The Ghost is one of Brooks best selling shoes and for good reason. They offer stability, comfort and can eat up your daily mileage. I am sure most people out there have probably laced up a pair of Ghosts at some point in their running lives. If you have, you know what to expect: an upper which hugs the foot, a midsole which soaks up the miles and an outsole which does its job well. In that respect, the Ghost 18 will give no surprises.
In a world of $150 shoes with superfoams and high excitement, the Ghost 18 is a little bit more staid, a little more restrained. But, there’s nothing wrong with that. Soft, fancy foams aren’t always the answer. Sometimes, you need something more stable, something a little more reliable to pull out of the rack to get it done (and maybe some gym work afterwards).
Is the Ghost an anachronistic old-timer that should be put out to pasture or does it still have a place amongst today’s daily offerings?
Upper and Fit of the Brooks Ghost 18
What works for me
As ever with a Brooks shoe, the Ghost 18 upper is very comfortable. The mesh is breathable despite being a little thicker than other daily shoes. Even during 30 degree C plus runs, my feet have not felt overly sweaty. The fit is true to size and the toe box has enough room for the piggies to wiggle even if it isn’t as wide as an Altra or Topo.
The tongue has a chunky feel to it although the padding is well placed. It helps secure the lockdown and saves the foot from any lace bite. Speaking of which, the laces themselves are good quality and have a little stretch to them. They are also quite wide and padded which helps with the comfort in the upper if you are pulling them tight.
The heel counter is very sturdy and well padded. Along with the tongue, this helps the shoe stay in place on the run. The top of the collar is soft and doesn’t jab or irritate the achilles area. It, like the rest of the shoe, is well constructed and will last many a mile.
All along the lace chain, the eyelets are reinforced which should ensure the longevity of the shoe. Overall, the upper does what you want a daily upper to do. It hugs the foot and gives no rubbing or irritation. It might not be flashy but it gets the job done.
What doesn’t work for me
As said above, the upper is standard, sensible and comfortable. There are shoes which, depending on foot shape and material preference, may be more to your personal taste but there is nothing really to complain about here.
Midsole and Ride of the Brooks Ghost 18
What works for me
With the release of the Ghost AMP, the midsole of the regular Ghost really does look a lot more traditional. At the same price, in England at least, the shoes are entirely dichotomous. One is a modern day, fresh foamed shoe which is designed for versatility. Soft, less stability focussed and more youthful in feel. The other is much more of a stable, dependable ride which, while it offers no frills, is not a bad thing.
The ride of the Ghost 18 is cushioned by the denser feeling DNA Loft. This isn’t really offering anything new in the ride department. It soaks up the miles and while it doesn’t give a lot back, it is comfortable, stable and the 10mm drop helps to roll through the gait cycle.
Alongside the stability offered by the denseness of the foam, it will also help to enhance the durability. Currently, as a heavier runner, it is something which I appreciate. Some of the softer foamed shoes bottom out and end up crushed before I’d like. However, the DNA Loft is more resilient and has come as a pleasant ride on days when the speed of the run is unimportant.
The midsole also offers all day comfort. It is a shoe which I have used as a daily walk around as well as a running shoe. Style choices aside, I have worn it while being on my feet for 8 or so hours at work or chasing a toddler around the place and I can’t complain about the feel. It is also a shoe which I have used for gym work. I live about a mile jog away from my gym and it is a good shoe for the jog there, the jog back and the work in the gym.
What doesn’t work for me
If you are looking for a stable, easy to run daily shoe which offers deep cushion, there’s not much wrong with the Ghost 18. If you are looking for a shoe which offers a modern foam feel and bags of energy return, the Ghost 19 is not it. That’s not something that doesn’t work for me but it is a feature of the shoe. It isn’t a shoe for fast intervals and racing, if you want that, Brooks has many other shoes in their lineup which will do that job for you.
When buying the Ghost 18, you know what you are going to get, these aren’t flaws, they are features.
Outsole of the Brooks Ghost 18
Grip and Traction
We have had unseasonably hot and dry conditions for the entire time I have been testing the shoe. I can’t actually remember the last time I felt a drop of rain on a run. Therefore, I can really only attest to the performance of the grip and traction on dry and somewhat dusty roads. Here, there is no issue.
The rubber coverage is very full and a good few millimetres in depth. Aside from providing good grip, it should also last a long time. After about 70km running and many more km of walking around, the Ghost 18 is really showing no signs of wear at all.
Durability
The build of the shoe along with the dense midsole foam and thick rubber coverage should make sure that the Ghost 18 will last you a good long time. Having run in the Ghost 18 and Ghost AMP for about the same amount of mileage, there is a definite change in the feel of the DNA Hype while the DNA Loft is still feeling as it did out of the box.
I have no doubt, that as with many Brooks shoes, the distance you can run in these will be very high if you want to be particularly frugal with running shoe purchases.
Conclusion
Value for Money
At £135, the Ghost 18 comes in at the same price as the Ghost AMP and is positioned alongside the newer style of daily trainer. Now, value for money comes in many ways. If you are looking for value in durability and comfort, it is quite tricky to beat the Ghost 18. However, if your idea of value for money comes in fun, excitement and versatility, the Ghost 18 falls further down the list.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
This is a shoe for those daily miles. It can carry you for the majority of your running and for those tasks in between the run. It won’t be a great race day companion or for those faster sessions. There are other shoes which do that job far better. That said, the Ghost 18 does exactly what it is designed to do: deliver daily miles dependably.
Final Verdict
In a world where daily trainers have become super soft, filled with fancy foams and delivering wild rides, there is something very comforting about the Ghost 18. It might not be the flashiest shoe in your rack but you know exactly what you are getting. Ivan described the Eliot Ryder as a hug from a chubby friend. The Ghost 18 is like a Sunday afternoon pint with a good pal in your local. It might not be the most exciting thing going but there is real comfort in it.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
Brooks Ghost 18 vs. Brooks Ghost 17
As far as the ride goes, these are very much the same. The geometry and materials have remained the same as has the feel. The upper has been upgraded along with the insole. But these are minor changes. In a blindfolded taste test, I am pretty sure that the majority of people wouldn’t be able to pick the difference in shoe. Both do the same job well with the tongue being the main change between the two. If the Ghost offers what you are looking for, either will work for you.
Brooks Ghost 18 vs. Brooks Ghost AMP
One is a run club focussed, versatile soft shoe while the other is firmer, more stable and more traditional. I would imagine the market sector for each is quite separate as is the use case for each. If soft cushion and a zippy ride is your thing, pick the AMP. If you want a shoe for getting through hundreds of daily miles without any surprises, take the Ghost 18.
Brooks Ghost 18 vs. Nike Pegasus 42
For me, the Ghost 18 has the edge in comfort and cushioning over the Pegasus 42. Neither is particularly zippy or packed with energy return. I have been wearing both for runs and as daily walk around shoes, I think in this battle the Ghost 18 takes it because I find it more comfortable on foot for the whole day.
Brooks Ghost 18 Quick Questions
How should I use the Brooks Ghost 18?
The Ghost 18 is best used for daily miles and walking around between runs.
Is the Brooks Ghost 18 a good shoe for long runs?
It is a stable and cushioned shoe which is capable of running the distance. Many runners may prefer something with bigger energy return for those long sessions.
Is the Brooks Ghost 18 a good shoe for fast sessions?
It is not an ideal choice for fast sessions. It is heavy and lacks aggression and energy return for real speed.
Is the Brooks Ghost 18 a shoe for daily training?
It is what it is made for and it does the job well.
Can I wear the Brooks Ghost 18 as a lifestyle shoe?
Everyone’s aesthetic is different, I am currently in my dad bod toddler taming era and I have no shame in wearing the Ghost 18 around all day.
Is the Brooks Ghost 18 suitable for all terrains?
It won’t make the podium at UTMB but for general use, grass and light, gravel trails it will do just fine.
Is the Brooks Ghost 18 a good shoe for racing?
It won’t make the top of many people’s race shoe list. It is a daily trainer and has daily trainer characteristics.
Is the Brooks Ghost 18 a good shoe for stability?
The denser, firmer DNA Loft gives a stable and dependable ride.
