Brooks Ghost AMP Running Shoe Review – Verdict, Price, Comparison and Who It’s For

Brooks Ghost AMP Running Shoe Upper

The Brooks Ghost AMP running shoe upper is made from a knitted mesh material that feels soft and very comfortable, but is thicker than average, so its breathability is only average.

The upper has a medium-width fit, and a wide version is also available. The toe box tapers to a point but remains comfortable without squeezing the toes. The midfoot holds the foot securely, while the heel area is also medium in width. The shoe fits true to size in length.

The tongue is somewhere between moderately thick and thick, with a surprising amount of padding for a running shoe designed for faster sessions. It is gusseted on both sides, preventing it from shifting during runs.

The heel collar has generous padding and feels comfortable. It is moderately soft from the sides, but strongly reinforced and curved at the back, holding the foot securely.

The insole is removable rather than glued in place, and rises considerably along the medial side of the upper, helping keep the foot more stable. Interestingly, the insole sits directly on the midsole, without the strobel layer normally found between them in most running shoes.

Brooks Ghost AMP Running Shoe Midsole

The Brooks Ghost AMP running shoe midsole is made entirely from one foam: Brooks’ new DNA Hype, a nitrogen-infused PEBA and EVA blend produced using a supercritical process. The EVA contributes durability and a stable base, while the PEBA provides bounce. When pressed by hand, it feels moderately firm or soft: it does not compress very far, but it rebounds noticeably. This is not a high-stack running shoe, with 36 mm under the heel and 30 mm under the forefoot, which is relatively low by today’s standards. Because it is not overly soft, its cushioning is still good at this stack height. The midsole is not wide, but because it is neither particularly high nor too soft, it provides especially good stability. At the lateral forefoot it almost feels as though there is a support feature, but there is not: this is actually Brooks’ new SpringRAMP development. SpringRAMP geometry helps you push off the ground more dynamically. The PEBA-to-EVA ratio differs in the push-off area, and you can definitely feel the effect. The bouncy PEBA-EVA blend also supports faster running, with a noticeable sense of responsiveness, but the foam has not become overly firm or stiff. It has good torsional rigidity, so lower-intensity runs are comfortable in the Brooks Ghost AMP too. The midsole is rockered at both the front and rear, but not aggressively. You can feel a slight tipping motion during forefoot roll-through, accentuated by SpringRAMP, although the transitions are better described as smooth than fast.

Brooks Ghost AMP Running Shoe Outsole

The Brooks Ghost AMP running shoe outsole is segmented, yet covers a large area of the midsole. To the touch, the rubber seems grippier at the front and harder at the heel. Brooks does not specifically mention this, but it feels as if two different compounds are used: a grippier one where traction is needed and a more abrasion-resistant one where wear is greater. The outsole has both longitudinal and transverse cutouts, allowing the shoe to remain flexible rather than stiff.

The Brooks Ghost AMP outsole is thinner than those of everyday running shoes. It is not as thin as the outsole on a racing shoe, but it is thinner than usual. This saves a significant amount of weight, although durability would suffer if the rubber were not sufficiently hard. Because it is thin, the tread lugs are shallow as well, so they can play only a minimal role in traction.

I was satisfied with its grip on dry ground. On wet surfaces, it performed as I expected: because of the harder rubber compound and relatively shallow tread, I felt some uncertainty underfoot.

What Is It Like to Run in the Brooks Ghost AMP?

Cushioning and Midsole

By modern running shoe standards, the Brooks Ghost AMP does not have a particularly high midsole stack: 36 mm at the heel and 30 mm at the forefoot. However, because the foam is not excessively soft or sink-in, it provides good cushioning. The midsole is flexible and bouncy, allowing you to feel the ground while also delivering some responsiveness.

The DNA Hype midsole provides a bouncier and more dynamic ride than the foam used in the Ghost 18.

Stability and Guidance

Because the Brooks Ghost AMP has a relatively low stack and is not overly soft, its stability is particularly good for a neutral running shoe. It does not guide or correct the foot and has no dedicated support features, so it may not provide enough support for runners with severe overpronation.

The Ghost AMP is a neutral shoe, but its stability is especially good.

The 6 mm drop and flexible construction give it a natural running feel.

Upper and Comfort

The upper is where you most clearly feel that the Brooks Ghost AMP belongs to the Ghost family, because it retains the generous padding and soft, pleasant feel. This affects the shoe’s breathability, which is average rather than outstanding.

Footstrike and Grip

The Brooks Ghost AMP has a slightly below-average drop of 6 mm. This suits forefoot strikers, but landing on your heel is comfortable and pleasant as well. The midsole does not have an aggressive rocker, but the transitions are smooth and comfortable. The outsole covers a relatively large portion of the midsole, which helps traction, but the grooves are shallow, so grip is good on dry surfaces and average on wet ones.

Pace and Responsiveness

The Brooks Ghost AMP is lightweight, and its new DNA Hype midsole is flexible and responsive, so you can also pick up the pace in this shoe. Its geometry is not aggressive and its upper is not designed like a racing shoe, so there are limits to its speed potential, but it is still a good choice for faster workouts.

Long Runs vs Tempo Runs vs Training

The Brooks Ghost AMP is not high-stacked, but its cushioning is sufficient for longer runs as well. Since it also offers good stability, it does not feel unstable even when your legs become fatigued and your form deteriorates over longer distances. It is responsive enough for faster running, but it is not a racing shoe.

The Ghost AMP is not a racing shoe, but a lightweight and versatile running shoe for training.

Who Is the Brooks Ghost AMP Recommended For – and Who Should Avoid It?

The Brooks Ghost AMP is recommended if you want a versatile running shoe that you can use for both lower-intensity runs and faster workouts. It is also recommended if you want a flexible shoe with a moderately low midsole stack that does not feel stiff during faster running.

The Brooks Ghost AMP is not recommended if you want a very fast running shoe that you can also use for racing. Its midsole stack is not high, so it is also not recommended if you are looking for extremely high levels of cushioning. Since its breathability is only average, it is not the best choice for the hottest summer days.

What Is the Difference Between the Brooks Ghost AMP and the Brooks Ghost 18?.

They are similar only in name and silhouette; in almost every other respect, there are many differences.

The AMP upper is made from a thinner material and is more breathable, while the Ghost 18 uses a more comfortable, softer jacquard mesh. The AMP has a slightly narrower fit and holds the foot more snugly. The AMP has a gusseted tongue, while the Ghost 18 does not.

Their midsoles differ in both geometry and foam composition. The Ghost 18 uses DNA Loft v3, an EVA foam that is less responsive and bouncy than the Ghost AMP’s DNA Hype, a supercritical EVA-PEBA blend. Both shoes have a 36 mm stack at the heel, but the Ghost 18 measures 26 mm at the forefoot, compared with 30 mm in the Ghost AMP, making the latter more dynamic. Because the AMP has a lower drop (6 mm), it encourages more of a forefoot landing, which favors faster paces, while the Ghost 18’s higher drop (10 mm) encourages heel striking.

The Ghost 18 has a thicker outsole that covers more of the midsole, grips better on wet roads and wears down more slowly, but it also makes the shoe heavier and the roll-through slightly duller. The AMP’s outsole is thinner and more segmented, leaving more of the midsole exposed. This makes it lighter and more flexible, with smoother transitions, but it is less durable than the Ghost 18 outsole and does not grip as well.

There is also a considerable weight difference: the men’s AMP weighs 255 g, while the Ghost 18 weighs approximately 289 grams, making the latter 34 grams heavier. This is a significant difference that you can feel in performance too.

Brooks Ghost AMP Running Shoe Alternatives – Comparison

Are There Differences Between the Men’s and Women’s Brooks Ghost AMP Running Shoes?

The men’s and women’s Brooks Ghost AMP have the same construction and materials, but differ in width. Both are available in 2 widths: the men’s standard width is D and the wide version is 2E, while the women’s standard width is B and the wide version is D. This means the standard men’s Brooks Ghost AMP has the same width as the wide women’s version.