Brooks Glycerin Max 2 vs HOKA Bondi 9

Glycerin Max 2 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 the plushest, most comfortable Brooks? Get the Glycerin Max 2.

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

Get the Glycerin Max 2 if

• You want the softer, more cushioned ride
• You need a roomier fit
• You like a stiffer, rocker-style forefoot that rolls you forward
• You’d rather spend $25 less

Get the Bondi 9 if

• You like a firmer, more stable feel
• You want more bounce and energy back
• You like a less rigid forefoot
• You want the lighter shoe, by about 0.8 oz

On the run

Glycerin Max 2: The plush, max-stack cruiser. A true SUV for easy miles: massive, plush cushioning with a smooth rocker and surprising stability for its size. Heavy, with little bounce.

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

Glycerin Max 2. True to size with an incredibly comfortable, foot-hugging upper, though it’s low over the toes.

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 Glycerin Max 2 · Shop the Bondi 9 · Compare other running shoes