft, but not squishy ride. The Ghost’s midsole is also made of only DNA Loft. These sole units are made for logging long miles in comfort.

Ride transitions are super smooth in both shoes due to the fact that they both use only DNA Loft foam in their midsoles.

The main difference is in the presence, in the Adrenaline, of the GuideRail system that was first introduced in the Transcend. Think of them as of the bumpers in a bowling alley: they let the ball roll on its normal path, but if the ball goes too much on the side – they save it. Same here with the Adrenaline: the GuideRails system keeps your foot in place while you run.

The Ghost 14 is a neutral shoe but still very stable and supportive however not as stable as the Adrenaline GTS 22 with its GuideRails.

The outsoles of the Ghost 14 and the Adrenaline GTS 22 feature harder rubber in the heel and softer, blown rubber in the forefoot and midfoot. While being very thick pieces of rubber, they aren’t as durable as the rubber used by other brands. Both shoes have excellent traction on a variety of surfaces, wet and dry.

Upper unit: Ghost 14 vs Adrenaline GTS 22

Once again, the upper of these too shoes is really really similar.

They are both made of engineered mesh and they both provide a secured but comfortable fit. During our tests, the Adrenaline felt a little smaller than a Ghost of similar size, but your mileage might vary.

Overall no big differences in the uppers of these two shoes.

Which one to buy: Ghost 14 vs Adrenaline GTS 22

In this case, we can say this is a pretty easy choice.

Both shoes are indicated for both beginners and seasoned runners who are looking for a daily trainer to log most of the mileage in comfort. The excel as marathon training shoes.

The Adrenaline has a very similar ride to the Ghost with the addition of the GuideRails system: this makes them a stability shoe and we recommend it to runners with instability in their ankles. The Adrenaline will help you keep your foot in a proper gait.

If you don’t need any extra stability, by all means go for the Ghost 14: it’s one of the shoes we most often recommend.

This expert review is written by

Ruggero Loda

Founder and Publisher, Running Shoes Guru

Ruggero is the founder and publisher of Running Shoes Guru.

After earning his degree in Business Administration in Milan, he moved to the Netherlands where he worked in companies such as Nike, and Adidas/Reebok where he expanded and cultivated his interest for running shoes.

Originally a swimmer, Ruggero started running in 2009 while preparing for his first triathlon and has not stopped since.

He launched Running Shoes Guru in 2009 because he could not find a reliable, independent and trusted source of running shoe reviews elsewhere on the internet.

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