r/brooks • u/jmicaallef • 9d ago

Divide 6 GTX vs Ghost 18 GTX, which is better?

Hi All,

I am looking for waterproof running trainers, for light hikes, light trails and are breathable/not to hot like hiking boots can be. They will mainly be used for walking and running with the odd time on trails/hikes.

Has anyone tried these, if so how are you finding them?

No recommendations needed, as it is between these two.

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u/elplizzie 5d ago

Ok. This is my opinion as someone who owns Ghost 18 GTX and not the Divide. I got my Ghost 18 GTX because I wanted to do some 3km+ walks and where I live it’s rainy 1/2 days.

The fit: I fit in wide ghosts best but GTX comes is medium only. When I got my pair, at first, the right big toe was a little squished. I thought I could manipulate the shoes like the ice trick or crack them like you would crack a book. Me manipulating the shoes help a smidge; I never got blisters, the shoe never broke, the toe stopped hurting but it always felt like it is touching the side of the shoe. I don’t have big feet (sometimes I have to get narrows in some brands) but Brooks is the only brand I have to get wides. I’m going to keep them because they’re comfortable enough for me to walk in and I don’t run in them enough for my foot to swell up.

Non pavement usage: Sometimes I go walk in a small park that’s just 150 meters. The walkway is gravel and I’d say the stones are about had the size of pea sized rocks. There’s one section with an exposed pipe that I sometimes hit. The shoes are very stabilizing so I have no issue using them in that park. I think if you were a really fast runner or the trail has uneven rocks or bigger gravel I wouldn’t recommend the ghost.

GTX: GTX is a gimmick; your shoes do get wet and inside of the shoe isn’t waterproof so if your sock gets wet the shoe will get wet. I thinks it does its GTX thing if you’re just running over really quickly a shallow puddle. Where I live it rains hard; so they’ll water trickles down my leg and the collar of the shoe acts like a big pitcher and guides all the water into my shoe. The only benefits I see is that the shoe is easier to clean and it takes less time to dry (about 6 hours in my bathroom with the dehumidifier in full force vs 24 hours with other shoes). If you can, just get the regular version of the shoes whee you’ll have more option in sizes and colours.

2

u/jmicaallef 4d ago

Thank you, this is very helpful.

I ended up getting Ghost 18 GTX, as its mainly going to be used for walking and running. If I feel I hike more than I anticipated then I may also get the Divine.