Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Brooks Ghost 17 vs Brooks Ghost 18: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 49% of 92 for the Brooks Ghost 18.

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

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 →

Brooks Ghost 18

49%of 92 owners recommend
49% recommend · 22% neutral · 29% don't
Owners praise
  • Fits noticeably better than the Ghost 17
  • Wider, roomier toebox
  • Comfortable for all-day wear and long shifts
Owners complain about
  • Heel collar digs into and irritates the ankle
  • Ankle pain isn't fixed by sizing up to wide/2E
  • Runs firm, clunky, or low to the ground
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

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)
Get the Brooks Ghost 18 if
  • ✓Runners upgrading from the Ghost 17
  • ✓People on their feet through long work shifts
  • ✓Wide or flat feet needing a roomier toe box
  • ✓Runners wanting a firm, versatile daily trainer
Skip it if
  • Runners who want a soft, plush ride
  • People with low arches or narrow-instep issues

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

What Brooks Ghost 18 owners say

“Kudos to Brooks for offering various different widths.”
— @UnclPhilly on YouTube
“As a Amazon van driver that runs alot, I give praise to the ghost 18”
— @jamesehlers6994 on YouTube
“I like Brooks, but why are Brooks shoes still so heavy in 2026?”
— @RTB1910 on YouTube

Brooks Ghost 17 vs Brooks Ghost 18: frequently asked questions

Is the Brooks Ghost 17 or the Brooks Ghost 18 better?

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 49% of 92 for the Brooks Ghost 18.

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.

Who should get the Brooks Ghost 18?

Owners point the Brooks Ghost 18 at runners upgrading from the Ghost 17, and people on their feet through long work shifts.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Brooks Ghost 17 is runs a bit heavy, so owners suggest a faster shoe for racing or speed sessions. For the Brooks Ghost 18, it's heel collar digs into and irritates the ankle.