I Walked 50 Miles in Brooks’ Glycerins and Ghosts—Here’s My Review (2025)

My foot issues are plentiful—from recurring plantar fasciitis to wobbling ankles to having a non-standard width—so finding the best walking shoe to fit my needs can be a challenge. In the name of science, I have tried upwards of 100 sneakers to figure out which ones are best, but the brand I keep coming back to is Brooks. And I’m not alone. Everyone from celebrities to podiatrists are Brooks enthusiasts for its superior foot health benefits. “I recommend Brooks for stability and support,” Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute in Texas tells Prevention. But with so many options and notable styles, how do you know which one is best for you? To help, I walked 50 miles in Brooks’ best-selling Ghosts and Glycerins to see how they stack up in terms of fit, feel, and performance.

For more in-depth Brooks sneaker analysis, check out Deputy Editor Emily Goldman’s comparison of the Ghost vs. Adrenaline.

Brooks Ghost vs. Glycerin: Key Differences

One of Brooks’ most popular styles is the Ghost 16, and the Ghost series has been a staple in my closet for the last decade. Its lightweight design and balanced cushioning gives it a grounded feel that makes walking, running, and any kind of activity feel comfortable—even at long distances. That, plus, an enhanced, breathable upper gives it a secure fit that has made it beloved by my fellow Prevention editors, as well as podiatrists.

The Glycerin GTS 22 is the latest in the Glycerin line—a shoe style that Jennifer Garner has previously called herself “devoted” to—has several notable features. Its main support comes from Brooks’ signature GuideRails Technology, which helps keep your ankle in alignment for extra security and stability. In addition, this model offers maximum cushioning for a plush feel and extra soft take-offs and landings, making it a great choice for road running.

Fit

Overall, Brooks tend to run slightly narrow and the brand recommends sizing up half a size from your typical dress shoe. I am standardly a size 9, and I found that true—the 9.5 medium fit my foot to perfection in terms of length and width, for both styles. Like all their models, both sneakers are offered in a wide array of bold, colorful, or neutral shades. I opted for the Glycerins in a classic Black/Grey/White and the Ghosts in White/Grey/Estate Blue.

I found the fit of these two shoes to be quite different, despite how similar they look to the naked eye. The Glycerins have a normal toe box, but I found the midsole and heel to be extremely narrow fitting (more so than usual!). Looking at them from a bird’s eye view, you can see how far they taper in from both sides at the arch. I believe this is due to the GuideRails technology, which offers a different shaped insole to help keep your stride aligned. Based on how tight they ran on my own foot, I think those with medium-to-wider feet would benefit from getting them in the wide or extra wide widths (which they do have available!)

In comparison, the Ghosts have a much more spacious toe box that gave my toes more room to wiggle around. In addition to a wider toe, the midsole only tapered in at the inner arch, rather than from both sides, which felt more comfortable on my foot shape. The Ghost’s fit is also improved by its flexible upper, which hugs the foot so it’s perfectly snug—but moves with your stride. And though it is not super important, I felt like the Ghosts looked cuter on my foot.

Cushioning

When it comes to cushioning, there is a distinct difference in the feel of these two shoes. The Glycerin utilizes the most cushion available—plush level—making them feel springy and supple, almost like walking on a cloud. Deputy Editor Emily Goldman said it best when she claimed that walking in her Glycerins “felt like stepping on a mattress—you know, if that was stable and comfortable to do.”

The Glycerin’s cushioning is on a different level—literally; it added about two inches to my height. This seems to be a big trend in running shoes lately, with brands like Hoka, Asics, and On utilizing maximum cushion to help with shock absorption and easy toe-off. Glycerin’s cushion also extends to its padded tongue and collar which added an extra level of comfort—especially helpful in preventing any kind of chafing or blistering at the heel.

The Ghosts on the other hand, use the “more cushioned” middle option of Brooks’ three cushioning levels. Despite not reaching Glycerin’s mattress-level softness, I found the Ghosts more comfortable during walks because of the combination of softness and responsiveness. While in motion, the cushion felt flexible, like it was moving with my foot, to deliver a more balanced and comfortable stride, which I think makes them more versatile as well.

Stability

I had assumed that the Glycerins would come out top in stability because of the GuideRails technology, but this was not the case. Although my foot felt like it was in alignment with my ankle and stride, the high-pile cushion made each step feel too bouncy to be truly stable. I will say, in the one time I took them for a jog, they did feel much more stable than just walking alone, so maybe they are a better choice if you plan on running in them more regularly than I did.

However, if you are looking for a stable walking shoe, the Ghosts were unmatched. Not only did my feet feel super steady with the updated snug-fitting upper, but the medium level of cushion offered a more grounded feel that was well-suited to long walks— despite the shoe saying it offers just neutral stability. As much as I walked in this pair, my feet never got tired, and I felt that my joints were less achey in general.

How I tested

I wore both Glycerin GTS 22 and Ghost 16 around New York City every day for two weeks and amounted a net of about 50 miles total. I wore them as I commuted to work, took long walks around my neighborhood, took a weekend trip to CT, ran errands, and went on two short jogs to see how their performance compared between walking and running.

The final verdict

Depending on what you are looking for, both of these shoes deserve a place in your spring athletic shoe lineup; Brooks is a dependable brand, especially when it comes to comfort and stability, and (if I can be so bold!) its sneakers are my consistent favorites, no matter how many others I try.

For runs, the maximum cushioning and GuideRail technology of the Glycerin GTS 22 is a slam dunk. But, if you (like me!) are looking for an every day comfortable, durable, and stable walking shoe—don’t sleep on the Ghost 16s. I have found myself reaching for them more often than not, even when I’m just walking down the block with my 14-year-old (and extremely slow) dog. And I will be on the look out for when the next iteration drops, because I have a feeling it will be among my favorites as well.