Asics Gel-Nimbus vs Brooks Ghost
Comparing the current Gel-Nimbus 28 and Ghost 18. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
Drop is the real difference: 8 mm on the Gel-Nimbus 28 against 10 mm on the Ghost 18. Coming off the Ghost 18, the Gel-Nimbus 28 loads your calves and Achilles harder for the first couple of weeks. They are built for different jobs: the Gel-Nimbus 28 is a max cushion, the Ghost 18 a daily trainer. The Ghost 18 lists $15 lower.
- Asics Gel-Nimbus 28Men's at AmazonWomen's
- Brooks Ghost 18Men's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Jul 28, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
Every spec, side by side
| Spec | Gel-Nimbus 28 | Ghost 18 |
|---|---|---|
| FIT AND WEIGHT | ||
| Weight | 9.9 oz | 10.2 oz |
| Widths | D, 2E, 4E | B, D, 2E, 4E |
| Upper | Lighter engineered knit with a redesigned heel and tongue loop | Engineered mesh with a plush collar |
| CUSHIONING GEOMETRY | ||
| Heel stack | 43.5 mm | 36 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 35.5 mm | 26 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm | 10 mm |
| MATERIALS | ||
| Midsole | FF Blast+ foam with a PureGEL heel | DNA Loft v3 nitrogen-infused foam |
| VALUE | ||
| List price at launch | $165 | $150 |
Which line changes its ride more often?
Both lines rework the ride about as often: the Gel-Nimbus has done it once in 7 versions, most recently with the Gel-Nimbus 25 in 2023, and the Ghost has done it once in 6 versions, most recently with the Ghost 17 in 2025. Neither is the safer long-term rebuy on this record.
Buy the Gel-Nimbus 28
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Jul 28, 2026.
Buy the Ghost 18
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Jul 28, 2026.
Chasing a specific older version rather than choosing between the current two? The Asics Gel-Nimbus lineage and the Brooks Ghost lineage track every version and what changed in each update.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Asics Gel-Nimbus or the Brooks Ghost lighter?
- The Gel-Nimbus 28, by 0.3 oz in a men's US 9 (9.9 oz against 10.2 oz).
- Can I switch from the Asics Gel-Nimbus to the Brooks Ghost?
- Yes, but ease into it. The drop moves 2 mm (8 mm on the Gel-Nimbus 28, 10 mm on the Ghost 18), which changes where your foot loads at landing. Give it two weeks of easy running before a hard session.
- Which is more cushioned, the Asics Gel-Nimbus or the Brooks Ghost?
- The Gel-Nimbus 28, on stack height: 43.5 mm under the heel against 36 mm. Stack is not the whole story, though; the foams differ too.
- Which comes in more widths?
- The Ghost 18. The Gel-Nimbus 28 runs in D, 2E, 4E for men's sizes; the Ghost 18 runs in B, D, 2E, 4E.
- Which costs more, the Asics Gel-Nimbus or the Brooks Ghost?
- The Gel-Nimbus 28, by $15 at list ($165 against $150). That gap narrows once either one gets a successor.
Updated July 28, 2026.