The Brooks Ghost 18 is on the Gravy Train, And It’s Staying There

Introduction to the Brooks Ghost 18

CHAD: When I was in the public defender’s office early in my legal career, I had a very experienced attorney give me insights on how certain government workers find success, even when they could politely be described as average employees at best. Step 1: Identify the gravy train. Step 2: Get on the gravy train. Step 3: Don’t mess up the gravy train. Having now worked in government for nearly a dozen years in different roles and different offices, I can attest that this is 100% accurate.

I feel like this anecdote is particularly apt because we’re here to talk about the Brooks Ghost 18. Brooks is an incredibly successful brand in the running shoe world, despite having a reputation for producing shoes that more often than not don’t “wow” anyone. Don’t get me wrong, I think Brooks makes incredibly solid shoes that are the epitome of quality and consistency, a plus for a brand that appeals to the masses. But to be frank, I feel like it’s safe to say that excitement and Brooks don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand.

This is my second year in a row reviewing the Ghost, having run now in both the 17 and the 18. On paper, not much has changed between the last two versions. Weight is nearly identical between the 17 and 18 (10.1 oz. for a US M9 to 10.2 oz.), stack height is close (36.5 mm / 26.5 mm to 36 mm / 26 mm, both with a 10 mm drop), and both shoes use the nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam.

LINDSAY: Brooks, it’s been a while. Welcome back to the rotation as I take a journey in the Ghost 18 — the bread and butter of Brooks, if you will. A daily trainer that has a little something for everyone and generally maintains its core structure over the years. Generally. Anyone who was a diehard Ghost 13 fan is rolling their eyes at me right now because that’s about the time Brooks did a complete overhaul in the midsole foam. It’s been the same DNA Loft ever since, and I, for one, don’t hate it.

Chad got the Ghost 17 to 18 numeric comparisons down for you, so I’ll just add that the upper and tongue are really the only changes worth noting here. I say “only,” but if I’m being honest, a poorly engineered tongue can be a massive turn-off. I feel like there’s a raunchy joke in there somewhere, but I digress.

What we like about the Brooks Ghost 18

CHAD: Outside of the Hyperion line and the OG Glycerin Max, Brooks never really seems to push the envelope when it comes to aesthetics. Truth be told, that’s fine by me. There’s nothing wrong with making a shoe that can easily look decent on the run and decent when worn socially. I think that’s a lane that Brooks is comfortable living in, and it works. The looks and design of the Ghost 18 aren’t anything to write home about, but I did enjoy the White/Black/Light Blue colorway I received.

One update made to the Ghost 18 from the 17 is the use of a new upper mesh, this time eschewing the double jacquard for a triple jacquard. Combined with a very nicely done tongue that, while not gusseted, is nicely padded and stays locked in place, the comfort level of the Ghost 18 is at an all-time high. Once again, something you can always count on from Brooks is a comfortable-fitting upper.

Additionally, I can’t say for sure whether they saw my review of the Ghost 17, but Brooks actually put appropriate-length laces on the 18. I was having a brute of a time getting my shoes double-knotted because the laces were so short, and my friend Danny, who also ran a lot in the Ghost 17, found the lace struggle was real. That was certainly a minor gripe from last year, but it’s nice to feel like we’re being heard.

On the run, the Ghost 18 does what a Ghost does and has consistently done for years. It provides a reasonably firm and responsive ride underfoot mile after mile after mile. In an age where it seems like brands are chasing softness and that bouncy at all costs feel, those who enjoy something with a bit less give to it underfoot can always turn to Brooks.

LINDSAY: I like the “same-same but different” of the Ghost 18! I already mentioned the upgrades to the tongue, which I really like. I didn’t wear the Ghost 17, but judging by the photos, it needed this. If the tongue isn’t relatively thin and flexible these days, it stands out to me — and not in a good way. That might sound picky, but there’s no shortage of running shoe options out there, so I think it’s ok to be picky sometimes. They also went with the “hem of a sock” look, which feels tacky to me, but it’s not a deal breaker. So close to nailing this one, Brooks.

I don’t know what I expected, but it’s been a while since I’ve run in a Brooks shoe, and the DNA Loft V3 was surprisingly great. It was well distributed throughout the shoe and had a little bounce. Responsiveness was most appreciated at slower, easier paces. Once I picked up to threshold, it was as good as barefoot running. That’s an exaggeration, but you get what I mean. It’s softer than it is firm, but it remains flexible.

The outsole grip was like your best friend having your back, not taking their eyes off you for even 2 seconds when you’re drunk, because off you go, on an adventure. Not this outsole, no sir. If you did happen to sneak away, though, you’d look good doing it because the color ways for the Brooks Ghost 18 are extensive and have got range.

What we don’t like about the Brooks Ghost 18

CHAD: While I applaud the comfort of the triple jacquard mesh upper, I had the distinct pleasure of running all of my miles in this shoe during some pleasant, cool spring weather. Even then, my feet were not exactly feeling the breeze upon my toes. Come warmer summer months, there’s a chance that the Ghost 18 could cause your feet to be haunted by sweat.

One other thing for runners to consider is that the Ghost 18 still rocks a 10 mm drop, which, for me, tends to make the ride feel a bit slappy at times as a heel striker and can be jarring to the knees and hips. As a bigger runner, my knees are already a bit compromised, so the high drop isn’t always for me. But that’s where having the Brooks Ghost Max line as an alternative comes in handy, with its 6 mm drop.

Also, while I don’t feel like every shoe needs to be lightweight to be effective, my US M12 came in at 12.5 oz., which, these days, would put it in the heavyweight division. With the shoe being on the firmer side, by the 6th, 7th, and 8th miles, the weight became a bit more noticeable.

LINDSAY: I normally harp on uppers in the “What we like,” but this upper belonged here without a doubt. The Brooks 17 upper was a knit “double jacquard,” and for some reason, they added an additional layer for the 18. To me, it provides more aesthetics than anything; in the end, it was just warmer and more constricting. The toe box was also structurally narrow, and the combination of the two features caused multiple blisters during the long run. Yes, during! I made it about 3 additional miles before all my little piggies went to market, man. There’s also no pull tab, which doesn’t normally bother me, but because the upper is more locked down, it’s quite difficult to slip these on while tied without losing an index finger.

For these reasons, you can now appreciate why I gave it a “C” on the performance scale. It easily could’ve been a “D” because I cannot even wear them anymore, but if I’m considering the variety of foot anatomy out there, it wouldn’t be right to assume everyone is going to have the same problems I did. If it weren’t for the blisters at all, I would’ve given this a B.

Final thoughts on the Brooks Ghost 18

CHAD: So Brooks has definitely followed the pathway to success that my coworker laid out for me earlier. They (1) identified the gravy train (we should make quality shoes that work for the masses), (2) got on the gravy train (design several shoes that will always have the masses coming back for more, and (3) haven’t messed up the gravy train (keep making those shoes without screwing them up). The Ghost 18 is no exception. I tend to lean more towards the Ghost Max, a shoe that I will also be reviewing, given the lower drop. But if you loved the Ghost 17 and all of the Ghosts before, this one will do the trick again.

LINDSAY: As you can see, I fought for my life against the Brooks Ghost 18. I really wanted to like it; nothing beats having an affordable daily trainer. It’s like coming home to a pet, and you’re both so excited to see each other. Alas, the Brooks Ghost will not be replacing my two kitties. At $150, though, it could replace yours. That is, if you have tiny toes and don’t need much in the way of foot ventilation. Best to keep this on the “walking shoe” docket.

You can pick up the Brooks Ghost 18 for $150 from Brooks by using the buttons below.