Brooks Ghost vs Adrenaline GTS: Podiatrist 2026 Guide

Updated October 2026 for the Brooks Ghost 18 and Adrenaline GTS 25, with a note on the Adrenaline GTS 26, which Brooks lists for release on 1 November 2026. Every shoe spec below is Brooks’ own published figure, labelled with where it comes from. We have not measured these shoes ourselves.

At a glance: Ghost 18 vs Adrenaline GTS 25

These are Brooks’ published figures from its US product pages. Brooks doesn’t say which size it weighed, so treat the weights as a rough comparison.

Spec	Brooks Ghost 18	Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
US list price	$150 (Brooks US)	$155; $124.95 on sale in some colors on 19 October 2026 (Brooks US)
Support	“Balanced support”: “Secure heel with dynamic forefoot helps provide inherent stability” (Brooks US)	“Structured support”: “GuideRails Technology System helps keep excess movement in check” (Brooks US)
GuideRails	No	Yes
Cushion rating	Balanced (Brooks US)	Balanced (Brooks US)
Midsole foam	DNA LOFT v3 (Brooks US)	Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 (Brooks’ Adrenaline GTS series page; the product page says “nitrogen-infused cushioning” without naming the foam)
Heel-to-toe drop	10 mm (Brooks US)	10 mm (Brooks US)
Heel / forefoot stack	Not published by Brooks	Not published by Brooks
Weight, men’s / women’s	10.2 oz / 9.2 oz (Brooks US, size not stated)	10.6 oz / 9.5 oz (Brooks US, size not stated)
Men’s widths	Narrow (1B), Medium (1D), Wide (2E), Extra Wide (4E) (Brooks US)	Narrow (1B), Medium (1D), Wide (2E), Extra Wide (4E) (Brooks US)
Women’s widths	Narrow (2A), Medium (1B), Wide (1D), Extra Wide (2E) (Brooks US)	Narrow (2A), Medium (1B), Wide (1D), Extra Wide (2E) (Brooks US)
Sizes	Men’s 7 to 15, women’s 5 to 13 (Brooks US)	Men’s 7 to 15, women’s 5 to 13 (Brooks US)
Brooks lists it for	Road running, daily runs, walking	Road running, walking, “structured support”

Ghost or Adrenaline for plantar fasciitis?

No study has compared these two shoes for heel pain, so nobody can tell you one is proven better. Both are cushioned daily shoes with the same 10 mm drop and the same “Balanced” cushion rating from Brooks. Here is what the guidance says:

• Cushioning and arch support. The NHS recommends shoes with cushioned heels and good arch support, plus insoles or heel pads. Mayo Clinic advises good arch support, thick soles and plenty of cushioning, and avoiding flat shoes and walking barefoot.
• Some heel-to-toe drop. A 2021 best-practice guide in the British Journal of Sports Medicine says shoes for heel pain should be supportive and comfortable and have a heel-to-forefoot drop. Both of these have 10 mm.
• Poor arch support can make it worse. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) says plantar fasciitis may be aggravated by shoes that lack support, especially in the arch.
• Shoes are only part of the treatment. The 2021 guide puts stretching, taping and learning about the condition at the core of care. Mayo Clinic also lists stretches, night splints and arch supports.

How to choose between them for heel pain:

• If your arches are low or flat, or your feet roll inward, start with the Adrenaline GTS 25. APMA recommends a supportive stability shoe for low arches. Brooks says its GTS shoes “have the potential to be helpful for people with plantar fasciitis because they provide extra support to the foot,” and advises asking your podiatrist whether they suit you.
• If your arches are normal or high and neutral shoes feel fine, start with the Ghost 18. APMA suggests equal amounts of stability and cushioning for normal arches, and a cushioned, flexible shoe for high arches.
• If you wear a custom orthotic, ask the podiatrist who made it which type of shoe it was designed for, and bring it when you try both.
• Whichever you choose, if your heel pain hasn’t improved after two weeks of self-care, get it checked (NHS).

For the condition itself, see our guides to plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciitis stretches.

The real difference: GuideRails

What GuideRails are

GTS stands for GuideRails Technology System. Brooks describes two foam pieces at the heel. A firmer section of foam on the inside of the heel reduces inward rolling of the foot. A raised section on the outside of the heel limits outward movement of the heel. Brooks says the system is built around the relationship between the knee and ankle, and its GTS 26 page says the support is “engineered to support natural knee motion.”

The Ghost has none

The Ghost 18 has no GuideRails, and Brooks’ site shows no Ghost GTS version. Brooks’ GuideRails article says there are GTS versions of many of its popular shoes, including the Adrenaline GTS, Glycerin GTS, Ariel GTS, Beast GTS and Addiction GTS; the Ghost is not among them. Brooks labels the Ghost 18 “Balanced support” and credits its secure heel and dynamic forefoot for “inherent stability.” It has no added support features, so it is a neutral shoe in the usual sense.

What is the same

On Brooks’ figures, the two shoes are close everywhere else. Both have a 10 mm drop and a “Balanced” cushion rating. Both come in the same sizes and four widths, and Brooks lists walking as a use for both. The Adrenaline weighs 0.4 oz more in men’s (10.6 oz vs 10.2 oz) and 0.3 oz more in women’s (9.5 oz vs 9.2 oz). Brooks doesn’t publish stack heights for either shoe.

A caution about matching shoes to foot type

Choosing a shoe by arch type is common advice, but the evidence behind it is thin. A 2022 Cochrane review found that prescribing running shoes based on foot posture probably makes little or no difference to running injuries (moderate-certainty evidence, from trials in military populations). It also found it uncertain whether stability shoes prevent more injuries than neutral shoes. Use your arch type as a starting point. If a shoe feels unstable or presses in the wrong place when you walk around in it, it isn’t the right shoe for you.

Flat feet and overpronation

Flat feet that don’t hurt need no treatment, according to Mayo Clinic. For painful flat feet, Mayo lists arch supports, which it says will not cure flatfeet but often reduce symptoms, along with supportive shoes, stretching and physical therapy.

APMA recommends a supportive shoe designed for stability and motion control for low arches. Of these two, only the Adrenaline is a support shoe. If your feet roll inward, it is the more logical place to start. If you need more arch support than the shoe gives you, add an over-the-counter arch support or a custom orthotic rather than relying on the shoe alone.

A flat foot that has recently started to hurt, or one arch that looks flatter than the other, is worth having examined before you buy shoes for it. See our pages on flat feet treatment and stability shoes for overpronation.

Who should choose the Ghost 18

The Ghost 18 may suit you if:

• Your arches are normal or high and neutral shoes feel comfortable.
• You want the lighter of the two (10.2 oz vs 10.6 oz in men’s, Brooks’ figures).
• You wear a custom orthotic that was made for a neutral shoe. Check that the factory insole lifts out and your orthotic sits flat.
• You want a daily shoe for both running and walking. Brooks lists both.

Think twice if:

• Your arches are flat and sore, or your feet roll inward. APMA points low arches toward stability shoes.
• A support shoe has worked well for you before. The Ghost has no GuideRails.

Who should choose the Adrenaline GTS 25

The Adrenaline GTS 25 may suit you if:

• Your arches are low or flat, or your feet roll inward.
• You have plantar fasciitis and your arches flatten. Brooks says GTS shoes may help some people with plantar fasciitis and suggests asking your podiatrist.
• You want support for walking as well as running. Brooks says GTS shoes add support for both.
• You want a lower price now. Brooks had it at $124.95, down from $155, on 19 October 2026. Prices change often.

Think twice if:

• You have high arches and your feet don’t roll inward. APMA steers high arches toward cushioned, flexible shoes.
• The guide pieces at the heel feel intrusive when you walk in the shoe.
• You’d rather have the newest version. Brooks lists the GTS 26 for 1 November 2026.

Standing all day, walking and long shifts

Brooks lists walking as a use for both shoes. For nurses, teachers and anyone on hard floors all day, fit matters as much as the shoe:

• Shop at the end of the day or after a workout, when your feet are at their largest (AAOS).
• Leave at least a half inch between your longest toe and the end of the shoe, make sure the heel counter grips your heel, and wear the type of socks you usually wear (AAOS).
• Break up long stretches of standing when you can. The 2021 heel-pain guide recommends this for people with plantar heel pain.
• Replace shoes once they are worn. Mayo Clinic notes that old or worn athletic shoes can lose their support and cushioning, and APMA advises against shoes with excessive wear on the heels or soles.
• If you wear custom orthotics, bring them when you try shoes on and check that the factory insole lifts out and your orthotic sits flat.
• Brooks’ product pages don’t describe either shoe as slip resistant. If your job has footwear rules, check them before you buy.

More on inserts: custom orthotics at Balance Foot & Ankle.

Widths, sizes and price

Both shoes come in four widths. Men’s: Narrow (1B), Medium (1D), Wide (2E) and Extra Wide (4E). Women’s: Narrow (2A), Medium (1B), Wide (1D) and Extra Wide (2E). Men’s sizes run from 7 to 15 and women’s from 5 to 13. Not every color comes in every width, and when we checked on 19 October 2026, several widths were sold out in the colors shown. Brooks’ own site offers free returns within 90 days. For more choices, see our guide to shoes for wide feet.

At full price the Ghost 18 is $150 and the Adrenaline GTS 25 is $155. On 19 October 2026, Brooks had the GTS 25 on sale for $124.95 in the colors we checked. The GTS 26 is $155 on preorder.

What we know about the Adrenaline GTS 26

As of 19 October 2026, Brooks lists the Adrenaline GTS 26 for preorder at $155, with a release date of 1 November 2026 and shipping estimated for 1 to 6 November. Its product page gives the same labels as the GTS 25: “Balanced” cushion, “Structured support” with GuideRails, and a 10 mm drop. It says the support technology is “engineered to support natural knee motion.” Its product page doesn’t yet give its weight or foam, or describe what changed from the GTS 25. We will update this comparison once Brooks publishes full specs.

Where to buy

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and colors change often; check the listing before you buy.

• Brooks Ghost 18, men’s, on Amazon
• Brooks Ghost 18, women’s, on Amazon
• Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25, men’s, on Amazon
• Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25, women’s, on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

Is the Brooks Ghost or Adrenaline better for plantar fasciitis?

No study compares them. Both have a cushioned midsole and a 10 mm drop, which fit the usual advice for heel pain. Choose the Adrenaline GTS 25 if your arches are low or your feet roll inward, or the Ghost 18 if your arches are normal or high, and pair either with daily stretching.

What is the difference between the Brooks Ghost and Adrenaline?

The Adrenaline GTS has GuideRails, foam pieces at the heel that Brooks says limit excess inward and outward movement. The Ghost doesn’t. Otherwise the current models share the same drop, cushion rating and widths, and the Adrenaline is slightly heavier and $5 more at full price.

Is the Brooks Ghost 18 good for plantar fasciitis?

It can be, if your arches are normal or high. It has a cushioned midsole and a 10 mm drop, which fit the footwear advice for heel pain. It is a neutral shoe, so add an arch-support insole if you need more support. If your heel pain hasn’t improved after two weeks of self-care, get it checked.

Are Brooks Adrenaline shoes good for plantar fasciitis?

They can be, especially if your arches are low or flat. Brooks says GTS shoes may help some people with plantar fasciitis because of the extra support, and advises asking your podiatrist. No shoe treats plantar fasciitis on its own, so keep up stretching and other care.

Which Brooks shoe is best for plantar fasciitis?

There is no single best one, and no study ranks Brooks models for heel pain. Between these two, decide by arch type and comfort: the Adrenaline for low arches or feet that roll in, the Ghost for normal or high arches. The men’s and women’s versions have the same drop, cushion rating and support; the weights and width labels differ.

Is the Brooks Ghost a stability shoe?

No. Brooks labels the Ghost 18 “Balanced support” and gives it no GuideRails, and Brooks’ site shows no Ghost GTS version. On Brooks’ figures, the Adrenaline GTS 25 is close to the Ghost 18 apart from its GuideRails.

Does the Adrenaline GTS help with knee pain?

Brooks designs GuideRails around the knee and ankle and says the GTS 26 is engineered to support natural knee motion. We know of no study showing that the Adrenaline treats knee pain, and a Cochrane review found it uncertain whether stability shoes reduce running injuries. If your knee hurts when you run, have it examined.

When does the Adrenaline GTS 26 come out?

Brooks lists 1 November 2026, with preorders open at $155 and shipping estimated for 1 to 6 November. Its Brooks product page doesn’t yet give its weight or say what changed from the GTS 25.

When to see a podiatrist

Get your foot checked if pain hasn’t improved after two weeks of self-care, if it is severe or getting worse, if you have tingling or numbness, or if you have diabetes and foot pain (NHS). APMA advises that if pain, redness, swelling or heat persist, you should limit your normal daily activities and see a podiatrist.

Related guides

• Plantar fasciitis: causes and treatment
• Plantar fasciitis stretches
• Stability shoes for overpronation and knee pain
• Flat feet treatment
• HOKA vs Brooks
• ASICS vs Brooks
• Shoes for wide feet
• Custom orthotics

Sources

1. Brooks Running US. Ghost 18 (men’s) and Ghost 18 (women’s): price, support and cushion ratings, drop, weight, foam, sizes, widths, uses.
2. Brooks Running US. Adrenaline GTS 25 (men’s) and Adrenaline GTS 25 (women’s): price, support and cushion ratings, drop, weight, sizes, widths, uses. Adrenaline GTS series page: foam.
3. Brooks Running US. Adrenaline GTS 26 (men’s): preorder price, release date, support and cushion ratings, drop.
4. Brooks Running. The science behind GuideRails technology. August 2026.
5. American Podiatric Medical Association. Which running shoe is right for you?; Heel pain.
6. NHS. Plantar fasciitis.
7. Mayo Clinic. Plantar fasciitis: diagnosis and treatment; Flatfeet: diagnosis and treatment.
8. Morrissey D, et al. Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values. Br J Sports Med. 2021. PMID: 33785535. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-101970.
9. Relph N, et al. Running shoes for preventing lower limb running injuries in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022;(8):CD013368. PMID: 35993829. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013368.pub2.
10. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo). Athletic shoes.