The Brooks Ghost 17 is well-balanced neutral running shoe which is stable, comfortable and has enough cushioning for long distances.
The Brooks Launch 10 is a firm-riding neutral shoe which excels at speed workouts. It costs $40 less and is lighter but doesn't have the plush feel that the Ghost has. Which of these shoes is the right one for you?
The Ghost has a single density midsole made of DNA Loft v3 only. This setup results in a velvety smooth ride character.
The midsole of the Ghost is medium-soft and best suited to medium or long-distance runs but it can easily handle shorter, tempo runs due to its great versatility.
The Launch has a DNA foam midsole which is a firmer variant than the foam in the Ghost and requires a break-in period for the shoe to soften up and become less stiff. The midsole of the Launch feels mostly flat with no responsiveness in the forefoot and a tad bit of responsiveness in the heel due to the area of exposed foam under the heel.
The midsole of the Launch has a firm but cushioned ride character. It’s best suited to fast-paced runs under 5 minutes per kilometre.
Stability is great in both shoes but the Launch is more stable due to its firmer midsole foam.
The outsoles of both shoes are made of soft rubber which have great traction but don’t have the high durability of crystal, Goodyear or Continental rubber.
The Ghost’s upper is made from jacquard air mesh which is heavily padded and plush. It has a secure lockdown with plenty of forefoot room feet to splay. Both the heel counter and tongue are padded and you there is no heel slippage or tongue slide present. The Ghost fits true to size and comes in regular, wide (2E) and extra wide (4E) versions.
The upper of the Launch is made from a single-piece mesh which is smooth but doesn’t feel soft or plush. The heel counter provides a secure fit and the tongue is sleeved so no tongue slide occurs. The Launch fits true to size and has adequate toe box height and a spacious toe box. The Launch comes in regular and wide (2E) versions.
If you’re a runner looking for a neutral shoe with a plush, luxurious upper that fits well, the Ghost is the shoe for you. The Ghost has a cushioned and supportive ride which excels at medium-long distances but its versatility means that it can also handle shorter, tempo runs.
If you’re a runner looking for a lightweight neutral trainer that fits well, the Launch is the shoe for you. The Launch’s firm midsole makes it suitable for short, tempo runs under 10km. The Launch doesn’t have the padded, plush upper of the Ghost but it is $30 cheaper and lighter in weight.
