Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Brooks Ghost 18 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: 62% of 60 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 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 →

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

62%of 60 owners recommend
62% recommend · 13% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • More stable and planted than past versions and rivals like the Evo SL
  • Versatile do-everything trainer that handles tempo, speed work, and longer runs
  • Improved fit with roomier toe box and more secure upper than the 4
Owners complain about
  • Firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds
  • Outsole and midsole wear early, going flat by roughly 230-350 km
  • Happiest at shorter, faster efforts; feet ache past the half marathon
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

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
Get the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 if
  • ✓Runners wanting a stable, versatile do-everything trainer
  • ✓Tempo and speed-workout runners
  • ✓Runners who found the Speed 4 too narrow
  • ✓Runners who prefer a firmer, planted ride
Skip it if
  • Runners wanting soft, plush cushioning
  • Those logging long, slow easy miles

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

What Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 owners say

“find it good for pretty much everything”
— @TimGrose on YouTube
“More pep, more bounce, more comfort, very pleasant overall”
— @destrucciondeldiablo on YouTube
“I wanted so badly to love the ES4 but the toe box taper made it unbearable just crushing my pinky toe.”
— @nate_collins on YouTube

Brooks Ghost 18 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: frequently asked questions

Is the Brooks Ghost 18 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 better?

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: 62% of 60 owners recommend it, vs 49% of 92 for the Brooks Ghost 18.

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.

Who should get the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?

Owners point the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 at runners wanting a stable, versatile do-everything trainer, and tempo and speed-workout runners.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Brooks Ghost 18 is heel collar digs into and irritates the ankle. For the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, it's firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds.