Brooks Ghost 17 Review
By Bach Pham and Matthew Klein
Brooks Ghost 17Price: $149.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 10.2 oz, 289 g (men's size 9), 8.8 oz, 249 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 36 mm heel / 26 mm forefoot
Drop: 10 mm
Shoe Purpose: Neutral Daily Training Shoe
Pros: New midsole and drop offers most versatile Ghost yet, mildly stable platform
Cons: Top end price-wise of daily trainers
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Brooks Ghost 17 is a versatile daily trainer for those who want a lower stack, but still well-cushioned shoe that can do a bit of everything. The latest version features a nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 midsole that provides a peppy ride that feels light and good for both daily training efforts and workouts. It also drops the heel-to-toe from 12mm to 10mm for the first time in the series, bringing the shoe on par with its competition. An airy mesh upper and RoadTack rubber outsole provides a good lockdown and lots of durability. The latest Ghost 17 does all the right things, making it potentially one of the top daily trainers in the market for the first time in a very long time.
SIMILAR SHOES: Saucony Ride 18, ASICS Cumulus 27
PAST MODEL: Brooks Ghost 16
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Brooks Ghost 17 fits me snug in my normal men's US size 10. The width is normal but the volume is quite low. The double jacquard mesh is moderately thick but does stretch on the run. It was quite compressive early on but has stretched a little with additional wear. This is mostly due to the lower volume, which is most apparent in the forefoot. The toe box is tapered but does stretch into a slightly wide forefoot. This continues into a lower volume but normal-width midfoot with a thicker, non-gusseted tongue. The instep is quite low, so those with sensitive midfoot areas will need to loosen up the laces or may not do well. This continues into a snug/narrow midfoot thanks to a large amount of heel collar padding. There is a highly stiff heel counter that is prominent as due to the heel collar padding only being present up higher on the heel. This allows the counter to press directly into the heel, which was bothersome for me. Those with any sensitives to heel pressure or counters will not do well here. However, the heel is highly secure. I actually had to loosen the laces to get a little extra room. I would highly suggest socks for this shoe despite the snug fit. There are several seams in the inner aspect of the upper that require socks, at least a thin pair are needed with this shoe.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Asics Gel-Nimbus 27, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Brooks Launch 11, Diadora Mythos Vigore 3
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Bach: The Brooks Ghost 17 felt very good in my regular size. The shoe has a decent amount of width and volume in the forefoot that gave me no issues. The midfoot does come in very fitted, which provided excellent security and lockdown. It was not snug to the point where it was tight or uncomfortable, but dialed in. Those who have wider midfoots will absolutely want to look at a wide. The heel counter is firm and lightly padded. The laces are flat and lockdown well. I did not have to using any special lacing techniques to secure the heel. The air mesh upper is light and airy and doesn't feel top heavy in any way. This just feels like a dialed-in neutral trainer.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Bach well: Nike Pegasus 40, Saucony Guide 17, Mizuno Wave Inspire 19, Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, Nike Structure 25
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Asics Kayano 30, Puma Electrify Nitro, Brooks Hyperion, Hoka Clifton 9 GTX
Shoes that have fit large: Hoka Gaviota 5, Reebok Floatride Energy X
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Moderately
How Flexible is the Shoe: Mild
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Average
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: Average
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Brooks Ghost 17 is a neutral trainer for daily miles and some uptempo efforts. For the first time (to my knowledge), the Ghost 17 moves to a 10mm drop (from 12), although feels closer to 8-9mm. The midsole is full-length DNA Loft v3 feels cushioned and snappy underfoot. Despite being slightly heavier (thanks to 2mm extra in the forefoot), the Ghost 17 still feels nimble and light underfoot. There is a posterolateral heel bevel that transitions in rearfoot strikes well. The midfoot is solid and stable, transitioning into a mild to moderately flexible forefoot. The forefoot features a slightly late forefoot rocker, which combined with the moderate flexibility makes it feel good for easy miles and uptempo efforts. Despite sharing the same name, the Ghost 17 has more performance capacity than the prior versions. It oddly does excellent for walking and standing, but the new geometry allows for a quick transition into faster efforts. It is not the fastest shoe, but may be something those who want a trainer that can handle some uptempo efforts can look to. I have used this shoe for easy runs, a fartlek and hill repeats. It has done well for all of those, with the snug fit making it feel quicker. I would still pick the Hyperion or Launch series over this for faster efforts but the Ghost 17 can still pick up the pace.
Durability-wise wise the Ghost 17 has been good so far. I have 30 miles on my pair and there is only a little bit of outsole on the lateral-most aspect of the shoe. I expect this shoe to last an average to slightly above average number of miles for a trainer. The traction also does well on smooth roads and light trails, with the flex grooves providing a little extra grip. On wet road, the traction is average and I had a little slippage. Thus, the Ghost 17 is a more standard daily trainer with a more normalized heel drop that has a bit of snappiness to handle easy and uptempo miles.
Bach: The Brooks Ghost 17 is a case of a brand actually taking in all the feedback and making exactly what we've asked for. It lowers the drop down to an industry standard 10mm, breaking away from its long-running 12mm drop. The added the 2mm of stack to the forefoot in the process, making the shoe feel much more comfortable underfoot, but still making the shoe feel lower to the ground thanks to it's modest 36mm stack height (can you believe that's lower stack in today's market?). The 10mm is noticeable in comparison to the typical 12mm in the series. You don't feel as dramatically leaning in this version, which is a really good thing.
The shoe didn't get lighter, but it does feel nimble on foot and extremely versatile. Whether I was doing daily miles or picking up the pace, the nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 midsole responded to everything well. It's cushioned without being max cushioned It picks up well, it slows down well. It handles different terrains well. It doesn't mind hills. I just really enjoyed the simple reliability of the shoe day-to-day. I also like that the dialed-in fit made the shoe feel seamless. Brooks is a big fan of flex grooves in their neutral trainers, and the ones here offer a good amount of flexibility to the shoe without being unstable thanks to the midsole which leans just mildly firm. If you are looking for a middle-of-the-road, jack-of-all-trades, non-max cushion trainer, this is top of the list right now.
The outsole has been durable and solid on wet conditions. It doesn't have the traction of a Nike waffle or Puma, but it does a respectable job of handling difficult weather. I chose to be a little more careful on wet roads with the Ghost, but never came away with a sense that it was entirely necessary.
For general purposes, this has been a great walking shoe and daily errands kind of platform. It being a little more classical, I like it how it looks on foot for everyday stuff. This is where I would probably want a touch more volume in the midfoot for comfort, but I think it'll still serve people well if you want a blend of all-day use and running in a non-max cushion shoe.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Ghost 17 is a neutral shoe. There are no traditional elements of stability in this shoe but there are several guidance methods that make it distinct from the previous version. The sole width is a little wider with a filled-in midfoot. There is also sole flare in the heel and midfoot on both the lateral and medial sides. There are sidewalls (bucket or topline) that extend from the heel into the midfoot on the lateral side and the forefoot on the medial side. Finally, the use of outsole material on the medial midfoot and not the lateral side adds a tiny bit of medial stability on top of an already stable neutral ride. This is by far the most stable Ghost, made even more stable by the slightly firmer midsole compared to prior versions. Those with mild guidance needs will do well in the Ghost 17, while others may need to look at shoes like the Hyperion GTS or the Launch GTS on sale (please Brooks....).
Bach: The Ghost 17 is a neutral shoe for sure. There are no major forms of stability in the shoe, but there are a lot of components that make the shoe feel almost stable neutral. The shoe has a generous forefoot width that offers a lot of confidence and balances out the flexibility in the forefoot. It also sits a little closer to the ground which helps with ground feel - an underrated stability factor. The shoe does run a little firmer which made me confident in it's ability to perform on my flat feet. The outsole is thicker and prominent, especially on the medial heel which is noticeable and helps create some much needed medial stability without being too prominent. Lastly, the secure upper dials the shoe together really nicely and makes the Ghost feel comfortable in a variety of conditions. I think will really do well with a large variety of runners, including those who have extremely mild medial stability needs. Those who want something similar with a lot more stability will want to check out something like the Launch GTS (bring it back Brooks! or give us something new and cool in the same territory).
Culture Corner: Are Basic Daily Trainers Even A Thing Anymore?
By Bach Pham
Even just 3-4 years ago, there were some very definitive categories in the running world that you could put shoes in. There were daily trainers, the Saucony Rides, Brooks Ghosts, Nike Pegasus, etc. that offered an entry level trainer for any runner just getting started. They typically were moderately stacked (around 30mm in the heel) and around 10-12mm drop. Then you had categories built around it, like workout shoes, the "premium" cushioned shoe, and stability trainers.
Over the past few years though, everything suddenly maxed out and became 40mm shoes, sometimes more. The daily trainers listed above are still in many ways that intro shoe to the brand, but now everything is up to 35-37, sometimes even 39-40s. The distinction between these entry shoes and their peers is a lot harder to separate. A new runner trying to figure out what they want would definitely be hard pressed to figure out what the difference was between much a brand's running line-up. It is not uncommon to go in a store to find something like the Asics Cumulus and Novablast next to each other, or the Vomero and Pegasus, or for Brooks the Ghost and Hyperion and not really know what the difference is between the shoes.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: This edition of the Brooks blew me away. While I am struggling with the lower volume fit, the stable geometry and snappier feel makes this daily trainer ride much better. My only suggestions revolve around the fit. The volume is quite low and while it does break in, it is quite intense. For a daily shoe, I would encourage a bit more volume (unless I need a wide now). The heel is overly padded, which makes the shoe feel slightly short at first and puts a ton of pressure into my heel. I would also distribute the padding a little better so the lower part of the counter isn't pressing directly into the heel and the top part of the padding isn't jamming into the insertion of the Achilles tendon. Outside of those things, this is a major step forward for the series.
Bach: I really, really like this edition of the Ghost. I think it feels much more lively than any past iterations and does the job of daily neutral driver really well. I won't be surprised if folks go into run retail stores and really like this one on foot. My main recommendation is to give me this with some extra medial stability for those who need it. The Adrenaline feels like a step up in cushioning, and the Hyperion GTS feels much too fast to be a comparable shoe. Finding a lighter, versatile stability shoe is the pits right now, and I think this platform with some minor guiderails would be awesome. Both my hypothetical shoe and the current Ghost could definitely use just a trim of weight as well, but as a whole the Ghost 17 does an excellent job.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Brooks Ghost 17 is a daily training shoe that rides and fits differently than prior versions. The fit will work for those with lower volume feet wanting a snug, padded, and secure ride. The ride will work best for those who want a moderate heel drop, mildly rockered geometry, a slightly firmer but responsive feel and a ride that can handle daily training and uptempo efforts. Those with mild guidance needs will find a surprisingly stable shoe, something new for the Ghost series. The Ghost 17 is dramatically different from prior versions, yet for the right person will still fit their needs. The $10 price increase seems a bit unnecessary, although may be offset by the increase in performance (and tariffs?). Regardless, it still will serve as a solid walking and running shoe for those who want a bit more versatility than prior versions.
Bach: The Brooks Ghost 17 might be the best regular daily trainer in the market right now. It just ticks a of boxes. The midsole is light and peppy without feeling plodding in any way. The fit is nice and dialed in for running. The durability should be there. I think it's a great neutral trainer and the 10mm drop is right where the shoe needs to be. For more experienced runners, you have the Hyperion series which is lower drop and more performance to suit your needs. For the majority of runners who have no idea what they are looking for and wants one shoe that can do a little bit of everything, this is one of my favorites of the year by a long margin. If you can pick this up for a little less than it's full cost of $150 (it does run towards the type of the daily trainer category, pricing-wise), I think you'll have a good bargain on your hands.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B- (Lower volume fit with normal width except for an overly padding and stiff heel. Definitely consider a wide for those who need more room)
Performance: A- (The best heel bevel of any ghost with a slightly firmer, cushioned and nimble ride that can handle easy and uptempo efforts)
Stability: A- [Stable Neutral] (A filled in midfoot, sole flare, sidewalls and a slightly firmer ride make for the most stable Ghost)
Value: B+ ($150, a price increase, is a bit expensive for a standard but still solid daily trainer)
Personal: B (I really like the underfoot feel but the upper was too snug and put too much pressure on my heel for my liking. Still a solid shoe and I might have to try a wide)
Overall Design: B+
Bach
Fit: A- (A slightly snug, but excellent lockdown with just the right volume and width for my feet. Wide is also available in two sizes up)
Performance: A- (Versatile midsole lets you take it easy or push the pace fairly well. Jack of all trades, master of none)
Stability: B+ (Some decent midfoot width and slightly firmness along with good lockdown offers a confident ride for a neutral shoe)
Value: B+ (Higher end of the spectrum for this category, but lots of performance in return)
Personal: A- (An easy favorite and go-to for 2025 in my closet)
Overall Design: A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORBrooks Ghost 17Price: $149.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
Saucony's premium daily trainer.
Mizuno's premium stability shoe.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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