Brooks
HOKAWhich should you buy?
Choose the Ghost Max 4 if you want a stable, predictable cruiser with a hard-wearing outsole at a lower price.
Choose the Bondi 9 if you want the maximum cushioning and softer supercritical foam for recovery days.
The Ghost Max 4 is 17 g lighter than the Bondi 9. It has 3 mm less foam under the heel. Its drop is 6 mm against 5 mm. It costs £15 less at full price.
Side by side
| Spec | Ghost Max 4Brooks | Bondi 9HOKA |
|---|---|---|
| Review score | 86/100 (2 reviews) | 90/100 (2 reviews) |
| Type | Max cushion | Max cushion |
| Weight (men's UK 8.5) | 286 g | 303 g |
| Heel stack | 40 mm | 43 mm |
| Drop | 6 mm | 5 mm |
| Cushioning | Soft | Soft |
| Bounce | Calm | Calm |
| Plate | No plate | No plate |
| Support | Inherently stable | Neutral |
| Fit | True to size | True to size |
| Widths | standard, wide, extra wide | standard, wide, extra wide |
| Waterproof version | No | No |
| UK RRP | £145 | £160 |
Weights are for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5. Prices are UK RRPs; shops often sell for less.
What the critics say
Ghost Max 4
- Smooth, predictable and stable ride
- Plush step-in comfort and quality upper
- Hard-wearing outsole
- Little energy return
- Feels higher-drop than the stated 6 mm
Scores from RunRepeat, Road Trail Run.
Bondi 9
- Softer supercritical foam
- Secure heel and midfoot
- Lighter than the Bondi 8
- Slow, clunky transitions at faster paces
- Snug heel counter can bother sensitive heels
Scores from RunRepeat, Road Trail Run.
Paraphrased from published reviews.
What's new in each
Brooks Ghost Max 4: About 6% lighter on a narrower heel platform, with a reworked outsole and softer heel landings; the DNA Loft v3 foam is unchanged and the US price is up $5.
HOKA Bondi 9: Swaps the Bondi 8's EVA for a supercritical foam, adds 4 mm of heel stack and 3 mm up front, and still sheds about 14 g. Wider forefoot, snugger heel.
Prices for the Ghost Max 4 Prices for the Bondi 9
More comparisons
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