Brooks Defyance Vs Brooks Ghost | Differences Explained

Shoe Cushioning:

Both the Brooks Defyance and Ghost provide excellent cushioning overall and are particularly well-padded in the heel area for those that like a protective ground contact.

The Brooks Defyance is using the BioMoGo DNA midsole foam, which is probably the plushest midsole foam that Brooks has ever come up with.

It feels great and would be perfect for someone looking to optimize their cushioning levels within a shoe in a super durable package.

The Brooks Ghost comes with a DNA Loft midsole foam, which is still plenty soft, but it is more deliberate in providing a responsive ride that someone light looks for in a daily trainer. This “snap” is especially present in the forefoot of the Ghost.

All of the cushioning does not detract from the forefoot flexibility in either shoe, as they both have Omega Flex Grooves to let your foot move as naturally as possible.

Furthermore, the cushioning is enhanced with a Segmented Crash Pad to accommodate any foot landing and deliver smooth heel-to-toe transitions for both of the shoes, but it does feel smoother in the Defyance.

As with anything, the cost of the shoe is relative to the technology and quality of the shoe. The higher you go, usually the better of a shoe you get. However, I have noticed diminishing returns over the $150 mark.

Price alone cannot be the only determining factor in your Brooks Ghost vs. Defyance decision because both shoes have different qualities for runners of different running styles, running environments, and body structures.

The Brooks Ghost carries a lower price point than the Brooks Defyance, but in both instances, you are getting a high-quality shoe.

Be sure to check around to find the least expensive version of each shoe. Oddly enough, I found that WalMart.com has the best price for the Ghost. 

Price-wise, the Defyance tends to be the higher of the most popular Brooks shoes including that of the Ghost AND Adrenaline.

If you are buying at full MSRP, then the Ghost is going to be $120, and the Defyance is going to be $220. Is the Defyance worth $100 more? That depends. Let’s take a look at some more qualities of each shoe to find out.

If price is a major factor, try checking out the Brooks Levitate. 

Shoe Design:

The Two-color knitted upper in the Brooks Ghost delivers softness and breathability while also offering a fresh new look for those familiar with previous models.

This is simpler than the upper of the Brooks Defyance, which is built with a standard engineered mesh to be breathable and offer adaptable flexibility, but with some added support compared to the Ghost.

If you find yourself running in dry, hot weather, this feature is especially luxurious.

Also, if you find that your toenails bruise or blacken or that your toes swell or blister, the increased toe room can be beneficial in keeping these problems at bay. Side note, I often found that I got black toenails after running in my Nike shoes, switching to Ghost eliminated it. 

That being said, make sure to buy your shoes in the correct size.

Many people will look for a snug-fitting daily trainer that touches the toe to the front of the shoe, but you should look to have at least a half thumbnail width of space between your toe and the front of the shoe. 

Honestly, the uppers aren’t all that different between the Brooks Defyance and Ghost. They are both comfortable, breathable, and provide an excellent lockdown. What else could you want for a daily trainer?

Going off on a tangent as a testament to the liner on the inside of each shoe, you could practically run in these shoes sockless.

This has a lot to do with how soft the interior lining that surrounds your foot and moves and expands with your stride, as well as the sock liner, which offers great “step-in” comfort.

That being said, we would not recommend it. A good pair of running socks is essential to keeping your running shoes in good condition.

Breathability:

Quite frankly, there is very little difference in the breathability between the upper mesh materials in the Defyance and the Ghost.

I would say that the Ghost has better overall breathability, but the Defyance will get you better breathability in the toe box in particular.

Although these features contribute to the slightly heavier weight of the shoe, a lot of runners will take greater traction and durability over a lightweight shoe.

The Ghost is one of the most popular of the Brooks line. We compare it against all of the lines including the Ravenna (which has been steadily gaining popularity for its lightweight versatility).

Other Brooks shoes worth considering - Brooks Revel & Brooks Launch. 

Brooks Defyance Vs Brooks Ghost -Verdict

To keep things simple, the Ghost is probably a better value overall. Paying $130 and getting 85% of the benefits against $220 for the extra 15% seems like a good trade for most runners.

That being said, if you are someone who is looking to optimize your running shoe to the fullest extent when it comes to cushioning, comfort, and durability, then it may be worth it to you to give the Defyance a try.

It is hard to go wrong with Brooks running shoes and there are far more on the market than just these. If you are curious in learning more about other running shoes from Brooks you can check out this comparison review.