The Brooks Ghost 18 and the Brooks Ghost 17 are supposed to be very similar shoes.
Same type of cushioning. Similar weight. Similar outsole layout. Same general purpose.
But after testing the Ghost 18, I don’t think they feel the same.
And this is interesting because Brooks said something similar with the Glycerin 23 compared to the Glycerin 22, yet when I tested those shoes, they felt noticeably different underfoot as well.
So in this Brooks Ghost 18 review, I want to walk through what has actually changed, how it compares to the Brooks Ghost 17, and whether I think it is worth upgrading.
Brooks Ghost 18: Key Specs
On paper, the Brooks Ghost 18 is still your classic neutral daily trainer.
Brooks lists the shoe with a 36.5mm heel stack, 26.5mm forefoot stack, and a 10mm heel drop. The stated weight is also very similar to the Ghost 17 at around 289g for a men’s US 9.
The midsole is still listed as DNA Loft v3, which is Brooks’ nitrogen-infused cushioning. So if you are just looking at the official specs, you would probably assume this is a very small update.
But that is not exactly how it feels.
RunRepeat cut the shoe open and measured the stack height differently, finding around 37.3mm in the heel and 25.1mm in the forefoot, giving it closer to a 12.2mm drop.
That is quite important, especially for people who were disappointed when the Ghost 17 moved away from the traditional 12mm drop feel of the Ghost 16.
In reality, the Ghost 18 feels much more like a higher-drop shoe again.
The Cushioning Feels Softer Than the Ghost 17
Brooks says the cushioning is the same, but I don’t think the Ghost 18 feels exactly the same as the Ghost 17.
To me, the Ghost 18 feels slightly softer under the heel. It has a bit more of a plush landing, especially when you are walking or standing.
The Ghost 17 always felt a little bit firm and flat underfoot for me. It was reliable, stable and durable, but not particularly exciting or premium.
The Ghost 18 still isn’t a bouncy or energetic shoe. It does not have the same pop you get from Brooks’ DNA Flash foam in the Hyperion range. But it does feel smoother and slightly more forgiving under the heel.
For walking, that makes it feel more comfortable straight away.
For running, it still feels like a steady daily cruiser rather than a fast shoe. This is a shoe for easy miles, recovery runs, beginner runners, or people who just want a reliable neutral trainer that does what it says on the tin.
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The Upper Is the Biggest Visible Change
The most obvious update is the upper.
The Brooks Ghost 18 now has a triple jacquard mesh upper, whereas the Ghost 17 used a double jacquard mesh.
That sounds like a small change, but it does affect the overall feel of the shoe.
The Ghost 18 feels slightly more premium on foot. The upper wraps the foot a bit more nicely, and the overall step-in feel is better than the Ghost 17.
It also feels a bit more spacious.
Both shoes are true to size in length, but the Ghost 18 feels like it has slightly more width and slightly more volume through the upper. I don’t think it is a wide toe box shoe, and I still wouldn’t say it allows the toes to splay naturally, but it does feel roomier than the Ghost 17.
That extra space is partly because of the new tongue.
The New Tongue Changes the Fit
The Ghost 18 has a thinner, non-gusseted tongue, whereas the Ghost 17 had a more padded tongue.
This makes the midfoot feel more open and less compressed. You don’t have that thicker tongue pressing down on the top of your foot, so the shoe feels like it has more volume.
It reminds me a little of what ASICS have done in the Gel Nimbus series with a thinner, more premium-style tongue.
Personally, I think this improves the comfort of the Ghost 18. It makes it feel a bit less like a standard entry-level shoe and a little bit closer to something like the Brooks Glycerin 22.
That is probably the biggest compliment I can give the shoe.
The Ghost 17 felt more like a classic Brooks workhorse. The Ghost 18 feels slightly more refined.
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Brooks Ghost 18 for Walking
For walking, I prefer the Brooks Ghost 18 over the Ghost 17.
It feels softer under the heel, smoother through transition, and more comfortable through the upper.
If you are using it for walking around a city, standing for long periods, travelling, or general everyday use, I think the Ghost 18 is the better shoe.
It has enough cushioning for long days on your feet, the outsole grip is still good enough for wet paths or light gravel, and the upper feels more comfortable than before.
It is not the widest shoe, and it is not the most protective shoe for forefoot issues, but as a general walking shoe, it is a nice improvement.
Brooks Ghost 18 for Running
For running, the Ghost 18 is still very much a daily trainer.
It is not a tempo shoe. It is not a speed shoe. It is not something I would pick if I wanted lots of bounce or energy return.
But for easy runs, steady miles, recovery runs, or beginner runners, it works well.
The main difference compared to the Ghost 17 is that the heel feels a bit softer and more cushioned on landing. The Ghost 17 felt slightly firmer and flatter to me, whereas the Ghost 18 has a smoother, more forgiving feel.
It still has that stable neutral platform Brooks is known for, and that is why the Ghost series remains such a safe recommendation for a lot of runners.
It is not exciting, but it is dependable.
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Is the Brooks Ghost 18 Good for Foot Conditions?
This depends on the condition.
Because the Ghost 18 feels like a higher-drop shoe, it may suit people who want to reduce load through the Achilles tendon or calf. A higher heel-to-toe drop can be useful for people who are sensitive through the Achilles, especially when walking or standing for longer periods.
However, the shoe still has a relatively flexible forefoot.
That means I would not put it at the top of my list for conditions like hallux rigidus, big toe arthritis, or forefoot pain, where you often want more forefoot stiffness or rocker protection.
It also isn’t wide enough in the toe box for people who need natural toe splay. So if you have bunions, wide forefeet, or you know your toes feel cramped in standard-width shoes, I would be cautious.
The Ghost 18 is better than the Ghost 17 for comfort, but it is still not a true wide toe box shoe.
Brooks Ghost 18 vs Ghost 17: Main Differences
The Brooks Ghost 18 feels different in a few important ways.
The heel feels slightly softer.
The upper feels more premium.
The tongue is thinner.
The fit feels slightly roomier.
The drop may feel closer to 12mm than 10mm.
The overall ride feels smoother than the Ghost 17.
The Ghost 17 was a reliable shoe, but it felt a bit basic to me. The Ghost 18 feels more polished.
It almost feels like Brooks have moved the Ghost slightly closer to the Glycerin series, while still keeping it as their everyday neutral trainer.
Is the Brooks Ghost 18 Worth Upgrading To?
I’m a little bit in between on this.
If you already have the Ghost 17 and you are happy with it, I don’t think you urgently need to upgrade.
But if you are choosing between the two now, I would probably go for the Ghost 18.
It feels more comfortable, a bit softer under the heel, and more premium through the upper. For walking, standing and easy running, I think it is the better shoe.
However, if you want something more basic, cheaper, and entry-level, I would also consider the Brooks Launch 12. That shoe had a very good update and may make more sense if you don’t need as much cushioning.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Brooks Ghost 18 is not a massive visual change, but it does feel different to the Ghost 17.
The main thing for me is that it feels softer, smoother and more premium. It still has the classic Brooks Ghost reliability, but it no longer feels quite as flat or basic underfoot.
I don’t think it’s the best option for wide feet, forefoot pain, or big toe arthritis, but if you want a neutral daily trainer for walking, standing and easy running, the Ghost 18 is a solid update.
If you’re unsure whether it’s the right Brooks shoe for you, I’ve also put together a full guide to the Brooks shoe range and how each model compares.
So while Brooks may describe it as a fairly small change, I don’t think the Ghost 18 and Ghost 17 feel exactly the same.
In my opinion, the Brooks Ghost 18 is the better shoe.
