Brooks Ghost 18
Road Daily Trainer

Brooks Ghost 18

A good, well-executed update with a lovely new upper and a better ride than past Ghosts, but Fordy questions its place in the post-Evo-SL world and personally prefers the Ghost Max; he feels the basic daily trainer is being left behind and should be priced as a budget option. — FORDY RUNS

Physical blueprint

Where this shoe sits

Weight 283 g
Heel stack 36.0 mm
Drop 10.0 mm
Cushioning Medium

Best for

Daily TrainingRecovery & Easy
Suits Heel strikers
Surface Road

Specifications

Weight (M9)
283g (10.0 oz)
Stack (Heel)
36.0 mm
Stack (Forefoot)
26.0 mm
Drop
10.0 mm
Midsole
DNA LOFT v3 (nitrogen-infused EVA)
Outsole
RoadTack rubber
Upper
Triple jacquard engineered air mesh
Lacing
Traditional

Fit Profile

Length
True To Size
Midfoot Width
Average
Heel Width
Average
Lockdown
Good
Toe Box
Average
Sizing
True To Size

Ride Characteristics

Cushioning
Medium
Stability
Neutral

Durability

Outsole
Excellent

Expert reviews · 4 reviewers · grouped per channel

BP
Ben Parkes Youtube

Best for: A reliable, versatile, stable daily trainer for wide-footed runners.

FR
FORDY RUNS Youtube

A good, well-executed update with a lovely new upper and a better ride than past Ghosts, but Fordy questions its place in the post-Evo-SL world and personally prefers the Ghost Max; he feels the basic daily trainer is being left behind and should be priced as a budget option.

Best for: A neutral, versatile daily trainer for the masses

K
Kofuzi Youtube

A predictable, reliable but barely-changed update that is great for walkers and heel strikers; Kofuzi feels he is not the intended audience and finds it about one tariff too expensive at $150, recommending the discounted Ghost 17 instead.

Best for: Walkers, heel strikers, and anyone on their feet all day

TR
The Run Testers Youtube

On a first ~20K run Nick found the Ghost 18 a very familiar, solid, durable but unexciting daily trainer that feels much like the Ghost 17 — you're probably better off buying the cheaper older model, and it doesn't stand out against lighter, livelier, more cushioned rivals at the price.

Best for: A durable, reliable easy-paced daily trainer workhorse for fans of the classic Ghost ride

12 miles tested · source

Frequently asked questions

How does the Brooks Ghost 18 fit?

Reviewers note: Fits true to size with fine lacing and lockdown and a good heel; new triple jacquard mesh upper, improved sock liner and tongue

Per FORDY RUNS.

How much does the Brooks Ghost 18 weigh and what is its drop?

The Brooks Ghost 18 weighs about 283g (men's 9), has a 36.0mm heel stack and a 10.0mm heel-toe drop.

What shoes is the Brooks Ghost 18 compared to?

Reviewers compare the Brooks Ghost 18 to Brooks Ghost Max, Adidas Adizero Evo SL, Nike Pegasus 42, Brooks Ghost 17.

Per FORDY RUNS, Kofuzi, The Run Testers.

How many experts have reviewed the Brooks Ghost 18?

Next Pair aggregates 4 expert reviews of the Brooks Ghost 18, including FORDY RUNS, Ben Parkes, Kofuzi.

Per FORDY RUNS, Ben Parkes, Kofuzi.

Where it sits among similar shoes

Compared to other road daily trainer in the same lane.

Weight · lower = lighter Men's size 9
Brooks Ghost 18
283g
Adidas Supernova Solution 2
266g
Saucony Omni ST 23
286g
Adidas Supernova Rise 3
264g
Heel stack · higher = more cushioning mm
Brooks Ghost 18
36.0mm
Adidas Supernova Solution 2
36.0mm
Saucony Omni ST 23
40.0mm
Adidas Supernova Rise 3
36.0mm
Drop · higher = more heel-leaning mm
Brooks Ghost 18
10.0mm
Adidas Supernova Solution 2
10.0mm
Saucony Omni ST 23
8.0mm
Adidas Supernova Rise 3
8.0mm

Brooks Ghost 18

Data-driven recommendation backed by expert reviews.

Ask the advisor
Methodology. Specs come from manufacturer data and authoritative third-party catalogs. Reviewer verdicts are summarized from named, linked sources — never copied verbatim. We weight clinical and lab-tested sources more heavily than community commentary, but the specific weights stay internal. Never sponsored, never paid placement.
Last updated 2026-06-14