Brooks Ghost Max 4 vs HOKA Bondi 9

Ghost Max 4 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, smooth cushion that’s easy to run in? Get the Ghost Max 4.

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

Get the Ghost Max 4 if

• You like a stiffer, rocker-style forefoot that rolls you forward

Get the Bondi 9 if

• You want more foam underfoot (3mm more at the heel)
• You like a less rigid forefoot
• You need an extra-wide width

On the run

Ghost Max 4: Big, smooth, beginner-friendly cushion. Smooth and predictable, with a rocker that rolls you through each stride. The ride is on the firm side with little bounce, but it’s stable and protective.

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 4. True to size with a plush upper and a thick, padded tongue. It’s lower over the toes and snugger than the Ghost Max 3. 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 4 · Shop the Bondi 9 · Compare other running shoes