Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Brooks Ghost 17 vs Saucony Triumph 22: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 53 for the Saucony Triumph 22.

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 →

Saucony Triumph 22

42%of 53 owners recommend
42% recommend · 15% neutral · 43% don't
Owners praise
  • Plush, cushioned feel that owners describe as soft and comfortable underfoot
  • More stable heel and forefoot than the Triumph 20/21, especially for wider feet
  • Great daily trainer for easy, recovery, and middle-distance miles
Owners complain about
  • Noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name
  • Feels clunky and dense underfoot, described repeatedly as running 'like a brick'
  • Feet run hot, especially on the forefoot, with some reporting it takes 150km+ to fade and complaints of near-zero breathability
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 Saucony Triumph 22 if
  • ✓Daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection
  • ✓Runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride
  • ✓Walkers and all-day-on-feet wearers who value comfort over performance
  • ✓Fans of a firmer, wider, more stable heel-strike feel versus the 20/21
Skip it if
  • Weight-conscious runners chasing speed, tempo, or race-day performance
  • Anyone prone to hot feet or needing breathable uppers for summer running

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 Saucony Triumph 22 owners say

“Still enjoying mine.”
— @thomasn1279 on YouTube
“these have been very comfortable from the start and i love throwing them on on days when my legs feel tired”
— @OGPixelProphet on YouTube
“Sounds like the best thing about the 22sis that the 21s are going cheap now”
— @Onyourtodd on YouTube

Brooks Ghost 17 vs Saucony Triumph 22: frequently asked questions

Is the Brooks Ghost 17 or the Saucony Triumph 22 better?

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 53 for the Saucony Triumph 22.

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 Saucony Triumph 22?

Owners point the Saucony Triumph 22 at daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection, and runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride.

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 Saucony Triumph 22, it's noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name.