By Paul Freary
Probably the two most popular models, from the two most popular ‘run speciality’ brands around at the moment, the Brooks Ghost 17 and HOKA Clifton 10 are the brand’s respective daily trainers for neutral runners.
Both very established models, they offer great cushioning and good value for money.
If you click, or buy from, links on this page, we may receive compensation. Learn more
The latest versions of each shoe, launched this year, have tweaked their formulas to change both the stack heights and heel drops.
Here we’ll look at what’s new, how the shoes differ and what similarities they share.
Stats
Running Shoes | Ghost 17 | Clifton 10 |
|---|---|---|
Best for | Daily miles with a newly energized feel | Everyday training |
Support | Neutral | Neutral |
Cushion | Mid-to high-level cushioning | Max-level cushioning |
Stack Height | 37mm Heel 27mm forefoot | 42mm Heel 38mm Forefoot |
Drop | 10mm | 8mm |
Weight | Men 286g (10.1oz) Women 255g (9oz) | Men 278g (9.8oz) Women 227g (8.0oz) |
Suggested Retail Price | $140 | $150 |
Fit | True to size | True to size |
Rating | 9.5/ 10 | 8/10 |
Brooks Ghost 17 – What’s New for 2025
The Ghost 17 sees an additional 3mm cushioning in the forefoot for the latest version, as well as 1mm of extra cushioning in the heel. These changes mean the drop of the shoe has been reduced by 2mm from 12mm in the Ghost 16 to 10mm in the new model.
While the heel drop is unnoticeable, the shoe’s cushioning feel has been transformed. The shoe feels noticeably softer and, as a result, runs a little more smoothly.
There’s an update to the outsole, too, and the rubber heel feels a little softer. This may simply be due to the slightly revised outsole pattern, but again, it contributes a little to the overall softer feel of the shoe.
The upper, while updated, has the same high-quality construction that we are used to from the brand. It’s a neat, engineered mesh that fits well around the midfoot with neat padding in the tongue, ankle collar and Achilles areas, with a little wiggle room in the toe box.
The heel tab in this version has been revised from the more common version to one we’ve seen creeping into designs recently, with a more externally flared design, leaning out, away from the Achilles. This reduces any possible chance of irritation but also helps the foot slide easily into the shoe.
Ghost 17
Shop Now at
Clifton 10
Shop Now at
HOKA Clifton 10 – What’s New for 2025
The Clifton 10 sees a big departure from HOKA, away from the low drop heel of the previous nine versions of the shoe.
The Clifton, like many of the brand’s models, was previously a 5mm drop model. This lower heel drop design is one of the differentiating features of the HOKA brand.
In the Clifton 10, we get an additional 3mm of midsole cushioning stack in the heel, making for an 8mm drop. This now makes the Clifton the highest drop model in the brand’s lineup.
The upper is an engineered mesh design, and like the Clifton 9, an improvement on models from a few years ago. Across the range, the upper construction on HOKA models has seen a big improvement, and the shoes are all the better for it.
Padding is neatly constructed in the tongue, ankle collar and Achilles area, and although not as deep or as soft as the Brooks, it feels well and feels comfortable.
The heel tab, like the Ghost 17, flares away from the Achilles and as well as reducing the chance of any possible irritation, it helps the foot slide easily into the shoe.
The outsole pattern is largely unchanged from the previous model, and although it doesn’t offer as much overall coverage as the Ghost, there should be no real issues with durability.
The Question of Cushioning
Choosing between these two models will come down to the feel of the cushioning in both shoes and how you feel this works for you.
The Brooks Ghost 17 uses the brand’s DNA Loft V3 foam, a nitrogen-infused foam. Favoured now by several brands and used in various forms across the Brooks range, nitrogen foam creates a slightly lighter, softer and more responsive foam. It’s also more durable than the more traditional CM-EVA foam materials.
The HOKA Clifton 10 uses the same CM-EVA foam as the previous Clifton, only with a higher stack of it.
While this extra depth of cushioning is noticeable in the shoe and the shoe instantly feels softer, it’s still the same foam, so it won’t be as durable as the Ghost’s nitrogen foam. It’s a proven material, and many have found it excellent, with the Clifton having found legions of loyal fans; it’s just not as long-lasting as the more modern materials.
Performance
Both the Ghost 17 and Clifton 10 feel softer than the previous models. The step in comfort of both shoes is great, and they are both great examples of very good value for money, daily training shoes for neutral runners.
The Clifton provides a ride where the heel sinks into the soft cushioning of the rearfoot and now, thanks to the slightly higher drop, rolls more purposefully into the forefoot. On toe-off, the shoe feels similar to the Clifton 9. The rocker of the forefoot shares the same geometry, and overall, it’s a soft and smooth transition through the gait cycle.
It’s always a little difficult to describe the feeling of a shoe’s cushioning, but for the Clifton 10, I’d go with soft and mattress-like.
In the Ghost 17, the cushioning is again soft in the heel but noticeably softer in the forefoot. The new, lower, 10mm drop doesn’t feel very different, but does feel to be offering a smooth, natural feeling ride.
On toe off, the nitrogen-infused midsole foam offers a little more ‘pop’ and the shoe feels a little more energised.
The Ghost 17 feels soft and slightly springy overall, a slightly more responsive ride than the Clifton 10.
My Verdict
These shoes are very closely matched.
The Brooks offers a little better value for money, whereas the HOKA offers a little more cushioning and is slightly lighter in weight.
The Clifton is slightly lower drop at 8mm than the Ghost at 10mm, but I don’t think this is drastic and, if anything, because the CM-EVA midsole of the HOKA is a little softer, it compresses easier than the Brooks and so negates the heel drop stats, allowing the heel to sink quickly into it!
The fit of both shoes is similar, and the quality of the overall construction of the shoes is similar.
Ultimately, I think the Brooks offers a slightly more responsive feel and, for me, in a daily trainer, that makes the shoe a little more versatile. Okay, I am very fortunate as to have a wide range of shoes at my disposal (I own a running store), but the Ghost is a shoe that I can pull on regardless of how I feel and I am confident that should my pace vary from anything between an easy jog and a tempo effort, the shoe will be able to cope.
With the Clifton, while the cushioning is great, it lacks a little bit of ‘zip’ that would be preferred should I wish to pick up the pace.
Both the HOKA Clifton 10 and Brooks Ghost 17 remain great value for money options in the neutral, daily trainer segment.
Leave a Reply