I bought these after trying many other shoes online by the buying-and-returning method and after I was finally at the end of my wits and patience. Since the physical stores are few-and-far between, you have to submit to this `site unseen' shopping which with shoes becomes a practical joke.
For some inexplicable reason, athletic shoe manufacturers came up with the `original' idea to change the standard sizes on us...buy a 9 to fit an 8 or buy an 8 to fit your 9.
By the same token, I decided that from now on after all these years of being 5'4" tall, I will be 6'8"... why not?
Well, I guess it was worth the search and pain, because these shoes literally hug your overworked, tired pugs. I use them for walking 3-5 miles a day. I'm a bit over the slim line, not a spring chick anymore, so I needed a cushy, pampering sweetheart of a shoe for serious all-season walking.
I took them out of the box, put my orthotics in and then my bare feet. Victory!
Walked that very first day in them, no breaking-in necessary, just utter bliss.
I used to run many years ago too, but problems with knees and foot surgeries have closed that avenue for me. These let your foot do its walking, just gently protecting your stride, no shouting, no rubbing, no clenching. That's why I think these are also excellent for running.
When you're young and trim it's easy, everything fits pretty much like a glove. But the real challenge is to make the not-so-trim and not-so-young comfortable and I think these shoes do.
They're very light, soft and flexible, roomy toe-box, easy to put on and take off. If you're always in a hurry like me and you slip in them lace tied, make sure you use a shoehorn to keep your shoes longer. It takes 10 seconds more but it could mean 6 months longer of shoe life. (I know because I've ruined most of my shoes by crushing the back...).
Still, a half size larger is a better choice so your pedicure won't hit the front or to give you a bit more room if your foot is wider.
A few suggestions to the Brooks people: The shiny patent leather trim was a no-no... It's a running shoe not a night at the Opera.
Also, the arch support needs to be more pronounced, otherwise you have to add to it.
On the positive side, it's great that the shoe is a basic black, it keeps looking new longer and it goes with any slimming black walking outfit. The best of it is that it's waterproof, so you can venture out for a walk/run in the rain.
I can say that this is definitely a user-friendly shoe. `Hi, I'm your new shoe. Can we walk?'
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I recieved these shoes so quickly. I ordered them on Tuesday and they arrived the following Friday. In my book, that is super speedy. So Thanks!
The shoes themselves are exactly what I wanted. They provide tons of support and the arch height is perfect. I am an aerobics instructor, so I am always trying to find shoes that I can use to teach in, but can be used to run in as well.
The color is exactly as it looks on Amazon.com.
I did order a half-size bigger than my true size, as I read that they run small. That is true. They fit perfectly just a half-size bigger.
Thanks for being awesome Brooks!!!
Best Deals on Brooks Women's Ghost GTX Running Shoes
I bought these last fall in hopes that they would keep my feet relatively dry while walking the dog in the wet Seattle winter. The fit seems true to size; I usually wear an 8.5 in dress shoes, 9 in street shoes, and size up to a 9.5 for running shoes, and the 9.5 Ghost GTX fit me well a little stiff for the first couple wears, but softened up nicely.
They functioned well for the first month or so, reliably keeping my feet dry on damp pavement, through shallow puddles and wet grass (unless it was a downpour and water came in over the tops, of course, but that's not the shoe's fault). However, after a month or so of daily wear I started noticing water seeping in around the toe box and balls of my feet, usually when walking in wet grass. This continued to slowly get worse until now they aren't waterproof for more than a few minutes. They also take FOREVER to dry out... even with insoles removed and shoes unlaced/opened up, it is a couple of days before they are dry again! You can imagine that this has created a very special stink that none of my other non-waterproof running shoes have (they also dry faster, by the way more breathable I guess!). These shoes also show a surprising amount of wear around the heel cup.
For $130, I expected much better. I will not buy them again I would rather have wet feet in my regular sneakers than pay extra for wet AND stinky feet!
Honest reviews on Brooks Women's Ghost GTX Running Shoes
I needed a shoe that gives and is water proof, for running doq agility and this shoe ie prefect. I find myself choosing this shoe for short hikes in the foothills also.
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I run with a custom fit orthotic. It's getting colder. Wetter and snowier here so I needed a neutral shoe that was tough for the winter months. It's just what I needed but I was running in the regular ghosts before so I'm not surprised!
