The Brooks Ghost 17 is one of the most traditional and most sold shoes in the running industry. Whether you’re a first-time runner or a seasoned marathoner looking for an easy day shoe, the Ghost has a reputation for being reliable, comfortable, and accessible. Some may complain the Brooks Ghost 17 is “boring,” but boring isn’t bad. Sometimes you just want and need a reliable trainer that doesn’t have a massive update year after year.
I had nowhere else to talk about the price, so why not in the front? The Ghost 17 is now $150, which I think is wild. Just a few years ago, that was the price of the most cushioned Glycerin and the price of a lot of max-cushioned running shoes. I have to wonder if the tariffs hit Brooks harder than other brands.
Before trying the Brooks Ghost 17, I had a few questions:
What is the Brooks Ghost 17 good for?
The Ghost 17 is ideal for daily training, easy runs, walking, and road running. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable and versatile. Your daily trainer doesn’t need to be flashy, it just needs to fit and feel good.
Why is the Brooks Ghost so popular?
With consistent fit, plush cushioning, and wide availability in different widths, it simply works for a lot of people. You can ask, has the Ghost changed this year and the answer is usually not really no.
What is the difference between Brooks Ghost 17 and 16?
The Ghost 17 adds more foam (a 3 mm increase in the forefoot and 1 mm in the heel), introduces a more breathable mesh upper, and has a slightly firmer, more rocker-like ride. It also fits more securely compared to the roomy Ghost 16.
Is the Ghost 17 a stability shoe?
No, the Ghost 17 is a neutral shoe, meaning it doesn’t offer any structured medial support. It’s great for runners with a neutral gait or those who prefer flexibility over correction. Keep in mind, it’s also very easy to fit your own orthotics into the shoe.
Now let’s get into an honest review of the Brooks Ghost 17.
Brooks Ghost 17 Quick Facts
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Weight: 10.1 oz (M9) / 8.9 oz (W7.5)
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Stack Height: 36.5 mm heel / 26.5 mm forefoot
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Drop: 10 mm
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Price: $150
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Best For: Daily mileage, walking, easy and recovery runs
Out of the box, the Brooks Ghost 17 feels familiar in the best way. It’s not trying too hard, and it doesn’t need to. The silhouette is slightly sleeker than the Ghost 16, the upper is noticeably more breathable, and the fit feels more dialed-in…especially around the heel.
Brooks Ghost 17 Upper
The first update came by way of the fit. The double jacquard air mesh upper feels more premium than previous versions. It’s breathable without being flimsy, and the structure holds its shape even during longer runs. The tongue isn’t gusseted, but it stays in place well. No hot spots. No pressure points. Just a reliable fit that disappears on the run (like a ghost LOL). Many appreciate the room in the forefoot and toe box and the more snug heel.
Anyway, I’ve never really had an issue with the fit of the Brooks Ghost 17, and Brooks does fit better than almost any other brand. It fits true to size with a more secure toe box and a snugger heel cup. Bonus: Brooks still offers narrow, wide, and extra wide widths, so there’s an option for just about every foot.
In running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10–11 wide, and the size 11 of the Brooks Ghost 17 fits the best.
Brooks Ghost 17 Ride
I would say on the spectrum of big updates for the Ghost, this is one of the more “drastic” updates, although it’s tame compared to almost any other running shoe. The Ghost 17 features DNA Loft v3, a nitrogen-infused foam that strikes a nice balance between softness and responsiveness. The added stack height (up 3 mm in the forefoot and 1 mm in the heel) gives the shoe a touch more cushion than its predecessor, while a new geometry adds just a bit of rocker to help smooth transitions. I don’t necessarily know why they added the extra 3 mm of foam when they already have the Ghost Max, but who am I to judge.
The Ghost 17 is soft without being mushy, firm enough to feel stable, and responsive enough to pick up the pace if you need it to for short bursts.
Where does the Brooks Ghost 17 fit into my rotation? It’s a daily trainer. It’s a shoe I know I can use and feel comfortable in time and time again. I mostly take it out for easy runs and recovery runs. While you can pick up the pace, it may feel a bit bulky and hard to do that (so why do it?). There are better shoes designed for “fast” running.
Outsole
One of the standout features of the Ghost 17 is its generous rubber coverage on the outsole. Grip and traction are solid on dry roads, crushed gravel, and light trails. I use mine on desert trails without having any issues. The shoe feels stable without being clunky.
As far as durability, the added rubber means you can expect to get 300+ miles out of a single pair. If you run on your toes and forefoot, you may expect less because there is less cushion toward the front.
Brooks Ghost 17 Conclusion
The Brooks Ghost 17 doesn’t reinvent the wheel and that’s the point. It stays true to itself as a reliable, neutral daily trainer while updating a few key areas: fit, breathability, and cushioning.
If you want excitement or race-day magic, you’ll want to look elsewhere. But if you want a shoe you can trust day in and day out, mile after mile, the Ghost 17 is a good option.
Who Should Buy the Brooks Ghost 17
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Runners looking for a reliable, neutral daily trainer
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Walkers or those on their feet for long hours who need cushion and comfort
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Fans of previous Ghost models
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Runners who value durability and versatility over flash or speed
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Anyone needing multiple width options (narrow, wide, extra wide)
Who Should Not Buy the Brooks Ghost 17
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Runners who prefer a lightweight, responsive ride for speedwork or racing
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Those seeking a high-stack, max-cushioned shoe for ultra-long distances
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Runners who need stability or motion control
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, ASICS Superblast 2
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Speedland SL: PDX, Hoka Tecton X 3
Races/Speedwork: Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Streakfly 2, Nike Vaporfly 4
Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here.
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the Brooks Ghost 17?
What is your favorite daily trainer?
