Brooks Ghost Alternatives: 4 Cheaper Shoes That Match It (2026)

The Brooks Ghost 18 costs $149. That’s a lot to ask for a shoe whose main selling point is that it’s dependable.

Through three and a half decades of running, I’ve learned that expensive doesn’t always mean better. The Ghost is a solid, reliable trainer — but it’s never been an exciting one, and at $149 it’s competing against shoes that do more for less.

Here’s the thing that’s changed, though, and it’s worth saying up front. A year ago the Brooks Ghost alternatives were genuinely cheaper shoes. Today they aren’t: the ASICS Gel-Cumulus 28 is $144, the Saucony Ride 19 is $144, the New Balance 880 v15 is $149, and the Mizuno Wave Rider 30 is $150. Every current-generation daily trainer now sits within a few dollars of every other one.

So the real money isn’t in switching brands anymore. It’s in buying the previous version of whichever shoe you want — including the Ghost itself. That’s what this comparison is actually about.

What Makes the Brooks Ghost Popular

The Ghost has been one of the best-selling running shoes for over 15 years. Understanding what it does well is the first step in judging whether something cheaper can stand in for it.

Moderate cushioning. Roughly a 36.5mm heel and 26.5mm forefoot — moderate by current standards. Cushioned, but nothing like the maximal feel of a Hoka Clifton or a Ghost Max.

Neutral platform. No stability features or pronation control. Built for runners with a neutral gait.

DNA Loft v3 foam. Brooks’ nitrogen-infused midsole. Comfortable and durable, though not especially energetic compared to what competitors are putting underfoot at this price.

10mm drop. High enough to suit heel strikers and anyone adapted to traditional geometry.

Reliable, unremarkable ride. Reviewer consensus lands on some version of “jack of all trades, master of none.” It doesn’t excel at speed, softness, or responsiveness — it just works, every time.

Weight. Around 10.2 oz for a men’s size 9, which makes it one of the heavier neutral daily trainers in its class. Reviewers have consistently flagged this as the Ghost’s weak point.

Durability. 400-500 miles of functional lifespan, which is the industry benchmark and a genuine strength.

Four widths. Narrow, regular, wide, and extra-wide. More extensive than most competitors, and for runners with non-standard feet it can be the deciding factor.

The Ghost’s appeal isn’t flashy performance. It’s predictability. The question is whether predictability is worth $149 when the alternatives below cost $35 to $60 less.

What Changed in the Ghost 18 (And What Didn’t)

Not much underfoot, which is the recurring theme in running shoes lately.

The Ghost 18 carries over the midsole and outsole from the Ghost 17 unchanged. Same DNA Loft v3 foam, same stack, same 10mm drop, same ride. What Brooks updated sits above the foam — the upper. Same four widths as before.

That matters for two reasons. First, if you were hoping the 18 would fix the Ghost’s weight or add some bounce, it doesn’t. Second, and more usefully, it means a Ghost 17 on clearance is the same running shoe as a Ghost 18 at full price. More on that below.

Should you upgrade from the 17 to the 18? Only if your 17s are worn out. There’s nothing in the 18 that will make you run differently.

Four Cheaper Alternatives Worth Considering

A note on how to read this, because it’s where the savings actually are.

Every shoe in this category was updated in 2026, which means the previous generation of each is now discounted. Some of those discounts are excellent and consistent. Others swing wildly depending on size and colour. I’ve flagged which is which, because a “cheaper alternative” that’s only sometimes cheaper isn’t much use to you.

And the usual caveat about how I write these: I haven’t logged hundreds of miles in each of these specific shoes. What follows draws on specs and reviewer testing, combined with a long time spent learning what actually matters in a daily trainer. Where I’m leaning on testers rather than my own experience, I’ll say so.

1. ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 — ~$89

The best value in this comparison, by a clear margin.

Specifications:

• Stack: 38.5mm heel, 30.5mm forefoot (ASICS figures)
• Drop: 8mm
• Weight: ~9.3 oz (men’s size 9)
• Midsole: FF Blast+ with a PureGEL heel insert
• Widths: narrow, regular, wide, extra-wide

The ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 is ASICS’ direct answer to the Ghost — moderate cushioning, neutral platform, built to do everything adequately and nothing dramatically. It launched at $140 and now sits around $89 since the Cumulus 28 replaced it.

Key differences from the Ghost:

• Close to a full ounce lighter
• 8mm drop rather than 10mm, so expect a short adaptation period coming from the Ghost
• More stack underfoot than the Ghost, but it rides lower and more connected than the numbers suggest
• The PureGEL heel insert softens heel landings noticeably
• Matches Brooks on width options, which most competitors don’t

Trade-offs:

• Testers rate the outsole durability below average, so expect wear sooner than the Ghost’s 400-500 miles
• Reviewers also flag poor ventilation — not the shoe for hot-weather running
• Energy return is modest; this is a comfortable shoe, not a lively one

Value proposition: At around $89, it’s $60 under the Ghost 18 for a shoe that’s lighter, offers the same four widths, and does the same job. If you spot the Gel-Cumulus 26 cheaper still, it shares the same midsole and outsole — but availability has gone spotty and the price bounces around, so the 27 is the safer buy.

2. Saucony Ride 17 — ~$110-115

The closest match to the Ghost’s character.

Specifications:

• Stack: 35.5mm heel, 27.5mm forefoot
• Drop: 8mm
• Weight: ~9.9 oz (men’s size 9)
• Midsole: PWRRUN

The Saucony Ride 17 is the shoe reviewers most often name as the Ghost’s equivalent — same intent, same use case, better execution in a couple of places. Saucony is now two generations on with the Ride 19, which is what’s put the 17 at this price.

Key differences from the Ghost:

• A full ounce lighter
• PWRRUN foam is more responsive and energetic than DNA Loft v3
• 8mm drop, so the same adaptation caveat applies
• Narrower through the midfoot — more secure for some, restrictive for others

Trade-offs:

• Two widths only, against the Ghost’s four
• The narrower fit rules it out for wide feet
• Two generations old, so sizes will thin out

Value proposition: $35 less than the Ghost 18 for a lighter, livelier shoe with comparable 400-500 mile durability. Often described as what the Ghost should be in terms of weight-to-cushioning ratio.

3. New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v14 — $89 to $149, depending

Excellent at the bottom of its price range. Pointless at the top.

Specifications:

• Stack: 36mm heel, 28mm forefoot
• Drop: 8mm
• Weight: ~9.4 oz (men’s size 9)
• Midsole: Fresh Foam X

The New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v14 is New Balance’s neutral workhorse, and it’s a good shoe. The problem is the pricing, which swings from about $89 up to $149 depending on size and colour.

Key differences from the Ghost:

• Lighter, with similar cushioning volume
• Lower 8mm drop
• Fresh Foam X is softer initially but compresses faster
• Roomier toe box than the Ghost

Trade-offs:

• Shortest lifespan in this group — reviews suggest 250-350 miles before the cushioning noticeably flattens
• Two widths only
• The price is the real catch: at $149 it costs the same as the current 880 v15, which makes buying the older one pointless

Value proposition: At $89 it’s a strong buy. At $149 it isn’t a buy at all. Check the price on your size before you commit — and if it’s near the top of that range, take the Cumulus 27 instead.

4. Mizuno Wave Rider 28 — $118 to $149, depending

A genuinely different ride, with the same pricing problem.

Specifications:

• Stack: 31mm heel, 21mm forefoot
• Drop: 10mm
• Weight: ~9.5 oz (men’s size 9)
• Midsole: Enerzy foam with a Wave plate

The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 uses a mechanical wave plate rather than relying on foam alone, which makes it the outlier here — firmer, more stable, and more durable than anything else on this list.

Key differences from the Ghost:

• The wave plate doesn’t compress the way foam does, so the ride stays consistent for longer
• Lower stack height and a firmer feel overall
• 10mm drop, matching the Ghost exactly — the only alternative here that does
• Distinctly narrow fit, which is characteristic of Mizuno

Trade-offs:

• Firm enough that it’s the wrong shoe if you wanted Ghost-level softness
• The narrow fit eliminates it for a lot of runners
• Less cushioning volume for very long runs
• Same price volatility as the 880 — at $149 there’s no reason to buy it over the current Wave Rider 30 at $150

Value proposition: Around $118 it’s a solid pick for runners who prefer a firm, stable platform and want maximum mileage out of a pair. Above about $130, the maths stops working.

The Cheapest Ghost Is Last Year’s Ghost

Here’s the option most people skip right past.

The Brooks Ghost 17 sits at about $109 — $40 below the Ghost 18 — and it’s the same shoe underneath. Same DNA Loft v3 midsole, same outsole, same stack, same 10mm drop, same four widths. What you give up is the 18’s updated upper.

If you’ve been wondering why the Ghost 17 is suddenly cheap everywhere, that’s the whole explanation. It isn’t a defect or a clear-out of unsold stock. It’s the standard cycle every time a new version ships.

Choose the Ghost 17 if: you want the Ghost ride and don’t care about the newest upper. This is the most efficient way to get it, and at $109 it undercuts three of the four alternatives above.

Choose the Ghost 18 if: you need a size or width the 17 has sold out of, you want the refreshed upper, or you’d rather buy something that will still be on the shelf when you need a second pair.

But the catch with clearance is always the same. Sizes and colourways thin out fast, and once the stock is gone, it’s gone.

Head-to-Head: What You’re Trading

All the numbers in one place first, then what they mean below.

Shoe	Buy on Amazon	Typical price (Amazon)	You save vs Ghost 18	Heel stack	Drop	Weight (men’s 9 / women’s 8)	Widths
Brooks Ghost 18	Men’s | Women’s	$149	(reference)	36.5mm	10mm	~10.2 / 8.9 oz	4
Brooks Ghost 17	Men’s | Women’s	~$109	~$40	36.5mm	10mm	~10.2 / 9.0 oz	4
ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27	Men’s | Women’s	~$89	~$60	38.5mm	8mm	~9.3 / 8.1 oz	4
Saucony Ride 17	Men’s | Women’s	~$110-115	~$35	35.5mm	8mm	~9.9 / 8.4 oz	2
New Balance 880 v14	Men’s | Women’s	$89-149 (varies by size)	up to ~$60	36mm	8mm	~9.4 / — oz	2
Mizuno Wave Rider 28	Men’s | Women’s	$118-149 (varies by size)	up to ~$30	31mm	10mm	~9.5 / 8.0 oz	1 (runs narrow)

Weight

• Ghost 18 and 17: ~10.2 oz — heaviest here
• Cumulus 27: ~9.3 oz — lightest
• Ride 17: ~9.9 oz
• 880 v14: ~9.4 oz
• Wave Rider 28: ~9.5 oz

The Ghost is the heaviest option in this group, which is hard to justify at the highest price. The Gel-Cumulus 27 is about an ounce lighter, and at ~$89 it is also the cheapest pick.

Cushioning Character

• Ghost 18 and 17: moderate and balanced — neither soft nor firm
• Cumulus 27: softer, with a noticeably cushioned heel
• 880 v14: plush initially, firms up as the foam packs down
• Ride 17: balanced, with more bounce than the Ghost
• Wave Rider 28: clearly firmer, because of the wave plate

If you want softness, the Cumulus or the 880. If you want the Ghost’s balanced middle ground, the Ride is closest. The Wave Rider is a different animal entirely.

Durability

• Ghost 18 and 17: 400-500 miles — the benchmark
• Ride 17: 400-500 miles — matches the Ghost
• Wave Rider 28: 400+ miles — the wave plate resists compression
• Cumulus 27: 300-400 miles, with testers flagging below-average outsole wear
• 880 v14: 250-350 miles — shortest here

The Ghost, Ride and Wave Rider last longest. The Cumulus and especially the 880 trade longevity for softness and weight.

Drop

• Ghost 18 and 17: 10mm
• Wave Rider 28: 10mm — the only exact match
• Cumulus 27: 8mm
• 880 v14: 8mm
• Ride 17: 8mm

Coming off a Ghost, three of these four drop you 2mm, which typically needs two to four weeks of adaptation. The Wave Rider is the one that won’t change anything underfoot.

Width Availability

• Ghost 18 and 17: four widths — narrow, regular, wide, extra-wide
• Cumulus 27: four widths, including narrow and extra-wide
• Ride 17: two widths
• 880 v14: two widths
• Wave Rider 28: regular only, and it runs narrow

This used to be the Ghost’s trump card. The Cumulus 27 now matches it, which removes one of the stronger arguments for paying the premium.

Price

• Cumulus 27: ~$89 — the most consistent low price here
• Ghost 17: ~$109 — the Ghost ride, $40 off
• Ride 17: ~$110-115
• 880 v14: $89-149 — only worth it near the bottom
• Wave Rider 28: $118-149 — same caveat
• Ghost 18: $149, sometimes around $124 on sale

When the Brooks Ghost 18 Is Worth $149

1. You need a width or size the 17 has sold out of. Clearance stock disappears in the common sizes first. If the 17 doesn’t exist in your size, the 18 is the same shoe at full price.

2. Established Ghost compatibility. If you’ve run a thousand miles in Ghosts without injury, the consistency between versions is worth something. The cost of one injury dwarfs a $40 saving.

3. You want to buy the same shoe again next year. Current-season models stay available. Clearance models don’t.

4. It’s on sale. The Ghost 18 turns up around $124, which puts it within $15 of the Ghost 17 and makes the newer upper an easy call.

When Cheaper Alternatives Make More Sense

Best value overall — ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 (~$89): $60 under the Ghost, lighter, and the same four widths. The clearest saving on this page. Accept somewhat shorter outsole life.

Cheapest route to the Ghost ride — Brooks Ghost 17 (~$109): Identical shoe to the Ghost 18 underneath, $40 less. Buy it while your size exists.

Closest in character — Saucony Ride 17 (~$110-115): Lighter and more responsive than the Ghost, equally durable, and about $35 cheaper.

Best firm ride — Mizuno Wave Rider 28 (from ~$118): Only if you like a firm, stable platform and have narrow feet. Watch the price.

Best budget pick when it’s cheap — New Balance 880 v14 (from ~$89): Light and plush at the bottom of its price range. Skip it anywhere near $149.

The Bottom Line

The Brooks Ghost 18 is a competent, reliable neutral daily trainer. Its consistency, durability and four width options are real advantages.

But it’s the heaviest shoe in this comparison and the most expensive, and the 18 didn’t change anything underfoot. Meanwhile the ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 now matches Brooks on widths at $60 less, and last year’s Ghost is the same shoe for $40 less.

Recommendation hierarchy:

1. ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 (~$89): Best value — lighter, four widths, $60 saved
2. Brooks Ghost 17 (~$109): The Ghost ride for $40 less, while stock lasts
3. Saucony Ride 17 (~$110-115): Lighter and more responsive, same durability
4. Mizuno Wave Rider 28 (~$118): Firm, stable, long-lasting — if the price is right
5. New Balance 880 v14 (~$89): Good near the bottom of its range, not above it
6. Brooks Ghost 18 ($149): Worth it for an unavailable width, established Ghost fit, or on sale near $124

So, bottom line: if you want a Ghost, buy last year’s Ghost. If you just want a good neutral trainer and don’t care whose name is on it, the Cumulus 27 at $89 is the best buy on this page. Spend what you save on something that actually rewards it — decent socks, or another pair of shoes to rotate.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cheap alternative to the Brooks Ghost?

The ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 at around $89 — roughly $60 below the Ghost 18, close to an ounce lighter, and available in the same four widths Brooks offers. If you specifically want the Ghost’s ride, the Ghost 17 at about $109 is the same shoe as the 18 underneath.

What shoes are similar to the Brooks Ghost?

The Saucony Ride 17 is closest in character — same balanced, do-everything personality, but lighter and more responsive. The ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 is the closest on paper: neutral platform, moderate cushioning, four widths.

Is there a Brooks Ghost dupe?

No shoe copies the Ghost exactly, but the Cumulus 27 comes closest on the specs that matter and costs $60 less. The cheapest way to get an actual Ghost ride, though, is last year’s Ghost 17 on clearance.

Why is the Brooks Ghost 17 on sale?

Because the Ghost 18 replaced it. Retailers discount the outgoing version every time a new model ships. Since the 18 kept the 17’s midsole and outsole unchanged, you’re buying the same ride for less — the only difference is the upper.

What’s the difference between the Brooks Ghost 17 and 18?

Underfoot, nothing. Same DNA Loft v3 midsole, same outsole, same stack, same 10mm drop, same four widths. Brooks updated the upper. If your 17s still have miles left, there’s no performance reason to upgrade.

I wear the Ghost 16. What should I buy?

Know one thing first: the Ghost changed underfoot after the 16. Brooks dropped the heel-to-toe drop from 12mm to 10mm with the Ghost 17 and added about 3mm of foam under the forefoot, and the 18 kept that platform. Most runners adjust without noticing much, but if you liked the 16’s higher heel, it’s worth knowing. Every alternative on this page has a 10mm drop or lower, so the Ghost 17 at about $109 is the smallest change you can make, and the cheapest way to stay in the Ghost line.

Is there a cheaper alternative to the Brooks Ghost Max?

The Ghost Max is a different shoe from the regular Ghost: a higher-stack, rockered trainer built for maximum cushioning, so the moderate-cushion shoes on this page won’t feel the same. I’ve covered it separately in my Brooks Ghost Max alternatives. The short version: last year’s Ghost Max 3 is the cheapest way in, at around $95 to $110.

Are cheaper running shoes worse than the Brooks Ghost?

Not in this category. The Cumulus 27, Ride 17 and 880 v14 all beat the Ghost on weight, and the Ride matches it on durability. The Ghost’s real advantages are its width range and its predictability between versions — not better performance.

How long do Brooks Ghost shoes last compared to the alternatives?

The Ghost reliably delivers 400-500 miles. The Ride 17 matches that and the Wave Rider 28 gets past 400. The Cumulus 27 runs 300-400 miles, with reviewers flagging the outsole as its weak point, and the 880 v14 is shortest at 250-350.

Is the Brooks Ghost good for beginners?

Yes, and so are all the alternatives here. Beginners want a neutral, moderately cushioned, durable shoe, which describes every shoe on this page. Buying the Cumulus 27 or the Ghost 17 leaves $40-60 for socks, shorts and everything else you’ll need.

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