Brooks Ghost 17 Review | Reliable Over Flashy

If you’ve worn Brooks running shoes, chances are you’ve laced up a pair or two of the Ghost. It’s been one of the most popular daily trainers for years. The Brooks Ghost 17 kept things pretty familiar with just a few small tweaks.

There was a time when I ran almost exclusively in the Ghost. So when I slipped on the 17s for a few test runs, I was equal parts curious and a little cautious to see how they held up.

If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we don’t shy away from keeping it real in these reviews. So, full transparency, it’s been a while since I reached for the Ghosts. The last time I did, I was dealing with a bit of plantar fasciitis, which made me rethink my shoe rotation. (That’s not to say it causes PF!! But at the time aggravated mine.)

That said, the Brooks Ghost 17 still delivers everything a runner could ask for: just the right amount of cushion in midsole, a durable rubber outsole and a breathable mesh upper to keep your feet feeling comfortable mile after mile.

Is it time for me to add the Brooks Ghost 17 back into my rotation? Keep reading to find out.

Brooks Ghost 17 Overview

Almost every year, the Brooks Ghost gets minor updates that they hope will keep runners in love with this daily trainer. Now, they’re not super flashy, high-tech updates but rather meaningful ones that will go a long way in how the shoe fits and feels underfoot.

YES it’s absolutely marketing to get you to upgrade your shoe. Which by the way you probably need to do because as a shoe breaks down it can change your stride!

If I had to pick one word to describe the Brooks Ghost 17, it would be consistent. No matter the distance, my feet always felt good from start to finish. I think that has a lot to do with why this is always a fan favorite.

So what’s different in the newest model?

The change our team is most excited about is in the heel to toe drop.The Ghost 17 is a neutral running shoe now with a 10mm heel to toe drop.

It’s not a huge difference, but if the 12 mm felt too high, you’ll really appreciate this. Plus, the lower drop will make a difference in potentially reducing knee pain or IT Band issues that often pop up with newer runners.

The second change that you may notice if you’ve worn previous models is from the cushion in the midsole. Brooks still uses its DNA Loft v3 foam but added more nitrogen in the forefoot (3mm) and heel (1mm) for a more cushioned and snappy feel underfoot.

The Ghost 17 is a versatile trainer that you can grab to use at a variety of paces. Keeping in mind it’s not going to be super squishy like the Glycerin Max, or chunky like the Ghost Max.

The increase in stack height is actually why they changed the heel drop. It’s allowing for more stability in the shoe and ensures that you aren’t sinking to the ground as they keep adding cushion.

It’s still not the lightest shoe, but you’re not really going to notice the slight weight increase between the Ghost 17 and Ghost 16. I’ve taken these out for everything from 3 mile easy runs to a 9 mile long run, and my legs always felt fresh.

Though if you’re looking for a lighterweight option, we’d recommend trying the Saucony Kinvara 15 for a daily trainer.

If you’re looking for a cushioned neutral shoe to use for running, run/walk intervals, or trying to get those daily 10k steps, the Ghost 17 is going to be a solid pick. 

We can’t forget to mention that the Ghost 17 is a certified carbon neutral product.  As runners, we care a lot about the environment we get to run in, so this is a nice way to know we’re helping.

Can we pause for a second and talk about the design and colorways available for the Ghost 17? Wow, wow, wow. Sleek, sophisticated, and super fun. You shouldn’t buy a shoe based on looks alone, but it’s always a nice bonus when they look good and feel good.

Brooks Ghost 17 Feel

The Brooks website says that the Ghost 17 got a cushy upgrade, but when I think of cushy, I think of the Glycerin Max.

The Brooks Ghost 17 is a mix between soft and firm, like a shoe that you’d throw on when you want to hit party paces, but you also want to be able to get down to business.

They kept the same DNA Loft v3 foam but added more nitrogen to the heel and forefoot to give a little bit more of a pop and softer feeling underfoot. Now, there’s not enough pop that you’d grab these for a speed workout, or if you’re looking to run something like a fast 5k.

I did throw a few strides at the end of my runs, and the transitions felt fine.

When you compare the outsole of the Ghost 16 to the Ghost 17, you can see that the pattern of the rubber is a little different. Brooks updated the midsole with flex grooves to promote heel-to-toe flow. Whether you’re using these shoes for running or walking, the small tweak is going to make your stride feel smoother.

The outsole is super durable and designed to last many, many miles. Plus, the colorways of the outsole are just a fun design feature!

In true fashion, I wore these on the treadmill, roads, and packed gravel trails. I’d have to say I think that these are going to be a shoe that I will not wear on the treadmill moving forward.

The Brooks Ghost 17 just felt better underfoot when I was running outdoors.

Brooks Ghost 17 Fit

For me, I always go a half size up for my running shoes, so I’d say that the Brooks Ghost 17 runs pretty true to size.

We love that there are four different widths available, making it a shoe that will be a perfect fit for every runner.

I would describe the fit of the Ghost 17 like your favorite pair of jeans- it fits perfectly in all the right spots.

It hugs my heel and midfoot, then ever so slightly tapers out into the toe box. The upper mesh was flexible and allowed enough space to wiggle my toes around.

While it’s not the roomy toebox that I remember from previous models, there was just enough room, especially for when my feet start to swell on longer runs.

The heel collar had a small makeover so that it flares away from the Achilles to help prevent blisters and unwanted rubbing. If you compare older models to the Ghost 17, you’ll notice the shoe doesn’t look as clunky either.

Brooks thinned out the heel and tongue to help with the overall fit of the shoe, to make it a comfortable option for runners and walkers alike.

One thing that stood out to me when putting on the shoes was the tongue. Since it’s not gusseted, I always had to make sure that it was sitting in the right place before tying the laces to avoid any rubbing on the top of my foot during my runs.

It felt a little scrunched, but a little straightening and smoothing it out did the trick. If you’re someone who doesn’t ever untie your laces, you may want to do that the first few times until the shoe is your perfect fit.

The laces are on the shorter side, making it a little difficult if you’re a runner who likes to use heel lock lacing. That shouldn’t be a deal breaker, though, because it can easily be fixed by swapping out the laces!

The Brooks Ghost 17 is perfect for high-mileage days, recovery runs, or even long walks when you need to get some extra fresh air.

There you have it, our Brooks Ghost 17 review.

As always, love to hear feedback if you’ve taken the shoe out or if there are other models you’re curious about.

Looking for more reviews and training tips?

• 7 Best Brooks Shoes for Walking or Standing All Day
• Best Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
• What to Do After Couch to 5k Training