Brooks Ghost Max 3 vs HOKA Bondi 9

Ghost Max 3 or Bondi 9? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.

The short answer

Want big cushion with a smooth rocker? Get the Ghost Max 3.

Want max cushion with a firmer, more supportive feel? Get the Bondi 9.

Get the Ghost Max 3 if

• You want the softer, more cushioned ride
• You’d rather spend $55 less

Get the Bondi 9 if

• You like a firmer, more stable feel
• You want more foam underfoot (4mm more at the heel)
• You want a dedicated recovery-day shoe

On the run

Ghost Max 3: Big cushion, easy rolling. Tall, steady cushioning with a pronounced rocker that rolls you along. It’s comfortable on long days, though it doesn’t feel especially springy.

Bondi 9: The supportive max-cushion tank. A huge, protective slab of foam that’s firmer than it looks, more supportive than squishy. The rocker keeps it moving, but it’s built for easy miles and long days on your feet, not speed.

Specs side by side

Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.

Fit

Ghost Max 3. True to size with a rounder, roomier toebox than the regular Ghost. No break-in needed. Wide and extra-wide available.

Bondi 9. Lower volume, with a toebox that tapers, so wide feet should go straight to the wide. The heel counter is stiff, so it isn’t a sockless shoe.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.

Shop the Ghost Max 3 · Shop the Bondi 9 · Compare other running shoes