Brooks Men's Ghost 17 Running Shoe

I have purchased Ghosts for years--it is my go-to training shoe. After buying the 17 though I am very disappointed. The changes to the new Ghost made it very uncomfortable. The higher cut and firm material around the front of the ankle continually rubbed into my skin and caused it to bleed. I tried to make it work for me, but after three weeks of training in the Ghosts I had to give them up. The change in midsole drop from 12mm to 10mm did not provide the same base/support that I was accustomed to, leading to an injury on the arch and heel of my foot. I will not purchase new versions of Ghosts again if they do not return to their previous cut /fit.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] If you’re looking for a reliable, great looking shoe for your runs and cross training needs, look no more! This shoe is supportive, noticeably light weight and is very comfortable for running, cross training at the gym and for a day out and about. I got the black on black color and love how they look. I’ve been using this shoe for about 3 weeks now and would recommend them. They run true to size. The heel height on this shoe is a bit higher than other running shoes I’ve used in the past, but it does not bother me and does not impact my run performance at all. Overall, I thought this shoe was great and can’t wait to keep using them!

*So far so good. *Fit seems good *Stability seems good; basic design of shoe in terms of linking uppers to soles seems better than most I have experienced in past. *Monitoring outsole wear closely; based on my usage, have probably consumed about 10% of design life of shoes based on mileage. *Are sockliners intended to be removable and replaceable on this shoe? *If I were redesigning shoe, would relook size of lacing holes in relation to cross-sectional size of laces -- when I return from a session under load, feet are naturally swollen and sweaty. Existing lacing setup on Ghost 17 makes loosening laces to remove shoes a challenge.

This is the best road trainer I have ever experienced from Brooks (and I have been running in Brooks for many years). Last year, I felt like I needed a little more cushion for the winter and I went with the Glycerin 21. It was a great shoe as well, but I always felt like it was a little much in the way of cushioning. This summer I returned to the Ghost. The Ghost 17 has more cushioning than the 16, but less than the Glycerin. It's like a Glycerin Lite. The perfect amount of cushion. The added cushioning in the forefoot is noticeable and was needed. Also, decreasing the drop to 10mm is a positive change. Highly recommend!

I have been running in primarily Brooks Ghost models since #7. They have mostly been great. The last few models I had before these (I got up to #15) had zero issues. I don't know why the heel collar was changed, but that makes this shoe a let down because now the heel slides up and down while I run. I have a nice snug fit otherwise with 10 wide. I tried tying them extra tight to reduce movement but it didn't help. Not only will the sliding cause irritation but my foot is tensing up to compensate so it's a deal breaker. Otherwise the shoe feels great, so if it could trade heel collars with the good old #15 I'd be set.

I have been wearing the Ghost 16 for a few years now. I tried the Ghost 17 and had a problem with the ankle area. My ankle and the top of my foot were rubbed raw by the tongue of the shoe. I had broken them in for maybe 20 miles and I was on a long run. At about 8 miles I could feel them chafing. I stopped and re-tied them more loosely. The problem continued to get worse so I returned the shoes and bought a new pair of Ghost 16s. I don’t know if I just got a bad shoe or if it is an inherent design issue. The underside of the tongue doesn’t seem to be as soft as the Ghost 16. Other than that, the shoes seemed fine.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I also have the 4e version. That one was just right in the mid foot area but a little too wide in the toe box. I thought I’d go for 2E to see if it would be better. Predictably, it was just right in the toe box but too tight in the mid foot area. I gave them a 4 star rating because they are good shoes. I wish they would make them a little more foot shaped so I don’t have to compromise on one or the other. If you are fat footed then maybe go for 4e. If not then 2E. Disclaimer - I run in these and only run. I run 15-20miles a week with frequent foot issues. I have a rotation. New balance 1080 (the comparable shoe) is a little more comfortable but not quite as good for speed.

I've had Brooks Ghost 14, 15, 16, and now 17. I obviously like them. Even so, the 17 is my favorite so far. I love the reduced heel-to-toe drop. It encourages a midfoot strike, which is how I learned to run. My shoes have always worn down the most right where the sole gets thinner by design, and now there is more cushion there. I also love the look of the all black version. Even though it is a bit aggressive, the new design on the soles is a great improvement over the pocky look of previous generations. These are lightweight, comfortable, they fit pretty perfectly, and they are by far my favorite running shoes.