The Brooks Ghost isn't the shoe you save for race day. It's the shoe you reach for every single day: easy runs, long runs, the miles you don't even think about. Adding a supportive insole to your Brooks Ghost can take the reliable comfort of this shoe to a whole new level. The Ghost's factory insole is built to a price, not to your feet, and the more miles you put on the shoe, the more that starts to matter.
But what's the best insole for the Brooks Ghost? Which insert will actual fit the Ghost properly? And how do you add support without throwing off the fit of a shoe that already runs true to size?
In this post we'll explain why the Ghost calls for a slim, supportive footbed rather than a bulkier option, and why the SOLE Performance Thin is the right fit for most runners in this shoe.
What's wrong with the Brooks Ghost factory insole?
The Brooks Ghost has earned its reputation through consistency, not flash. Brooks' DNA LOFT v3 midsole is soft underfoot and holds up well over high mileage, which is a big part of why the Ghost is so often the shoe people log the most miles in.
But consistency in the midsole is only one part of giving your feet the best they can get while you run. The factory insole sitting on top of that midsole is a basic layer of flimsy foam. It does nothing to support your arch, or cradle your heel. It doesn't help to reduce fatigue or ensure your feet and legs are moving in efficient alignment.
Every mile without proper arch and heel support is a mile your foot's muscles are working harder than they need to, just to hold things together.
The best Thin insoles for the Brooks Ghost
Arch support insole for the Brooks Ghost.
SOLE footbeds feature our Signature Supportive Shape, with an arch that's clinically proven to reduce strain in your feet by an average of 34%. In a shoe that's built to handle serious weekly mileage, that reduction in strain compounds meaningfully over time. Less fatigue on today's run means a fresher foot for tomorrow's.
The reduction in strain doesn't just help you feel more fresh. It helps prevent stress injuries like plantar fasciitis that can keep you on the couch for weeks at a time.
Unlike most prescription orthotics, the insole's arch support is also dynamic, supporting your foot through its natural motion rather than locking it into a fixed position.
The best insoles for Brooks Ghost should have a deep heel cup.
Any arch support insole works best when that support is combined with a deep heel cup. This feature helps cradle the heel's fatty tissue beneath the bone, making the most of your body's natural shock absorption while you run.
A deep heel cup also works in unison with the arch support to promote neutral alignment in your feet and ankles. This helps prevent or correct common issues like overpronation that can lead to excess strain being placed on your ankles, knees and back.
The better your alignment, the more efficiently you will run, wasting less energy and protecting your joints from wear and tear.
Customers have had success using SOLE insoles for various running injuries like achilles tendonitis, shin splints, posterior tibial tendonitis and many more.
The best insoles for the Brooks Ghost are Thin enough to fit.
Here's something worth understanding before you buy an insole for your Ghost: not every supportive footbed will fit well in this shoe.
The Ghost runs true to size with a fairly precise, snug fit through the midfoot. That's part of what makes it feel so dialed-in and secure during a run. But it also means there isn't a lot of spare volume inside the shoe to accommodate a thicker insole. Too much footbed and you'll crowd out the fit that makes the Ghost feel so good in the first place.
That's why we recommend the SOLE Performance Thin for the Ghost, rather than one of our Medium thickness options. It delivers the same supportive shape in a slimmer profile, so you get the benefit of proper arch and heel support without compromising the fit you already like.
One exception worth knowing: if you have a narrower foot or a lower arch, you may find that a Medium thickness footbed still fits comfortably in your Ghost. Lower arches typically need less internal volume for the arch itself, which can free up a bit of extra room. If you're unsure, start with the Thin and know that our 90-day satisfaction guarantee means you can always exchange for a Medium if you want a touch more cushioning underfoot.
Insoles with a heel-to-toe drop that matches your Ghost.
The Brooks Ghost has a 12mm heel-to-toe drop, one of the more traditional drop heights among modern daily trainers. SOLE footbeds are built on a zero drop platform, meaning the base of the footbed itself sits level from heel to forefoot.
This means adding a SOLE Performance Thin to your Ghost adds support without changing the shoe's own drop. You get the arch and heel support your factory insole was missing, while the Ghost's ride characteristics stay exactly the same.
Having zero drop insoles in your running shoes avoids changes in loading to your achilles and calves that can occur from adding insoles that interfere with the heel-to-toe drop that you're used to.
Custom moldable insoles for the Brooks Ghost.
SOLE footbeds mold to your individual foot and arch height over time. Wear them in your Ghost and they'll gradually take the shape of your foot over a handful of runs, or speed the process up by heat molding them in your oven at home in just a couple of minutes.
Once molded, the footbed maintains constant, even contact with the bottom of your foot, helping to distribute pressure evenly across your foot as you take each stride. This is especially helpful for people recovering from stress injuries or surgeries in their feet.
Being custom moldable also means you can be sure you're getting the right support for your arch height, whichever SOLE footbed you buy. There's no guesswork, gimmicks or tricks for assessing your arch height required.
Support for flat feet and high-mileage training.
Flat feet change how load moves through your foot with every stride. No midsole, however well cushioned, can account for that on its own. Without an arch to help distribute impact, pressure tends to concentrate in the same spots, stride after stride, run after run. For a shoe as frequently worn as the Ghost, that repetition can turn a minor inefficiency into a real source of fatigue or discomfort over time.
People with flat feet are far more prone to alignment issues like overpronation and common running injuries like plantar fasciitis.
SOLE's heat moldable arch lets you dial in exactly the right level of support for your foot to prevent these issues. By heat molding the insoles, you can gradually tune the support of the arch to a level that's comfortable for you, without sacrificing the benefits of support by purchasing an insole with hardly any arch support that's 'designed for flat feet'.
Thin insoles with built-in metatarsal pads for Brooks Ghost shoes
Insoles for the Brooks Ghost with metatarsal pads.
If you experience metatarsalgia, Morton's neuroma, or numbness and tingling in your toes on longer runs in your Ghost, a SOLE footbed with a built-in metatarsal pad is worth considering.
A metatarsal pad (or Met Pad) is a small bump positioned to support your foot's transverse arch, the arch that runs across the width of your foot. It promotes healthy spacing between your metatarsal bones, reducing pressure on the metatarsal heads and improving circulation in the forefoot.
This is particularly relevant for high-mileage Ghost wearers. The more distance you cover, the more repetitive impact your forefoot absorbs. SOLE Active Thin with Met Pad footbeds are the best option for adding that targeted support without adding bulk your Ghost doesn't have room for.
Which SOLE footbed is best for the Brooks Ghost?
For most runners, the Performance Thin is the right choice for the Brooks Ghost. It's made from recycled natural wine corks, adding a touch of extra shock absorption. It also molds to your foot a little more quickly through wear than a standard EVA base.
If you have a narrower foot or lower arch and want to try a bit more cushioning, a Medium thickness footbed may still fit comfortably. It's worth trying if you're unsure which is right for you. Whichever you choose, every SOLE footbed features the same Signature Supportive Shape, with the same dynamic arch support, deep heel cup, and custom moldable base. They're also all backed by a 90-day satisfaction guarantee so you can find the right fit, risk-free.