Mizuno Wave Rider 30 vs Brooks Ghost 18

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Mizuno Wave Rider 30
Brooks Ghost 18

Tested using Methodology v0.14

Updated Aug 06, 2026 06:14 PM

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Mizuno

Tested using Methodology v0.13

Updated Aug 07, 2026 06:51 PM

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Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Picture

Track

Brooks Ghost 18 Picture

Track

Our Verdict

Mizuno Wave Rider 30

Brooks Ghost 18

The Mizuno Wave Rider 30 and Brooks Ghost 18 are both classic daily trainers built for routine mileage, but they take different routes to get there. The Mizuno is the more modern and protective shoe, with much more cushioning, better long-run performance, and a full-length plastic Wave Plate that stabilizes the taller stack and helps it feel more propulsive. The Brooks is the more traditional option, sitting lower to the ground with a firmer, less protective ride and more heft underfoot. Both shoes are very stable, and neither is especially lively, but the Mizuno gives you more cushioning and more range for longer runs.

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Variants

  • Wave Rider 30 (Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Wave Rider 30 (Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Ghost 18 (Black/Black/Ebony - (Men - US 9))
  • Ghost 18 (Black/Black/Ebony - (Women - US 7))
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Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Half/Full Marathon Racing 
 

6.9
5.4

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

34.6 mm
25.8 mm

Weight  

5.9
5.1

Heel Stack Height 
 

43.5 mm
36.6 mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

6.9
5.1

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.9
5.1

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

263.5 g (9.29 oz)
283.3 g (9.99 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

43.5 mm
36.6 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

34.6 mm
25.8 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.9 mm
10.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
10.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Brooks Ghost 18 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

92 mm (3.6")
92 mm (3.6")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

86 mm (3.4")
77 mm (3.0")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

114 mm (4.5")
115 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.11
2.51

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.30
4.46

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Brooks Ghost 18 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

280 mm (11.0")
282 mm (11.1")

Internal Heel Width 
 

64 mm (2.5")
68 mm (2.7")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

96 mm (3.8")
95 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

8.5
9.3

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

5.0 mm (0.197")
3.5 mm (0.139")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.2 mm (-0.085")
0.2 mm (0.007")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

6.8
6.8

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-3.9 mm (-0.152")
-3.8 mm (-0.150")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.1
9.0

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-1.7 mm (-0.067")
-1.9 mm (-0.074")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

5.7
6.5

Heel Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Heel Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

15 mm (0.6")
17 mm (0.7")

Heel Apex Position 
 

21.5%
14.0%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

13.4°
22.5°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

7.3
6.1

Forefoot Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

50 mm (2.0")
43 mm (1.7")

Toe Apex Position 
 

65.9%
69.2%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

26.6°
25.5°

Foam 
 

Primary Foam Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Primary Foam Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Primary Foam Picture

Secondary Foam Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Secondary Foam Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Secondary Foam Picture

Primary Foam Name 
 

Enerzy NXT
DNA LOFT V3

Primary Foam Type 
 

EVA
EVA

Secondary Foam Name 
 

N/A
N/A

Secondary Foam Type 
 

EVA
N/A

Laces 
 

Laces Picture  

Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Laces Picture

Lace Type 
 

Flat

Width 
 

6.0 mm (0.2")

Thickness 
 

2.0 mm (0.1")

Stretch 
 

10.0%

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Plastic
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

2.9
3.0

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost 18 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

69.3%
69.5%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

5.0
4.8

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

71.8%
71.6%

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.1
7.7

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost 18 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.86 J
3.36 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.75 J
9.48 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.23 J
16.47 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.5
5.6

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.66 J
3.52 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.11 J
5.96 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

11.91 J
8.82 J

Heel Firmness 
 

7.6
8.3

Heel Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Heel Firmness Graph
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost 18 Heel Firmness Graph

Firmness At 550N 
 

40.8 N/mm
47.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

52.5 N/mm
56.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

74.7 N/mm
78.6 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.7
9.5

Forefoot Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Firmness Graph
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Firmness Graph

Firmness At 800N 
 

63.0 N/mm
77.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

80.8 N/mm
101.8 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

111 N/mm
141 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

6.9
5.1

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

7.48 J
5.71 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.32 J
5.54 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.23 J
5.48 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.17 J
5.42 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

6.7
5.9

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

77 N
60 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

5.0
5.7

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Bending Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

56.7%
59.2%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

7.0
6.1

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Forefoot Bending Resistance
 Preview Graph
Brooks Ghost 18 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

11.9 N/mm
6.9 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

271 N
264 N

Mizuno Wave Rider 30

Brooks Ghost 18

Comments

  1. Comparison

Mizuno Wave Rider 30 vs Brooks Ghost 18: Main Discussion

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