Brooks Ghost 18 vs Saucony Ride 19
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 5 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Similar silhouette and 10mm drop but with softer new foam, providing the year-over-year progress the Ghost never does
Livelier, softer, lighter midsole feel while still being a dependable cushioned daily trainer
Brooks Ghost 18 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: medium cushion , neutral stability .
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Lost round one to the Skechers Aero Burst 2-1; reception was mixed, with one panelist reporting early ankle pain and another ultimately voting for the Ghost after break-in for its durability and structure.
Ride:One panelist experienced significant lateral ankle pain during the first several runs that resolved after break-in; another found it firm but durable and a solid firmer/higher-drop option.
Fit:Sizing described as running smaller than before; one panelist needed to go up a half size.
In their words: "significant amount of lateral ankle pain"
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Kofuzi describes the Ghost 18 as denser and heel-strike-oriented with a thicker outsole than the Ghost Max 4, and suggests loyal Ghost fans stick with it to save money.
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Nick slightly prefers the Ghost 18 over the Pegasus 42 for its marginally more poppy and lively foam, though the two are very similar in feel, price, and use case.
Ride:Snappy ride with cushy heel protection and slightly more pop off the toes than the Nike; DNA Loft v3 feels a bit lighter underfoot than ReactX; not a rockered shoe
Fit:True to size with good room around toes and hold around heel and midfoot; upper is slightly more breathable than the Pegasus but both run warm
In their words: "a bit more pop off the toes" · "feels a bit lighter under foot" · "snappy ride"
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The Ghost 18 is a safe, reliable daily trainer with a comfortable, balanced ride and excellent versatility across runner types, though its traditional lower-stack feel and slightly heavier weight may not appeal to those seeking more modern max-stack cushioning.
Ride:Foam is balanced — not too soft, not too firm. Smooth transition through the stride with minimal rocker. Firmer out of the box, softening after 20-30km. Lower stack gives good ground contact feel and predictable stability.
Fit:True to size with four width options available; tongue and heel nicely padded with good lockdown
In their words: "bang in the middle there" · "very predictable and dependable ride" · "no fear of turning an ankle"
Saucony Ride 19 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , low energy return , neutral stability .
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An overlooked, well-priced, comfortable and stable all-round daily trainer that offers most of what the pricier Triumph 24 does for significantly less money.
Ride:A balanced, comfortable, moderately stable midsole with a bit of bounce back, without feeling wild or highly performance-oriented.
In their words: "solid reliable shoe" · "significantly cheaper than the Triumph" · "fantastic option for that"
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One of the best Ride models Saucony has made in a long time — stable, cushioned, and bouncy — and the reviewer's preferred alternative to the Hoka Clifton for daily training, walking, and all-day wear.
Ride:Power Run Plus beaded TPU midsole gives a stable yet cushioned and peppy, energetic ride.
In their words: "one of the best ride models that Saucony has made" · "I prefer this one over what the Hoka Clifton is offering"
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A 3-seed that suffered the bracket's first upset, losing to the Altra Experience Flow 3; panel was split on whether its beaded PWRRUN Plus midsole is plush-in-a-good-way or just mushy.
Ride:Split opinions: one panelist found the PWRRUN Plus midsole too mushy and unresponsive, another appreciated its plushness and durability potential.
Fit:One panelist liked the roomier, breathable upper; another had fit and forefoot flexibility issues.
In their words: "I can barely run in it"
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A back-to-basics daily trainer that does the fundamentals exceptionally well — stable, comfortable, and versatile without flashy gimmicks.
Ride:Stable, wide platform with comfortable PWRRUN PB Plus midsole that can pick up pace but isn't an interval shoe.
Fit:Fits true to size with good lockdown and comfort; no blistering or overheating issues.
In their words: "the shoe's inherently stable" · "a nice stable ride" · "very capable of doing multiple different things"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Brooks Ghost 18 if
- A neutral, versatile daily trainer for the masses — FORDY RUNS
- Walkers, heel strikers, and anyone on their feet all day — Kofuzi
- A durable, reliable easy-paced daily trainer workhorse for fans of the classic Ghost ride — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a dependable, durable, stable easy-day trainer and are loyal to the Ghost line — The Run Testers
- Grinding out daily training miles for neutral runners wanting comfortable, stable, durable shoe — The Run Testers
- Easy, steady, and tempo runs for runners of all abilities who want a stable, dependable, comfortable daily shoe; particularly good for wider-footed runners given the four width options — Ben Parkes
Consider the Saucony Ride 19 if
- Runners who want a softer, plusher daily trainer that feels more like a Triumph than the older Rides — Doctors of Running
- Runners wanting a back-to-basics, stable, comfortable daily trainer for everyday mileage and parkrun-style outings. — FORDY RUNS
- Runners seeking a comfortable, reliable cushioned daily trainer for easy to moderate pace running. — The Run Testers
- Versatile, reliable daily trainer for beginners and runners wanting a comfortable workhorse at a reasonable price. — The Run Testers
- Runners wanting a reliable, traditional daily trainer with light stability and a bit below max stack — EDDBUD
- Neutral daily training and recovery runs — Kofuzi
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Brooks Ghost 18 and the Saucony Ride 19?
The Brooks Ghost 18 is a daily trainer and the Saucony Ride 19 is a daily trainer. By the numbers, the Brooks Ghost 18 weighs 283g, has a 36mm heel stack and a 10mm drop, while the Saucony Ride 19 weighs 255g, has a 38mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $150 for the Brooks Ghost 18 and $145 for the Saucony Ride 19.
Should I buy the Brooks Ghost 18 or the Saucony Ride 19?
FORDY RUNS on the Brooks Ghost 18: A neutral, versatile daily trainer for the masses. Doctors of Running on the Saucony Ride 19: Runners who want a softer, plusher daily trainer that feels more like a Triumph than the older Rides.
Per FORDY RUNS, Doctors of Running.
Has anyone reviewed both the Brooks Ghost 18 and the Saucony Ride 19?
Yes — Kofuzi and The Run Testers directly compared the Brooks Ghost 18 and the Saucony Ride 19 in their reviews.
Per Kofuzi, The Run Testers.
Which is lighter, the Brooks Ghost 18 or the Saucony Ride 19?
The Saucony Ride 19 is lighter, at 255g versus 283g (men's 9) — about 28g less.
Which is more cushioned, the Brooks Ghost 18 or the Saucony Ride 19?
Measured by stack height, the Saucony Ride 19 has more underfoot foam — 38mm at the heel versus 36mm.