Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Brooks Ghost 16 vs Saucony Triumph 22: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 45% of 67 Brooks Ghost 16 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 53 for the Saucony Triumph 22.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Brooks Ghost 16

45%of 67 owners recommend
45% recommend · 10% neutral · 45% don't
Owners praise
  • Comfortable, plush ride with no hotspots
  • Holds up well over high mileage
  • Solid, supportive daily trainer
Owners complain about
  • Causes blisters, sore knees or arch pain
  • Tight, narrow fit that runs poorly
  • Feels worse and made differently than previous Ghosts
Full owner report →

Saucony Triumph 22

42%of 53 owners recommend
42% recommend · 15% neutral · 43% don't
Owners praise
  • Plush, cushioned feel that owners describe as soft and comfortable underfoot
  • More stable heel and forefoot than the Triumph 20/21, especially for wider feet
  • Great daily trainer for easy, recovery, and middle-distance miles
Owners complain about
  • Noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name
  • Feels clunky and dense underfoot, described repeatedly as running 'like a brick'
  • Feet run hot, especially on the forefoot, with some reporting it takes 150km+ to fade and complaints of near-zero breathability
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Brooks Ghost 16 if
  • ✓Runners wanting a plush, supportive daily trainer
  • ✓People on their feet all day needing cushioning
  • ✓Road runners mixing easy miles and speed intervals
Skip it if
  • Wide-footed runners (narrow forefoot causes blisters)
  • Fans of the Ghost 15 who dislike the reworked fit
Get the Saucony Triumph 22 if
  • ✓Daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection
  • ✓Runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride
  • ✓Walkers and all-day-on-feet wearers who value comfort over performance
  • ✓Fans of a firmer, wider, more stable heel-strike feel versus the 20/21
Skip it if
  • Weight-conscious runners chasing speed, tempo, or race-day performance
  • Anyone prone to hot feet or needing breathable uppers for summer running

What Brooks Ghost 16 owners say

“the ghost and adrenaline shoes by brooks have saved me”
— @Mackham63 on YouTube
“This shoe is not given enough credit for how well it performs *in what it is good at*”
— @aconcernedcitizen1 on YouTube
“The Ghost is so outdated compared to modern daily trainers”
— @ianpshuffles on YouTube

What Saucony Triumph 22 owners say

“Still enjoying mine.”
— @thomasn1279 on YouTube
“these have been very comfortable from the start and i love throwing them on on days when my legs feel tired”
— @OGPixelProphet on YouTube
“Sounds like the best thing about the 22sis that the 21s are going cheap now”
— @Onyourtodd on YouTube

Brooks Ghost 16 vs Saucony Triumph 22: frequently asked questions

Is the Brooks Ghost 16 or the Saucony Triumph 22 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 45% of 67 Brooks Ghost 16 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 53 for the Saucony Triumph 22.

Who should get the Brooks Ghost 16?

Owners point the Brooks Ghost 16 at runners wanting a plush, supportive daily trainer, and people on their feet all day needing cushioning.

Who should get the Saucony Triumph 22?

Owners point the Saucony Triumph 22 at daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection, and runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Brooks Ghost 16 is causes blisters, sore knees or arch pain. For the Saucony Triumph 22, it's noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name.