990v6vsGhost 17
Updated weekly
Products · full comparison

990v6 vs Ghost 17

How these two compare on everything we measure — where the AIs rank them, what reviewers and buyers say, and how they price. We don’t crown a winner — the differences are the point.

990v6
by New Balance · Running sneakers with cushioned support
AI rank #14.4$139.99official site
Reviewers
4.5/5
Buyers
4.8/5
vs
Ghost 17
by Brooks · Lightweight cushioned running shoes
AI rank #7.6$101
Reviewers
3.5/5
Buyers
4.5/5
Short answer?

Take 990v6 if you weight reviewer scores and buyer ratings; take Ghost 17 if the AI ranking and a lower price matter more. That's where they diverge — elsewhere they're close.

How this is made

Built from what 4 AI models (Claude · ChatGPT · Gemini · Perplexity) recommend for real buyer questions, layered with reviewer test summaries, Google buyer ratings, street prices and press. The short answer and verdict are derived from where those signals diverge — not written by hand for either product.

Independent — not a vendor, not advertising, not a paid review. How we score →

Act I

The numbers

Side by side, how the AI models rank them, and which wins each buyer-question.

IIIIII
01

Side by side

Every signal we hold, on one shared scale. The leading side is lit — but the tally below doesn’t crown a winner.?

#14.4
AI rankcombined avg · lower is better
#7.6
4.5
Reviewersout of 5
3.5
4.8
BuyersGoogle rating
4.5
$139.99
Street pricelower is cheaper
$101
02

How the AIs rank them

Four models rank both products. Here’s each model’s pick (lower rank = higher).?

Claude
990v6
#10
Ghost 17
#1
ChatGPT
990v6
#12
Ghost 17
#9
Gemini
990v6
#19
Ghost 17
#11
Perplexity
990v6
#29
Ghost 17
#2
03

Which is better for what

Across the buyer-questions both appear in, who the AI panel ranks higher — and the widest gaps.?

ranks higher
Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet Ghost 17 by 10#17 vs #7
Best Running Shoes for Knee Pain Ghost 17 by 8#23 vs #15
Men's sneakers for everyday 990v6 by 3#3 vs #6
Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet Ghost 17 by 2#20 vs #18
Best sneakers for working woman 990v6 by 1#1 vs #2
Across 5 shared questions: 990v6 higher in 2 · Ghost 17 in 3
Showing the 5 widest gaps
Act II

What people say

Where the AI panel and reviewers line up, and what reviewers and buyers think.

IIIIII
04

Do AI and reviewers agree

The model panel’s rank next to the video reviewers’ score — where they line up, and where they don’t.?

AI panel
#14.4
Reviewers
4.5/5
Reviewers rate it 4.5/5; the AI panel ranks it #14.4. well-reviewed
AI panel
#7.6
Reviewers
3.5/5
Reviewers rate it 3.5/5; the AI panel ranks it #7.6. mixed reviews
05

What reviewers say

Distilled from the video reviewers — the score, what they praise, where they push back.?

990v6
across 5 reviews
4.5/5
mixed
Reviewers praise
  • Comfort that outperforms most lifestyle sneakers, with the FuelCell midsole delivering a noticeably lighter, more responsive feel than prior versions while remaining stable underfoot
  • Premium materials throughout — suede overlays, quality mesh, and reflective accents — consistent with the line's longstanding build standards
  • Versatile enough to function as both a running shoe and an all-day lifestyle sneaker, suiting a wide range of wearers
Reviewers push back
  • Sizing is inconsistent across reviewers — some find true-to-size correct, others advise going down half a size, and at least one warns the shoe runs a half size large for those accustomed to other brands
  • The redesigned silhouette divided opinion on release; some initially felt it looked generic or Skechers-adjacent before warming to it over time
  • Cushioning, while improved, is firm rather than plush — wearers expecting a soft, sink-in feel may be underwhelmed
Reviewers broadly agree the 990v6 is an exceptionally comfortable, well-built everyday sneaker that advances the line's legacy without abandoning its character.
— best for: Anyone who wants a durable, supportive all-day shoe that works as both a serious walking sneaker and a lifestyle piece, particularly those already familiar with and fond of the 990 line.
Ghost 17
across 5 reviews
3.5/5
mixed
Reviewers praise
  • Exceptional outsole rubber coverage gives the shoe tank-like durability over high mileage
  • Stable, structured ride suits a wide range of runners including those prone to mild overpronation
  • Broad fit availability across multiple widths with a true-to-size length
Reviewers push back
  • Foam feels firm and dense compared to softer modern daily trainers; lacks a lively, energetic rebound
  • Heavier than many competitors in its category, a weight that increases with higher stack
  • Toe box tapers noticeably at the top, which can feel snug for some foot shapes
A dependable, stable neutral daily trainer with proven durability and broad fit appeal, improved by a lower drop and added forefoot cushioning, though it lacks the springy ride of more modern foam platforms.
— best for: Runners and walkers who want a wide-fitting, durable, stable neutral shoe for easy and long daily miles where comfort and predictability matter more than speed or foam energy.

Where reviewers split on 990v6: Sizing advice splits the reviewers: one channel says go half a size down from your normal 990 size, another says true-to-size is correct, and a third warns the shoe runs a half size large for Nike wearers — no consensus emerges On Ghost 17: Reviewers disagree on whether the DNA Loft V3 foam represents a meaningful change from the prior version — one reviewer feels the foam rides noticeably softer and more pleasant, while others describe it as essentially the same dense, predictable compound

06

The reviews behind this

The actual video reviews the “what reviewers say” summary above is distilled from — tap any to watch on YouTube.

07

What buyers say

Aggregated Google Shopping ratings — the score, the aspects owners rate, and a real quote.?

4.8
38 ratings
Comfort & fit4.8
Build quality & stitching4.9
Aesthetic & design4.6
Value for price4.0
The stock photos really don't do these justice. They're super clean looking and that creamy white suede provides a beautiful contrast! And of course, the comfort is phenomenal! Alternate laces are always nice but I wish they had gone with a black or cream/sail color instead of the plum. Other than that, pretty much perfection! joesnewbalanceoutlet.com
Google ratings
4.5
2,438 ratings
Comfort & cushioning4.5
Fit & sizing3.8
Durability & quality2.5
Support & stability4.3
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. Fits perfectly – True to size, no weird Flaviu P. · altitude-sports.com
Act III

Price and the verdict

How they price, who each is for, whether you can trust the claims — and our read.

IIIIII
08

How they price

Street price across retailers, the tier each lands in, and how it’s moved.?

$139.99
across 1 retailer
tier Mid-range
2-week street price
current model
$101
across 1 retailer
tier Value
current street price
current model
09

Which one is right for you

How each suits the seven buyer types — a good fit, a maybe, or not for you.?

Buyer type
990v6
Ghost 17
Value-Maximizer
~
Quality Perfectionist
~
Premium Connoisseur
·
·
Early Adopter
·
Reliability-Seeker
Simplifier
Enthusiast
Good fitCould fitNot for you
10

The verdict: which to buy

Our read of everything above — who leads each point, and who each is for.

990v6
AI panel rank
Ghost 17
990v6
Reviewer score
Ghost 17
990v6
Buyer rating
Ghost 17
990v6
Lower price
Ghost 17

Net: 990v6 leads 2 of 4 · Ghost 17 2.

So which one?

Each leads on different points — pick the one strong where you shop.

Take 990v6 if…

…you weight reviewer score and buyer rating.

Take Ghost 17 if…

…you weight ai panel rank and lower price.

We don’t crown a winner. Both are strong; the differences above decide it for your use. Where a signal is missing, we leave it blank rather than guess.

as of June 29 · 5 shared buyer questions?

11

Common questions

The questions people ask comparing these two — answered from the data above.

QIs 990v6 or Ghost 17 better overall?

The AI panel ranks Ghost 17 higher (avg #7.6 vs #14.4), but it’s close — reviewers and buyers split differently.

QWhich one is cheaper?

Ghost 17$101 vs $139.99 across retailers.

QWhat do reviewers think?

Video reviewers score 990v6 4.5/5 and Ghost 17 3.5/5 — see what each praises and pushes back on above.

QHow do buyers rate them?

Google buyers give 990v6 4.8 and Ghost 17 4.5 out of 5.