Are They Good for Walking?

Here at Prevention, we live an active lifestyle, which means we tend to wear out our sneakers really, really quickly. Luckily, our jobs also allow us to test a wide range of high-quality kicks from top brands to see how they actually perform over time, and one of our top-rated brands is Brooks. The brand is versatile, stylish, has amazing arch support, and holds up well over time. So when they drop a new iteration of a shoe, we pretty much all run (no pun intended) to try it out.

Over the last month, we have put the new Brooks Ghost 18s to the test to see how they hold up in terms of fit, cushion, stability, and how it compares to our other favorite walking shoes. To hear our honest thoughts, keep reading, and see what our team members really loved about the upgraded silhouette.

How it fits, feels, and performs, according to Prevention editors

Name: Alyssa Jung, deputy health editor, fitness and nutrition
Age: 38
Size: 6.5
These sneakers are great for both runners and walkers, and that’s all thanks to their neutral arch support and middle-of-the-line heel height. I wore these sneakers on all sorts of different runs. I took them for easy 5-milers along the river in my borough, and on my longer 9-mile weekend runs. I put them through a few days of my absolute favorite workout: hill sprint intervals. And I ran laps and laps and laps around the track at my local park. I wear my running sneakers exclusively for running, even though they’re perfectly suitable for my walks, too—no particular reason, it’s just a weird runners’ habit of mine. I took the Ghost 18 on about six runs over the course of a month. I try not to run more than three days a week, even though I wish I could run every single day—this strategy helps me do meaningful strength-training workouts and is also what helps keep all of my problem spots happy.

These sneakers fit wonderfully. They’re lightweight and the heel height is where I like it (not too high, not too low). The heel collar hugs my ankle just snug enough to keep it stable (which I appreciate since I’m prone to an ankle roll thanks to past injuries). The support level is neutral, which helps my stride be more natural, and their cushioning provides just the right amount of bounce-back to propel me. I also didn’t get any calluses or blisters, which sometimes happens when a sneaker doesn’t fit snug enough around my heel. The upper material is breathable, but did seem to be filthy by the time I finished my third run.

Name: Jordan Levy, content strategy manager
Age: 24
Size: 6.5
The Brooks Ghost 18 is a breathable, comfortable, and supportive running shoe that performs especially well for runners and walkers who spend a lot of time on pavement. I tested the Brooks Ghost 18 on 3- to 5-mile runs, walks of more than 6 miles several days per week, and during daily wear on concrete sidewalks and pavement throughout New York City. This gave me a good sense of how the shoe performs across different activities and over extended periods of time.

Right away, I noticed how lightweight the shoe felt, along with the breathable knit upper and tongue, which helped keep my feet cool during both runs and long walks. While it’s designed as a running shoe, I actually found myself preferring it for walking around New York City thanks to its stability and all-day comfort. The Ghost 18 offers a supportive yet breathable fit that feels secure without being overly snug. One of my favorite features was the flat knit tongue, which helped eliminate pressure across the top of my foot and allowed for natural movement while running. The shoe feels lightweight and airy, making it easy to run long miles without feeling weighed down. I also appreciated the traction and stability in the shoe, and the cushioning is also soft enough to remain comfortable during long walks.

I enjoyed the Ghost 18s more as a walking shoe than a running shoe. For city walking, it struck an ideal balance between comfort, support, and stability. Overall, I think the Brooks Ghost 18 is an excellent option for beginner runners, casual runners, and anyone who spends a lot of time walking. The shoe has solid support, breathability, and comfort while maintaining a lightweight feel. Although I would have liked slightly softer cushioning for longer runs, I found the shoe great for walking long distances around New York City. If you’re looking for a versatile everyday sneaker that can handle workouts, daily walks, and hours on your feet, the Brooks Ghost 18 is definitely great!

Name: Jenn Gonick, assistant editor
Age: 24
Size: 5
I’m constantly reaching for the Brooks Ghost 18s. These sneakers fit true to size and are so comfortable, lightweight, and stylish. I tested them on all kinds of walks, from busy 15,000-step days through the streets of New York City to brisk power walks around the park in my neighborhood and even took them for a spin on the beach on a particularly nice day. They offered great traction on every terrain I tested them on.

What impressed me the most about these walking shoes is their balanced support. The middle-of-the-road heel height and structured design kept me feeling secure and steady with every step. They may not be as plush as other Brooks models like the Glycerin 23s, but it doesn’t come at the expense of excellent shock absorption. I found them versatile enough for a variety of activities, and I was able to wear them for hours on end without any foot pain.

The Ghost 18s feature Brooks’ signature knit uppers, which are super breathable, though they do attract dirt very easily. One feature I particularly appreciated was the flat-knit tongue, which stayed perfectly in place all day and never added pressure on the top of my foot—a common issue I’ve experienced with even my favorite walking shoes when I wear them for too long.

Since the Ghost 18s prioritize stability over maximum cushioning and bounce, they may not be well-suited for long-distance running. But if you’re looking for a versatile, stable, supportive shoe that you can walk or stand in all day, these are for you.

Name: Sue Kaksys, production coordinator
Age: 69
Size: 7
As a 69-year-old loyal Brooks fan for over three years now, I jumped at the opportunity to put Brooks Ghost 18 to the test. After wearing five different versions of their Cascadia (trail runners) line and being totally satisfied with them in my daily four-mile walks to and from the office and two Camino walks totaling over 175 miles, I was eager to make a comparison. Out of the box, I loved the color (peach) which can sway my opinion about sneakers. I wore the Ghost 18s for several weeks—during the walking portions of my commute, weekend walks with girlfriends, gym treadmill sessions, the 5K Corporate Challenge in Central Park, and frenzied running when behind schedule for catching my train.

I was impressed by the all-day comfort provided by the mesh upper, which left my feet feeling cool above the foam-cushioned innersole and knit tongue. I am no longer an avid runner, but now a devoted walker, and felt the Ghost 18 is a bit over the top for me, but it’s a good choice for those who take their running more seriously.

Name: Charlotte Finigan, senior commerce editor
Age: 38
Size: 9.5
I have been a Brooks Ghost loyalist since the Brooks 14s for its balanced cushion, grounded support, and superior stability that prevents my weak ankles from rolling during long walks to cardio dance classes. My only gripe was that the toe box ran a little narrow and hugged my foot almost too much. The Ghost 18s have solved that problem with a new updated toe box that is roomy enough to spread my toes and stand comfortably for hours while my feet swell. This is also due to the updated upper, which now features a flat and stretchy tongue (rather than its former padded tongue) with a sockliner that makes on-off even easier and more comfortable. I know I shouldn’t, but I think they are so comfortable that I don’t even bother tying or untying them with each wear and frequently am able to just slip them on and go.

I was nervous that all these changes would make me turn on my beloved Ghosts (why mess with perfection?), but it turns out I love them even more. Not only are they lighter weight, more breathable, and more comfortable, but they maintained their excellent stability while doing so. Straight out of the box, the Ghost 18s have become my go-to since I first tried them on a month ago, and I can’t see that changing any time soon.

Name: Stephanie Dolgoff, executive director
Age: 59
Size: 11
I am a Brooks fangirl (I love a wide toe box that doesn’t look clownish) so I have had lots of different models, including several previous versions of the Brooks Ghost. I didn’t love them. They were super comfortable and good for kicking around but too squishy, which made them feel a bit unstable. Historically, my favorite pair of Brooks is the Cascadia, which is a trail runner, but I love it because it feels sturdier—even if a little heavier.

Well, this version of the Ghost has a sole that is shaped more like the Cascadia, so that it has more surface area in contact with the ground for stability. Yet they are just as light, if not lighter, than the older Ghosts. The sole is made of a less-dense material so even though it’s got a higher heel and is wider on the bottom, it’s featherlight. I find them perfect for all kinds of flat-surface walking (though there are no treads, so not for trails). My only advice is to get them in a dark color if possible because mine (a light peach) attracts dirt unusually well.

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