Brooks Ghost 18 Review: Your go-to gets an upgrade

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

I like to think the Brooks Ghost earned its name from the quiet comfort it delivers — a ride so natural, you’ll barely notice it. But unlike a real ghost, the Brooks Ghost offers comfort you can truly feel underfoot. Year after year, it remains one of Fleet Feet’s bestselling running shoes thanks to its consistent, reliable performance.

The brand new Ghost 18 promises to deliver an even more comfortable experience, thanks to a redesigned upper emphasizing breathability and security. What did our reviewers think of the update? Read on to find out.

The main updates to the latest iteration of the Ghost are a new engineered air-mesh upper and a flat-knit tongue. For a model that has delivered the same exact step-in feel year after year, this feels like a significant update. It was the first thing I noticed when I slid on the shoes.

The air-mesh upper delivers more breathability, something we experienced firsthand during some unseasonably warm March weather — it’s about 85 degrees where I live and 70 where Mason lives.

“The refined upper adds a noticeable boost in comfort and fit,” says Mason. “The heel counter is nice and plush while still locking down my foot without any slipping or unwanted pressure on the achilles. One of the most noticeable changes for me is in the toe box. It feels like Brooks added just a touch more volume, and that subtle adjustment makes a big difference. With my higher-volume feet, I found it far more accommodating than the previous version, which had a more tapered-in shape. It’s not a dramatic overhaul, but these refinements make the step-in experience noticeably better.”

I have low-volume feet, but I also appreciate the slightly spacious toe box because one of my feet is slightly wider than the other. It wasn’t a hugely noticeable difference, but it’s roomy enough to avoid any uncomfortable pinching or rubbing.

Our narrow-footed reviewer, Max, also appreciated the upper updates.

“The upper of the Ghost 18 is what most other brands aim to create,” he says. “The step-in feel is unmatched. The cushion around the heel collar and tongue is soft yet robust, adding to the strong lockdown fit. And I don’t need to worry about any rubbing around my heel, ankle or top of my foot because there’s so much padding.”

Not sure about the volume or width of your feet? The volume refers to the overall amount of space your feet take up within the shoe, while the width is the measurement of the widest part of your foot. Fleet Feet Outfitters measure this with 3D fit id® foot scanning technology. They’ll also gather information about your foot length, arch height and instep height. You can learn a lot about your feet at your local Fleet Feet!

The safe, comfortable and reliable underfoot ride of the Ghost remains unchanged.

“You know how you don’t try a new coffee order before an important day? You get your “usual” and, if you’re lucky, the barista might even know you by name,” says Max. “That’s what the Brooks Ghost 18 is to me — the “usual.” In this metaphor, it’s the coffee order that tastes the way I want it to every single time. It’s safe and I trust it not to let me down. But in the same sense, it won’t make me say “wow!”

The Ghost 18 isn’t meant to “wow” us, and that’s okay — Brooks leaves that to other models like the Glycerin Max and Hyperion Max. But, we couldn’t help but wish that the Ghost put a bit more spring in our step.

The Ghost 18 uses the same nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam as the prior version, which is designed to deliver a soft yet lively feeling underfoot. However, we didn’t think the foam quite lived up to that promise. While it feels comfortable underfoot, it lacks the plush softness or poppy responsiveness that some other shoes in its category provide.

“The Ghost has always struck me as a “no frills, nothing fancy” kind of daily trainer, and that’s exactly what you get in the 18th version,” says Mason. “The midsole offers a solid amount of protection for easy miles, paired with a stable feel thanks to the slightly firmer DNA Loft v3 foam. It’s consistent, predictable, and built to handle plenty of daily training. That said, it doesn’t quite align with my personal preferences. I tend to gravitate toward softer, more energetic rides, and I didn’t find myself especially excited to lace these up. The firmer cushioning underfoot just didn’t spark that “let’s go run” feeling for me. Still, the Ghost 18 isn’t trying to be flashy or groundbreaking, and I can absolutely respect it for what it does so well — deliver a dependable trainer that keeps me comfortable, protected, and consistently logging miles.”

One thing worth noting is an updated sock liner material. The sock liner is the thin pad of foam that sits right underfoot on the inside of the shoe. I usually take this out to put my Currex insoles in (I need extra support for my arches), but I didn’t end up using them for my first test run. I noticed the new sock liner added plusher landings than prior versions of the Ghost, a win in my book.

The Brooks Ghost 18 offers a similar feel as the Ghost 17, delivering a balanced blend of cushioning and a smooth, locked-in fit.

We appreciated the updates to the upper and the new Ortholite X-60 sockliner, which both enhance the step-in comfort of this model.

“The Ghost 18 isn’t a dramatic leap forward from version 17, but the updates to the upper are significant,” says Mason. “It still delivers that familiar feel that longtime Ghost fans appreciate, so if you enjoyed the previous version, you will certainly enjoy this one. The refined upper adds a noticeable boost in comfort and fit, and the dialed-in fit makes the overall ride more enjoyable.”

We took a look at some comparable models to see how the Ghost 18 stacks up. Here's what we found:

The Brooks Ghost 18, ASICS GEL-Cumulus 28 and hylo Impact all deliver steady, reliable, “no-frills” comfort that will work for a variety of runners and walkers.

Both the Brooks Ghost and hylo Impact use nitrogen-infused midsoles for a lighter and softer ride when compared with a traditional EVA-based foam. We’re not exactly sure what the ASICS Cumulus 28’s FF BLAST MAX cushioning is made of — they keep this information close to the vest! But we all agreed that the three shoes felt comparable in terms of underfoot feel.

We used the term “no frills” twice in this review, which isn’t a bad thing. Because the Ghost 18 is somewhat of a basic trainer, it will be loved by all types of runners and walkers. It’s cushioned enough to feel comfortable over long distances, and it’s firm enough to pick up the pace when needed. If you’re just beginning and looking for one shoe to start with, the Ghost is a great choice.

“I actively recommend this shoe to my friends and family who are just beginning to run because it’s approachable for all types of people and comfortable for all types of runs,” says Max.