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Ghost 18
Smooth neutral daily trainer with softer DNA Loft v3 cushioning.
Today's tracked prices
- 01Amazon2d ago£130.55£140.00−7%
- 02Greaves1d ago£135.00£140.00−4%
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Price history
Our verdict
The Brooks Ghost 18 is the shoe you reach for when you just want to run and not think about it. It is a smooth neutral daily training shoe, the workhorse end of the range, built to soak up easy miles and steady runs without fuss. The updated DNA Loft v3 midsole is softer and a touch more lively than older Ghosts, so it feels friendlier underfoot than the plain, dependable trainer this line used to be. With a traditional 10mm drop and a 36mm heel, it suits heel strikers and runners who like a bit of ramp under the foot. This is not a fast shoe and it does not pretend to be. At 289g it is on the heavier side, and there is no plate or snap here. What you get instead is consistency, a forgiving ride and the kind of shoe that just works, week after week. If you want one neutral daily trainer for the bulk of your running, the Ghost 18 is a safe, sensible pick. Runners chasing pace should look at the Nike Pegasus 42 instead.
Key features
- DNA Loft v3 midsoleGives a softer, smoother daily ride that stays comfortable deep into your run
- 36mm heel, 10mm dropSuits heel strikers with a cushioned landing and a gentle forward roll
- Neutral cushioned platformKeeps you planted and comfortable without forcing any correction on your stride
- Engineered mesh upperBreathes well and holds your foot securely with a plush, broken-in comfort
- 2E and 4E width optionsLets wider feet get a proper daily trainer fit instead of squeezing into a medium
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Neutral runners who want one reliable daily trainer for the bulk of their miles
- Heel strikers who like a traditional 10mm drop and a cushioned landing
- Runners with wider feet who need a 2E or 4E fit
- Beginners who want a forgiving, no-surprises first proper running shoe
- Anyone logging easy and steady runs who values comfort over speed
Who should not buy it
- You want a light, snappy shoe for tempo runs or racing
- You need genuine stability or pronation support
- You prefer a low-drop or firmer, more connected ride
- You want maximum plush stack height for recovery days
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Ghost 18 fits true to size for most runners, so order your usual Brooks size and you will be fine. The fit is a classic medium: a secure midfoot, a well held heel and a toe box with enough room to splay without feeling sloppy. It is not a narrow race-day fit and it is not a slipper either, it sits comfortably in the middle. Brooks offer the Ghost in 2E and 4E widths in many sizes, which is a real plus if you have found other daily trainers too shallow or too tight across the forefoot. The engineered mesh upper gives a little as it warms up, so any first-run snugness usually settles. If you run in thick winter socks or your feet swell on long runs, the wide options are worth a look rather than sizing up. Most runners will not need to change anything.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
The Ghost 18 rides smooth and predictable, which is exactly the point. The DNA Loft v3 foam is soft without feeling mushy, so easy runs feel cushioned and forgiving while the transition from heel to toe stays clean and rounded. There is a gentle rocker to help you roll through each step, and the 10mm drop nudges you forward without demanding much from your calves. Push the pace and you feel the shoe's limits fast. It is not springy, it does not want to turn over quickly, and the 289g weight shows up when you try to lift the effort. Held at easy and steady paces though, it just flows. Fatigue over distance is well managed, so this is a shoe you can trust for long steady efforts as much as short recovery jogs.
Cushioning
Cushioning is where the Ghost 18 earns its keep. The DNA Loft v3 midsole gives a soft, even landing that stays comfortable deep into a run, and the 36mm heel and 26mm forefoot leave plenty of foam between you and the road. It is a balanced, protective feel rather than a plush marshmallow one, so you still get some ground sense and control. Heel strikers get a smooth, cushioned landing thanks to that generous stack and traditional drop, while midfoot runners get enough underfoot to stay comfortable on longer efforts. This is cushioning tuned for daily durability and comfort, not for maximum bounce. If you want a taller, softer max-cushion ride, look higher up the Brooks range, but for everyday protection the Ghost strikes a sensible balance.
Stability
The Ghost 18 is a neutral shoe, so there is no medial post, no guide rails and no corrective structure here. That said, it is a stable neutral trainer rather than a wobbly one. The midsole is fairly wide and the stack, while generous, is not so tall that it feels tippy, so most neutral runners will feel planted and secure through the gait cycle. Mild overpronators who do not need active correction often get on fine with it. If you know you need real stability support, this is not the shoe, and Brooks steer you to the Adrenaline GTS or Glycerin GTS for that. But if you simply want a dependable neutral ride that does not throw you around, the Ghost 18 holds its line well.
Upper & comfort
The engineered mesh upper is comfortable and unfussy, in keeping with the whole shoe. It is breathable enough for most conditions, with a soft feel against the foot and no obvious hot spots once broken in. The tongue and collar are lightly padded for a secure, plush hold around the ankle, and the lacing locks the midfoot down without pressure across the top of the foot. It is a everyday upper built for comfort and durability rather than a stripped-back racing one, so it carries a little weight but rewards you with a plush, forgiving feel. For a shoe you will pull on several times a week for months, that trade is the right one.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Daily |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 10mm |
| Heel Stack | 36mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 26mm |
| Weight | 289g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |