By Paul Freary
The Brooks Ghost remains, as it has done for many years, one of the most popular shoes on the market.
It offers a stable, neutral ride, and being a Brooks, the Ghost 18 update is more evolution than revolution. The brand knows its loyal customer base and doesn’t usually stray far away from tried and tested models.
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Stats
Brooks | Ghost 18 |
|---|---|
Best for | Good value daily training shoe for neutral runners |
Support | Neutral |
Cushion | Mid-to high-level cushioning |
Stack Height | 37mm heel |
Drop | 10mm |
Weight | Men 289g (10.2oz) |
Suggested Retail Price | $150 |
Fit | True to size |
Rating | 8.5/ 10 |
Design
Brook’s DNA Loft v3 nitrogen foam makes up the midsole once again, in a 37mm/27mm stack height. It’s a proven midsole foam that offers a good combination of cushioning, protection and durability in a lightweight unit.
A new Ortholite sockliner provides a plush step-in feel and is in the general keeping with the improved upper.
A triple jacquard knit upper is the most significant update to the Ghost 18 and now provides an improved fit, similar to that of the brands range topping neutral model, the Glycerin 23.
The tongue has also been revised, with a new flexible, flat-knit design with plush padding under the laces.
Ghost 18
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Fit
The upper of the new Ghost 18 is consistent with that of most Brooks models and fits true to size in terms of both length and width.
The revised upper construction does offer a little bit more wiggle room in the toe box area, but overall, it doesn’t affect sizing.
The Achilles tab flares away from the foot a little, and this helps when stepping into the shoe, and the neat heel collar provides a secure fit.
Performance
Brooks tells us the DNA Loft v3 midsole of the new Ghost 18 offers a softer, lighter ride with an improved level of energy return.
If we are being totally honest, it’s very difficult to tell the difference from the previous model. It does perhaps feel a little better balanced, but ultimately, it’s a very familiar feeling when on the run. This is no bad thing, the price remains unchanged, and we don’t need to see change for change’s sake, so the overall running experience is unchanged, but for the upper.
The shoe continues to give a very usable running experience that is versatile and good value in a market of ever-increasing prices.
The Ghost is essentially a no-frills type of shoe nowadays, but it’s a shoe that I have been using in my rotation for many years. I can’t remember when I didn’t have a pair of Brooks Ghost in my line-up of daily models, and it continues to occupy a space. It’s a shoe you can grab on any given day and know it will perform well regardless of what you ask of it.
Shoes Like the Ghost 18
The main competition for the new Brooks Ghost 18 comes from the familiar models such as the Mizuno Wave Rider, New Balance 880v15 and Saucony Ride 19. There is also competition from within the Brooks brand with the Glycerin 23, the new Ghost Max 4 and a brand-new model, the Ghost AMP.
Mizuno Wave Rider 30
The Mizuno Wave Rider gets an update this month with the Wave Rider 30. The shoe promises new cushioning and should provide a familiar, stable, but plush ride.
New Balance 880v15
The New Balance 880v15 has a similar ride and feel to the Ghost and is often a difficult choice for runners to choose between. I find the 880 feels a little bulkier on the foot while the Ghost is a slimmer, neater fit.
Saucony Ride 19
Saucony Ride 19 uses the PWRRUN foam, which offers a slightly springier ride, with the Ghost having a subtle bounce rather than spring.
Brooks Glycerin 23
Brooks’ Glycerin 23 is essentially the more premium version of the Ghost with a deeper stack and TUNED DNA providing softer heel impact and more responsive toe-off.
Ghost Max 4
The new Ghost Max 4 features the same midsole as the Ghost 18, only in a higher stack.
Brooks Ghost AMP
The Ghost AMP uses a brand-new midsole and promises a lively, more responsive ride.
My Verdict
The Ghost 18 remains true to what is now maybe a more ‘old-school’ type of daily training shoe; good cushioning in a stable platform with reasonable heel to toe drop. And with those features in mind, the shoe delivers once again, perfectly.
The Ghost 18 offers good value in a versatile, daily training shoe for a variety of runners, and it’s this dependability that makes it one of the best all-around running shoes on the market today.
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