Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Brooks Ghost 18 vs Saucony Triumph 22: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 18: 49% of 92 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 18 vs Saucony Triumph 22: frequently asked questions

Is the Brooks Ghost 18 or the Saucony Triumph 22 better?

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 18: 49% of 92 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 53 for the Saucony Triumph 22.

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 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 18 is heel collar digs into and irritates the ankle. For the Saucony Triumph 22, it's noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name.