Hoka Bondi 9 vs Brooks Ghost Max 3 | Which Is Better?
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Hoka Bondi 9 vs Brooks Ghost Max 3 comparison in detail after personally owning both of these max cushion shoes.
I’ll be comparing these two head-to-head in categories like price, comfort, traction, stability & support, breathability, weight, and durability.
Then, at the end, I’ll share which product offers the best overall value for the money and provide my overall recommendation for which you should buy.
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion, drawing on 12 years of experience as an outdoor gear tester. I also run the Mountaineerjourney.com YouTube channel, with over 3,500 subscribers and over 1 million views, where you can watch video versions of all our reviews and comparisons.
Also, if you’re interested in learning more, I have tested each product individually in my Hoka Bondi 9 review and Brooks Ghost Max 3 review.
Our Verdict
Hoka Bondi 9 vs Brooks Ghost Max 3 Price Comparison
At the time of this writing, both shoes retail at similar price points, making value dependent on where you find the best deals.
Hoka Bondi 9 Price: $165
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Price: $160
Comfort
Both the Hoka Bondi 9 and Brooks Ghost Max 3 are exceptionally comfortable walking shoes—honestly, these are the most comfortable max cushion shoes I’ve tested to date. That said, they achieve comfort in noticeably different ways.
The Hoka Bondi 9 features a supercritical foam midsole that feels like walking on clouds, it’s extremely plush yet compressive here. This manufacturing process infuses nitrogen gas during foaming, creating EVA foam that’s approximately 20% lighter and significantly softer than traditional materials.
When I first stepped into the Bondi 9, my foot sank right into the insole.
The higher stack height of the Bondi 9 (43mm) translates to much higher impact absorption, especially for those looking for the most plush ride possible.
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 takes a different approach with its nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam.
During my testing, I found that this midsole offers more bounce and energy return compared to the Bondi 9’s pure plush feel.
It’s still incredibly comfortable, but there’s a springiness that propels you forward rather than simply absorbing impact.
Both shoes offer ample toe box room and a voluminous fit. The Bondi 9’s larger toebox gives your toes more room to splay, though it runs slightly narrow laterally.
The Ghost Max 3 offers a roomier toebox overall that accommodates swelling well.
Both shoes incorporate rocker geometry to promote a smooth rolling motion through each step. The Bondi 9’s Meta-Rocker is more pronounced at slower walking paces, providing a cushioned, effortless stride, while the Ghost Max 3’s GlideRoll rocker encourages quicker, more nimble turnover for a brisker walk.
In terms of overall comfort, both are excellent and rank among our top two most comfortable walking shoes this year. However, one must choose between the pure impact absorption of the Bondi and the nimbleness of the Brooks Ghost Max 3.
Hoka Bondi 9 Comfort: 5 out of 5
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Comfort: 5 out of 5
Winner: Tie
Traction
Both the Bondi 9 and Ghost Max 3 feature thoughtfully placed rubber on their outsoles, designed to provide reliable traction for walking on a variety of surfaces.
In my testing on pavement, light trails, and wet sidewalks, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 consistently provided better grip thanks to its traction islands.
Instead of just embedding zonal rubber patterns into the outsole, the Ghost Max 3 adds traction islands that further enhance traction compared to other models.
The rubber outsole has denser lugs that dig into surfaces more effectively, giving me more confidence during turns and quick adjustments.
Meanwhile, the Bondi 9’s Durabrasion rubber outsole performs well on dry pavement and offers smooth transitions. The issue I find with Durabrasion is that Hoka cuts into the outsole, which does reduce weight; however, it does not offer the superior traction of the Brooks Ghost Max 3.
The indentations in the outsole also lack the durability of the traction islands on the Ghost Max 3.
For everyday walking on dry surfaces, both shoes do a great job. However, when the path gets wet or uneven, the Ghost Max 3’s superior traction and lower stack height give it an edge in stability and confidence.
Hoka Bondi 9 Traction: 4 out of 5
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Traction: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Brooks Ghost Max 3
Hoka Bondi 9 vs Brooks Ghost Max 3: Which Fits Better?
Both shoes feature breathable upper materials designed for all-day comfort, but they differ in how they fit across different foot shapes. I tested the Bondi 9 in men’s 10.5 2E and the Ghost Max 3 in the same size.
The Bondi 9’s structured knit upper with zonal breathability provides excellent lockdown without compression. The 3D-molded collar wraps around the heel beautifully, preventing slippage during runs. However, the ankle padding is not as substantial as that of the Ghost Max 3.
The Ghost Max 3 offers a roomier fit throughout, particularly in the forefoot. During my 20-mile testing weeks, I appreciated how the toebox allowed my feet to swell naturally without feeling constrained.
The upper fit is more accommodating overall, though the heel lockdown isn’t quite as secure as the Bondi 9.
Both shoes offer regular, 2E, and 4E sizing options.
Through objective testing, the Ghost Max 3 fits a wider range of foot shapes, especially for those who need extra-wide options or orthotic compatibility.
Hoka Bondi 9 Fit: 4 out of 5
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Fit: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Brooks Ghost Max 3
Stability and Support
Despite both shoes having massive stack heights, they manage to provide stability through intelligent design rather than relying on aggressive stability posts or rigid supports.
The Hoka Bondi 9 uses what Hoka calls the Active Foot Frame, which cradles the heel and midfoot, giving you a stable platform without feeling constrictive.
Rather than your foot sitting right on top of the massive Stackheight, you slip into the insole itself while the rest of it comes up and over your heel.
From my experience, the Bondi 9 feels surprisingly stable for such a high-heeled shoe. The wide base minimizes any wobble or instability you might expect from a 43mm stack height.
On the other hand, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 achieves its stability through a broad platform combined with subtle sidewall support. Its heel width is around 95mm-not as wide as the Bondi 9, but still substantial.
If you’re primarily a heel striker, the Bondi 9’s wider base offers a bit more stability and confidence. Midfoot strikers might prefer the Ghost Max 3’s balanced, less “boat-like” feel, especially at quicker paces.
Both shoes do an excellent job absorbing impact while maintaining control, which is impressive given the physics challenges of high-stack shoes.
It’s clear that both Hoka and Brooks engineered these max cushion shoes thoughtfully to deliver stable rides without sacrificing comfort.
Hoka Bondi 9 Stability & Support: 4 out of 5
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Stability & Support: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Hoka Bondi 9
Breathability
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 edges out the Bondi 9 slightly in breathability, though both shoes perform well in warm weather.
The Ghost Max 3 features a 100% recycled mesh upper that permits excellent airflow. During summer testing, I noticed the ventilation pockets worked efficiently to keep my foot cool.
The lighter mesh construction allows for more air circulation than the Bondi 9’s structured knit.
The Bondi 9’s breathable upper with zonal ventilation performs admirably, but the denser knit material holds slightly more heat.
On particularly hot days, I could feel the difference between the two—the Ghost Max 3 simply moved air better.
Hoka Bondi 9 Breathability: 4 out of 5
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Breathability: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Brooks Ghost Max 3
Weight
We weighed both shoes on our scale, with the Hoka Bondi 9 at 12 oz for men’s size 10.5 and the Brooks Ghost Max 3 at 9.5 oz for men’s size 10.5. The Ghost Max 3 is the lighter shoe option, despite both being max-cushion designs.
This weight difference matters more than the numbers suggest. During faster efforts, I felt the Bondi 9’s extra weight, especially when trying to pick up pace.
The Ghost Max 3’s 8g advantage translates to slightly easier turnover during runs longer than an hour.
Hoka Bondi 9 Weight: 3.5 out of 5
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Weight: 4 out of 5
Winner: Brooks Ghost Max 3
Hoka Bondi 9 Overall Rating: 8.2/10
Brooks Ghost Max 3 Overall Rating: 9/10
Hoka Bondi 9 vs Brooks Ghost Max 3 Which One Is Better Overall?
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 wins over the Bondi 9.
The Ghost Max 3’s much better stability is what really makes the biggest difference against the Bondi 9.
If you want the absolute maximum plush cushioning with a wide, stable platform and don’t mind slightly more weight, choose the Hoka Bondi 9. Its 43mm stack height, supercritical foam, and Active Foot Frame make it a very enticing option for comfort.
If you prioritize versatility while still getting excellent cushioning, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 is your shoe. Its nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam provides superior energy return. I have used the Ghost Max 3 from everyday walks to training for half marathons.
How We Personally Tested Our Methodology
I personally tested both the Hoka Bondi 9 and Brooks Ghost Max 3 on numerous surfaces, including pavement, concrete sidewalks, and light trails, to provide you with the most unbiased review possible.
We test our gear against our OBJECTIVE testing standards to ensure every review or comparison is as accurate as possible.
Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Tyler is the founder Mountaineer Journey and a professional Mountain Guide with 15+ years of technical experience in trekking, mountaineering, and trail sports. Having logged thousands of miles from rugged alpine summits to urban paths, Tyler provides rigorous, field-tested insights on hiking, walking, and trail running gear. All reviews are 100% unsponsored and unbiased, ensuring you get honest scoring based on real-world performance. His mission is to help outdoor enthusiasts of all levels find reliable equipment that ensures comfort, safety, and performance on any terrain.
