Brooks Ghost Amp Overview & First Run Review
Below we are breaking down the all new Brooks Ghost Amp and comparing it to the Adidas Evo SL and Puma Deviate Pure Nitro to help you decide if you should add it to your running shoe rotation.
The Ghost franchise is getting one of its biggest updates yet. The all-new Ghost Amp swaps in DNA Hype foam, a PEBA/EVA blend, while introducing Brooks’ new SpringRamp rocker for a more efficient ride. At 255g, with a 36mm stack, 6mm drop, and a $150 price tag, this looks like Brooks’ answer to the growing demand for lightweight, fun daily trainers.
Brooks Ghost Amp Specs
Stack Height: 36mm in the heel with a 6mm drop
Weight: 255 grams in a US Men's Size 9
Midsole Construction: non-plated new DNA Hype Foam, which is a PEBA/EVA blend and something called a SpirngRamp Rocker, which just refers to the geometry of the shoe
Price: $150
Brooks Ghost AMP
Comparing the Brooks Ghost Amp to the Competition
Marketing Brief
Brooks is positioning the Ghost Amp as a peppy daily trainer that retains some classic Ghost DNA, but incorporates a more exciting, modernized midsole compound. It competes with shoes like the Adidas Evo SL and the new Puma Deviate Pure Nitro. The Evo SL is the iconic shoe that kickstarted the non-plated uptempo daily trainer category. It features a fast race foam and a race-tuned rocker geometry. The Deviate Pure from Puma is their new non-plated, versatile uptempo trainer designed to provide a no-nonsense, direct ride for stacking mileage.
Stack Height and Drop
With 36mm of foam in the heel and a 6mm drop, the Ghost Amp has the exact same stack height and drop as the Deviate Pure Nitro. The Evo SL comes in slightly higher with 37mm of foam in the heel and a 7mm drop.
Weight
The Ghost Amp weighs significantly more than the Evo SL and Deviate Pure and we felt this out on the run. It weighs 255 grams in a Men's US size 9 while the Evo SL weighs 235 grams and the Deviate Pure weighs the least at 220 grams.
Midsole Construction
All three of the shoes are non-plated and feature a single layer of foam, but they all feature a different foam compound and overall feel underfoot. The Ghost Amp features a new foam from Brooks that is a PEBA/EVA blend that they are calling DNA Hype. The Evo SL uses Adidas' iconic OG Lightstrike Pro race foam, which is a TPEE compound. The Deviate Pure uses Puma's PEBA Nitrofoam.
Price
All three shoes are being sold for $150, making this a very competitive category.
Full First Run Review Video
If you want to check out Yowana's first run review video on the Brooks Ghost Amp, check it out on the Supwell YouTube channel:
Summary
The Brooks Ghost Amp is a very aptly named shoe. It feels like a Ghost that is amped it up—t’s 90% Ghost, 10% Amp. We were underwhelmed by the ride of the shoe. If you are a shoe sicko who has multiple shoes in your rotation, this is not a shoe for you. It’s a very mid, middle of the pack, solid, but forgettable shoe. However, if you are someone who is new to running or you like to keep it simple and have a one-shoe rotation, this is a good one to consider. The PEBA does give it some pep and pop, it's comfortable, and it has a workmanlike quality. It is not, however, an Evo SL killer, or one of our favorites in this category.
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