Brooks Ghost 18 Review: A Real Update? (2026)
New year, new iteration for the most popular model from the American brand Brooks. At this release pace, bringing real novelty to every edition is a tall order.
The Ghost is back for an eighteenth version. Like many of its rivals, it follows the market’s evolution without any sharp turn from one year to the next. That makes sense given the sales volumes.
Brooks is one of the brands that sell the most pairs, and the Ghost is its most popular shoe. So it has to move in subtle improvements to avoid unsettling a large base of loyal runners.
This Ghost 18 lands in a very competitive segment, the affordable do-it-all shoes. Does it fit your runner profile and your goals? That is what we are going to find out in this full review.
Why trust me?
With a 2:38 marathon PR and high weekly mileage, I test a lot of running shoe models to support my training.
I field-tested the Brooks Ghost 18 across different types of runs to judge its comfort and ride feel. I also checked in with runners of various levels to validate my impressions and make sure these recommendations work for as many runners as possible.
Our verdict
A very good, well-rounded shoe, ideal for beginners and daily training alike.
- Weight: 276 g / 9.7 oz (EU 42)
- Foam: DNA LOFT V3
- Stack: 36 mm (heel), 26 mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 10 mm
- Training, all distances
Let’s be honest: this version 18 brings no real change over the previous one. That is not a criticism, because the V17 was already very well executed, but keep it in mind if you are on the fence.
The midsole carries over the DNA LOFT V3 foam. The density feels slightly revised: the shoe is a bit softer at impact, especially at the heel. The feel still sits close to firm, which can surprise you on the first strides before settling in after about a hundred kilometers.
Shock absorption is very good for running longer confidently. The responsiveness is decent, without the shoe ever feeling bouncy. The RoadTack rubber outsole delivers good traction, and the new triple jacquard mesh upper offers excellent comfort and a forgiving fit. Breathability, though, could be better.
If you liked the previous version, you can buy this Ghost 18 with your eyes closed: it remains a versatile benchmark for daily training.
Pros
- Very good shock absorption for long runs
- Very comfortable upper with a forgiving fit
- Well-balanced feel once the shoe is broken in
- Versatile across all kinds of runs
- Good stability and a dependable ride, ideal for beginners
Cons
- Breathability could be better
- Grip drops off on wet ground
- Not much pop when it’s time to pick up the pace
Cushioning: protective but fairly firm DNA LOFT V3 foam
The midsole of the Brooks Ghost 18 keeps the DNA LOFT V3 foam. The process is unchanged: nitrogen is injected into a large-cell EVA foam.
As often happens, the formula must differ slightly, if only in density. The feel at impact is not quite the same as on the V17, with a bit less rigidity, especially at the heel.
The ride still stays on the firm side, a point some runners have noted. Personally, I find the feel well balanced if you land on your heel or early midfoot.
In the forefoot, the firmness is more noticeable: something to factor in. The dimensions do not move, with 36 mm under the heel and 26 mm under the forefoot.
Shock absorption works well, and the high level of cushioning lets any runner run longer safely, whatever their weight or level. The only real limit is that firm edge.
If your stride is heavily forefoot-based, a pounding sensation can creep in around 20-25 km, at least that is what I felt. For a large part of the pack, it won’t be a problem.
One more thing that makes the Ghost 18 accessible and universal: the 10 mm drop carries over. It is standard, requires no particular adjustment, and suits beginners very well.
Energy return: decent responsiveness, not much pop
At 276 g / 9.7 oz in EU 42, the Ghost 18 keeps the V17’s weight, but it remains fairly high, especially against rivals that are sometimes clearly lighter.
Responsiveness is comparable to the previous version: if you liked the V17 on that front, you get the same here. Let’s be clear, the shoe cannot be called bouncy.
When you push the pace, you feel the weight and the foam lacks bounce and snap. The Ghost 18 still lets you vary paces in training, and the rocker, though moderate, keeps transitions smooth.
Support and stability: neutral yet naturally planted
The Ghost 18 is a neutral shoe: it carries no stride-guidance technology. Thanks to a fairly firm foam, a wide base and a secure fit, it still stays naturally stable and keeps the ride safe.
Foothold: an impressive triple jacquard upper
The only real changes on this Ghost 18 are in the upper. The new triple jacquard mesh (versus double on the V17) offers impressive comfort for a shoe in this range.
You could compare this level of finish to clearly more premium models. Brooks has visibly focused its efforts on step-in comfort, with generous padding everywhere.
Wearing the shoe is a pleasure and you can keep it on for a long time. The trade-off is that the third layer of jacquard mesh hurts airflow.
The perforations visible on the midfoot and heel are more cosmetic than functional and do not really ventilate. Coverage in cold weather is very good, but breathability is not the strong point and your foot can run hot in summer.
Lockdown is very good. The upper is well structured, fairly flexible, and wraps the foot perfectly without squeezing it. It suits a wide variety of foot shapes.
The shoe is not stiff in torsion and offers the flexibility you expect for daily training. The one exception is the heel area, where the counter is very rigid, though you barely feel it thanks to the thick padding.
That counter delivers very good heel hold and a very planted ride for heel strikers, reinforced by the extended collar carried over from the V17. It could bother you, though, if you prefer more give in that area.
The tongue is fully redesigned on this version. Its mesh, different from the rest of the shoe, is softer, more supple and well padded for excellent comfort.
It is flat and shaped to hug the foot. One small letdown for me: it is not gusseted. I had no slipping issues, but not everyone can say the same.
The lacing system with TPU eyelets is conventional and lets you try different lacing methods for very good foot lockdown.
Reflective details have been added for safety, along with the new Ortholite X-60 sockliner, removable and fairly thick, which handles moisture well.
Sizing and fit
On fit, as always, it is hard to see clearly through so many contradictory takes. I will not list them all: just know that you will find every opinion and its opposite on this point.
The measurements are within the norm everywhere except one spot. With its slightly tapered front, the width of the toe area is the only place you might feel some discomfort.
Personally, I find the toe box fairly standard and the shoe true to size. It also comes in Wide, and even extra-Wide. So you can take your usual size, or turn to those versions if in doubt.
Traction: RoadTack that does the job, a bit less on wet roads
The outsole of the Ghost 18 is a copy-paste of the previous version’s, down to the identical patterns. Performance is therefore logically the same.
The RoadTack technology is a blend of rubber and recycled silica. It covers a large share of the surface, especially the impact zones, for very good traction.
As with the previous version, runners who have used it on wet ground report slightly weaker grip. Nothing disqualifying, but it had to be said.
As a good training partner, this road running shoe can take you onto most paths and trails, as long as they are not technical.
Who is it for, and for which runs?
If runners come back edition after edition, it is because they know exactly what to expect when buying a Ghost. Pure performance is not what they are after.
If you are looking for the latest-generation foams or machines built for propulsion and bounce, look elsewhere. Even at a similar price point, against an Asics Novablast 6 for example, the Ghost 18 cannot keep up.
Brooks does what it does best: no-frills, reliable, comfortable, stable shoes designed for the widest audience. No wild streak, just a dependable ride over a long lifespan.
The shoe shows great versatility on any run where you do not need to accelerate. From recovery jogs to long runs, the Ghost is pleasant to handle.
The high level of cushioning backs that up over long distances, as long as you accept the fairly firm side. The ride stays safe, an important point for beginners, and the accessible 10 mm drop seals it as an ideal pick for that audience.
What about heavier runners? I have read reviews calling the shoe limited for them. I do not share that view: the cushioning is, in my opinion, enough to go all the way to the marathon.
It mostly comes down to feel preference, since the fairly firm side can put you off if you like plush cushioning. The other limit, more obvious, is acceleration.
As soon as you have to lift the pace, on 1000 m repeats for example, you feel the weight and the lack of propulsion. The shoe does the job for many, but it is not ideal for speed workouts.
Same verdict for racing, where far more capable models exist. It can still be a good marathon option if you do not want the stiffness of a plate, or if comfort matters more to you than performance.
Quality and durability: built to take the miles
The Ghost 18 is built to pile on the miles. The upper is robust and the outsole rubber very durable. Durability is therefore very good, and so is value for money.
It uses recycled materials in the jacquard mesh of the upper as well as in the recycled-silica outsole. The Ghost 18 is also vegan.
Brooks Ghost 18 vs Brooks Ghost 17: what changed?
Hard to call it a revolution between the two versions. Here is what is new on this Ghost 18:
- A new triple jacquard mesh upper, versus double on the V17
- A redesigned flat mesh tongue, more comfortable
- A new Ortholite X-60 sockliner
- Added reflective details
- A revised foam formula, slightly less firm
In all transparency, it is hard to find a real difference between the two. You can pick either one depending on whichever is on sale.
Should you buy the Brooks Ghost 18?
The Brooks Ghost 18 brings no real change over the previous version. That is not a criticism, because the V17 was embraced by a large base of runners. It is simply not for you if you want speed and the latest generation of performance models.
On the other hand, it delivers all the usual comfort, with stability and durability at a very good level. Responsiveness is enough for many runners, which makes it a safe bet for daily training.
Technical Specs
Technical Specs
| Terrain | Road |
| Pronation type | Neutral |
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Heel height | 36 mm |
| Forefoot height | 26 mm |
| Weight (men) | 276 g/9.7 oz |
| Weight (women) | 263 g/9.3 oz |
| Features | Vegan, Wide feet, Rocker |
| Athletes | |
| Release year | 2026 |
| Price | Check prices |
Cushioning
| Softness | Firm |
| Responsiveness | Medium |
Technologies
| Outsole | RoadTack |
| Midsole | DNA LOFT V3 |
| Upper | Triple jacquard mesh |
Use
| Speed | Slow, Moderate |
| Distance | 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon |
| Workout | Daily running, Recovery |
Reference: official Brooks website
