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Tested using Methodology v0.12
Updated Aug 06, 2026 05:53 PM
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Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 03, 2026 03:43 PM
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Heel Stack Height
41.5 mm
Weight
297.8 g (10.50 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.0 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
39.2 mm
Weight
284.6 g (10.04 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.5 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
HOKA Bondi 9
Brooks Ghost Max 4
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better choice than the Brooks Ghost Max 4 for most runners. With much more absorbent cushioning that holds up well over distance, the Bondi 9 is the more protective option for long runs and easy days. The Ghost Max 4 has a lighter, more stable build, and its wide-arch design suits runners with flatter or wider feet better.
Variants
- Bondi 9 (Asphalt Grey/Gravel - (Men - US 9))
- Bondi 9 (Aster Flower/Starlight Glow - (Women - US 7))
- Ghost Max 4 (Arctic Wolf/Navy/Coconut - (Men - US 9))
- Ghost Max 4 (Arctic Wolf/Rose/Coconut - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
6.8
6.5
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
6.8
4.4
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.3
6.5
Weight
4.5
5.0
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.6
5.5
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
4.5
5.0
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
297.8 g (10.50 oz)
284.6 g (10.04 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
41.5 mm
39.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
34.5 mm
30.7 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.0 mm
8.5 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.0 mm
6.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
99 mm (3.9")
98 mm (3.9")
Outsole Arch Width
87 mm (3.4")
88 mm (3.5")
Outsole Forefoot Width
120 mm (4.7")
114 mm (4.5")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.39
2.50
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.48
3.71
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
277 mm (10.9")
281 mm (11.1")
Internal Heel Width
64 mm (2.5")
74 mm (2.9")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
96 mm (3.8")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
7.6
9.2
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-1.1 mm (-0.041")
1.4 mm (0.054")
Toe TTS Deviation
-8.3 mm (-0.325")
-2.8 mm (-0.110")
Forefoot Fit: Height
8.3
7.2
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-2.2 mm (-0.087")
-3.4 mm (-0.134")
Arch Fit: Width
8.6
9.2
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-2.5 mm (-0.098")
4.8 mm (0.188")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
7.0
8.2
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
17 mm (0.7")
29 mm (1.1")
Heel Apex Position
15.5%
17.5%
Heel Rocker Angle
24.4°
29.6°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.3
7.8
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
50 mm (2.0")
55 mm (2.2")
Toe Apex Position
62.1%
62.3%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
24.4°
26.3°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
DNA LOFT V3
Primary Foam Type
EVA
Secondary Foam Name
N/A
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Flat
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
2.4 mm (0.1")
Stretch
15.0%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
6.4
2.7
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
74.3%
69.1%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
6.8
4.4
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
75.4%
71.1%
Heel Cushioning
8.8
7.3
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.81 J
3.39 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
11.03 J
8.94 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
19.35 J
15.20 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.9
7.4
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.77 J
4.66 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
10.02 J
7.89 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
14.47 J
11.44 J
Heel Firmness
6.4
8.4
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
39.8 N/mm
46.4 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
48.0 N/mm
58.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
66.2 N/mm
81.8 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
5.6
8.7
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
48.2 N/mm
61.5 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
62.6 N/mm
80.3 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
87 N/mm
112 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.3
6.5
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
9.31 J
7.13 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
9.03 J
6.94 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.86 J
6.82 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.72 J
6.74 J
Rocker Stiffness
5.2
5.3
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
46 N
48 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.6
5.5
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
63.0%
58.7%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.5
7.6
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
9.4 N/mm
16.0 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
258 N
281 N
Heel Compression Depth
5.5
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
11.9 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
18.9 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
23.2 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
5.6
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
13.0 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
16.2 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
18.4 mm
HOKA Bondi 9
Brooks Ghost Max 4
Comments
HOKA Bondi 9 vs Brooks Ghost Max 4: Main Discussion
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