We had them both and would like to compare Brooks Ghost vs Glycerin side by side. Both of them are highly cushioned neutral running shoes of Brooks family, but the key difference between Ghost 14 and Glycerin 20 is the amount of cushioning. To begin with, the Brooks Ghost 14 is a maximalist daily trainer for the ones seeking a comfortable ride. It is very popular and very suitable for slow-paced long runs.
On the other hand, the Glycerin 20 is our go to choice for the top comfort; this is a plush shoe for neutral pronates. It is the top cushioned model of Brooks Running Shoes. The Glycerin is very suitable for long distance runs as well as daily training and it is very durable. There is also a GTS version “Glycerin GTS 20”. In this version, GuideRails technology has been implemented to increase the stability. By means of this, you can acquire the comfort and the stability at once. The chart, we have put here will help you understand their design intention better:
| Review of # | Ghost 14 | Glycerin 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Our Score | 92/100 | 87/100 |
| Our Selection for | Best for Average Runner | Great Comfort |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Feel | Balanced Cushioning (2/3) | Plush Cushioning (3/3) |
| Flexibility | Flexible (4/5) | Flexible (4/5) |
| Drop-mm (M/W) | 12 | 10 |
| Weight-gr (M/W) | 280/255 | 290/255 |
| Width Options | Narrow/Normal/Wide/XWide | Narrow/Normal/Wide |
| Expert Review | In-depth Review | In-depth Review |
| Deals & Discounts | Rates Men’s / Women’s | Rates Men’s / Women’s |
Long Story Short Brooks Ghost 14 vs Glycerin 20
First of all, the main difference between the Ghost and the Glycerin line is the amount of the plush cushioning. If you rip off the cushioning of the Ghost 14 and add a plush liner, you will end up with the Glycerin 20. The Glycerin 20 is snugger and overly softer than the Ghost 14. But does it make Glycerin 20 a better trainer than the Ghost 14? Not Exactly!
People find the Glycerin 20 more comfortable because its midsole is softer. But it is not always the case. Because, this softer midsole is less stable and absorbs more of your power outputs. On the other hand, the midsole of the Ghost 14 is firmer and there is a little bit more energy return. In the end, it pushes you forward better than the Glycerin 20. If the comfort/the plush feeling is the top priority, you can pick the Glycerin line. However, for a more balanced riding the Ghost 14 could be a better option.
Our highlights for Brooks Ghost vs Glycerin comparison:
We combined our experience with the customer feedbacks on Brooks Ghost line and Glycerin line, then came up with a final scoring.
Brooks Ghost 14
- Better Breathability (due to Updated Air Mesh). Better option for summer.
- More power out put
- Firmer midsole
- Better stability
- A few dollars cheaper
- 12 mm heel to toe drop
- Men’s 286 gr /Women’s 250 gr
- The Stability – Neutral
- Extra thickness in the heel
- Normal, Narrow B, Wide 2E, Extra Wide 4E
- Weight (gr): Men’s 280/ Women’s 255
- Heel to Toe Drop (mm): 12
Brooks Glycerin 20
- Not as breathable as the Ghost. The Upper is thick. Not a summer running shoe.
- Softer midsole
- More comfortable
- But less power output
- Less stable
- 10 mm heel to toe drop
- Men’s 290 gr / Women’s 255 gr
- The Stability – Neutral
- Expensive than the Ghost 14
- Only Normal, Wide 2E options are available.
- Weight (gr): 290 – Men’s / 255 – Women’s
- Heel to Toe Drop (mm): 10
Pros & Cons of Brooks Ghost vs Glycerin
In this section, we would like to list what we like the most and what we don’t like about these products.
Brooks Ghost Likes/Dislikes
| What we liked the most | |
| Exceptionally comfortable | ✔ |
| Nice fitting of upper material | ✔ |
| Good balance of responsiveness and cushioning | ✔ |
| Breathable upper | ✔ |
| Good grip on dry and wet surfaces | ✔ |
| Smooth transitions of heel to toe | ✔ |
| Wide toe box – roomy for natural toe splay | ✔ |
| What we dont like | |
| Some improvements on Stability and Support, yet still less than others | ✗ |
| Lacks responsiveness | ✗ |
| Too flexible | ✗ |
| Non-gusseted tongue | ✗ |
| Heavier than the average weight of the running shoes we tested | ✗ |
Brooks Glycerin Likes/Dislikes
| What we liked the most | |
| The Top Comfort of Brooks Family | ✔ |
| Durable | ✔ |
| Plush Interior Lining | ✔ |
| Ample Room – Toe Splay | ✔ |
| Smooth footstrike | ✔ |
| Comfortable & Fine fit | ✔ |
| What we dont like | |
| A bit heavy | ✗ |
| Runs a little short | ✗ |
| Not responsive | ✗ |
| A bit warm – not for summer | ✗ |
Short Review for Brooks Ghost
The Brooks Ghost 14 is all about comfort! This highly versatile shoe has well-padded upper material, snug fit, and great breathability. The Ghost 14 is a neutral running shoe which pleases everyone who experiences it. Since it has all the right proportions, yes, the Brooks Ghost 14 is good for everyday running.
Its traction did not disappoint us. The full-coverage thread provides good traction on both wet and dry surfaces.
The Ghost 14 is so flexible that you may find it boring. The flexibility has been established by the grooves of the Brooks Ghost 14 which allows for natural bend of foot. If your usual preference is a stiff shoe, the flexibility of Brooks Ghost 14 may not please you.
Although, its designers tried to increase the responsiveness somewhat, it still lags behind considering the responsiveness. It is fully cushioned; a maximalist model with a great comfort, but definitely it is not designed for speed. But, it is an unrivalled running shoe for small paced running.
The Ghost 14 is one of the best shoes that we experienced almost no clamminess during summer run. Its breathability is so good which did not let us down. However, we do not recommend using it in the winter time; your fingertips may freeze due to the heat loss (caused by breathability)
Is Brooks Ghost 14 good for flat feet? A quick answer is no! People with flat feet are over pronating, and therefore running shoes with higher stability will be better for them. The Ghost 14 is neutral stability. On the other hand, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 is good for flat feet, and a great option for over-pronation. If you check our comparison of Ghost 14 vs Adrenaline GTS 22, you can find more details on this topic.
To sum up the Brooks Ghost 14 Review, it is a maximalist daily trainer for the ones seeking the top comfort. It is very popular and very suitable for slow-paced long runs.
You may find the following video useful for Brooks Ghost Line:
Related Article: In-Depth Review for Brooks Ghost
Short Review for Brooks Glycerin
The Brooks Glycerin 20 is the best cushioned neutral running shoes in the Brooks Running Shoes family, and it is perfect for runners who seek a daily trainer for neutral pronates. This plush shoe is designed for comfort, indeed the Glycerin 20 is all about the comfort.
What we liked the most on Glycerin 20 is its upper. The upper material is updated. The new plush upper provides a better fit. The Glycerin 20 is incredibly flexible with lots of padding. Its forefoot and toe box are so stretchy. The Gusseted tongue is made from stretchy nylon polyester. There is ample room for toes splay. Moreover, for the extreme underfoot softness, DNA Loft 3 is added in the new version.
The Glycerin 20 is highly durable and comfortable and this makes this pair of shoes highly eligible for long runs as well as daily trainings. The outsole is full rubber and it extends its durability. The traction is very well on dry surfaces.
For the short distance runs where the power output will be significant, the Glycerin 20 is not so good. It is so unresponsive, and the midsole is so soft.
If you decide to go with this pair of shoes, make sure your top priority is the comfort and the top cushioning. Folks are asking the question what type of shoe is the Brooks Glycerin will end up with the answer “The Most Cushioned Ones of Brooks Running Shoes”.
Before making a final decision, it is good to mention about its responsiveness. Since it is highly cushioned and incredibly soft, it is a bit heavy and unresponsive. Remember that the Brooks Glycerin is all about the comfort.
Due to the amount of padding, it is a bit warm. Also, the upper is thick. Therefore, it may not be the best running shoe for summer.
To sum up, The Glycerin 20 is our go to choice for the top comfort; this is a plush shoe for neutral pronates. It is the top of the Cushioned models of Brooks Running Shoes. It is very suitable for long distance runs and very durable. There is also a GTS version “Glycerin GTS 20”. In this version, GuideRails technology has been implemented to increase the stability (see Glycerin 20 vs Glycerin GTS 20). By means of this, you can acquire both the comfort and the stability. So, do we recommend the Glycerin 20? Yes, for the top comfort.
Here is a video that shows key points of Brooks Glycerin:
Related Article: In-Depth Review for Brooks Glycerin
Bottom line Brooks Ghost vs Glycerin
Both Ghost and Glycerin running shoes are designed for road running and highly cushioned very comfortable options. The stability/support of both of them is neutral. At first glance, their intent may seem very similar.
However, the Glycerin 20 is the top notch when it comes to comfort / plushy feeling. It is one of the softest and bouncy shoes in the market place. However, due to this characteristic (softer midsole), the power output and the stability of Ghost 14 (firmer midsole) is better. Ghost 14 has more balanced ride compared to the Glycerin 20. So, we recommend you to set your personal preferences then make a decision between them.
Is the top notch comfort/softer feeling or more stable & more energy return riding what you seek? One last note, Ghost 14 is a very comfortable shoe, yet the Glycerin 20 is unrivalled in this aspect.
Related Article: Best Running Shoes for Men & Women – Review