Brooks Ghost 18 Review
By David Salas
For as long as many can remember, the Brooks Ghost has been a sturdy and reliable training shoe. Brooks is keeping the lineage going with their flagship model with minor updates. The Brooks Ghost 18 features an update to the upper and uses DNA Loft V3 for cushioning. This will still be a neutral workhorse.
Brooks Ghost 18Price: $149.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 10.2 oz, 289g (men's size 9), 9.2 oz, 260g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 36 mm heel / 26 mm forefoot
Drop: 10 mm
Shoe Purpose: Daily Training, Neutral
Pros: Great starter shoe that won't break the bank. Stable neutral ride. Durability.
Cons: Volume might be too low for some. Lacks versatility into faster paces.
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Brooks Ghost 18 is a neutral daily trainer that delivers a very "traditional" feel. Many shoes on the market today have really high stack heights with incredibly rounded soles. The Brooks Ghost 18 is different from that. It is mildly rounded with a flexible forefoot under load. The stack height is moderate by today's standards, but it will be plenty for most efforts you ask of it. The Brooks Ghost 18 is a classic feeling high drop ratio neutral trainer.
SIMILAR SHOES: Puma Velocity Nitro 4, Mizuno Wave Rider 27, Saucony Ride 19
PAST MODEL: Brooks Ghost 17
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
David: The Brooks Ghost 18 fits true to size in my men's 9.5. The length is good, but runs a touch short for those that are sensitive. The volume in the forefoot and midfoot is on the lower end. This gives a more snug sensation when putting the shoe on. The flat knit upper did break in over time, and some of the snug sensations that I had early on improved with time and use. The width is normal in the heel and the midfoot, with a slightly wider forefoot.
The upper material itself is decently comfortable. It breathes well and does its job without feeling overly plush or soft. The tongue is thicker and padded well. At first it felt like it was too much, but the tongue has also felt better with break in and use. There is a stiff heel counter, but I had no issues with rubbing or pressure into my Achilles tendon. The Brooks Ghost 18 does not have a revolutionary upper, but it is good at keeping you on the platform reliably without issue. It feels fair for a shoe at the $150 price point.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Yes
How Flexible is the Shoe: Moderate
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: Potentially
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Good
PERFORMANCE
David: The Brooks Ghost has never been a flashy shoe. However, it has always been a reliable shoe. This continues with the Brooks Ghost 18. The flagship neutral trainer continues having a high drop "traditional feel" for eating up daily miles. The platform is rounded, but not heavily rockered. The heel gives you a firmly cushioned landing that drops into a more flexible forefoot. The 10mm heel to toe drop ratio feels accurate.
The DNA Loft V3 midsole runs on the firmer side, but is certainly protective enough for most outings. This is the type of foam that feels like it can take a beating for a long time, but is not overly soft or bouncy. When I did take the shoe to the track, I did not find it to be the most responsive either. The Ghost 18 runs as a true daily trainer in this way. The 36mm stack height in the heel feels accurate. The cushioning feels moderate throughout works best as a workhorse trainer.
The outsole traction is good and feels equally durable to the midsole. I have not seen any signs of wear with both running and walking mileage yet. The Brooks Ghost 18 will be a trainer for those wanting a firm, reliable, and durable ride. This will also be a shoe that is a pretty safe choice for many that are getting into running for the first time.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
David: The Brooks Ghost 18 is a neutral training shoe that runs very stable throughout. The moderate stack height that is mixed with a firmer midsole and thick outsole. This creates a firmer underfoot experience. There is a fair amount of sole flaring in the heel and in the forefoot that create a sensation of stability as well. The upper lockdown is very good and keeps you connected to the platform as well. The shoe feels reliable across a variety of footings and it should serve most of your uses. It is not a formal stability shoe, though it is one of the more stable neutral offerings you will see on the market currently.
Thoughts as a DPT: A Good Starter Shoe?
By David Salas
The running market is saturated with the "latest and greatest". Shoe companies are constantly innovating and creating more and more radical designs that stray far from what we used to run in. This can be great for those that are up to speed with running shoe advances and know what they are looking for. However, for those new to running, it can be very overwhelming. There are less "bread and butter" shoes out there that appeal to this market.
From a technological and specification standpoint, the Brooks Ghost 18 is nothing revolutionary. However, it provides a shoe that hovers in the middle ground of a lot of categories. The shoe is not exceptional at any specific thing, but it will do good enough for most tasks that you ask of it. It is also very durable. Many people that are new to running are looking for something that will get the job done without breaking the bank. This is where the Brooks Ghost 18 shines. For a shoe priced at $150, you still get a decent amount of cushioning and comfort for both standing and running. The durability also ensures that you will be able to take it a good amount of mileage as you decide on whether or not you even want to keep running up as an activity. Even though it is in the middle for a lot of things, there is still a lot of value for the Brooks Ghost 18.
RECOMMENDATIONS
David: I enjoyed my time in the Brooks Ghost 18, but I do have some recommendations. I did find the fit to be more snug than I liked initially. It broke in, but it took several uses of both running and walking to break in comfortably. The tongue also feels thicker than it needs to be. Its plushness feels a bit inconsistent with the remainder of the shoe. Creating a bit more space in the fit could make the shoe more comfortable for longer outings.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
David: The Brooks Ghost 18 is a neutral training shoe for those wanting moderate cushioning and a more traditional ride. The high drop ratio gives you more padding in the heel that drops into a more flexible forefoot. The foam is not crazy soft or bouncy, but it provides decent cushioning that holds it structure really well under load. The stability of the shoe is quite good for a neutral offering. This will be a no frills workhorse for daily training. The elements of the Brooks Ghost 18 also make it a great starter shoe for someone that is getting into running for the first time.
GRADES
David
Fit: B (Snug fit, tongue may be a little too plush)
Performance: B (Durable and reliable ride. Nothing overly exciting with bounce or responsiveness, but a consistent ride for daily miles.)
Stability: A (Moderate stack height, firmer midsole, good outsole traction, sole flaring all help with creating a very stable environment.)
Value: A (The Brooks Ghost 18 is competitive at $150 when compared to other daily trainers.)
Personal: B (I do tend to like firmer trainers, but I was hoping for a little more responsiveness.)
Overall Design: B+
SHOP | SUPPORT DORBrooks Ghost 18Price: $149.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
Saucony's staple trainer.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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