Brooks Ghost 17 vs ASICS Gel Nimbus 27: Which Cushioned Daily Trainer Should You Buy?

Two Trusted Daily Trainers, Updated for 2025

The Brooks Ghost 17 and the ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 are long-standing staples in their respective lineups: two cushioned daily trainers built to handle everyday mileage in comfort. Both were upgraded for 2025 with higher stacks, new uppers, and refreshed looks. So which one suits you best?

Specs first. The Gel Nimbus 27 now packs more foam underfoot, with the stack rising to 43.5mm in the heel and 35.5mm in the forefoot for an 8mm drop. The Ghost 17 also adds stack, taking its setup to 36.5mm in the heel and 26.5mm in the forefoot for a 10mm drop. On the scales in a US men’s 9.5 test shoe, the Nimbus 27 weighs in at 10.8oz (307g), while the Ghost 17 comes in at 10.4oz (296g).

On price, the Nimbus sits at £165 or $180, and the Ghost 17 at £140 or $135, so the Brooks is notably cheaper, especially in the UK. Fit-wise, both run true to size: stick to your normal running shoe size in either brand. Both offer a roomy toe box, good midfoot and heel lockdown, and well-placed padding around the collar that avoids irritating the Achilles.

ASICS Gel Nimbus 27: All-Out Comfort

The Nimbus 27 is all about easy-pace comfort. The midsole features a thick slab of FF Blast Plus Eco foam, and ASICS added 1.5mm across the stack versus the Nimbus 26 for an even more cushioned ride. There’s also a pure Gel heel insert to improve shock absorption, particularly for heel strikers. It is one of the heavier daily trainers out there.

Up top, a new mesh upper balances breathability with a snug, supportive fit. The Nimbus uses a gusseted tongue with a thinner, flat wrapping design that saves weight. The outsole has a good covering of ASICS Plus rubber, its grippiest compound, placed strategically in key impact areas rather than across the whole outsole. It is not the most amazing grip, just level.

Brooks Ghost 17: The Reliable Workhorse

The Ghost 17 hasn’t strayed far from the Ghost blueprint. It still shoots for cushioned comfort, but with a DNA Loft v3 midsole that’s lower stacked than the Nimbus, while adding 1mm in the heel and 3mm in the forefoot versus the Ghost 16. The foam is firmer than the Nimbus and less squishy, but it’s consistent: it holds up well to long runs and feels just the same at the end as at the start. It’s poppier and more responsive than the Nimbus, with a more connected road feel.

The upper is a double-layer jacquard air mesh that is supportive yet airy, paired with a non-gusseted tongue with a bit more padding. The heel cup is narrower than the Nimbus’ rounded cushioning setup, and the change from the Ghost 16’s thick roll-top collar is welcome: no more Achilles rubbing. The outsole is a standout, with a generous, thick covering of rubber across most of the shoe, which bodes well for big-mileage durability and delivers better grip than the Nimbus.

Ride Feel: Comfort Versus Versatility

Both are shoes you’d reach for when clocking up easy miles, and neither is a fast-day specialist. The Nimbus takes cushioning to another level, with its wider base providing stability for the higher stack, and a good heel bevel that moves heel strikers smoothly through their foot strike. Its softer foam makes it more relaxing for easy long runs, and it’s a protective, stable, comfortable shoe all round. The trade-off: it can feel a bit slappy at times, and it lacks agility. It’s not the best when you try to up the pace.

The Ghost 17 is the more versatile of the two. It’s lighter, narrower, and nimbler, with a snappier, slightly flatter, more traditional ride. It has more gears, coping with everything from cushioning your easy miles to providing a bit of pop if you pick up the pace. Durability is solid for both, with little wear shown in testing, and both should comfortably last hundreds of miles.

Buying Advice: Which One Should You Pick?

Both are solid, durable, comfortable daily trainers that do a good job of soaking up easy miles. If your top priority is the softest, smoothest, most protective ride for your easiest of easy miles, the Gel Nimbus 27 delivers, and the smaller US price gap may make it worth the extra. If you want a shoe that handles a wider range of runs, including occasional faster segments, the cheaper Ghost 17 makes more sense as a daily trainer, and it’s the better value pick.

Worth noting: the previous models remain strong value options too. The Gel Nimbus 26 is very similar to the 27, and the Ghost 16 performs similarly despite a slightly different drop. If you’d rather look beyond these two, alternatives in the same range include the Saucony Ride 18 or Triumph 23, the ASICS Novablast, the Nike Vomero 18, the Brooks Glycerin 22, and the Hoka Arahi for stability.

Conclusion

These are two well-built, comfortable daily trainers that will suit a wide range of runners. Choose the ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 if maximum cushioned comfort for easy miles is the goal. Choose the Brooks Ghost 17 if you want a lighter, more versatile shoe at a friendlier price. For most everyday runners weighing value against versatility, the Ghost 17 is the easier recommendation, but comfort-first buyers won’t regret the Nimbus.