Brooks Ghost 17 vs Nike Pegasus 42:
Which to Choose

Start with how close these two actually are. They weigh essentially the same — the Ghost 17 lands at 289g and the Pegasus 42 at 286g (men's US 9), a difference you won't feel — and their heel stacks are near-identical at roughly 36mm, so both give you a tall, protective platform for long days. Both are neutral with no medial posting, both skip a propulsion plate, and both share the same 4/6 stability and cushioning ratings and the same everyday sweet spot around 5:00–6:00 min/km. The divergence is in foam and geometry. The Ghost's DNA Loft v3 is soft, quiet, and smooth — plush enough to take the edge off pavement but tuned for cushioning and durability rather than spring, so it feels a touch dead when you try to pick up the pace. The Pegasus counters with firmer ReactX foam and a full-length curved Air Zoom unit that adds a distinct pop as you speed up; it's businesslike at truly slow paces but warms into a livelier, more connected feel, which is why it rates a notch higher for responsiveness (4/6 vs 3/6) and pace (4/6 vs 3/6). Geometry differs too: the Ghost runs a 12mm drop with a fuller 25.8mm forefoot, while the Pegasus pushes an even more heel-biased 14mm drop over a lower 22mm forefoot — so the Pegasus sits more noticeably on the heel underfoot and the Ghost gives you more cushion up front. Net result: the Ghost is the smoother, more forgiving cruiser, the Pegasus the firmer, more versatile trainer that has a little more to give when you push.