The Brooks Ghost and the HOKA Clifton are the two running shoes you are most likely to spot under a nurses’ station. Both are neutral, cushioned and comfortable straight out of the box. The difference is mostly in how they feel underfoot: the Clifton is taller and rolls you forward, while the Ghost feels like a familiar, well-made sneaker.
The quick answer: pick the Clifton if you want more cushion and like the rocker feel. Pick the Ghost if tall HOKAs feel wobbly or strange to you, if you want the widest choice of widths, or if you just want a shoe you forget you are wearing. For bedside standing with more foam, the Ghost Max splits the difference.
The short version
3 picks- 01 More cushion, rocker feel HOKA Clifton $153.95 Amazon
- 01 More cushion, rocker feel HOKA Clifton Amazon UK
- 02 Classic feel, most widths Brooks Ghost $149.95 Amazon
- 02 Classic feel, most widths Brooks Ghost Amazon UK
- 03 Ghost with more foam Brooks Ghost Max $94.46 Amazon
- 03 Ghost with more foam Brooks Ghost Max Amazon UK
Ghost vs Clifton at a glance
| Current Brooks Ghost | Current HOKA Clifton | |
|---|---|---|
| Cushion | Balanced, medium-soft | Thicker and softer |
| Weight feel | Light, normal sneaker | Light, but taller |
| Stability | Lower to the ground, feels steady | Neutral, a bit more lively |
| Ride | Traditional heel-to-toe | Rocker sole, rolls you forward |
| Width options | Narrow, regular, wide, extra wide | Regular and wide |
| Wipe-clean | No, mesh upper | No, mesh upper |
| Break-in | Almost none | Almost none, plus a day to get used to the rocker |
| Best for | Rocker skeptics, unusual widths | Lots of walking, people who want more foam |
The HOKA Clifton: more foam, more roll
The Clifton sits taller than the Ghost and has a rocker sole that helps you roll through each step. Many people find that easier on the feet late in a long shift, especially on hard floors, which CCOHS calls the least comfortable surface to stand on. It is light for how much foam it has.
Some people never get on with the tall, rolling feel. If you feel perched rather than planted, or your ankles complain, that is your sign to look at the Ghost.
HOKA Clifton
The shoe you see on half the unit, for a reason.
A lightweight, thickly cushioned road shoe with a rocker sole that rolls you forward, which is why it turns up on so many hospital floors.
- Type
- Neutral cushioned running shoe
- Feel
- Soft, light, rocker sole
- Widths
- Regular and wide
Best for
Long shifts on hard floors when you want soft cushioning without a heavy shoe.
Worth knowing
The mesh upper is breathable but not fluid resistant. Wipe it down, and keep a second pair for nights out.
The Brooks Ghost: the one you forget about
The Ghost is a conventional cushioned running shoe: balanced foam, a familiar shape and a ride that does not ask anything of you. It sits lower to the ground than the Clifton, which feels steadier when you are turning, bending or squatting by a low bed.
Its big practical advantage is fit. The Ghost comes in narrow, regular, wide and extra wide, which is a better spread than most running shoes. If you have struggled to find a shoe that fits both your heel and your toes, start here.
Brooks Ghost
Soft, steady, and nothing to get used to.
A neutral everyday trainer with balanced cushioning and a conventional shape, for people who find rocker soles strange.
- Type
- Neutral daily running shoe
- Feel
- Balanced, smooth
- Widths
- Narrow, regular, wide, extra wide
Best for
Anyone who wants comfort without the tall HOKA look.
Worth knowing
Less cushion under the heel than a Bondi. Mesh upper, so not splash proof.
If you like the Ghost but want more under you, the Ghost Max is a higher-cushion version with a broad base and a gentle rocker, made for comfort over long days rather than speed.
Brooks Ghost Max
A wide, stable platform for standing still and leaning in.
A high-cushion version of the Ghost with a broad base and a gentle rocker, made for comfort over long days on your feet rather than speed.
- Cushion
- Max
- Widths
- Regular and wide
Best for
Hours at the bedside, and anyone who wants a planted, steady feel when turning a patient.
Worth knowing
Mesh uppers are not fluid resistant. Keep a wipe-clean pair for messy shifts.
Which should you buy?
12-hour shifts on hard floors. If you want maximum softness, the Clifton has more of it. If more foam makes you feel unstable, the Ghost Max gives you extra cushion on a wider base.
Wide or narrow feet. The Ghost, because of that four-width range. The Clifton’s wide version is good, but if you need extra wide or narrow, the Ghost covers it.
Ankle stability. The Ghost’s lower ride feels more planted for most people. If you have rolled an ankle before, try it first.
Fluids. Neither is splash proof. Keep a wipe-clean pair for messy shifts. The OR shoe guide and labor and delivery shoe guide have options, and Dansko vs HOKA covers the clog route.
Budget. The two usually sit in a similar range, so let fit decide. Watch for last season’s colors, which are often cheaper and identical underfoot.
By unit. Fast walking shifts in the ER suit either. Standing in the ICU favors the Ghost Max or a Bondi. On med-surg, go with whichever fits your foot best.
What to skip
- Picking on looks. Some people avoid HOKAs because they look chunky, and some avoid the Ghost because it looks plain. Your feet do not care.
- Assuming one brand’s size fits the other. Try both, late in the day, in your work socks.
- Running a pair into the ground. When the tread is smooth or the midsole is creased, replace it. NIOSH lists slips, trips and falls among the most common hospital injuries.
- Buying for flat feet without checking. Both are neutral shoes. If your feet roll in, see the support pick in our best shoes for nurses guide.
Is the Ghost or the Clifton better for plantar fasciitis?
We cannot tell you that, and neither can a shoe review. Some people with heel pain like the Clifton’s extra foam and rocker, and others prefer the Ghost’s familiar ride. If your heels hurt for more than a few weeks, see a podiatrist or your doctor before you buy anything.
Do they work with compression socks?
Yes. Try them on with the socks you work in, since compression socks are thicker than regular ones. Our compression sock guide explains which squeeze to start with.
Follow your own unit’s dress code and infection control rules, which always come first.