- The CA Notice at Collection is still the classic daily trainer runners love, with softer cushioning for daily miles.
- This is an especially ldquo;Quite honestly, I loved the shoes like no other,” said, Buy Men’s at Brooks Running.
- Updates include even more cushioning in the forefoot and heel.
Pros
- More cushioning in the forefoot and heel than previous version
- Soft, breathable upper
- Available in four widths
Cons
- The 8 Best Brooks Running Shoes in 2025
| Type | Neutral, road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.3 oz (M), 8.5 oz (W) |
| Drop | 10mm |
| Heel Height | 36.5mm |
| Forefoot Height | 26.5mm |
“Quite honestly, I loved the shoes like no other,” said Brooks Ghost 17 shoe tester Tim Churetta. Despite being a part of our wear-testing program since 2013, it was Churetta’s first time running in the Ghost. It was difficult for him to pinpoint his favorite feature—“lightweight, breathable, rode well”—but comfort was chief among his praises.
“Everything about it was ideal,” he said. “I especially enjoyed the lacing system and the collar around the ankle. Everything fit so well and it provided a nice snug fit, while not too constricting.”
It’s that overall comfort that’s won over beginner runners and vets like Churetta alike. And also one of several reasons why we’ve recommended every version of the Ghost to new runners. (As long as I’ve been here, at least.)
This latest edition slightly deviates from the standard formula, but diehard Ghost fans won’t be disappointed with these updates. The Ghost 17 still holds true as the daily trainer runners know and love.
It Starts With the Upper
When it comes to the Ghost 17’s fit, think of it like Altra’s wide toebox or Hoka’s max-cushioned midsole; runners familiar with the Ghost expect Brooks’s slipper-like upper. I’ve also called it “bootie-like” because it really is as comfy as those crocheted socks my grandma used to knit me. It’s no wonder Brooks has become the new “dad shoe” in recent years because of its soft, all-around cushioning. (This is by my own assessment after seeing more Brooks than New Balance shoes on dads these days.)
“The length and width were fine. No hot spots, the comfort in the shoe was great. The tongue was fine and the padding was just right, not too little and not as much as the Ghost Max,” said tester Chris Mertz, comparing the Goldilocks comfort of the Ghost 17 to its much cushier counterpart. Another tester, Matt Rudisill, said the width fit perfectly from the heel to toebox, and that the upper was breathable and “never got too hot.”
That doesn’t mean, however, that the fit was perfect for all testers. Some felt the toebox was slightly narrow at times, and through my own experience, I can understand why. Even though I felt no rubbing by my big toe or pinky as I usually do when a toebox is narrow, I did feel some toe-to-toe rubbing at times, especially when I sped up my pace or went out for a run longer than half an hour. It wasn’t distracting and I didn’t lose skin, but I did clock it in.
Supportive Loft Foam
Brooks added 1mm of nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam to the heel and 3mm to the forefoot, positioning the offset at a low 10mm instead of the usual 12mm. This addressed issues previous testers had with the Ghost 16.
“The first couple runs left my outside toes feeling a little numb, but that went away after a couple days of running in them. I suspect it’s related to the slightly higher drop as compared to most of my shoes,” said Ghost 16 tester Lianne Greco.
Another runner, Kylie Rodriguez, had said she wanted more cushioning as a heel striker. “[The Ghost 16] may be suitable for someone who isn’t as much of a heel striker, but for me, I found my heels achy after long runs. Cushioning is better for the makeup of my foot and the way I run, but overall, these needed a little more just for sake of comfort!”
Ghost 17 testers described the cushioning as balanced and supportive.
“There was a nice smooth transition from the landing phase to push off,” says Churetta. “Everything seemed to be distributed very well and the weight was distributed very evenly throughout.”
Rudisill noted how the midsole foam was firmer than the Nike Invincible 3; he described the latter as a max-cushioned shoe that “had your feet sink into the foam with each step.”
“With the Ghost, it’s more like you’re running on top of it, which I think helped lessen the impact of the road but still offered plenty of pep for everyday runs,” he said.
Who Is the Ghost 17 For?
For some runners, the Ghost is a good running shoe but there’s no “wow” factor. If you compare it to other Brooks shoes, like the Ghost Max, known for its thick slab of cushioning, or the Hyperion, a high-rebound racing shoe with responsive DNA Flash foam, it’s understandable that you would lose sight of what the Ghost truly is: a reliable everyday workhorse.
There are no bells or whistles, just a slightly beefier platform of soft foam, a comfy mesh upper, and durable outsole that can take on high mileage over months of hard training or recreational running.
So long as you take into account what this shoe is meant for—sans carbon plate or super foam—you’ll reap all those “Run Happy” miles as Brooks’s slogan always intended.
Buy Men’s at Brooks Running Buy Women’s at Brooks Running
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Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
