Outdoors & Fitness · Head-to-head
Saucony Ride 19 vs Brooks Ghost 18
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full Best Running Shoes for Beginners: Daily Trainers Compared comparison.
The Ride 19 is the most well-rounded first shoe here: forgiving reformulated foam, a balanced ride, and added forefoot durability for daily use. The Ghost 18 is the safer, more stable alternative if you want a wider base and a calmer ride.
Saucony Ride 19
Buy itA balanced daily trainer with reformulated PWRRUN+ foam and added forefoot durability.
- Reformulated PWRRUN+ foam is softer and more forgiving than the Ride 18 while staying stable underfoot
- Saucony says added flex grooves and forefoot durability smooth transitions and target wear
- Standard width can feel narrow for broad feet, though a separate Wide version is sold
- Saucony does not publish weight, stack height or drop on its product page
Brooks Ghost 18
Buy itThe safe, do-no-harm neutral trainer with a wide, stable base that forgives beginner form.
- DNA Loft foam gives plush, protected landings
- A wide base adds inherent stability that steadies a new runner's stride
- It feels the heaviest and most conservative of the daily trainers here
- The higher drop and calmer toe-off feel old-school and unexciting, with little pop when you speed up
Side by side
The 5 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Saucony Ride 19 Our pick | Brooks Ghost 18 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | New runners who want one do-everything shoe for easy days, long runs, and the occasional pickup. | Beginners who value a predictable, forgiving ride over speed and want a shoe that just works. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$ · mid-range |
| Heel-to-toe drop | Not published by Saucony | Moderate, the highest here |
| Midsole foam | Reformulated PWRRUN+ | DNA Loft |
| Cushioning feel | Balanced-soft | Soft-stable |
| Primary use | Everyday miles | Everyday neutral |
| Beginner-friendly | Yes | Yes |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Saucony Ride 19 if
new runners who want one do-everything shoe for easy days, long runs, and the occasional pickup.
Know before buying: standard width can feel narrow for broad feet, though a separate Wide version is sold.
Pick the Brooks Ghost 18 if
beginners who value a predictable, forgiving ride over speed and want a shoe that just works.
Know before buying: it feels the heaviest and most conservative of the daily trainers here.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Saucony Ride 19 - A balanced daily trainer with reformulated PWRRUN+ foam and added forefoot durability. Choose the Brooks Ghost 18 instead if beginners who value a predictable, forgiving ride over speed and want a shoe that just works.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete Best Running Shoes for Beginners: Daily Trainers Compared.