The Ghost and the Glycerin are two of Brooks’ most popular neutral shoes. The Ghost 17 has a price of $150. The Glycerin 21 has a premium price of $160. Which of these shoes is the right one for you?
The midsoles of the Ghost and the Glycerin are single-density. Both of them use DNA Loft v3 but the Glycerin has a thicker stack height so it feels softer and more cushioned.
The Ghost is more versatile than the Glycerin as a result of its firmer midsole. It can handle short tempo runs better and also has enough cushioning for long runs. The Glycerin is best suited to long runs at relaxed paces.
Ride transitions are very smooth in both the Glycerin and the Ghost due to their single-density midsoles.
The Ghost and the Glycerin are two shoes known for their high levels of stability and the Ghost and Glycerin continue the trend. The Ghost is overall more stable than the Glycerin because it has a firmer midsole and less lean bias than the Glycerin.
The outsoles of the two shoes are very similar but the Ghost has flex grooves that run through from end to end on the forefoot. The Glycerin has flex grooves that stop halfway through the forefoot and results in a forefoot that isn’t as flexible as the forefoot of the Ghost.
The Glycerin has HPR Plus high-abrasion resistant rubber on the heel of its outsole and blown rubber on the forefoot. The Ghost only has blown rubber on its outsole and isn’t as durable as the Glycerin’s outsole.
The uppers of the Ghost and Glycerin are super plush and padded. The engineered mesh provides a comfortable sock-like fit which conforms to the foot. The tongues and heel counters are padded and provide a secure lockdown. With all the padding in the uppers, they are not the most breathable uppers and run warm.
The main difference between the two uppers is that the Glycerin has no synthetic overlays on the sides which results in a more seamless, smoother upper with a cleaner look. The Glycerin only comes in regular and wide versions whereas the Ghost is available in narrow, regular, wide and extra wide versions.
If you’re looking for a shoe for mainly long-distance running, the Glycerin is the right choice for you. The Glycerin is a premium-feeling shoe with a luxurious upper and a plush ride. It has a full-length DNA Loft midsole with velvety smooth ride transitions.
If you want a more versatile shoe at a lower price point, the Ghost is the shoe for you. The Ghost is $20 cheaper than the Glycerin but still has a soft, luxurious upper which is first in its class. The Ghost is firmer than the Glycerin so it can handle short, tempo runs better than the Glycerin. The Ghost is also more stable than the Glycerin.
