Brooks Ghost 17

A nice comfortable shoe for daily training; standard daily trainer that benefits from added stack height and the DNA Loft v3 foam, but lacks the snappy toe-off of pricier options.

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.

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.

Kofuzi says the Ghost 17 is basically the same shoe as the Ghost 18 (the tongue being the main difference), and at its $110 sale price he calls it a very good deal for a Ghost.

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.

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.

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.