A refined daily trainer that balances plush cushioning with subtle stability and versatility, the Ghost 17 handles easy miles through marathon pace with a more responsive forefoot and lower drop than its predecessor, though some find it still slightly firm for a true soft ride.
A solid, no-frills daily trainer that hits a good cushioning balance and offers great value at $140, though it's creeping closer to the Glycerin in stack and feel.
Best for: A versatile, reasonably priced daily trainer for runners wanting one pair to handle running, walking, and all-day wear.
A surprisingly snappier, almost stable-neutral daily trainer with better heel transition and more versatility than past Ghosts, despite gaining weight.
Best for: Runners wanting a more performance-leaning Ghost that can handle daily miles, long runs, and some workouts, including those with mild stability needs.
A reliable, no-fuss daily trainer with balanced DNA Loft cushioning and solid grip; not versatile for faster paces and could shed weight by trimming rubber, but strong value at its price point.
Best for: Reliable bulk-mileage easy and steady daily training for neutral runners who prefer a higher-drop shoe.
Brooks added more forefoot foam and it transformed the shoe into a very good, versatile daily trainer.
A massively improved, versatile daily trainer thanks to more forefoot foam and a lower 10mm drop — does all the daily-trainer basics very well, though it faces stiff competition from the Adidas Evo SL.
Best for: Everyday runners wanting a versatile, well-built daily trainer.
The best Ghost Kofuzi has tried since the Ghost Max 1 — a welcome update with a more modern 10mm drop, softer-feeling DNA Loft v3, and helpful flex grooves, though still slightly firm and annoyingly bumped to $150.
Best for: Neutral runners (and mild overpronators) who want a durable, stable, predictable daily trainer; worth revisiting even if you haven't liked past Ghosts.
Steve calls this the best Ghost in years — subtle updates (more plush feel, lower 10mm drop, a bit of added stability, more breathable upper) make it noticeably more runnable while keeping the Ghost's heritage intact.
Best for: Runners wanting a plush daily trainer with a hint of stability
A meaningfully improved mid-cushion neutral daily trainer — softer, more stable, and more runnable than its predecessor, now capable of handling long miles and competing well against pricier max-cushion options.
Best for: Everyday daily training and long runs for neutral runners or those with mild overpronation looking for a plush, stable mid-cushion trainer.
A reliable, stable, firmer daily trainer with the versatility to handle slightly faster miles; good value and durable, though not the most exciting ride.
Best for: Beginner to intermediate runners looking for a reliable, stable, versatile cushioned daily trainer at good value
Best for: Beginners wanting stability and comfort for marathon prep
A dependable iterative upgrade on the Ghost 16 with more DNA Loft V3 foam under the forefoot giving a more balanced ride, though it's heavier and still a firm, no-nonsense workhorse rather than an exciting shoe. A solid safe bet, but testers noted the discounted Ghost 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 4, Novablast 5, and Rebel v5 may offer better value or a more enjoyable ride.
Best for: A reliable, stable, comfortable workhorse daily trainer for easy and long runs, suitable for runners of any level — especially new runners wanting a do-everything shoe.
A solid, finessed update that feels unmistakably like a Ghost — reliable, consistent, and slightly more exciting than the Ghost 16 thanks to the extra DNA Loft V3 foam, improved heel package, and updated upper. Heavier than the previous version but not to the detriment of the ride.
Best for: A reliable, no-nonsense workhorse daily trainer for long, slow, and easy runs, with enough range to pop out marathon-pace miles.
Compared to other road daily trainer in the same lane.
