When the Hoka Bondi was first introduced, it was considered outrageously big and cushioned to a lot of runners. Now it’s the norm among max cushioned shoes. Our focus is on how the Hoka Bondi 9 has revamped itself and if we’d now call it a great running shoe again, instead of just a great walking shoe.
We’ve put in a lot of miles in Bondi shoes over the years and there’s a reason, they often pop up on our list like best walking shoes or best Hoka running shoes. That’s right a shoe can be good for both, you just need to have a different pair for your long walking days vs running because of your wear pattern.
The last Bondi left us wanting more, so now here we are putting things to the test. Did this big overhaul give us more?
Who Is It Good For?
Who is Hoka Bondi 9 a good fit for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Wide Feet: Go for the wide and extra-wide option!
- Heavier Runners: Absolutely a go to option for foam that compresses well, feels stable and durable.
- Long Runs: 100% grab this for those longer miles to have a smooth ride from start to finish.
- Front of the Pack: Ideal for those easy and recovery paced miles.
This will be great for mid and back of the pack runners looking for a daily trainer to go that extra distance.
Hoka Bondi 9 Review
I have to be honest, the last time that I tried running in a pair of Hokas a few years ago, I returned them only after a few runs because they just weren’t the shoe for me.
I was worried the same thing was going to happen when I went to test these but you can even ask my husband I must’ve said “wow” at least a few times while running.
My first run in the Bondi 9 was one of those truly feel good runs where I wanted to just keep going. Okay, maybe it was the shoes or maybe it was because I was coming off of a few rest days but either way I will take it.
If you have been a long time fan of the Bondi, I think you’re really going to appreciate the updates that Hoka has made.
This is going to be a shoe that is great for middle and back of the pack runners who are looking for a daily trainer that is durable, supportive and has a cushiony feel.
It’s built for comfort over speed, making it an ideal choice for those longer training runs. Will it be a shoe that middle and back of the pack will wear for half and full marathons? I think it definitely has some potential!
While it’s not built for speedwork, the Bondi 9 still offers a touch of bounce thanks to the combination of its supercritical EVA foam and the smooth MetaRocker midsole design.
(If you’re wondering what EVA is, it’s the most commonly used running shoe foam and helps the shoe to feel springy depending on how much is used.)
I think I particularly really enjoyed running in the Bondi 9 because of the smooth MetaRocker. It’s super subtle and helped to encourage more of a natural gait and honestly, I wasn’t running as much in my typical dancer way (running more up on my toes) which has been something I’ve been working on improving.
Hoka Bondi 9 Specs
Let’s look at some of the details:
- Weight: 10.5 oz Men’s, 9.3 oz Women’s
- Heel Drop: 5 mm
- Usage: Max cushion daily trainer
- Available in 6 colors
- Available in wide and extra wide (in limited colors)
- Available on Hoka.com for $170
I wear a size 11 in running shoes so when I look down at my feet it’s A LOT more shoe than I am used to. But, I am to the point where I would much rather wear a shoe that FEELS good as the priority over how my feet look in the shoe.
Bonus points to Hoka because the Bondi 9 does come in a lot of cool colorways.
Hoka Bondi 9 Feel
Hoka gave the Bondi a makeover and it’s all about improving the ride and most importantly the fit. Spoiler alert, they nailed the comfort.
The first thing I noticed when I put on these shoes was how comfortable they felt. There is plenty of padding around the collar and tongue which felt great from the start and honestly, only seemed to get better each time I put them on.
The tongue stayed perfectly in place and I was happy that the extended heel pull didn’t cause any irritation or blisters even with my low rise socks.
One of the most noticeable updates in the Bondi 9 is the upgraded cushioning to Hoka’s super critical foam EVA. This helps to give that softer, more responsive feel underfoot.
I noticed that while running on both the treadmill and outside each step felt really smooth. It has the perfect balance between soft and firm and I didn’t feel like I was sinking into a marshmallow like I have when trying other pairs of Hokas.
Even with all that cushioning, the Bondi 9 still manages to feel lightweight, which is a huge win for a shoe this plush.
Hoka also upped the stack height by 2mm, bringing it to 43mm in the heel, and while that might sound like a lot, it didn’t feel bulky or unstable at all.
Recently, my go-to shoe for recovery runs has been the Brooks Glycerin Max but the Bondi 9 may need to have a place in my rotation.
Hoka Bondi 9 Fit
When it comes to the fit, I felt the Bondi 9 was slightly on the narrow side. If you typically need a wider shoe, you might want to check out the wide or extra wide options.
For me, the midfoot felt snug, but there was still plenty of room in the toebox that will be especially nice when my feet swell on those longer runs.
One of the upgrades is the knit upper, replacing the mesh from previous versions. I love how this gave the shoe a sock like fit, making it feel even more secure and comfortable.
I took the Bondi 9’s out in the super cold temps that we had here in Colorado and I feel like the knit upper kept my feet warmer. But it does make me wonder about how the thicker material will do in the warm temps, especially as someone who heats up quickly.
The shoe’s outsole is designed with a Durabrasion rubber to help prolong the shoe’s life, especially in the areas that typically see more wear and tear. It’ll be interesting to see how it holds up after getting some more miles logged both on the treadmill and outside.
Similar Shoes to the Bondi 9
We’ve tested a few shoes that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:
- Brooks Ghost Max 2 – (We definitely think is a better walking than running shoe, a little firmer)
- Asics Gel-Nimbus 27– (Max cushion shoe but isn’t going to help if you overpronate)
- Saucony Hurricane – (Stability shoe but big stack)
Hoka Bondi Vs Skyflow
You can see some of the differences just by putting the two shoes together. But the question is, what is the difference in how they feel?
From Coach Amanda: Last year, I switched from recommending the Bondi to the Skyflow for runners. With the Bondi 9 I was curious to see if that would stay the same, so I pulled on both pairs for some recovery miles the day after a long run.
Now, I would say it might come down to what you enjoy most underfoot.
Skyflow actually feels softer, but with your foot being cupped it’s really stable. I could pick up the pace a bit if needed with it. In fairness, the Skyflow is really broken in and I do wonder if the Bondi won’t feel softer with more miles on it.
Remember the midsole is a supercritical foam so it is not as durable, but is a lot lighter and feels softer at a slightly lower stack.
Here are some of the key differences:
- Bondi is a 43mm stack and the Skyflow 41mm
- Bondi uses an knit upper and Skyflow uses Creel jacquard upper (both a thicker material)
- Both have a padded tongue and heel collar
- Both are neutral shoes
- Bondi is available in wide and extra wide
- Skyflow is available in wide
- Skyflow is more moderate to max cushioning
- Bondi has a softer plush cushioning
There you have it, our first thoughts on the Bondi 9. I hope that this will help get you excited to try out the updated fit and feel of the Bondi on your next walk or run!!
Ready to run? Go check it out on Hoka.com for $170
Robots Are Now Running In Marathons In China And Here’s The Reason Why
Leave a Reply