Brooks Ghost 17 vs Asics Gel-Pulse 17:
Which to Choose

Start with how close they are: both are neutral trainers with no plate, both score 4/6 for cushioning and stability and 3/6 for pace and responsiveness, and both sit on a tall, heel-friendly geometry (Ghost 12mm drop, Gel-Pulse 11mm) that favors heel-strikers and eases the calves. The ride feel is where they split. The Ghost's DNA Loft v3 is a nitrogen-infused foam tuned to be soft yet controlled — plush enough to take the sting out of pavement with smooth, quiet heel-to-toe transitions. The Gel-Pulse leans firmer: its FF Blast foam reads as planted and protective rather than pillowy, with a rearfoot GEL unit that noticeably damps heel impact. Neither is bouncy — both feel a touch dead when you push — but the Ghost gives a softer, cushier sensation while the Gel-Pulse feels more supportive and controlled underfoot. On the numbers, the Gel-Pulse actually carries the taller stack (39mm heel / 28mm forefoot) yet comes in a little lighter at 275g in a men's US 9, versus roughly 286g for the Ghost, whose stack is lower at around 36.5mm heel / 26.5mm forefoot — so the Asics stacks more foam under a firmer tune, while the Brooks puts a slightly thinner but softer platform under your foot. Use case is the other real gap: the Ghost is rated for 10K, half, and full marathon with an optimal range of 5:00–6:00 min/km and a usable top end near 4:40, while the Gel-Pulse tops out at the half, is happiest at a more relaxed 5:30–6:30 min/km, and runs out of energy sooner when you pick it up. In short, the Ghost is the slightly more versatile, softer, marathon-capable trainer; the Gel-Pulse is the firmer, more damped, slightly lighter everyday-miles specialist.