Bondi 9 vs More 5

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.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 is a max-cushion running shoe built for one job: soaking up the miles with as much soft, protective foam under your feet as New Balance can sensibly stack. This is not a speed shoe. At 309g it is a proper heavyweight, and the payoff is a tall, plush platform that keeps your legs fresh on easy days and long runs. With a low 4mm drop and a rockered shape, it rolls you forward smoothly once you settle into an easy rhythm. We rate it as one of the more genuinely comfortable daily training shoes on the market, and a strong pick if your priority is cushioning and leg protection over pace. If you want a plush max-cushion trainer for high-mileage weeks and recovery running, the More v5 is squarely aimed at you. Just go in knowing it trades away lightness and pop to get there. The lighter Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is the more versatile stablemate if you want a bit more range.