Products
Tested using Methodology v0.14
Updated Oct 29, 2026 06:19 PM
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Amazon
Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Oct 07, 2026 02:40 PM
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Amazon
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
36.6 mm
Weight
283.3 g (9.99 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.8 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
HOKA Bondi 9
Brooks Ghost 18
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a much better running shoe than the Brooks Ghost 18. Its significantly deeper cushioning provides much better protection under both the heel and forefoot, especially over longer distances. Its better energy return also provides more assistance through each stride, making it easier to keep your legs moving. That said, the Ghost 18 is lighter and more stable, providing a firmer, more planted feel for regular mileage. It’s also a good alternative for heel strikers who prefer a traditional daily trainer.
Variants
- Bondi 9 (Asphalt Grey/Gravel - (Men - US 9))
- Bondi 9 (Aster Flower/Starlight Glow - (Women - US 7))
- Ghost 18 (Black/Black/Ebony - (Men - US 9))
- Ghost 18 (Black/Black/Ebony - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
6.8
5.4
Forefoot Stack Height
34.5 mm
25.8 mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.3
5.1
Heel Stack Height
41.5 mm
36.6 mm
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
6.8
4.8
Weight
4.5
5.1
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
4.5
5.1
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
297.8 g (10.50 oz)
283.3 g (9.99 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
41.5 mm
36.6 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
34.5 mm
25.8 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.0 mm
10.8 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.0 mm
10.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
99 mm (3.9")
92 mm (3.6")
Outsole Arch Width
87 mm (3.4")
77 mm (3.0")
Outsole Forefoot Width
120 mm (4.7")
115 mm (4.5")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.39
2.51
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.48
4.46
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
277 mm (10.9")
282 mm (11.1")
Internal Heel Width
64 mm (2.5")
68 mm (2.7")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
95 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
7.6
9.3
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-1.1 mm (-0.041")
3.5 mm (0.139")
Toe TTS Deviation
-8.3 mm (-0.325")
0.2 mm (0.007")
Forefoot Fit: Height
8.3
6.8
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-2.2 mm (-0.087")
-3.8 mm (-0.150")
Arch Fit: Width
8.6
9.0
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-2.5 mm (-0.098")
-1.9 mm (-0.074")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
7.0
6.5
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
17 mm (0.7")
17 mm (0.7")
Heel Apex Position
15.5%
14.0%
Heel Rocker Angle
24.4°
22.5°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.3
6.1
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
50 mm (2.0")
43 mm (1.7")
Toe Apex Position
62.1%
69.2%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
24.4°
25.5°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
Not Advertised
DNA LOFT V3
Primary Foam Type
EVA
EVA
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Flat
Round
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.8 mm (0.1")
3.0 mm (0.1")
Stretch
13.0%
8.5%
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
3.0
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
74.3%
69.5%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
6.8
4.8
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
75.4%
71.6%
Heel Cushioning
8.8
7.7
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.81 J
3.36 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
11.03 J
9.48 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
19.35 J
16.47 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.9
5.6
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.77 J
3.52 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
10.02 J
5.96 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
14.47 J
8.82 J
Heel Firmness
6.4
8.3
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
39.8 N/mm
47.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
48.0 N/mm
56.9 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
66.2 N/mm
78.6 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
5.6
9.5
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
48.2 N/mm
77.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
62.6 N/mm
101.8 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
87 N/mm
141 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.3
5.1
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
9.31 J
5.71 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
9.03 J
5.54 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.86 J
5.48 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.72 J
5.42 J
Rocker Stiffness
5.2
5.9
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
46 N
60 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.6
5.7
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
63.0%
59.2%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.5
6.1
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
9.4 N/mm
6.9 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
258 N
264 N
Heel Compression Depth
5.6
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
11.6 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
19.3 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
24.2 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
4.4
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
10.4 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
12.8 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
14.5 mm
HOKA Bondi 9
Brooks Ghost 18
Comments
HOKA Bondi 9 vs Brooks Ghost 18: Main Discussion
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