Saucony Ride vs Brooks Ghost: Choosing a Daily Trainer

In this post, we’re comparing two good daily running shoes - the Saucony Ride 18 and Brooks Ghost 17.

Specs:

Series Overview

Saucony Ride: Traditionally known as a workhorse built on a firm, consistent platform, the Ride 18 has reinvented itself. By switching to a springier PWRRUN+ foam, it has shed its utilitarian image for a more responsive and fun experience. It’s also significantly lighter than before. Overall, this trainer feels like a modern trainer trying to be versatile enough for faster paces.

Brooks Ghost: The Ghost remains the go-to shoe for comfort and stability, often recommended for beginners. The 17th version introduces nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam for a softer feel and drops the heel-to-toe offset from 12mm to 10mm. It aims to be more responsive than previous versions while keeping its classic, plush ride.

Upper

The Ride 18 is exceptionally breathable, featuring an upper with a dual-layer engineered mesh. The semi-gusseted tongue and heel collar have just the right amount of plush padding without feeling bulky, giving it a slipper-like feel that securely locks down your foot. No heel slip issues here.

The Ghost 17 prioritizes plushness over airflow. The engineered air mesh upper feels exceptionally soft, and the heel collar is generously padded. However, at the same time, the upper feels thicker and less breathable, which could be an issue in warmer weather. The heel counter is also quite rigid, which provides great lockdown but might bother runners sensitive to pressure on their Achilles. Also, the shoe lacks a gusseted tongue; while the tongue loop keeps it centered, a gusset would offer a better midfoot wrap.

Fit

The Ride 18 fits true to size. The toebox isn't super tapered, but it is slightly snug in width. Still, it should work for most foot shapes. At the same time, the shoe has fantastic vertical volume - plenty of room for your toes to wiggle up and down. This height also makes it super easy to swap in custom orthotics.

The Ghost 17 runs slightly large and has a classic, tapered toebox shape. It measured narrower in the toe box than the Ride, which might annoy some runners. However, Brooks is legendary for offering multiple widths (Wide 2E, Extra Wide 4E), so if the standard D width is too tight, you have options.

Midsole

The Saucony Ride 18 uses the full-length PWRRUN+ midsole, paired with a PWRRUN+ insole, which feels noticeably lighter and springier underfoot than the Ghost's foam. The shoe weighs in at 9.0 oz, making it feel quick and easy to turn over. The ride is responsive and flexible, great for daily miles and capable of picking up the pace for some uptempo work. It’s firm enough to feel stable but has enough pop to keep runs feeling lively.

The Brooks Ghost 17 is running on DNA LOFT v3. It’s significantly softer than previous Ghosts, offering solid dampening and shock absorption. It’s smooth, stable, and predictable. However, it doesn't have much energy return. It tends to absorb your impact rather than bouncing you forward. It feels a bit heavier and lazier, making it strictly a shoe for easy paces.

Outsole

The outsole of the Ride 18 features XT-900 rubber with significant cutouts to save weight and increase flexibility. This makes the shoe feel natural and bendable. While the grip is adequate on dry surfaces, it can be slippery on wet pavement. Also, some runners are seeing premature wear on the outsole rubber before hitting the 300-mile mark.

The Ghost 17, on the other hand, is built like a tank. Brooks slapped a generous layer of thick rubber that grips everything. If durability is your #1 metric and you want a shoe that lasts 500+ miles, the Ghost is the shoe. The trade-off for this durability is added weight and reduced flexibility compared to the Ride. The deep flex grooves help, but the shoe still feels less nimble.

Saucony Ride 18 vs Brooks Ghost 17: Which One Should You Choose?

Both shoes are solid, capable daily trainers, but they serve different masters.

Go with the Saucony Ride 18 if:

• You want a lighter shoe that feels "fun" and responsive
• You value breathability
• You like a firmer ride that allows you to feel the road
• You mix up your paces and want one shoe that can handle a little speed

Go with the Brooks Ghost 17 if:

• You need an ultra-durable outsole
• You are a heel striker who needs a stable, high-drop platform
• You run mostly on wet surfaces and need reliable traction
• You prefer a plush, traditional comfort and don't mind a heavier, more protective shoe for your easy and recovery runs