Used Brooks Ghost vs Glycerin vs Adrenaline: which to buy second-hand
Brooks is the brand we see more of than any other, and three models make up most of it. They look alike in photos but they're built for different feet.
The short version
- Ghost: the neutral, do-everything daily trainer. Balanced cushioning, not too soft, not too firm.
- Glycerin: Brooks' plushest neutral shoe. More foam, softer ride, a bit heavier.
- Adrenaline GTS: the support shoe. Built for runners whose ankles roll inward (overpronation).
If you don't know which you need, the Ghost is the safe pick.
Brooks Ghost
The Ghost is one of the most popular running shoes in the US, which is great news if you're buying used: there are always lots of them in circulation, in every size. It's a neutral shoe, meaning it doesn't try to correct how your foot moves.
Good for: daily runs, walking, standing jobs, first running shoe.
Watch for: the outsole under the ball of the foot wears first. Check that photo.
On our rack: roughly $35 to $56 right now.
Brooks Glycerin
Think of the Glycerin as the Ghost with more cushioning. It's the one people buy for long runs, recovery days, or long shifts on their feet. There's also a Glycerin GTS, which adds the same support system as the Adrenaline to the softer Glycerin platform.
Good for: heavier runners, long runs, nurses and anyone on their feet for 12 hours.
Watch for: soft foam shows compression creases sooner. Look at the midsole photo from the side.
On our rack: roughly $40 to $100, with most around $55.
New
New
New
NewBrooks Adrenaline GTS
GTS stands for "Go-To Support." The Adrenaline uses Brooks' GuideRails, firmer walls of foam along the heel that keep your foot from rolling too far. If a running store ever told you that you overpronate, this is probably the shoe they handed you.
Good for: overpronators, flat feet, runners with knee niggles who've been told they need support.
Watch for: uneven wear on the inner edge of the outsole. That's normal for the people who buy this shoe, but it tells you how the previous owner ran.
On our rack: roughly $30 to $75, most under $50.
Which version number?
Brooks updates these shoes about once a year (Ghost 14, 15, 16 and so on). The changes between consecutive versions are usually small: a new upper, a foam tweak. A used version from a year or two back runs much like the current one and costs a fraction of the price. Pick by condition and size first, version number second.
Sizing
Brooks generally runs true to size, and all three come in wide widths (D for women, 2E and 4E for men). Wide pairs are hard to find used, so if you see one in your size, don't sit on it. As always, check the size tag photo rather than the title.
Find your pair
We have more Brooks than any other brand. Browse every used Brooks pair on the rack, or go straight to your size.
