Brooks Ghost 17 vs Topo Phantom 4

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Brooks Ghost 17
Topo Phantom 4

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Feb 13, 2026 10:08 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Dec 12, 2025 08:08 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Our Verdict

Brooks Ghost 17

Topo Phantom 4

The Brooks Ghost 17 and Topo Phantom 4 are two daily workhorses that prioritise a smooth, predictable ride, but they cater to different runners. With its 10mm heel drop and dense midsole, the Brooks is a classic choice for heel strikers and is also a better choice for heavier runners, as its cushioning holds up better as force increases. The Topo has a much less pronounced heel drop, and its cushioning performs better at lower forces, so it will be better suited to lighter runners and mid- to forefoot strikers.

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Variants

  • Ghost 17 (Acid Lime/Navy/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Ghost 17 (Apricot/Grey/Pink - (Women - US 7))
  • Phantom 4 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Phantom 4 (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

0.0
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Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

N/A
N/A

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Brooks Ghost 17 Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Brooks Ghost 17 Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

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Topo Phantom 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

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Weight 
 

Lock g (Lock oz)
Lock g (Lock oz)
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Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Brooks Ghost 17 Stack Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Stack Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Stack Height 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Brooks Ghost 17 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

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Outsole Heel Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

Lock
Lock

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

Lock
Lock

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Brooks Ghost 17 3D Model Internal Sample

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Topo Phantom 4 3D Model Internal Sample

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Internal Length 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Heel Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Width Photo  

Brooks Ghost 17 Forefoot Width Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Width Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Height Photo  

Brooks Ghost 17 Forefoot Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Toe TTS Deviation 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

N/A
N/A

Arch Fit Photo  

Brooks Ghost 17 Arch Fit Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Arch Fit Photo Sample

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Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Length Fit 
 

N/A
N/A

Toe Clearance Photo  

Brooks Ghost 17 Toe Clearance Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Toe Clearance Photo Sample

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Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Brooks Ghost 17 Other Features Photo Sample

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Topo Phantom 4 Other Features Photo Sample

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Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Plate 
 

Locked
Locked
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Compression Video  

Brooks Ghost 17 Heel Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Heel Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Energy Return  

Brooks Ghost 17 Heel Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Heel Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Energy Return 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Compression Video  

Brooks Ghost 17 Forefoot Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Energy Return  

Brooks Ghost 17 Forefoot Energy Return Sample

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Brooks Ghost 17 Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Cushioning  

Brooks Ghost 17 Heel Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Heel Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Brooks Ghost 17 Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Cushioning  

Brooks Ghost 17 Forefoot Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Firmness  

Brooks Ghost 17 Heel Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Heel Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Firmness At 550N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Firmness  

Brooks Ghost 17 Forefoot Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Firmness At 800N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

Brooks Ghost 17 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

Brooks Ghost 17

Topo Phantom 4

Comments

  1. Comparison

Brooks Ghost 17 vs Topo Phantom 4: Main Discussion

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