Ghost Max 4 vs Bondi 9

The Ghost Max 4 is Brooks at its most protective: a max-stack cushioned running shoe built for comfort over speed. With 40mm of foam under the heel and a 6mm drop, it stacks up plenty of protection for easy miles, recovery days and long, steady efforts when your legs want to be looked after. The star of the show is the GlideRoll rocker, a curved sole that rolls you forward so each stride feels smooth rather than clunky, which matters a lot in a shoe this tall. At 292g it is not light, and it is not trying to be. This is a daily training shoe for runners who value a soft, planted, easy ride over pop or pace. If you like the idea of the same rockered comfort with even more foam, the Hoka Bondi 9 is the obvious rival. We rate the Ghost Max 4 as one of the easiest max-cushion trainers to just put on and run.

The Bondi 9 is Hoka's maximum-cushion daily running shoe, the plushest, most protective trainer in the range. This is not a speed tool and it never pretends to be. It is built for one job and does it well: soaking up impact mile after mile so your legs finish easier than they started. At 297g with a 5mm drop it is a substantial shoe, and you feel that heft, but the reward is a deep, forgiving stack of foam and one of the most stable max-cushion platforms on the road. The foam in this version runs a touch softer and more balanced than older Bondis, so the ride feels less firm underfoot. We rate it as a recovery-day and easy-miles specialist, and a genuinely good option for heavier runners, tired legs and anyone who spends long hours on their feet. If you want the same brand cushioning with less weight, the lighter Hoka Clifton 10 is the natural alternative.