Brooks Ghost vs Brooks Glycerin
Comparing the current Ghost 18 and Glycerin 23. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
Drop is the real difference: 8 mm on the Glycerin 23 against 10 mm on the Ghost 18. Coming off the Ghost 18, the Glycerin 23 loads your calves and Achilles harder for the first couple of weeks. They are built for different jobs: the Ghost 18 is a daily trainer, the Glycerin 23 a max cushion. The Ghost 18 lists $25 lower.
- Brooks Ghost 18Men's at AmazonWomen's
- Brooks Glycerin 23Men's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Aug 3, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
Every spec, side by side
| Spec | Ghost 18 | Glycerin 23 |
|---|---|---|
| FIT AND WEIGHT | ||
| Weight | 10.2 oz | 10.6 oz |
| Widths | B, D, 2E, 4E | D, 2E, 4E |
| Upper | Engineered mesh with a plush collar | Triple-jacquard warp knit |
| CUSHIONING GEOMETRY | ||
| Heel stack | 36 mm | 38 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 26 mm | 30 mm |
| Drop | 10 mm | 8 mm |
| MATERIALS | ||
| Midsole | DNA Loft v3 nitrogen-infused foam | DNA Tuned supercritical foam |
| VALUE | ||
| List price at launch | $150 | $175 |
Which line changes its ride more often?
The Ghost has done it once in 6 versions, most recently with the Ghost 17 in 2025, and the Glycerin has done it 2 times in 6 versions, most recently with the Glycerin 22 in 2025. If you want a shoe you can rebuy without reading a review first, the Ghost has the steadier record.
Buy the Ghost 18
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Jul 28, 2026.
Buy the Glycerin 23
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Aug 3, 2026.
Chasing a specific older version rather than choosing between the current two? The Brooks Ghost lineage and the Brooks Glycerin lineage track every version and what changed in each update.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Brooks Ghost or the Brooks Glycerin lighter?
- The Ghost 18, by 0.4 oz in a men's US 9 (10.2 oz against 10.6 oz).
- Can I switch from the Brooks Ghost to the Brooks Glycerin?
- Yes, but ease into it. The drop moves 2 mm (10 mm on the Ghost 18, 8 mm on the Glycerin 23), which changes where your foot loads at landing. Give it two weeks of easy running before a hard session.
- Which is more cushioned, the Brooks Ghost or the Brooks Glycerin?
- The Glycerin 23, on stack height: 38 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 Ghost 18 runs in B, D, 2E, 4E for men's sizes; the Glycerin 23 runs in D, 2E, 4E.
- Which costs more, the Brooks Ghost or the Brooks Glycerin?
- The Glycerin 23, by $25 at list ($150 against $175). That gap narrows once either one gets a successor.
Updated August 3, 2026.