Mizuno Wave Rider 29 vs Brooks Ghost 18:
Which to Choose

Start with what they share, because it's most of the package: both are neutral trainers with a wide, posting-free platform that stays balanced and predictable, both run a traditional high heel-to-toe drop that eases the calves and suits heel strikers, and neither has a plate, so the midsole foam does all the work. The first real split is weight — the Wave Rider 29 comes in at roughly 258 g in a men's US 9 versus the Ghost 18's 289 g, a 30-gram gap that you feel over long miles and especially when you try to pick up the pace. The second split is the foam's personality. Mizuno's nitrogen-infused Enerzy is springy and lively — bouncy enough to feel willing when you push, though still firmer than a dedicated superfoam racer — whereas Brooks' DNA Loft v3 is cushioned but firm and controlled, delivering a smooth, planted roll rather than any rebound; it's a calm, no-drama ride that never feels eager to spring back. Stack heights are close, with the Ghost measured near 37 mm heel / 25 mm forefoot and the Wave Rider sitting slightly taller, particularly under the forefoot, which contributes to its softer, more cushioned toe-off. That lighter build and peppier foam also give the Wave Rider a touch more range at speed: it's comfortable around 5:00–6:00 min/km and can stretch toward 4:45 min/km before it runs out of life, while the Ghost is happiest at a more relaxed 5:30–6:30 min/km and starts to feel held back by its weight past about 5:00 min/km. The trade-off runs the other way on durability and ground feel: the Ghost's heft comes with a reassuringly solid, stable, long-wearing ride that's hard to beat for piling on easy and long steady miles. Uppers are a wash — both use a secure, breathable engineered mesh with a predictable fit.