Brooks Ghost 18 vs Hoka Clifton 11 | Which Daily Trainer is Right For You?

The Brooks Ghost and Hoka Clifton are daily trainers that repeatedly make our best-of lists. Runners keep coming back to both for good reason.

The Brooks Ghost 18 and Hoka Clifton 11 are both neutral daily trainers, but they don’t feel particularly similar underfoot. The Ghost has a more traditional, stable running shoe feel, while the Clifton gives you more cushion and a taller platform. If you’re deciding between them, the biggest factors are going to be how much cushioning you want, how you like your shoe to roll through your stride, and how each one fits your foot.

Neither shoe is trying to be super flashy or something you only grab for race-day efforts. Instead, they’re reliable trainers designed to handle everyday miles and maybe a little bit more.

If you’re trying to decide between the Ghost 18 and Clifton 11, we’ve pulled together some key differences between the current models.

Ghost vs. Clifton Key Differences

Before we dive into more details on both shoes, here’s a quick overview of the key differences between these two daily trainers.

Chose the Ghost 18: You want a slightly firmer daily trainer that feels a little easier to pick up the pace, while in no way being a fast shoe and are seeking a higher heel drop. It’s ideal if you aren’t interested in the max cushioned shoe fee and a narrower fit.

Chose the Clifton 11: You want a moderately cushioned daily trainer that will hold up well over many miles. It’s great for heavier runners to get a little more cushion, but does not have that bouncy or plush feel of max cushioned shoes.

Neither has jumped the ship and gone to really updated tech, they still feel more like traditional running shoes (at least for those of us who have been around long enough to see a lot of versions of these shoes). In fact, we’ve mentioned a few times that the Hoka Clifton seems to be transitioning to a daily shoe and that’s why they created the Clifton Pro.

• Ghost 18 has a 10mm heel drop best for those with less ankle mobility; Clifton 11 has an 8mm heel drop
• Ghost 18 stack height comes in at 36mm; Clifton 11 stack height comes in at 42mm
• Clifton 11 has more cushion underfoot and feels like a softer ride
• Ghost has a more narrow fit than the Clifton, but both are available in Wide sizes
• Clifton 11 is a little bit of a lighter shoe, but doesn’t feel like it picks up the pace as well
• Ghost 18 is able to hit various paces, probably because of more ground feel
• Clifton 11 is made for easy miles and longer periods on your feet

Runners certainly use both the Ghost and Clifton for up to the marathon distance, but it’s really a preference in cushion. With many runners getting used to max cushioned running shoes, the Ghost might serve as a better 13.1 and under shoe.

Brooks Ghost 18 Review

The Ghost 18 keeps the same DNA LOFT v3 cushioning as the Ghost 17, but Brooks made real improvements to the upper, including a new soft flat-knit tongue, a new sockliner for a softer interior, better breathability, and a slightly roomier toe box. Nothing earth-shattering, but the kind of updates that add up over miles.

The Ghost 18 earns points for its versatility. It feels appropriate across a range of paces and distances, which is exactly what you want from a daily trainer.

The Ghost 18 is a reliable, comfortable daily trainer that does exactly what it promises. It won’t race for you, but it’ll keep your legs fresh, hold up through a full training cycle, and look good doing it. For runners who need a dependable shoe for the miles in between the hard stuff, this one’s a really solid pick.

Hoka Clifton 11 Review

The Clifton is a cushioned daily trainer that you shouldn’t expect an overly soft or squishy feel underfoot. The cushion actually feels a tad firmer than some other Hokas that our team loves.

The firmness isn’t a bad thing because it gives the Clifton plenty of stability and keeps the cushioning from being too marshmallow-like. It’s a good option, especially if you’re a heavier runner!

The Hoka Clifton 11 is a classic daily trainer. It’s going to hold up extremely well to a lot of mileage and has become the most seen shoe at the airport for good reason. It’s really comfortable for long days on your feet and walking; we just want a little more from it as a running shoe to keep up with the competition.

Brooks Ghost vs Hoka Clifton Comparison

Trying to decide between these two models? Both are dependable daily trainers, so there really isn’t a wrong choice. It comes down to what you prefer in a shoe.

Is the Brooks Ghost or Hoka Clifton better for walking?

Both are great options, so let’s break this down a little bit more:

• Standing all day – Clifton feels better with more cushion
• Walking workouts – both are great, but the Ghost wins for our personal taste
• Travel – Ghost will look a bit more stylish
• Running + walking – Clifton would be our pick unless you have narrow feet or concerns about the higher cushion

Usage

Ghost 18: This remains one of our go-to daily trainers. You’ll find it on so many of our best-of lists because of how versatile it is.

It handles easy runs and still shines on longer miles. And if you want to pick up the pace a little, you can throw in some strides or pick-ups no problem.

If you’re looking for one shoe to handle a lot of your weekly mileage, the Ghost is it.

Hoka Clifton 11: The Clifton is a different type of daily trainer compared to the Ghost. It’s designed for everyday miles and long stretches on your feet.

You’ll find plenty of cushion for longer runs, but we’d love a bit more for a softer feel underfoot, especially once you’re clocking higher-mileage days.

The material hasn’t advanced like other max stack shoes, which is what makes it ideal for walking around all day and why some runners continue to prefer it. We dislike hearing it called plush because, compared to the Hoka Bondi or Hoka Skyfly, it’s a much firmer cushioned experience.

Fit

Brooks Ghost 18: A secure midfoot without feeling overly tight, and the toe box has a little more room than the previous version.

There’s also plenty of heel padding to keep your foot locked in without rubbing or irritation. Ideal for a more narrow heel cup as well.

We really like that the Ghost comes in different widths (narrow, standard, wide, and extra wide), giving runners plenty of options to find the perfect fit!

Hoka Clifton 11: Has a roomier fit that works well for runners with flat feet, wider feet, or anyone who wants a little more space in the toe box.

Even with the extra room, it’s still easy to tighten the shoe down and get a secure fit through the midfoot and heel.

Unlike the Ghost, it’s only available in wide and Extra wide in limited colors, likely because it starts with a more accommodating fit.

Hopefully the details above gave you a few things to consider with these daily trainers. But for a quick comparison, here’s what our team found during testing:

• Ghost 18 feels lightly cushioned, solid, and stable
• Clifton 11 has more cushion but still feels on the firmer side
• Ghost 18 is more versatile across a range of paces
• Clifton 11 is better suited to easy miles and longer time on your feet
• Both offer wide options, but Brooks has 4 different widths available
• Clifton 11 is a great option if you also plan to use your shoes for walking or spending long days on your feet

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