Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Adidas Ultraboost 5 vs Brooks Ghost 17: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 34 for the Adidas Ultraboost 5.

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

Adidas Ultraboost 5

35%of 34 owners recommend
35% recommend · 21% neutral · 44% don't
Owners praise
  • Many owners call them among the most comfortable shoes they've owned, day to day and out of the box
  • Durability holds up well for years of regular wear when the pair isn't defective
  • Well suited to distance running, including high weekly mileage and marathon training
Owners complain about
  • Sole cracking, peeling, and premature breakdown, sometimes within just 3-6 months of purchase
  • Comfort and cushioning have declined across generations, with older versions (1.0, 3.0, 4.0) feeling comfier than the newer 19/5
  • Divisive looks, especially the caged design and redesigned heel cup, which some owners find ugly
Full owner report →

Brooks Ghost 17

82%of 11 owners recommend
82% recommend · 0% neutral · 18% don't
Owners praise
  • A dependable, comfortable daily trainer that owners reach for on the majority of their runs
  • Plenty of cushioning with a higher stack, often described as crazy soft and easy on the feet
  • Handles long runs and half marathons reliably, holding up over a few hundred miles
Owners complain about
  • Runs a bit heavy, so owners suggest a faster shoe for racing or speed sessions
  • The redesign feels like a different shoe to some longtime Ghost wearers
  • Toe box can feel narrow, which was a dealbreaker for a couple of owners
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Adidas Ultraboost 5 if
  • ✓Casual runners and walkers who won't rack up serious weekly mileage
  • ✓Distance runners who prioritize long-run comfort over sprint responsiveness
  • ✓Buyers who want an all-around comfortable everyday sneaker for gym or casual wear
  • ✓Shoppers grabbing them on sale who value fashion and comfort over ultimate durability
Skip it if
  • High-mileage runners doing serious weekly distance or fast sprint training
  • Anyone wanting a shoe to double as regular walking or travel footwear
Get the Brooks Ghost 17 if
  • ✓Daily trainers logging most of their weekly miles
  • ✓Half-marathon runners wanting stable cushioning
  • ✓Runners who like a comfy, higher-stack step-in feel
Skip it if
  • Narrow-toe-box sufferers prone to toe pain
  • Racers chasing marathon speed (better with super shoes)

What Adidas Ultraboost 5 owners say

“Say what you want about the design, these are insanely comfortable shoes. IMO look better in person.”
— ridukosennin on Reddit
“I have Allbirds and UB 3.0s and I can say definitively my UBs are far more comfortable for me. It’s a treat to wear them haha”
— SunriseMoon on Reddit
“Anyone have the issue of the footbed moving around in their Ultraboost 19s? It makes mine nearly unwearable. (It slides back constantly. No matter how tight or loose they are.)”
— Easy-Lucky-Free on Reddit

What Brooks Ghost 17 owners say

“these shoes are IT”
— @Justin.501 on YouTube
“Not a shoe to go fast but a fantastic daily trainer.”
— @Philllin on YouTube
“Its like running with a stiff truck tire for a midsole. Its dead, heavy and depressing”
— @albertteng1191 on YouTube

Adidas Ultraboost 5 vs Brooks Ghost 17: frequently asked questions

Is the Adidas Ultraboost 5 or the Brooks Ghost 17 better?

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 34 for the Adidas Ultraboost 5.

Who should get the Adidas Ultraboost 5?

Owners point the Adidas Ultraboost 5 at casual runners and walkers who won't rack up serious weekly mileage, and distance runners who prioritize long-run comfort over sprint responsiveness.

Who should get the Brooks Ghost 17?

Owners point the Brooks Ghost 17 at daily trainers logging most of their weekly miles, and half-marathon runners wanting stable cushioning.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Adidas Ultraboost 5 is sole cracking, peeling, and premature breakdown, sometimes within just 3-6 months of purchase. For the Brooks Ghost 17, it's runs a bit heavy, so owners suggest a faster shoe for racing or speed sessions.