YOU know a trainer is going to be good when it’s got a big number at the end.
But it’s spooky just how seriously impressive the Brooks Ghost 18 are.
The Brooks Ghost 18 are an absolute winner
Joshua Jones fell in love with them – it’s spooky how good they really are Credit: JattvibeSport
BROOKS GHOST 18
JattvibeSport got hold of a pair in the flagship white, “open air” (sky blue) and black colourway of the latest Ghost model (the original came out way back in 2009) – although there are seven other brilliant options, from simple all black to vibrant orange.
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And the timing could not have been better as it coincided with me going to the World Cup.
So for someone in desperate need of getting out and hitting the streets of New York, shaking out the legs amid hours of sitting in office chairs, bus seats, aeroplanes and football stadiums around the USA (and shaking off those mega-sized meal portions), I needed a running shoe I could rely on to keep me moving throughout my six weeks on the other side of the pond.
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The Brooks Ghost 18 was perfect – and I don’t use that word lightly.
From the moment I slipped into the slippers – sorry, running trainers – they were incredibly comfy and snug. Snug in the positive sense, not snug in the too tight and cramped sense.
They are well cushioned thanks to Brooks’ soft and dynamic new nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam.
Their other key feature added is the flat knit stretchy, elasticated tongue, which is a really nice touch that adds to the pleasant experience.
And I can genuinely say that from my very first run in them, I didn’t even think about them.
QUICKFIRE Q&A
How much is it? Coming it at £135, this is pretty much the sweet spot for a top-quality daily runner. Women’s versions are currently £101 at Sports Direct.
Who’s it best for? Anyone! Genuinely, this is a great option for every kind of runner – from a newbie just wanting to get into the sport to an experienced athlete needing something for those nice, easy miles and long runs.
What we loved: So much! The feel, the sheer comfort, plenty of support while still feeling light – and they look good, too. The elasticated tongue is a super touch, too.
What we didn’t love: Hard to pick anything out, really. I guess the only slight downside was not getting loads of response when trying to kick on at a faster pace.
JattvibeSport tested the new trainers on both sides of the pond Credit: JattvibeSport
That is the biggest compliment I can pay because it means they were so comfortable and easy to wear that I forgot I had them on – a bit of a contrast to the last trainers I reviewed, the Under Armour Velociti Distance which were quite firm and took some getting used to.
My runs in the US were between 5km and 13km and a mix of outside on sidewalks – sorry, pavements – and inside on the treadmill in the nicely air-conditioned gym due to the sweltering heat and humidity.
Since getting back, I have carried on using them for all my runs and pushed on to do a couple of longer efforts around the 15km mark and taken my total tally in the Ghosts to 150km.
Hand on heart, I love them.
The trainers performed brilliantly out on the streets and on the treadmill in New York Credit: JattvibeSport
Brooks’ new nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam is soft and dynamic Credit: Brooks
The Ghost 18 offer plenty of tread and comfort Credit: Brooks
They are super comfy and the new flat knit stretchy tongue is a fantastic addition Credit: Brooks
They provide a super easy ride, stacked with plenty of support for my 6ft 3ins frame and don’t feel heavy – plus the added bonus is they look great.
I did my London Marathon training and race in my beloved Asics Novablasts which I thought were unparalleled – but the Brooks Ghost 18 definitely run them very close indeed.
Most of my runs, especially in this crazy summer heat, are between 5:00-6:00/km but the only slight drawback was when I kicked on to go a little quicker (ie sub-5:00/km), they didn’t respond with much extra bounce to help me kick on to slightly faster speeds.
