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Brooks Ghost 18

In production · road · Daily / Long run · $150

The default neutral trainer, now in a softer knit upper on DNA Loft v3.

Built for daily, long run, at a target pace of 8:00–11:00 /mi on road.

The spec sheet

Weight
289 g / 10.2 oz
Heel stack
36 mm
Drop
10 mm
Plate
—
Cushioning
4 / 5
Energy return
3 / 5
Responsiveness
3 / 5
Rocker
3 / 5
Flexibility
3 / 5
Stability
3 / 5 (5 = most guidance)
Toe-box
Standard
Sizing
True to size
Durability
~500 mi
Price
$150

How it rides

The foam

Brooks tuned this midsole soft (4/5 on our cushioning scale). Energy return is moderate — comfortable and predictable rather than bouncy. 36 mm of heel stack is the modern daily-trainer sweet spot — enough foam for long miles without losing contact with the road. Combined, the ride reads as lively at 3/5 responsiveness.

The plate

There is no plate here. The midsole does all the work, so the shoe flexes naturally and stays versatile across paces — easier on the feet day to day, but without the snap of a plated shoe when you want to roll.

The geometry

A tall 10 mm drop tips weight forward off the heel, which usually suits heel strikers and calves that dislike low-drop shoes. The rocker is moderate — enough curve to smooth the roll-through without dictating your footstrike. Forefoot flex is middle of the road. Support is light — neutral, with a mildly steady platform.

Fit, sizing & life

The toe-box is standard width — comfortable for most feet without swimming. It fits true to size. Expect roughly 500 miles from the outsole, about $0.30 per mile at $150.

For the foams and plates Brooks uses across its line, read the Brooks brand guide.

How it compares

Measured against the 542 currently-available shoes in the catalog. The bar shows where this shoe sits in that range.

Weight

289 g / 10.2 oz

14 g heavier than the catalog median of 275 g

Heel stack

36 mm

Level with the catalog median of 36 mm

Drop

10 mm

4 mm higher than the catalog median of 6 mm

Price

$150

10 cheaper than the catalog median of 160

Responsiveness

3 / 5

Catalog median 3 / 5

Cushioning

4 / 5

Catalog median 4 / 5

Energy return

3 / 5

Catalog median 3 / 5

Durability

~500 mi

Catalog median ~400 mi

Within the Brooks line it is heavier than the brand's median (283 g / 10.0 oz) and sits taller than its median stack (36 mm).

Closest alternatives

Current shoes with the nearest combination of weight, stack, drop, foam feel and plate.

On Cloudrunner 2

277 g / 9.8 oz · 39 mm · 10 mm drop · — · $150

Supportive, wide-based daily trainer for steady mileage.

Adidas Supernova Solution

278 g / 9.8 oz · 36 mm · 10 mm drop · — · $150

Adidas' support daily with Support Rods for mild guidance.

Hoka Transport 2

298 g / 10.5 oz · 38 mm · 11 mm drop · — · $150

Commuter-friendly Hoka: durable rubber, weather-ready upper, easy ride.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25(2025)

300 g / 10.6 oz · 37 mm · 10 mm drop · — · $145

GuideRails support in a softer, smoother 25th edition.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 22

294 g / 10.4 oz · 38 mm · 10 mm drop · — · $150

Wave Plate stability that guides without feeling corrective.

Lineage & siblings