Neutral, Cushioned, Everyday: Defining the Brooks Ghost
I like to give people a little perspective and comparisons when discussing new shoes. Stats are cool and all, but what do they mean if you don’t have a frame of reference to compare them with?
The Brooks Ghost is what I would call a neutral, traditional road runner.
This means it offers exceptional cushioning to protect your feet and support you through many kilometers. If you're just starting your running journey or want a single reliable shoe (unlike my embarrassingly large running shoe collection), these neutral, traditional running shoes would be the perfect choice!
Similar shoes to the Brooks Ghost would be the New Balance 880, the Asics Cumulus, the Mizuno Wave Rider, and the Saucony Ride (the Hoka Clifton is a bit different, but we can throw it in as an honorary member for this discussion).
The Ghost 16 vs 17
The shoe's appearance received a major overhaul for the better. The 17 has a much more appealing silhouette and overall looks (and feels) more like the Ghost 14 and 15.
The shoe retains those excellent laces found in newer Brooks models—the ones that reliably stay tied—and continues using the Nitrogen-Injected DNA Loft cushioning technology, preserving that perfect balance of lightweight feel and plush cushioning.
There is a fit difference in the new Ghost 17 compared to the Ghost 16. The Ghost 17 is true-to size both length and width-wise, and fits more similarly to the Ghost 14 and 15 than to the Ghost 16.
Brooks tried to make the toe-box in the Ghost 16 more roomy and overcorrected, resulting in a very (too?) generous toe box. They dialled it back in the Ghost 17, resulting in a true-to-size shoe.
The Ghost 17 is by no-means a narrower fitting shoe, just not as boxy as the Ghost 16. If you enjoyed the roomy toe-box of the Ghost 16, never fear! The Ghost 17 comes in narrow, wide, and extra wide for both men and women. Furthermore, I found that the Ghost 17 had a more comfortable, fitted, and secure-feeling heel-cup.
Where the main difference from the previous version arises is in the feel of the cushioning. While they used the same type of cushioning, the new version has a higher stack height (+3mm in the forefoot and +1mm in the heel) and a lower heel drop (from 12mm to 10mm). What this means is that, compared to the Ghost 16, this shoe was able to have a slight rocker shape added, and the midsole is stiffer.
While running in the Ghost 17, I noticed the feel of the midsole in a good way–it was a substantial improvement compared to the Ghost 16 and reminds me more of the Ghost 14 and 15.
To be honest, when I re-tried the Ghost 16s to prepare this review I was taken aback by how flexible the shoe was. When I was walking and running around in the 16s, I was hyper-aware of the ground feel of the shoe and not in a good way. The increased stack height of Ghost 17s offered a firmer-feeling cushion and a MUCH stiffer forefoot, which I appreciated because it felt like my feet were much more protected from impact.
Furthermore, the slightly reduced heel drop combined with a higher stack height added a bit more of a rocker to the shoe that was non-existent in the Ghost 16, which I felt helped roll my gait forward a bit smoother.
Overall, the Ghost 17 is a firmer-feeling neutral runner with moderate cushioning. If you’re a runner-nerd, I’ve seen some consensus on running forums that other testers feel like Brooks has done a good job of almost “Novablastizing” the Ghost in this version. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, I can tell what they mean. The Ghost 17 is not a tempo run-specific shoe, but (like the Asics Novablast), this shoe is a great example of firm cushioning that doesn't sacrifice responsiveness. This results in a shoe that can speed you up in a pinch when needed, and therefore makes the Ghost 17 great for everyday running or if you are looking to have one do-it-all shoe
Ghost 17 vs Glycerin 22 vs Ghost Max 2
The Brooks Glycerin 22 is more of a premium/high-cushioned runner and feels more plush than the firm Ghost 17. As such, the Glycerin 22 is what I would consider to be more geared for long distance, as the plusher cushioning is designed to absorb impact during extended runs. The Ghost 17 is more suitable as a do-it-all or everyday type of runner. Furthermore, if you were a fan of the Glycerin 21 and found the 22 a bit too soft, it would be worth giving the Ghost 17 a try.
The Brooks Ghost Max 2, on the other hand, is a maximalist style and completely different from the Ghost 17. The Ghost Max 2 has a higher stack height than the Ghost 17, a lower heel drop (6mm), a stiff forefoot, and a pronounced rocker. The Ghost Max 2 is great for walking and long runs (although long-distance runners may want to check out its cousin, the Glycerin Max), while the more natural, lighter feel of the Ghost 17 is ideal as a do-it-all runner.
Ghost 17 Stats
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Heel drop: 10mm
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Stack heights: Heel (36mm) and forefoot (26mm)
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Who for? Road running, walking, easy runs, short-medium runs
If you want to try these shoes, visit our awesome shoe fitters or you can buy them online.
Peyton Holder is a member of the Rackets & Runners family and last time she counted she had an unreasonable amount of running shoes in her closet (is that a bad thing though?). She is currently training for her first marathon. Her favorite pre-run snack is peanut butter toast topped with banana slices and drizzled with honey.