Brooks Ghost 14 is the latest version of the world’s best-selling Brooks shoe (including Italy). It is no coincidence, therefore, that it is from such an iconic and popular model that the American company wanted to start to imprint its production with the most important turning point of its life: in fact, 2040 is seen by Brooks as the year in which its environmental footprint will be close to zero. How to accomplish this? By using recycled materials and adapting to an economy that is as circular as possible, thus without waste.
For once I am tempted not to talk about a shoe that is still among the most popular and therefore, of necessity, interesting to runners, but to reflect on what it means in much broader terms. In short: there are shoes about which you can say anything as long as you have them on your feet and they help you run well and fast; and there are others that have a story to tell even when they stand still.
Ghost 14s belong to the last category.
Technically
The Ghost 14s confirm all the features of their predecessors: they are by far (in the Brooks catalog, of course) the softest model capable of the smoothest transition, and they now use LOFT DNA (Brooks’ “most comfortable” compound, without being less responsive) on 100% of their length. The fit has also been improved or confirmed of some always welcome details, particularly in the collar and tongue padding, which are always generous.
Ecologically
The big news almost doesn’t show though, because you could mistake Ghost 14 as the evolution of 13 and that’s it. Instead, 30 percent of this shoe (and some parts 100 percent) are recycled polyester.
These percentages are intended to cover the entire Brooks shoe line until it is brought to zero emissions in 2040
By definition and industrial limitations, the production of a running shoe has zero impact, which is why Brooks has taken several steps to minimize it as much as possible. As with many other no- or low-impact products, it is their entire life cycle that has a positive ecological footprint, and this cycle includes production, use, and disposal. By minimizing the use of materials, using recycled ones as much as possible, and promoting programs to take back old shoes (to recycle them again), Brooks will get even 10 years ahead of the limit decided by the Paris Agreement on climate change, and that is in 2040.
And if that is not enough, and the calculation of the environmental footprint of their products shows that they are still producing CO2 emissions, then offsetting programs will step in, which, in return for the pollution produced, will fund projects that restore a global balance of emissions.
Another thing
Do you know why it is called Ghost? They are named in honor of product management director Brooks who used to go running in the dark at night, thus earning the name Ghost, meaning “ghost.” Because at Brooks they have always known how to joke about themselves and laugh, but also how to be serious when it comes to respecting the environment and minimizing the impact of their products on the delicate ecosystems that govern our planet.
In-depth review coming soon ;)
