Why I Chose Brooks Ghost Shoes for My Garmin Coach Journey
My current Brooks Ghost lineup: Ghost 17 GTX for wet weather, Ghost Trail for everyday running, and Ghost 18 for treadmill and gym training.
When I started my Garmin Coach running programme, one of my biggest concerns wasn't pace or heart rate — it was finding a pair of shoes that felt comfortable, stable and gave me confidence. Living with osteoporosis means I pay close attention to how my body feels when I run: stability, cushioning and grip matter far more to me than chasing the latest racing shoe. After trying a number of options, I found exactly what I was looking for in the Brooks Ghost Trail.
Brooks Ghost Trail – My Everyday Running Shoe
Brooks - Ghost Trail
I bought my Brooks Ghost Trail shoes on 23 April 2026, shortly after beginning my Garmin Coach programme, and they've accompanied me through almost the entire 17-week training plan. From the very first run they simply felt right. What I liked most was their balance: the cushioning is soft enough to make longer runs comfortable, yet it still lets me feel connected to the ground — I never felt as though I was running on an unstable platform. The grip has also been excellent. Many of my runs take me away from perfectly smooth roads onto gravel paths, woodland trails and uneven surfaces around Whitstable, and having a shoe that inspires confidence on those surfaces has made a real difference.
For me they offered:
Excellent comfort
A stable, confidence-inspiring ride
Good grip on mixed terrain
Soft cushioning without feeling disconnected from the ground
Over the past few months they've become a shoe I genuinely enjoy running in.
Brooks' 90-Day Trial
One feature that really impressed me was Brooks' 90-Day Trial — the Run Happy Promise. Although my trial period has now expired, I think it's a fantastic idea: it lets runners spend real time deciding whether a shoe genuinely suits them, rather than making a decision after a few minutes in a shop. That gives much greater confidence when investing in a good pair of running shoes.
Trying Other Brands
Curiosity got the better of me, so I also ordered several other shoes, including different Nike road and trail models — in total I tried multiple pairs, including Nike Pegasus and Nike trail shoes. In the end, none of them felt right for me. They simply didn't provide the same combination of comfort and stability that I'd found in the Ghost Trail, so I returned them. That experience reinforced something I've learned over the years: the best shoe isn't necessarily the most popular one — it's the one that works for you.
Adding a Waterproof Option
Brooks - Ghost 17 GTX
Because I enjoyed the Ghost Trail so much, I wanted a waterproof shoe for the wetter months. I ordered two pairs of the Brooks Ghost 17 GTX after finding them through Amazon, as they weren't available directly from Brooks at the time I ordered. Unfortunately, both pairs developed what felt like an issue with the right sole — it didn't feel quite right underfoot, so I decided to return them. Rather than settling for something that didn't feel perfect, I've now ordered the black Brooks Ghost 17 GTX directly, which I'm planning to use as my dedicated rainy-day running shoe. Although it's primarily a road-running shoe rather than a trail shoe, the cushioning feels very familiar and comfortable, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it performs over the coming months.
A Third Pair for the Gym
Brooks - Ghost 18
I've also ordered the new Brooks Ghost 18. These won't replace my trail shoes — instead, they'll become my dedicated pair for treadmill running, gym sessions and everyday indoor training.
Strength training
At the moment I complete my strength training using the eGym equipment at The King's School Sports Centre in Canterbury, which provides guided resistance training and has become an important part of my overall programme while recovering from osteoporosis. I'll write a dedicated article soon explaining why I use eGym, the exercises I perform, and how strength training has become just as important to me as running.
Choosing the Right Shoe
Everyone's feet are different, and everyone's running style is different — what works perfectly for me may not work for someone else. But after almost completing my Garmin Coach programme, I can honestly say the Brooks Ghost range has been one of the best investments I've made. The Ghost Trail has taken me from someone who wondered whether I could run consistently to someone who genuinely looks forward to getting outside, and for me, that's worth far more than shaving a few seconds off my pace.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right running shoe isn't about buying the most expensive model or following the latest trend — it's about finding something that gives you confidence every time you lace it up. For me, the Brooks Ghost Trail has done exactly that, and with the addition of the Ghost 17 GTX for wet weather and the Ghost 18 for road and gym training, I now have a simple rotation that should cover almost every type of session.
As I continue my running journey — and my recovery from osteoporosis — I'll keep sharing honest reviews of the equipment that genuinely helps me. After all, if something has made a positive difference to my journey, it may help someone else's too.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
