Fashion & Footwear › Running Shoes
Ghost 17newer model: Ghost 18
Model timeline
Lightweight cushioned running shoes
More about it ↓Quick take
In short: what each side says
AI panel · Reviewers · Buyers — each opened up in full further down ↓
Best on Gemini (avg #5.5), weakest on Perplexity (#16.0)
Reviewers agree the Ghost 17 is a dependable, comfortable daily trainer whose lowered heel-to-toe drop and small stack increase make it a subtle but meaningful update rather than a reinvention.
Owners praise the Ghost 17's comfort and cushioning for daily running, but durability and quality control divide them sharply, with some reporting premature wear and manufacturing defects.
Every side lands high — Holds up.
Quick read · who it’s for
Main competitors
Top rivals in Running Shoes.
About
What it is.
Ghost 17 belongs to Brooks' long-running Ghost family of neutral daily trainers. It fills the role of a dependable everyday shoe, aimed at runners and walkers logging easy and long miles who value consistency and a familiar ride over trial and error with fit or feel.
It suits those who've worn earlier Ghost models and want that same predictable platform, as well as anyone seeking a neutral trainer that works straight out of the box. Built for a wide-fitting, stable stride and lasting durability, it's positioned for steady mileage rather than fast work — not for runners chasing a softer, more propulsive, high-rebound ride.
The verdict
Brooks makes the Ghost 17, a neutral running shoe. Released in 2024, it continues the Ghost line from the United States. The shoe uses DNA Loft v2 foam in the midsole for cushioning. Beginners and everyday runners buy it for comfortable, durable daily training without pronation correction. AI assistants currently rank it number one for best running shoes for beginners.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Model by model?
How each AI sees it.
Best on Gemini (avg #5.5), weakest on Perplexity (#16.0) Averaging across the AI panel, Ghost 17 sits around #11.3 this snapshot.
Gemini
#5.5
4 appearances · best #1
Grok
#10.7
3 appearances · best #5
GPT
#11.5
2 appearances · best #11
Claude
#15.4
5 appearances · best #2
AI Mode
Didn’t rank Ghost 17 this snapshot.
Footprint?
Every intent it shows up in.
sorted by current rank · weakest: Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet (#29 of 30)
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 5 reviews · as of Jul 2026
Reviewers agree the Ghost 17 is a dependable, comfortable daily trainer whose lowered heel-to-toe drop and small stack increase make it a subtle but meaningful update rather than a reinvention.
What they praise
- Comfortable, well-cushioned ride with a stable, predictable feel
- Durable outsole with generous rubber coverage
- True-to-size fit with good heel lockdown and available width options
- Reliable, consistent daily-trainer character that suits a wide range of runners
What they knock
- Toe box has a noticeable taper that some reviewers wish were roomier
- Tongue is not gusseted and is thick or short depending on the reviewer
- Heavier than many daily trainers, with modest weight increase over the prior version
- Firmer, denser foam than some cushioned-shoe fans prefer
Synthesised from: Road Runner Sports · Alastair Running · kofuzi · Marathon Handbook · Believe in the Run
Brooks Ghost 17 Review: The Beloved, Do-It-All Daily Trainer Is Back and Better Than Ever
Road Runner Sports
Brooks Ghost 17 Review
Alastair Running
Brooks Ghost 17
kofuzi
Brooks Ghost 17: is the MOST POPULAR running shoe still the best? (100% HONEST)
Marathon Handbook
Brooks Ghost 17 | Full Review
Believe in the Run
What buyers say?
What Google knows about it.
Beyond the video critics, Google pools 2,438 buyer ratings of the Ghost 17 from across retailers — a far wider, if blunter, jury. Here’s the shape of that opinion.
2,438 ratings · 7 written
across 4 retailers
What owners single out
Buyers' weakest aspect—durability and quality—doesn't directly overlap the video reviewers' foam firmness or weight concerns, though both point to overall product execution issues.
In their words
“I've been running in these Brooks Ghost 17s for a few weeks now, and I'm honestly impressed. If you're looking for a comfortable, no-fuss shoe for daily runs or just walking around, this is it. What I love: Super cushioned but not clunky – The foam feels soft underfoot without being mushy. My feet don't hurt after longer runs like they did with my old shoes.”
Flaviu P. · verified purchase · altitude-sports.com
“I’m very disappointed in the quality of my Ghost 17s. I bought my pair in mid June and walk anywhere from 1-2miles a day on them. Today, end of July, the treads are almost completely worn and slick. Compared to another pair from another manufacturer, that I bought to train months before, they are considerably better. Stay away from these. If you do buy them, get a very supportive insole.”
MooseB · verified purchase · brooksrunning.com
as of June 24 · 2438 buyer ratings?
Act three · ★ new
Do they agree?
Put the machine's rank and the owners' score in one frame, settle it with a verdict, and answer the only question that matters: should you buy it?
The disagreement
Where the juries actually split.
Gemini
#6avg rank
ranks it highest of the panel
Perplexity
#16avg rank
the most sceptical model
critics 4.2/5 and owners 4.5★ sit outside the models' split.
critics 4.2/5owners 4.5★Per-model average ranks from this week's panel?
The bottom line
So should you buy it?
The AIs’ #1 pick in Running Shoes. Owners back it at 4.5 / 5; critics back it at 4.2 / 5.
Find your situation?
Made for some — wrong for others.
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
You've run many miles and want a proven shoe you can trust without surprises.
2,438 reviews with 4.5/5 consensus, established Brooks brand, mature product with settled reputation as a dependable daily trainer across a wide range of runners.
You want a shoe that just works—no fuss, no special features to learn or adjust.
Reviewers praise it as a reliable, do-it-all trainer with true-to-size fit and good heel lockdown; no complex tech or setup required, just put them on and run.
You want a solid daily trainer that won't break the bank and delivers real comfort.
At ~$101, the Ghost 17 offers strong value: 4.5/5 rating, proven comfort and cushioning, and reliable daily-trainer credentials without premium pricing or flashy tech.
You demand the absolute best: top-rated, refined, with no meaningful compromises.
High rating and broad praise for comfort and stability, but reviewers note durability concerns, a tapered toe box some find restrictive, and denser foam than some prefer. Consider Gel-Kayano 32.
You chase the latest innovation and want the newest generation available.
The Ghost 18 already exists as a newer model, making the Ghost 17 outdated for buyers seeking cutting-edge features and the latest release. Consider Ghost 18.
Grounded in our buyer-review, reviewer-video, price and successor signals — a poor fit names a closer pick · as of Jul 28.
Frequent rivals?
What it competes against.
- Bondi 9HokaBrooks leads 4–1 · 6 shared~$174.99Read
- Ride 18SauconyBrooks leads 4–0 · 6 sharedRead
- Clifton 10HokaEven 3–3 · 6 shared$124–$155Read
- Gel-Kayano 32ASICSEven 3–3 · 6 shared~$125Read
- Wave Rider 28MizunoBrooks leads 4–1 · 5 sharedRead
- Supernova Rise 2AdidasBrooks leads 4–1 · 5 sharedRead
- Triumph 23SauconyBrooks leads 3–2 · 5 shared$135–$170Read
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
What is Brooks Ghost 17 good for?
The Ghost 17 is a neutral daily trainer built for comfortable, durable training over easy and long miles. Reviewers say it suits runners and walkers who prioritize stability and predictability over speed or energy return.
Who should buy the Brooks Ghost 17?
It works well for beginners and everyday runners, people with a wide range of foot shapes (it comes in multiple widths), and those prone to mild overpronation. It's also a good choice for runners who value durability and broad fit over a soft or springy ride.
What are the main drawbacks of the Brooks Ghost 17?
The foam feels firm and dense compared to softer modern trainers, lacking a lively rebound. It's heavier than many competitors, and the toe box tapers at the top, which can feel snug for some feet. The tongue is short and not gusseted, which some reviewers note can cause heel lift.
Is the Brooks Ghost 17 a super shoe?
No. Reviewers describe it as a dependable, stable neutral trainer without the springy or propulsive ride of modern high-rebound foam platforms. It prioritizes comfort and predictability over speed or energy.
How durable is the Brooks Ghost 17?
Reviewers highlight exceptional outsole rubber coverage that gives the shoe tank-like durability over high mileage, making it a solid choice for runners logging heavy daily volume.
Does the Brooks Ghost 17 fit true to size?
Yes, reviewers note it fits true to size in length and comes in broad fit availability across multiple widths, though the toe box can feel snug for certain foot shapes.
The recap
Where it stands today.
- PositionBest rank #1 across 6 intents tracked (no change vs last snapshot).
- FootprintStrongest in Best Running Shoes for Beginners (#1). Weakest in Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet (#29).
- TraitsMost often described as “reliable” (8 mentions).
- Closest rivalBondi 9 (4–1 across 6 shared intents).
- Generation★Superseded by Ghost 18 — the newer model in Brooks’s lineup.
- MakerBy Brooks — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.
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