To blaze a trail no one has dared to trek before, you need the right gear to take you the distance. For Brooks and Babylon, two brands that have built powerhouse reputations in different worlds, the intersection lies in authenticity—an element that goes beyond just product.
The Brooks x Babylon Ghost 17 is the tangible expression of that shared ethos. For the famed running shoe brand, the Ghost line has long been synonymous with reliability and comfort, a trusted companion for runners since its debut in 2008. “Over time, we’ve been finding ways to continue to perfect its fit, feel, and ride,” says Leah Kiyohara, Brooks Lifestyle Marketing Specialist. The latest iteration, she explains, features “our premium nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam, which delivers lightweight, soft, and dynamic cushioning with balanced support to help eliminate distractions so you can focus on your run.”
Now enter Babylon, the Los Angeles skate and streetwear label founded by Lee Spielman and Garrett Stevenson of the hardcore punk band Trash Talk. More than a brand, Babylon is a living space: A creative hub where music, art, and motion collide through their lens. The brand naturally channels a sense of breaking free. A reflection of its roots in DIY culture and constant evolution.
These shared values and vision are what make this collaboration feel natural. “Babylon came to the table with some great ideas to create a different type of Ghost 17,” says JJ Guerra, Footwear Developer II at Brooks. “We used reflective TPU to create the BABYLON logo across the lateral side and adjusted the heel tab to make room for it. The concept was to keep the Ghost 17 performance-driven but with Babylon flavor [...] sleek, black, and reflective.” And everything is in the details. Dual laces, a broken-glass motif on the midsole, and reflective webbing down the tongue embody a punk-meets-performance sensibility embedded in Babylon’s visual language.
Choosing the Ghost 17 as the foundation was intentional. “The Ghost has been one of our best-selling styles for years,” Kiyohara says. “Partnering with Babylon to put their spin on this iconic silhouette felt like the right move to build momentum and hype around a solidified fan favorite.”
The campaign visuals deepen that connection. Set in both Los Angeles and Tokyo, the short follows two characters—a limo driver and a salarywoman—both trapped in the monotony of their routines. Their shared epiphany: the moment they decide to run. “The run becomes a metaphor for breaking free,” Kiyohara explains. “At Brooks, we know that running can change a day, a life, or the world. This philosophy is infused in the creative as each character sheds an old identity and transforms into their most authentic self.”
By merging performance innovation with punk influences (philosophies of freedom and individuality), Brooks x Babylon transforms the Ghost 17 into a symbol of creative movement and defiance. Every stride reflects a mindset: bold, restless, and unapologetically original.
Shop the Brooks x Babylon Ghost 17 for a limited time at brooksrunning.com.
