The Brooks Ghost 18 is a neutral daily running shoe designed to provide a secure, comfortable fit.
Although its width is fairly conventional, the shape narrows slightly around the toes. This makes choosing the correct width important for runners with broad feet.
Brooks Ghost 18 Height and Stack
| Measurement | Brooks Ghost 18 |
|---|---|
| Heel stack height | 36 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 26 mm |
| Official heel-to-toe drop | 10 mm |
| Toe-box height | Approximately 25.8 mm |
| Toe-box width near the toes | Approximately 70.6 mm |
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Brooks gives the Ghost 18 an official stack height of 36 mm in the heel and 26 mm in the forefoot, producing a 10 mm drop.
This is a relatively high heel, but the Ghost 18 does not feel like a heavily-cushion shoe. Its broad platform, secure heel and conventional geometry help it feel planted during walking and running.
The 10 mm drop places noticeably more cushioning beneath the heel than the forefoot. This design will suit heel strikers and runners who prefer a traditional running-shoe shape.
Brooks also says that the Ghost 18 adds cushioning compared with its predecessor, including an additional 1 mm at the heel and 3 mm at the forefoot.
Is the Brooks Ghost 18 Toe Box Wide?
The Ghost 18 has a medium-fitting forefoot with a moderately tapered toe box. It is not unusually restrictive, but it also does not offer the naturally broad, foot-shaped design found in some other running shoes.
Independent testing measured the shoe at approximately 96.0 mm across its widest internal area, which is close to the average for running shoes. The toe box narrowed to 70.6 mm near the big toe, compared with an average of 73.2 mm. This confirms that the front of the shoe is slightly more tapered than average.
The engineered air-mesh upper is soft and accommodating, so the toe box may feel less restrictive than the measurement suggests. Runners with bunions, naturally splayed toes or wide forefeet may find the standard version too narrow.
How Much Toe-Box Height Is Available?
The Ghost 18 provides approximately 25.8 mm of vertical toe-box space in independent testing. This is slightly below the tested running-shoe average of 27.1 mm.
There should still be sufficient room for most runners to lift and move their toes normally. People with high-volume feet, raised big toes or sensitive toenails may notice some pressure across the top of the shoe.
The flexible mesh upper helps because it can adapt to the foot. Even so, runners may want to make sure that their toes do not touch the front or press firmly against the upper when standing.
Final Verdict
The Brooks Ghost 18 offers an average overall fit but becomes slightly narrow and tapered around the toes. Its soft mesh upper provides some flexibility, while the availability of wide and extra-wide versions makes it accessible to a larger range of foot shapes.
Vertically, the toe box is adequate rather than spacious. The 36 mm heel, 26 mm forefoot and 10 mm drop create a well-cushioned platform that should work well for heel strikers, walking and comfortable everyday mileage.
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