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
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
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
What Brooks Ghost 17 owners say
“these shoes are IT”
“Not a shoe to go fast but a fantastic daily trainer.”
“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.”
“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?”