Brooks Ghost vs On Cloudsurfer
Comparing the current Ghost 18 and Cloudsurfer 2. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
The Cloudsurfer 2 is the lighter shoe by 1 oz in a men's US 9, and the drop is within 1 mm (10 mm on the Ghost 18, 9 mm on the Cloudsurfer 2), so it is the one that feels quicker without asking your stride to change. Both sit in the same role (daily trainer). The Ghost 18 lists $10 lower.
- Brooks Ghost 18Men's at AmazonWomen's
- On Cloudsurfer 2Men's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Aug 5, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
Every spec, side by side
| Spec | Ghost 18 | Cloudsurfer 2 |
|---|---|---|
| FIT AND WEIGHT | ||
| Weight | 10.2 oz | 9.2 oz |
| Widths | B, D, 2E, 4E | D |
| Upper | Engineered mesh with a plush collar | Breathable engineered mesh with TPU eyelet reinforcements and an ungusseted tongue |
| CUSHIONING GEOMETRY | ||
| Heel stack | 36 mm | 32 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 26 mm | 23 mm |
| Drop | 10 mm | 9 mm |
| MATERIALS | ||
| Midsole | DNA Loft v3 nitrogen-infused foam | Firmer Helion superfoam in an evolved CloudTec Phase geometry |
| VALUE | ||
| List price at launch | $150 | $160 |
Which line changes its ride more often?
Both lines rework the ride about as often: the Ghost has done it once in 6 versions, most recently with the Ghost 17 in 2025, and the Cloudsurfer has done it once in 2 versions, most recently with the Cloudsurfer 2 in 2025. Neither is the safer long-term rebuy on this record.
Buy the Ghost 18
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Jul 28, 2026.
Buy the Cloudsurfer 2
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Aug 5, 2026.
Chasing a specific older version rather than choosing between the current two? The Brooks Ghost lineage and the On Cloudsurfer lineage track every version and what changed in each update.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Brooks Ghost or the On Cloudsurfer lighter?
- The Cloudsurfer 2, by 1 oz in a men's US 9 (9.2 oz against 10.2 oz).
- Can I switch from the Brooks Ghost to the On Cloudsurfer?
- Yes, but ease into it. The drop moves 1 mm (10 mm on the Ghost 18, 9 mm on the Cloudsurfer 2), 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 On Cloudsurfer?
- The Ghost 18, on stack height: 36 mm under the heel against 32 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 Cloudsurfer 2 runs in D.
- Which costs more, the Brooks Ghost or the On Cloudsurfer?
- The Cloudsurfer 2, by $10 at list ($150 against $160). That gap narrows once either one gets a successor.
Updated August 5, 2026.