Which is softer, the Brooks Ghost 18 or ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28?

The Gel-Nimbus 28 is the deeper, more protective maximum-cushion option. The Ghost 18 is cushioned but feels more traditional and direct underfoot.

Which shoe offers more width options?

The Ghost 18 has narrow, standard, wide, and extra-wide catalog options. The Gel-Nimbus 28 is listed in standard and wide.

Which is better for long runs?

The Gel-Nimbus 28 is the stronger long-run choice because its maximum-cushion platform also covers recovery mileage. The Ghost 18 is better centered on routine daily training.

Brooks Ghost vs ASICS Gel-Nimbus: Ghost 18 or Nimbus 28?

Compare the Brooks Ghost 18 and ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 on cushioning, fit, weight, ride, and value to choose the right neutral road trainer.

Brooks Ghost vs ASICS Gel-Nimbus

Quick Verdict

Choose the Brooks Ghost 18 if you want a straightforward neutral daily trainer. Its 10mm drop, four width options, and MSRP: $150 MSRP make it the practical choice for routine road mileage.

Choose the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 if you want maximum cushioning for easy, recovery, and long runs. It is taller, uses an 8mm drop, and is 0.4 ounces lighter in the men's catalog despite carrying more foam.

At a Glance

Spec	Ghost 18	Gel-Nimbus 28
MSRP	MSRP: $150	MSRP: $170
Men's weight	10.0oz	9.6oz
Women's weight	9.2oz	8.2oz
Stack	36/26mm	42/34mm
Drop	10mm	8mm
Cushion	High	Maximum
Support	Neutral	Neutral
Widths	Narrow–Extra Wide	Standard, Wide
Best for	Daily training	Easy/recovery miles

These are audited catalog specifications. Independent measurements can differ because sample sizes and methods vary.

Brooks Ghost 18 Overview

The Ghost 18 uses nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam, an updated air-mesh upper, and RoadTack rubber. Brooks keeps the line focused on balanced cushioning and everyday road use rather than adding a plate or unusually aggressive rocker.

Tom's Guide found the ride comfortable and stable for easy mileage, but too heavy and restrained for faster sessions. That evidence matches the catalog's single daily-trainer category: the Ghost is a workhorse, not a speed shoe disguised as one.

ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 Overview

The Nimbus 28 combines FF BLAST PLUS ECO with rearfoot PureGEL and a HYBRID ASICSGRIP outsole. Its 42/34mm platform earns a maximum cushion rating, while the 8mm offset is lower than the Ghost's.

OutdoorGearLab identified comfort as the shoe's defining strength and speed as a limitation. The Nimbus covers daily, long, and recovery categories in the catalog, making it the broader easy-mile option even though it is not intended for hard workouts.

Ride and Cushioning

The Ghost has the more conventional transition. Its 10mm drop, lower stack, and balanced foam keep the ride familiar for runners who do not want a highly elevated platform. The forefoot is cushioned, but its character remains controlled rather than bouncy.

The Nimbus provides more separation from the road and rolls through its geometry with less weight than the dimensions suggest. PureGEL and the deep foam stack emphasize comfort, but maximum cushioning should not be confused with maximum softness or energy return.

Ride winner: Ghost 18 for traditional daily miles; Gel-Nimbus 28 for maximum-cushion cruising.

Fit and Sizing

Brooks offers the Ghost in narrow, standard, wide, and extra-wide. That range is the clearest fit advantage in this comparison. The updated upper is designed to be secure and accommodating, although actual volume still varies by width and foot shape.

The Nimbus comes in standard and wide and uses a padded comfort-oriented upper. Start with your usual running-shoe length in either model, then check heel hold, toe clearance, and midfoot pressure. Our running-shoe fit guide explains what to inspect beyond the width label.

Fit winner: Ghost 18 for its four catalog widths.

Weight and Pace Range

The Nimbus is 0.4 ounces lighter for men and a full ounce lighter for women in the audited catalog. That is notable because its stack is 6mm higher at the heel and 8mm higher at the forefoot.

Neither shoe is built for intervals. The Ghost is best from easy through steady daily running, while the Nimbus adds recovery and long-run usefulness. Runners who want a livelier ASICS daily shoe should compare the ASICS Novablast 6.

Stability and Ground Feel

Both models are neutral rather than stability shoes. Their broad platforms can feel planted, but neither carries a catalog stability classification or should be treated as a prescribed correction.

The lower Ghost provides more road awareness and a more familiar heel-to-toe sensation. The Nimbus deliberately limits ground feel through its taller platform. Runners wanting formal guidance should start with our best stability running shoes instead of inferring support from width alone.

Value

The Ghost costs MSRP: $20 less and provides twice as many width categories. For runners who need a dependable daily shoe and do not require maximum cushioning, it is the better value.

The Nimbus earns its premium by covering easy, recovery, and long-run roles at a lower catalog weight. It makes more financial sense when one cushioned pair will handle several relaxed sessions each week. Our best cushioned running shoes guide places both approaches in a wider field.

Choose the Ghost 18 If...

You want a traditional neutral daily trainer.
A 10mm drop and lower stack suit your preferences.
Narrow or extra-wide availability matters.
You would rather spend MSRP: $150 than MSRP: $170.

Choose the Gel-Nimbus 28 If...

You want maximum cushioning for relaxed mileage.
Recovery and long runs are central to the shoe's role.
An 8mm drop feels more natural.
Lower catalog weight matters more than lower price.

Final Verdict

The Brooks Ghost 18 wins as the accessible daily workhorse: it costs less, comes in more widths, and retains a conventional ride. The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 wins for maximum-cushion versatility, adding recovery and long-run coverage while weighing less. Choose the Ghost for simplicity and fit range; choose the Nimbus for deeper cushioning and more easy-mile roles.

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