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 · The street — each opened up in full further down ↓
Best on Gemini (avg #1.0), weakest on ChatGPT (#10.0)
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.
Ghost 17 makes modest improvements with a lower drop and new upper, but the toe box runs tight and requires sizing up for comfort.
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 #1.0), weakest on ChatGPT (#10.0) Averaging across the AI panel, Ghost 17 sits around #5.2 this snapshot.
Gemini
#1.0
2 appearances · best #1
Claude
#5.3
3 appearances · best #2
GPT
#10.0
2 appearances · best #2
Perplexity
Didn’t rank Ghost 17 this snapshot.
Footprint?
Every intent it shows up in.
sorted by current rank · weakest: Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet (#2 of 30)
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
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
Voice of the street?
What the crowd says in 15 seconds.
Ghost 17 makes modest improvements with a lower drop and new upper, but the toe box runs tight and requires sizing up for comfort.
Creator voice1 short-form clip of the Ghost 17 · 90 days to August 14 · net -50 leans negativeearly read
What keeps coming up
The clips behind this
“Highly recommend sizing up to avoid toe rubbing!”
@coachasheruns (opens in a new tab) · not sponsored
as of August 14 · 1 short-form clips?
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
#1avg rank
ranks it highest of the panel
ChatGPT
#10avg rank
the most sceptical model
critics 4.2/5 sits outside the models' split.
critics 4.2/5Per-model average ranks from this week's panel?
The bottom line
So should you buy it?
The AIs’ #1 pick in Running Shoes. 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.
- Fresh Foam X 880v15New BalanceBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Paradigm 8AltraBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Adrenaline GTS 25BrooksGhost 17 leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Fresh Foam X 860v15New BalanceBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Guide 18SauconyBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Glycerin 22BrooksGhost 17 leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Triumph 22SauconyBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
What is Brooks Ghost 17 good for?
The Ghost 17 is a dependable daily trainer for easy runs, walking, and steady mileage. Reviewers say it delivers a comfortable, well-cushioned ride with stable, predictable feel—the kind of shoe that works straight out of the box without special features to learn.
Who should buy the Brooks Ghost 17?
It suits runners and walkers who have logged many miles and want a proven shoe they can trust. Reviewers say it works well for anyone seeking a neutral trainer with true-to-size fit, good heel lockdown, and reliable daily-trainer credentials without flashy foam or plates. The wide-width option makes it accessible to r…
What are the main drawbacks of the Ghost 17?
The toe box has a noticeable taper that some reviewers wish were roomier, and the foam is fairly firm and dense—not ideal for runners seeking max cushioning or a springy feel. Buyers are divided sharply on durability; while many praise comfort, others report premature wear and manufacturing defects within weeks of dai…
How much has the Ghost 17 changed from the previous version?
The Ghost 17 features a lowered heel-to-toe drop and an updated upper, but reviewers call it a subtle update rather than a reinvention. Some view this consistency as a strength—a dependable shoe that doesn't stray from what works—while others saw it as a missed opportunity for innovation.
Is the Brooks Ghost 17 a super shoe?
No. The Ghost 17 is a neutral daily trainer, not a performance or super shoe. It prioritizes dependable cushioning and stability for easy running and everyday mileage, not speed or advanced propulsive technology.
How does the fit of the Ghost 17 compare to other shoes?
Reviewers report the Ghost 17 runs true to size with good heel lockdown, though one short-form review recommends sizing up to avoid toe rubbing due to the tapered toe box. Buyers rate fit and sizing at 3.8 out of 5, somewhat lower than comfort and cushioning.
The recap
Where it stands today.
- PositionBest rank #1 across 3 intents tracked (no change vs last snapshot).
- FootprintStrongest in Best Running Shoes for Knee Pain (#1). Weakest in Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet (#2).
- TraitsMost often described as “smooth ride” (2 mentions).
- Closest rivalFresh Foam X 880v15 (3–0 across 3 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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