Brooks Ghost 18 Review
The Brooks Ghost 18 is a well-cushioned everyday running shoe designed with an exceptional level of step-in comfort, together with a level of cushioning and durability that makes it the ideal partner for your daily runs. It is cushioned enough for long runs and makes easy recovery runs a joy, yet the cushioning is responsive enough for some steadier-paced runs too.
Brooks is a running brand built on function, not hype. New models are often released with slight tweaks, very much with an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach. The Ghost 17 had an upgraded midsole and a new, more cushioned feel to the ride. Brooks has kept this midsole, so the stack height and midsole foam remain the same as the previous model.
The midsole foam is DNA Loft v3, which provides a soft landing without too much compression and a cushioned but responsive feel at toe-off. This is helped by the midsole being nitrogen infused. This means that it has been sealed so the air doesn’t get out and dirt doesn’t get in. This gives the midsole a bit more bounce or energy return and helps it last longer.
The midsole stack height remains 36.5mm in the heel and 26.5mm in the forefoot. Although the 10mm heel-to-forefoot drop is more engineered for a heel striker, the Ghost 18 isn’t so stiff through the midfoot that it pulls you down onto your heel. I found that I could comfortably and naturally land on my midfoot. I was only aware of the 10mm heel-to-forefoot drop when walking around in the shoes, mainly because I am used to shoes with a lower drop.
The big change to the Brooks Ghost 18 compared to the previous version is in the upper. The heel cup is still firm and stable, with the same level of plush padding inside the heel cup and around the cuff of the shoe. The tongue is now knitted, which gives it a much more padded yet pliable feel. When you put your foot in the Ghost 18, the tongue moulds around the top of your foot nicely, almost hugging it, which gives the Ghost 18 a more bespoke fit when compared to previous versions.
The rest of the upper is made from a two-layer jacquard mesh that is smooth on the inside, with an open mesh on the outside. The toe box still comes to a point, like all other Brooks training shoes, which makes it feel a little cramped if you are used to running in shoes with a more rounded toe box. If you are used to Brooks, Saucony or Hoka running shoes, then the Ghost 18 has a similar snug, low-volume toe box.
What is strange is that the ride is a little different, despite the midsole and outsole being identical. I found the Brooks Ghost 18 to be more flexible and therefore a little more natural to run in than the previous version, which took a bit of breaking in. This might be due to manufacturing, or it could be because the new upper is more pliable and flexible. I suspect the latter, as our female reviewer had the same experience, loving the Brooks Ghost 18 from the first run, whereas the Ghost 17 took a few runs to break in.
I have done well over 100 miles in the Brooks Ghost 18. This has been a combination of easy morning runs at 5.30am when my legs are in need of a bit of cushioning, long runs on a Sunday morning or Saturday evening, and a few steady runs or runs with pick-ups in. I found the Brooks Ghost 18 to be a very versatile running shoe.
The midsole feels nice and cushioned but doesn’t have a large amount of compression. So, it doesn’t feel soft and soggy or bottom out when running downhill. It’s very hilly here, which has given me ample opportunity to test the Ghost 18 on up hills and downhills.
When going uphill and landing on the midfoot of the shoe, the Ghost 18 is responsive, allowing you to make comfortable progress up the hill and maintain a nice, quick cadence. When running downhill, it is also possible to land midfoot and maintain a quick cadence, as the shoe doesn’t collapse under you but maintains its shape. The nitrogen-infused midsole provides a good level of bounce that allows you to zip down the hill without feeling extra impact.
Although not designed for quick running, the Brooks Ghost 18 still feels smooth and comfortable on steady-paced runs. While the Ghost 18 does start to feel like a bulky training shoe at interval-level paces, I still found it OK for pick-ups in long runs when I was just raising the pace to 10-mile or half-marathon pace for a short time.
The midsole is resilient, so it doesn’t get softer during the course of your run. This means you can still be skipping along at the end of a two-hour run with the same level of plush cushioning and stability from your shoes.
Brooks running shoes are similar in length to 361, Saucony, Topo and Altra. If you use Karhu, Hoka, New Balance, Inov-8 or La Sportiva, then we would suggest trying half a UK size smaller to get a similar length. For example, a UK 11 in Brooks is a similar length to a UK 11.5 in Hoka.
The Brooks Ghost 18 is available in three men’s widths and two women’s widths.
Brooks now makes two types of everyday running shoes: those that allow a bit more function and those that give a bit more propulsion, doing more of the work for the body.
Running shoes like the Brooks Glycerin, Brooks Ghost and Brooks Glycerin Flex require the runner to lift their foot off the floor and do a bit of the work of running. Running shoes like the Brooks Glycerin Max and Brooks Ghost Max have a rocker, or curved, shape to the midsole, which carries the runner’s foot back as it touches the floor, doing some of the work for the body. The two different types of shoes have a different feel to the ride. Which is the right type of running shoe for you will depend on which other running shoes you alternate your everyday training shoe with and your personal preference.
In summary, the Brooks Ghost 18 is a durable, cushioned and versatile running shoe that does the job of a workhorse training shoe well. The new upper has made the shoe a bit more flexible and also hugs the foot more effectively, giving the Brooks Ghost 18 a more bespoke fit compared to previous versions of the Brooks Ghost.
Alternatives to Brooks Ghost 18
Hoka Clifton 10: A similar low volume pointed toe box. Soft cushioning with a noticeable rocker. Available in two width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-clifton-10-review/
Topo Phantom 4: A broad rounded toe box allows the feet the room to spread and function. The midsole is nitrogen infused but is more bouncy and more flexible. This doesn’t give the plush, cushioned ride that the Ghost 18 has but does allow more foot function. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-phantom-4-review/
361 Meraki 7: A similar snug fitting toe box and high heel to forefoot drop. The Meraki 7 is more flexible which allows the feel to work a little more. The big toe line also feels a bit straighter giving a more positive feel at toe off. Available in two width men’s and women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/361-meraki-7-review/
Saucony Ride 19: A similar pointed low volume toe box. The Ride 19 feels less stacked and more in contact with the floor. This gives the Ride 19 a nimbler feel to the ride. This makes it feel less plush and cushioned. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/saucony-ride-19-review/
Altra Experience Flow 3: A broad rounded toe box gives the feet more room to spread and function inside the shoes. The 4mm heel to forefoot drop promotes more of a midfoot landing. These have a much more natural feel with more feel for the ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-experience-flow-3-review/
Inov-8 RoadFly: A broad rounded toe box gives the feet the room to spread on impact. The ride is firm initially but does soften up. The 6mm heel to forefoot drop promotes more of a midfoot landing. Available in two width men’s and women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/inov-8-roadfly-review/
361 Centauri 3: A similar pointed and low volume toe box. Much softer feel to the cushioning and a noticeable rocker. Available in two width men’s and women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/361-degrees-centauri-3-review/
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