I used to think US shipping for Brooks Ghost 16 to the UK was a waste of money

February 21, 2026

Why the Brooks Ghost 16 is all over my feed in 2026

It seems like every time I open a running forum or check my social feeds this February, someone is talking about the Brooks Ghost 16. I have been a fan of the Ghost series for years, but the 2026 iteration feels like a massive step up. Brooks has finally refined the DNA Loft v3 cushioning to a point where it feels incredibly responsive without losing that "sink-in" comfort we all love for our long Sunday runs.

I used to think US shipping for Brooks Ghost 16 to the UK was a waste of money
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I noticed that the US market has been getting all the best colorways lately. While we have a decent selection here in the United Kingdom, I was looking at these deep teal and neon solar flare designs that simply aren't appearing on our local shelves. It isn't just about the looks, though. The tech specs for the 16 show a much improved upper mesh that handles heat better, which is great for when our weather actually decides to warm up.

The myth that shipping from the US to the UK is too much hassle

I used to be one of those people who assumed that ordering anything from a US store was a recipe for a headache. I thought the shipping would cost more than the shoes themselves and that the package would get stuck in a warehouse for months. I was wrong. My recent experience showed me that if you have a plan, it is actually quite straightforward.

Many of my running club friends were convinced that we just had to wait for UK retailers to catch up. But in 2026, global supply chains are still a bit finicky, and the US often gets the bulk of the inventory first. I decided to take the plunge and shop US store options directly to see if I could get the Ghost 16 in the specific configuration I wanted.

Getting those specific wide-width options we lack in the UK

This was the real kicker for me. I have slightly wider feet, and finding the "2E" or "4E" width in the Ghost 16 in the UK is like searching for a needle in a haystack. For some reason, local stockists tend to only carry the standard medium widths. In the US, however, these widths are standard stock for almost every colorway. I realized that if I wanted a shoe that actually fit my feet properly, I had to look across the Atlantic.

My estimated shipping breakdown for these shoes

Before I clicked buy, I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to be blindsided by costs. I used a shipping calculator to get a rough idea of what I was looking at. If you are planning to do the same, here is the data I used for the Brooks Ghost 16.

Metric Estimate
Box Weight Approx. 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) including the retail box and external shipping carton.
Box Dimensions Medium (Typically 14 x 9 x 5 inches).
Volumetric Warning Shoes are relatively dense, so you won't usually get hit with high volumetric fees unless you are buying a giant plush shoe display!
Battery Check The Ghost 16 contains no electronic components or lithium batteries. No special handling required.

To get the most accurate price for your specific location, I highly recommend you estimate shipping cost using the official tool. It saved me from any nasty surprises when my package arrived at the warehouse.

How I used a freight forwarder to get my pair

Since the US Brooks site doesn't ship directly to London, I needed a freight forwarder. I went with comGateway because they provide a tax-free US address in Oregon. This is a huge deal because it means I didn't have to pay US sales tax on the shoes when I bought them from the retailer. That 7-10% saving practically covered a portion of the international shipping.

The process was simple: I bought the shoes, sent them to my Oregon address, and once they arrived, I was notified to arrange my United Kingdom delivery. If you have questions about how the consolidation works or how long they can hold your items, you can always check the FAQ on their site. I found the support team very responsive when I asked about my tracking number.

Dealing with UK import duties and VAT in 2026

One thing I had to keep in mind was the import tax and VAT. In the UK, we generally have to pay VAT on goods over a certain value. I did some reading on import duties to make sure I understood the current 2026 thresholds. Generally, for a single pair of high-end running shoes, you should expect to pay the standard 20% VAT plus a small handling fee from the courier.

Even with these costs, the total price for my Ghost 16s was surprisingly close to what I would have paid in a high-street store here—except I actually got the wide width and the limited edition color I wanted. You might also like to check our guide on how to bundle multiple items to save even more on these fees.

Final thoughts on my US-to-UK shopping experience

I have been running in my new Ghost 16s for two weeks now, and I couldn't be happier. My feet feel supported, and I haven't seen anyone else at my local park with this specific colorway. I've learned that you shouldn't let the fear of international shipping stop you from getting the best gear. By using comGateway, I was able to bridge the gap between US availability and my doorstep in the UK.

If you are tired of waiting for the latest footwear drops to hit the UK, or if you are stuck with "standard" widths that don't fit, I definitely suggest looking into the US market. It’s a lot easier than the internet myths would lead you to believe.

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