I Ran 100 Miles in the Brooks Ghost 17 Running Shoe

I have taken the help of AI research and grammar mistakes to write this article.

So look, when I heard Brooks Ghost 17 was getting a complete redesign, I had mixed feelings. The Ghost series has been Brooks' bestseller for years it's like the Honda Civic of running shoes. Reliable, consistent, does the job without drama. But honestly? I was worried they'd mess it up trying to chase trends.

Before dropping $140 on these, I spent weeks researching. I went deep lab test results, Reddit threads where actual runners were debating the changes, Amazon reviews from people who'd put real miles on them. I wanted to know: is this redesign actually an improvement, or did Brooks fix something that wasn't broken?

After putting over 100 miles on the Ghost 17 and comparing them to my old Ghost 16, here's my honest take on whether this shoe still deserves its title as America's most popular running shoe.

My Research Process Before Buying

Okay, so before I even ordered these, I did my homework. And I mean actual research, not just watching one YouTube review and calling it a day.

Lab Testing Data I Found:

I came across some independent lab testing that measured stack height, compression rates, and durability metrics. The Ghost 17 showed 36mm heel stack and 26mm forefoot that's 2-3mm more cushioning in the forefoot than the Ghost 16. The compression data showed it's firmer than max cushion shoes but softer than traditional trainers.

Reddit Deep Dive:

I spent hours on r/RunningShoeGeeks and other running subreddits reading what real runners thought. The consensus was pretty split some loved the extra cushioning, others missed the lower profile of version 16. The most helpful comment I found was someone saying "it's still a Ghost, just slightly thicker." That actually helped me decide to try it.

Amazon Reviews Analysis:

I filtered Amazon reviews to "verified purchase" only and focused on people who'd actually run in them for weeks, not just unboxed them. The pattern was clear: people loved the comfort and durability, but some with wider feet mentioned the toe box taper was an issue. I bookmarked several reviews to reference later.

After all that research, I felt confident enough to pull the trigger. Let's see if my homework paid off.

First Impressions: Unboxing and Initial Feel

Right out of the box, these looked... pretty much like Ghosts. Brooks didn't revolutionize the design. The colorway I got (that blue/gray combo) actually looks really good in person way better than the photos online suggested.

The Upper:

Classic Brooks experience. They're using what they call "double jacquard air mesh." Feels premium, breathable (not amazing, but decent), and comfortable right away. The tongue is moderately padded, not gusseted, with a pull tab at the top.

Here's my one complaint: the toe box has a noticeable taper. If you have wider feet or just like room up top, this might bug you. For me, it's snug but not uncomfortable. I went true to size (10.5) and it fits fine, but there's definitely less wiggle room than some other trainers.

The Heel:

The heel counter is seriously stiff and rigid. At first, I thought this would be annoying, but honestly? It helps with lockdown. There's tons of padding back there, and that little pull tab makes them easy to get on. No slipping, no rubbing the lockdown is solid.

The Big Change: 12mm to 10mm Drop

Okay, so this is the headline change. For literally years, every Ghost had a 12mm heel-to-toe drop. The Ghost 17 drops it to 10mm by adding more foam to the forefoot.

Does It Matter?

Honestly? Yes and no. It's not a dramatic difference, but you can feel it. When I put my old Ghost 16 on one foot and the Ghost 17 on the other, there's noticeably more foam under the forefoot in version 17. It feels slightly bulkier, slightly less ground contact.

For some runners, this is great more cushioning means more protection on longer runs. For others who loved the lower-profile feel of older Ghosts, this might be a downgrade. I'm somewhere in the middle. I don't love it, but I don't hate it either.

More article: Brooks Ghost Max 2 vs Original Ghost Max

Breaking Them In: What 100+ Miles Taught Me

I took these out for everything: easy runs, tempo efforts, long weekend miles, walks with my partner, grocery store trips. Here's what I actually noticed:

The Midsole Feel:

DNA Loft v3 foam. It's firmer than you'd expect from the stack height. This isn't squishy max cushion territory it's dense, resilient cushioning. Most of the compression happens in the rear; the forefoot feels stable and protective but not bouncy.

Compared to modern super foams, this feels traditional. There's no "pop" or energy return. It's just... reliable. Some people will love that. Others might find it boring.

Stability is Solid:

For a neutral shoe, these feel pretty stable. I noticed on the lateral (outside) edge, there's an indentation that compresses easier than the medial (inside) edge. This gives you inherent stability without traditional guide rails. If you need true stability, the Adrenaline GTS is the Ghost's stability counterpart. But for neutral runners who want a secure feel, this works.

The Ride:

There's not much rocker action here. You land, you roll through, you toe off. It's straightforward and predictable. After running in shoes with aggressive rockers and springy foams, the Ghost feels almost... old-school? Not in a bad way, just in a "this doesn't try to do your job for you" way.

One reviewer on Reddit said it perfectly: "The Ghost forces you to not overdo it on easy days." And honestly, that's accurate. These don't make you want to go fast. They make you want to stay comfortable at an easy pace.

What Actually Works Well

All-Day Comfort:

I've worn these for 8+ hour days on my feet, and they just work. Walking, standing, light jogging they handle it all without my feet complaining. Multiple people mentioned using them for walking daily, and I totally get it.

Durability is Legit:

After 100+ miles, the outsole still looks solid. Brooks uses thick rubber lugs with decent coverage, including through the midfoot. I've taken these on gravel, grass, pavement they hold up well. The last Ghost I owned went 600+ miles before wearing out. This one seems on track for similar longevity.

Breathability is Decent:

The mesh lets air flow reasonably well. It's not the coolest shoe ever, but I haven't had swamp foot issues either. For most temperatures, it's fine.

It's Versatile:

Easy runs? Check. Long runs? Check. Walking? Check. Casual wear? Check. It's genuinely a Swiss Army knife shoe. Not the best at anything specific, but good at everything.

Impact Protection:

That dense foam really does protect your legs. On longer runs when fatigue sets in, I appreciated having that cushioning. It's not flashy, but it works.

More article: Brooks Ghost 17 vs Ghost 16

The Not-So-Great Stuff

It Feels Less Lively Than Modern Shoes:

If you've been running in shoes with PEBA foams or carbon plates, the Ghost 17 feels... flat. There's no spring, no bounce, no excitement. It's just steady. For easy days, that's fine. But compared to what's out there now, it lacks energy.

The Toe Box Taper:

This bugs me more the longer I run. I wish Brooks would widen it up or reduce the taper. If you have wider feet, seriously consider trying these on first.

It Got Bulkier:

Those extra millimeters in the forefoot make the shoe feel less nimble. The Ghost 16 felt more agile. The Ghost 17 feels slightly clunkier. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's noticeable.

The Tongue Isn't Gusseted:

On longer runs, the tongue shifts around a bit. Tightening laces helps, but I wish they'd just gusset it like other brands do.

It's Not Exciting:

Look, this shoe doesn't blow your mind. It doesn't make you faster. It doesn't have cutting-edge tech. It's just... a solid, dependable trainer. If you want excitement, look elsewhere.

Who Should Actually Buy the Ghost 17?

You'll probably love these if:

• You want a reliable, no-drama daily trainer
• You prioritize durability and comfort over speed
• You run mostly easy pace and don't need responsive foam
• You use one shoe for running, walking, and everyday wear
• You liked previous Ghost versions and don't mind a slightly thicker feel
• You want something that lasts 500+ miles
• You're a beginner who needs something safe and forgiving

Skip these if:

• You want bouncy, energetic foam for faster paces
• You prefer low-profile, ground-feel shoes
• You have wide feet and the toe box taper will bother you
• You want cutting-edge shoe technology
• You loved the Ghost 16's lower-profile feel and don't want more bulk
• You're chasing PRs and need a more responsive trainer

How the Ghost 17 Fits in Brooks' Lineup

If you're confused about where this sits among all the Brooks options, here's the breakdown:

Ghost 17: The standard daily trainer. Moderate cushion, reliable, versatile. Start here.

Ghost Max: More cushion, softer foam, wider base. If you want max protection, go here.

Glycerin: Thicker, plusher version of the Ghost. If you want more cushioning than the Ghost but a similar ride, this is it.

Glycerin Max: Brooks' thickest, most cushioned shoe. Maximum protection.

Hyperion: Lighter, faster neutral trainer. If the Ghost feels too heavy, try this.

Adrenaline GTS: The stability version of the Ghost. Same vibe with guide rails for pronation.

The Ghost 17 is still the centerpiece of Brooks' lineup. It's the Goldilocks shoe not too cushioned, not too firm, not too fast, not too slow. Just right for easy miles.

Comparing to Competition at $140

vs. Nike Pegasus 41: The Peg is more responsive and feels faster, but less durable. If you want excitement, go Nike. If you want reliability, go Brooks.

vs. Saucony Ride 18: Very similar shoes honestly. The Ride is slightly firmer, has better styling (in my opinion), and costs about the same. Performance-wise, they're neck and neck.

vs. ASICS Gel-Cumulus: Another comparable option. The Cumulus has gel cushioning that feels different from DNA Loft softer in the heel, firmer in the forefoot. Both are solid daily trainers.

vs. Hoka Clifton: The Clifton is lighter and has more stack height. If you want max cushion without weight, go Hoka. If you want structure and durability, go Brooks.

My Final Verdict After 100+ Miles

So here's my honest take after all that research, all those miles, and all that testing:

The Brooks Ghost 17 is exactly what it promises to be a reliable, comfortable, durable daily trainer that does its job without drama. It's not exciting. It's not revolutionary. It's not going to make you faster or blow your mind.

But you know what? That's kind of the point.

Brooks didn't try to turn the Ghost into something it's not. They kept the core identity dependable, versatile, comfortable and made minor tweaks. The extra forefoot cushioning might not be for everyone, but it's not a dealbreaker.

At $140, it's priced right for what you get. It'll last 500+ miles easily. It works for running, walking, and everyday wear. It's comfortable from day one with no break-in period. And most importantly, it just works.

Would I buy them again? For easy miles and daily training, yes. For tempo runs or faster efforts, no. They have a specific purpose, and if that matches your needs, you'll probably be happy with them.

The research I did before buying paid off I knew exactly what to expect, and the shoe delivered. No surprises, no disappointments, just solid performance.

If you want the running shoe equivalent of a Honda Civic reliable, practical, and dependable the Ghost 17 is it.

the Men's Ghost 17 or Women's Ghost 17 and see if it's the right fit for your running needs.

Just manage your expectations. These won't revolutionize your running. But they'll show up every day and do the work without complaint. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need.

Final Verdict: Brooks Ghost 17 Rating Scorecard

After testing this shoe over 100 miles, here is how I rate the Brooks Ghost 17 across key performance categories:

Comfort & Cushioning: 5/5

The DNA Loft v3 foam provides a reliable, dense cushion that feels great for long hours. It’s perfect for those who want impact protection without feeling like they are sinking into the shoe.

Durability: 5/5

This is the shoe's superpower. The thick rubber outsole and high-quality mesh are built to easily last over 500+ miles. It is a true long-term investment.

Stability: 4/5

For a neutral trainer, the wider base and structured heel provide excellent inherent stability. You feel locked in and secure on every stride.

Breathability: 3/5

The double jacquard mesh is comfortable but runs slightly warm. It’s decent for average weather, but you might feel the heat on hot summer afternoon runs.

Speed & Energy Return: 2/5

This is not a speed shoe. It lacks the "pop" or "bounce" found in modern super-foams. It’s built for steady, easy miles, not for chasing PRs.

Versatility: 4/5

It excels as a daily trainer, a walking shoe, and a casual sneaker. While it's not for racing, it handles almost everything else perfectly.

Overall Performance Score: 4/5 The Ultimate Daily Workhorse.