Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend has clearly never worn Brooks running shoes. These sneakers have been my go-to accessory for the last decade, as I’ve run multiple marathons, over a dozen half marathons, 5Ks, 10Ks and even a few triathlons in them. In fact, they’ve been the most reliable item in my closet for a third of my life at this point.

While these shoes have joined me for thousands of miles on runs and walks, they aren’t only for pacing. They have also made appearances in HIIT and boot camp-style workout classes. Whether I’m toeing the start line of a marathon or strolling through Central Park on a lazy Sunday morning, these are the shoes I always reach for.

And better yet, we tested multiple sneakers for our first-ever Shop TODAY Sneaker Awards, and found the Brooks Ghost 16 are the best overall pair for running.

Brooks Ghost 16 Sneakers

Ghost 16 Sneakers

Award: Best overall running

What we like

Solid arch support
Comes in multiple widths
Has ideal cushioning

Something to note

Reviews mixed on comfort

Award: Best overall running shoe | Shades: 16 | Size range: 5 to 13; standard, wide, narrow and extra wide widths available | Features: Neutral support and extra cushioning | Best for: Road running and walking

How I tried the Brooks Ghost 16 sneakers

As a lifelong athlete, I’ve tried just about every shoe brand out there. I cycled through Nike, New Balance, and Adidas sneakers before becoming an avid Asics fan in high school and college. When I became more serious about running after college, I decided to try Brooks, since I constantly saw people wearing them at local road races and had heard good things from other runners.

My experience

When first trying out Brooks, I got fitted at a local running store, which I highly recommend if you don’t know where to start when it comes to purchasing sneakers. I was able to try on various sizes and styles, while going for mini “test runs” up and down the block while wearing the shoes. After putting on the Brooks Ghost model though, I instantly knew these were the shoes for me.

What I like

They offer the perfect amount of support

The Brooks Ghost Sneakers immediately checked all of the boxes for me. They’re designed for a foot that has a neutral stride, which means one that doesn’t need any additional support. When running, my feet neither pronate, nor supinate, so these were the perfect fit for me.

Plus, I like that there is a decent amount of cushioning, so that my feet feel supported, but I don’t feel like I am walking in a huge, chunky shoe. I’m still able to feel contact with the ground when I run, which I prefer.

It accommodates all foot sizes and shapes

My feet also fall into the neutral category when it comes to arches and width. They’re neither flat, nor do they have extremely high arches, so the cushion the Brooks Ghosts give me are just enough without feeling like my feet are being forced into an unnatural position.

My feet are also pretty average when it comes to width. I stick with the standard width sizing when ordering my Brooks Ghosts, but the brand does offer sizing for narrow, wide and extra wide feet. As a size ten, I’ve never had to order up or down in sizing with these sneakers, they always fit perfectly.

They've held up well after many trainings

I’ve spent years training for marathons in these shoes, slogging through rain, snow and blistering hot days, and my feet always feel cushioned and protected. Out of all the possible gruesome running injuries, the only one I have suffered with all of the marathon training I’ve done is a single black toenail. That’s it. No blisters, no ankle sprains, no missing toenails, nothing.

Lacing up these sneakers before training runs or races, I never have to worry how my feet are going to interact with them, I always know they will be happy once my run or walk is over, no matter how far I plan on going that day — and when I say these shoes last, I mean it. I am constantly on my feet, wearing these everyday, and I go through about two pairs of Brooks Ghost per year. They’re the best investment I make in myself time and time again.

What to consider

There is a reason why this shoe is consistently one of the brand’s bestsellers. They’re no nonsense, comfortable and last for hundreds of miles. But that's not all, podiatrists recommend this brand for a variety of reasons, too. “Brooks are one of my top recommended gym shoes,” Dr. Ashley Lee, a podiatrist in Hinsdale, Illinois, previously told Shop TODAY. She adds that these shoes are great for “casual walkers and elite runners,” thanks to their “nice balance of stability and cushion.”

That said, there are some mixed reviews when it comes to comfort on these shoes. If you're someone with high arches that need a ton of support, you might want a different version. The same can be said for those with super flat feet as well.

Who is the Brooks Ghost 16 sneakers best for?

If you have a neutral stride and are looking for standard cushioning support, the Brooks Ghost shoe should be at the top of your list to take out on a test run or walk.

No matter if you’re new or an experienced runner, these award-winning shoes were designed to keep your feet secure and comfortable throughout your run.

More Brooks models to consider

Even though I’ve been wearing various versions of the Brooks Ghosts for a decade, I’ve also dabbled in a few of their other shoe models to see if I was missing out on any other gems from the brand.

Brooks Ghost Max Sneakers

Ghost Max Sneakers

What we like

Multiple widths available
Extra cushioned
Absorbs impact

Something to note

Reviews mixed on durability

I tried the Brooks Ghost Max for about six months, even doing a few races in them. The Brooks Ghost Max’s are on the chunkier side — more similar in look and feel to Hokas — and for me, offered too much cushion.

I found myself slamming my feet down harder than usual so I could feel the pavement while running, since I wasn’t used to the maximum cushion they offered. If you’re someone who prefers the max cushion style though, these would be a great option for you.

Brooks Trace 3 Sneakers

Trace 3 Sneakers

What we like

Very breathable
Standard cushioning
Lightweight

Something to note

Reviews mixed on arch support

I also tried the Brooks Trace 3 throughout the summer and was pleasantly surprised. According to the brand, this style shoe offers “standard cushioning” which is slightly less than the Ghost which offers “more cushioning."

I found that my feet did miss the slightly extra cushion of the Ghosts, but overall I didn’t notice any major discomfort or experience any pain while wearing this style, so I was happy to find another shoe from Brooks that my feet responded positively to. Still, when I laced up and put a new pair of Ghosts on after I wore down the Trace 3’s, my feet felt like they were reuniting with an old friend; familiar, comfortable and reliable.

Why trust Shop TODAY?

The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.

Kate McCarthy is the senior social media editor at Shop TODAY and an experienced runner. She has run three marathons and countless half marathons (among other races!).