HOKA Bondi v9 vs Brooks Glycerin Max v2

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

• An excellent max cushion shoe that nails the balance between cushion and bounce without feeling mushy.

  Ride:Max cushioned with a little bit of bounciness — doesn't feel tall for the sake of being tall and isn't mushy. A fantastic update.

  In their words: "a little bit of bounciness" · "they got it just right with the Bondi" · "excellent example of a max cushion shoe"

  — Kofuzi , source

• A genuine surprise: the updated midsole makes the Bondi 9 feel meaningfully better than prior Bondis, and he'd pick it over the Vomero 18.

  Ride:Feels noticeably better under step than prior Bondis thanks to updated EVA midsole; softer and more cushioned, and under 10 oz in his size which is very good for a maximalist daily trainer.

  Fit:Snug through the midfoot — maybe a touch too snug — and a smidge in the toe box; consider a half size up for wider feet. Love the heel pocket and counter; tongue could be a bit more plush.

  In their words: "felt snug through the midfoot" · "Maybe a half size up" · "felt so much better under step"

  — Seth James DeMoor , 50 mi tested , source

• A reliable max-cushion cruiser with soft heel and strong natural stability, but a blocky feel and sticky toe-off make it less versatile than the Gel-Nimbus 27 at any pace.

  Ride:Softer feel at the heel with a nice bevel, but forefoot rocker can feel a bit stuck/ponderous at toe-off. Super-critical EVA is comfort-focused, not lively; very wide base for natural stability.

  Fit:Stick to normal size; a bit narrower than the Gel-Nimbus 27 but not a narrow Hoka overall — wide versions available. Cradles Achilles nicely without aggression; plenty of padding.

  In their words: "a bit ponderous" · "a bit cushier" · "really nice heel bevel design"

  — The Run Testers , 36 mi tested , source

• A well-updated Bondi that finally modernizes into a bouncier, much more runnable max-cushion option thanks to the super critical EVA, best suited to neutral runners.

  Ride:Much more runnable than the Gaviota with noticeable bounce from the super critical EVA; feels lighter than its listed 12 oz; heavier than ideal for a high-cushion runnable shoe but still springy; neutral platform can let some runners drift onto the outside of the foot

  Fit:Reviewer notes Bondi 9 is available in 4E width for men and 2E for women; a men's 2E Bondi fits roughly like a 4E in other shoes

  In their words: "much more runnable" · "much more bounce" · "heavier than it probably wants to be"

  — Run Moore , source

Ride profile: maximal cushion , soft_plush feel , neutral stability .

• A solid max-cushion option but heavier and less fun than the Vomero Plus; Nick also prefers the original Glycerin Max over this update.

  Ride:Consistent poppy ride with a firmer, more stable feel than ZoomX; the Glide Roll rocker and lower 6mm drop give a smooth turnover but limited toe-off bounce, and the shoe feels labored at faster paces.

  Fit:True to size in UK 9 / US 10; stiff internal heel counter is noticeable but not a problem on the run; comfortable padded upper with a slightly thinner, more breathable forefoot than the Nike.

  In their words: "very nice consistent poppy ride" · "more stable than Zumax" · "a bit labored"

  — The Run Testers , 31 mi tested , source

• A denser, heavier Glycerin Max that is locked into the easy recovery niche; the reviewer clearly prefers the lighter Nimbus 28 at a similar price.

  Ride:Denser foam than v1, still soft and forgiving but not quicksand-like; aggressive outsole with more rubber coverage especially in the heel; ~314g feels bottom-heavy on foot; slightly lower drop than Nimbus

  In their words: "a much heavier shoe on foot" · "a much denser foam" · "feels quite bottomheavy"

  — EDDBUD , source

• A disappointing update that strips the original's dynamic bounce and personality, leaving a forgettable, heavy max-cushion shoe that's hard to justify at $200.

  Ride:Very pronounced rocker, but foam feels blocky and lost the squish/bounce dynamism of v1.

  Fit:Plush padded upper, slightly narrower forefoot than v1, fits true to size.

  In their words: "rocker is the most pronounced characteristic" · "more narrow than the last version" · "doesn't feel that soft or max cushion"

  — Believe in the Run , source

• A meaningful improvement over the original Glycerin Max for runners who prefer a firmer, more structured ride; the sharp forefoot rocker masks the weight and feels great on long runs, though the heel transition may not suit everyone.

  Ride:High stack rockered ride with slightly firmer DNA Tuned foam than v1; sharp forefoot rocker creates rhythmic roll, heel feels structured and can be slightly slappy/clunky through the midfoot transition. Outsole grips very well.

  Fit:Normal width throughout, plush triple jacquard mesh upper, breathable but may run warm in summer; normal forefoot volume with adequate toe space.

  In their words: "max stack training shoe" · "very rockered" · "heel might be a touch clunky"

  — Doctors of Running , 5 mi tested , source