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 foam, a beginner-friendly 8mm drop, and durability that finally holds up to 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 8mm-drop daily trainer that fixed the one thing beginners actually complained about: durability.
- Reformulated PWRRUN+ foam is softer and more forgiving than the Ride 18 while staying stable underfoot
- Added carbon-rubber outsole coverage in the heel and toe-off addresses the old model's quick wear
- Standard width runs a touch narrow; wide is only offered in a few colorways
- Slightly heavier and stiffer than the previous version, so it feels less playful
Brooks Ghost 18
Buy itThe safe, do-no-harm neutral trainer with a wide, stable base that forgives beginner form.
- Nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam is softer than the Ghost 17 with plush, protected landings
- A wide base and 36.5mm heel stack add inherent stability that steadies a new runner's stride
- At roughly 10.2 oz it is the heaviest of the daily trainers here
- The 10mm drop and calmer toe-off feel old-school and unexciting, with little pop when you speed up
Side by side
| Saucony Ride 19 | 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 |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Saucony Ride 19 - A balanced 8mm-drop daily trainer that fixed the one thing beginners actually complained about: 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.