Brooks Ghost 17 vs Brooks Revel 8:
Which to Choose

October 22, 2026

Verdict

It genuinely depends, but on a clear axis: distance and cushioning feel, not quality — both are well-built neutral trainers. Go Ghost 17 if your longest runs reach into half-marathon and marathon territory and you want the softer, more cushioned, slightly taller ride; go Revel 8 if your training centers on 5K-to-half efforts and you prefer a lighter, firmer, closer-to-the-ground shoe. Neither will satisfy you if you're chasing race-day speed — for that, look to a plated shoe in the lineup.

Brooks Ghost 17

99.97 USD

Brooks Revel 8

72.00 USD

Pace

3 of 6

Cushioning

4 of 6

Responsiveness

3 of 6

Stability

4 of 6

Drop

12 mm

Support

Neutral

Plate

None

Distances

10KHalfMarathon

Pace

3 of 6

Cushioning

3 of 6

Responsiveness

3 of 6

Stability

4 of 6

Drop

10 mm

Support

Neutral

Plate

None

Distances

5K10KHalf

At a Glance

Brooks Ghost 17Brooks Revel 8

Who Should Choose Each Shoe

Choose

Brooks Ghost 17

Choose the Ghost 17 if your week is built around longer runs and you want maximum protective cushion for 10K-to-marathon distances, especially during marathon training blocks where the plush DNA Loft v3 and taller 12mm-drop platform take the edge off the pavement and ease the calves over the miles. It's the stronger pick for heavier or heel-striking runners who prioritize a soft, forgiving landing, and for anyone who wants a single do-everything trainer that can comfortably absorb high weekly mileage.

Choose

Brooks Revel 8

Choose the Revel 8 if you're a newer or more minimalist-minded runner whose miles live in the 5K-to-half range and you prefer a lighter, lower, more connected feel over deep plush cushioning. At 244g with a firmer, grounded ride, it's easy to control at conversational paces and makes a simple, durable everyday trainer — ideal if you don't need marathon-level softness and would rather feel the road than float above it.

Head-to-Head

On the big dividing line — cushioning — the Ghost 17 clearly offers more: it rates 4/6 to the Revel's 3/6 and uses the newer, nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3, which reads as genuinely plush-yet-controlled underfoot. The Revel 8 runs on the older EVA-based DNA Loft v2, tuned for durability rather than softness, so it feels grounded and medium-firm with a closer-to-the-road connection. That difference shows up in the numbers: the Ghost sits on a taller platform (36mm heel) with a 12mm drop, while the Revel is lower-slung (33mm heel) with a 10mm drop, and the Revel is noticeably lighter at 244g versus the Ghost's 289g (men's US 9). Everything else is strikingly close — both are neutral with no medial post, both earn an above-average 4/6 stability score from a wide, planted base, both have no plate and lean on foam alone for a moderate 3/6 responsiveness, and both honestly admit to feeling a touch dead when you push the pace. Where they split is best use: the Ghost's extra stack and softer foam make it the better long-run and marathon tool (its range runs 10K through the marathon, with steady long runs the sweet spot), while the Revel tops out at the half and is happiest at 10K, rewarding shorter, more controlled efforts rather than heavy marathon blocks. Neither is a speed shoe — both run out of rebound right around 5:00 min/km.