The HOKA Bondi 9 is a premium daily trainer built for cushioning and protection, and serves as a key update to the long-running series. Runners looking for a dependable shoe for easy, long, or recovery runs at relaxed paces will be satisfied, as the switch from the stiff compression-molded EVA of its predecessor, the HOKA Bondi 8, to the same supercritical EVA foam found in their lightweight daily trainer, the HOKA Mach 6, delivers significant improvements in energy return and shock absorption. Make no mistake, though, underfoot it's still undeniably a Bondi, retaining the firmer ride and mild rocker geometry long-time fans of the series will recognize immediately. It is, however, a far softer and lighter trainer, with smoother heel-to-toe transitions and a much more modern feel, though it still isn't a particularly snappy shoe by design.
Our Verdict
The HOKA Bondi 9 isn't built for race day. Its weight and bulky geometry, combined with only adequate energy return, make it difficult to really push the pace over marathon distances. That said, the shoe's cushioning still does a good job keeping long efforts comfortable, though the narrow fit may become restrictive once foot swelling starts to build.
Excellent cushioning for a comfortable and protective ride.
True-to-size length.
Not enough energy return.
Heavy weight reduces its overall performance.
The HOKA Bondi 9 wasn't designed as a short-distance racing shoe. While you can still use it for shorter races, its foam density, weight, and limited energy return don't give the shoe the snappy feel needed to really push the pace.
True-to-size length.
Not enough energy return.
Heavy weight reduces its overall performance.
True-to-size length.
True-to-size length.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 29, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.14, which adds new lace-specific results. We've included a close-up photo of the laces, as well as details including lace type, width, thickness, and stretch. To read more about the changes, see the changelog.
- Updated Oct 29, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.13, which identifies the different foams used in the shoe's midsole. We've included a microscopic image of the foam cells to give you an idea of what the microstructure looks like. To read more about the changes, see the changelog.
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Updated Aug 06, 2026:
We've updated this review to add a link to the newly reviewed Brooks Ghost Max 4 in the Heel Cushioning box.
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Updated Jul 23, 2026:
We've updated the Popular Comparisons section to add a link to the newly reviewed HOKA Clifton PRO.
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Updated Jul 16, 2026:
We've updated the Popular Comparison section and Weight box to include a link to the newly reviewed HOKA Clifton 11.
- Updated Jun 17, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.12, which fixes how we measure firmness, a component of the Stability and 5K/10K Racing usages. There may be inconsistencies between the text and the scores for these usages, but the scores should still be considered valid. We've also brought back the Energy Return score and added two new usages: Daily Training and Long Run. To read more about the changes, see the changelog.
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Updated May 29, 2026:
We've updated the Popular Comparisons section to include a link to the newly reviewed HOKA Skyward X 2.
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Updated May 11, 2026:
We refreshed the Introduction and Popular Running Shoe Comparisons sections to provide more historical context, updated the 5K/10K, Cushioning, Responsiveness, Marathon Racing, Weight, Performance, Lateral Stability, True to Size, Heel Compression, and Forefoot Cushioning boxes for consistency, and revised the side-by-side comparisons to reflect these changes.
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Updated Apr 30, 2026:
We've updated this review to add text for the new Responsiveness usage box and made minor phrasing adjustments throughout the review for consistency.
- Updated Apr 28, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.11, adding two new rocker measurements to the Design section, and three new responsiveness tests to the Performance section. The Energy Return usage score has been replaced with Responsiveness. Check out the details in our changelog.
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Updated Apr 08, 2026:
We refreshed the lineup section of the Popular Running Shoe Comparisons box.
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Updated Feb 16, 2026:
We updated the review to include text for the full set of new fit tests and the corresponding usage box, which were recently added to our test bench.
- Updated Feb 16, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.10, adding a new set of fit tests to the Design section and an overall fit performance usage. Check out the details in our changelog.
- Updated Nov 20, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.9, which adds a Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test to our performance section. Read more in our changelog.
- Updated Oct 31, 2025: Review published.
- Updated Oct 05, 2025: Early access published.
- Updated Jul 15, 2025: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jun 23, 2025: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jun 20, 2025: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
We've bought and tested more than 300 running shoes. Every pair purchased with our own money, never supplied or sponsored by brands. Our data-driven tests are designed to go beyond marketing claims, and since every shoe goes through the exact same methodology, you can directly compare results to find the right pair for your needs.
Test Results
Energy Return
True-to-size length.
The forefoot on this shoe offers more substantial energy return than most max-cushioned models, helping each stride feel livelier. The supercritical EVA foam adds extra bounce to the ride, helping it feel less sluggish and more responsive during longer runs.
The HOKA Bondi 9 offers an acceptable amount of heel energy return, giving each landing a more energetic feel than the previous iteration while outperforming comparable shoes like the PUMA MagMax NITRO and the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27.
Stability
The HOKA Bondi 9 provides satisfactory lateral stability. The shoe has a wide base flare that helps offset its tall stack height, while the firmer forefoot helps the platform feel stable when pushing off.
Wide base platform.
Firm midsole at the forefoot.
True-to-size length.
On the higher side for stack height.
The heel on this shoe is very soft. For those who heel strike, this may feel overly squishy and cause instability at initial impact before transitioning through the midsole to toe off.
This shoe's forefoot firmness remains quite soft under light to medium loads, complementing the new liveliness the updated midsole brings. However, it remains a stable platform for pushing off, offering a more controlled and protected feel. The shoe's broad base further enhances this, providing a comfortable ride.
Cushioning
The HOKA Bondi 9's biggest strength is its cushioning. The supercritical EVA foam midsole offers excellent impact protection and a comfortable ride for easy and recovery runs.
Excellent protection
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Tall stack height.
True-to-size length.
The HOKA Bondi 9's heel consistently absorbs impact efficiently and keeps heel-to-toe transitions smooth. It provides exceptionally reliable comfort and support for runners seeking a protective ride. It's the standard that other shoes that claim to be "max-cushion", like the Brooks Ghost Max 4, should follow.
The forefoot cushioning on this shoe is amazing. The shoe's iconic wide platform base in the forefoot, combined with supercritical EVA foam from the HOKA Mach 6, makes for a protective ride.
Responsiveness
The HOKA Bondi 9 is adequately responsive. The updated supercritical EVA foam provides a reasonable amount of energy return, and, even though there's a decent rocker, it lacks the stiffness needed to keep shape under force, meaning the shoe struggles to generate much propulsion during harder efforts.
Energy return is balanced across heel and forefoot.
True-to-size length.
True To Size
The HOKA Bondi 9 delivers an excellent true-to-size fit that feels comfortable for most runners. The length feels spot-on, though the forefoot width tapers slightly and may feel narrow around the toes, especially for runners with a wider forefoot or those who prefer extra toe splay. In that case, HOKA offers a wide version that offers a more roomy fit up front.
Enough room for most at the arch and ball of foot.
True-to-size length.
Very narrow in the toe area.
The Bondi has always been an unapologetically bulky shoe, and even though this generation has lost some weight (thanks in part to the updated foam composition), it remains on the heavier side of premium daily trainers, and is much heavier than the HOKA Clifton 11.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The HOKA Bondi 9 enters a much more crowded category than its predecessors. Once a defining shoe in the movement away from low-stack minimalist trainers toward highly cushioned models, in recent years, you could be forgiven for thinking the Bondi line had been left behind. With over two years between the release of the HOKA Bondi 8 and the Bondi 9, competitors like the PUMA MagMax NITRO, the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6, and the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 appeared to have overtaken the Bondi 9 model, offering much taller, lighter, and more cushioned shoes, with significantly better energy return to boot. However, the updated Bondi 9 more than holds its own. Compared to the More v6 and NIMBUS 27, the Bondi 9 now surpasses their energy return in both the heel and forefoot, while still retaining impressive cushioning over long distances as well. Against the MagMax, the Bondi 9 delivers significantly better heel energy return and slightly better forefoot rebound, though the MagMax still has a slight edge in outright cushioning for longer runs.
Within HOKA's line-up, the Bondi 9 sits as the brand's premium daily trainer, offering impressive long-run protection and adequate energy return. Though similar to the classic daily trainer, the HOKA Clifton 11, the Bondi 9 has more foam under both the heel and forefoot and offers noticeably better protection over longer distances. There's also the HOKA Clifton PRO, a lighter, more stable alternative to the Bondi 9 with similarly excellent cushioning. The HOKA Mach 7 is the brand's nimble, lightweight daily trainer. If you're looking for truly remarkable cushioning, the HOKA Skyward X 2 pushes even further, pairing a gargantuan stack height with a PEBA-EVA blend and convex carbon plate for a much snappier, more cushioned ride.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes, as well as the best long-distance running shoes and the best shoes for running a marathon.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better choice than the HOKA Clifton 10 for long runs. It's softer and more protective, with a slightly more energetic feel. The Clifton 10 is lighter, firmer, and more versatile, making it the better pick for a wide mix of daily mileage.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better choice than the HOKA Clifton 11 for maximum comfort. It's deeper, more protective, and more energetic, especially on easy miles and long runs. The Clifton 11 is lighter, more stable, and firmer up front, making it the better pick if you want a lighter daily trainer that still protects well.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better choice than the HOKA Gaviota 6 for daily training if you don't have pronation issues. It's plush and comfortable, with superior protection and a heavily padded upper. The Gaviota 6 uses guidance features to help control overpronation, making it more stable and the better pick if you need support.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better running shoe than the Brooks Ghost Max 3. Its plush foam absorbs even heavy impacts and gives you a bit of bounce. The Brooks is firmer and a bit more stable, but has very little bounce, making it better as a walking shoe you can occasionally run in.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better choice than the Nike Vomero Plus if you want a shoe that stays soft all day. It absorbs more impact and holds up longer on long runs. The Nike is lighter with very good energy return, making it the better pick if you want to pick up the pace.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better choice than the HOKA Arahi 8 if you want to protect your legs from impact. It has some of the best cushioning of any daily trainer, and its foam gives reasonable energy return despite the extra weight. The Arahi 8 uses a firm foam frame to help stabilize your foot, making it better if you overpronate.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better choice than the Brooks Ghost Max 4 for most runners. With much more absorbent cushioning that holds up well over distance, the Bondi 9 is the more protective option for long runs and easy days. The Ghost Max 4 has a lighter, more stable build, and its wide-arch design suits runners with flatter or wider feet better.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better running shoe than the Brooks Glycerin 23. Its softer, more deeply cushioned platform provides much better protection from road impact, making it a more comfortable choice for daily mileage and longer runs. It also offers noticeably better energy return through both the heel and forefoot, providing more assistance through each stride. That said, the Brooks has a firmer, more traditional feel that may appeal to runners who prefer a simpler shoe for easy runs or walking.
The HOKA Bondi 9 and Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 are two daily trainers, though they have different applications. The HOKA is a premium daily trainer that provides excellent cushioning and protection, making it a reliable companion across easy, long, and recovery runs at relaxed paces. Conversely, the Brooks is a support shoe intended to assist with excessive pronation, with sidewalls and a medial post baked in, making it a stability-first option.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better running shoe than the HOKA Skyflow if you prioritize cushioning for easy miles and longer runs. Its deeper cushioning provides better protection from road impact, while its superior energy return offers more assistance through each stride. Both shoes provide decent stability, but the Skyflow is lighter and has a lower heel-to-toe drop, giving it a less heel-biased ride.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better choice than the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 if you prioritize cushioning and energy return for easy running. It absorbs more road impact overall, while its much better energy return provides more assistance through stride and makes it easier to turn your legs over, despite the ASICS being lighter. That said, the ASICS is more stable, providing a more trustworthy platform underfoot.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better running shoe than the HOKA Clifton 9. Its softer, more deeply cushioned platform provides much better protection from road impact, especially over longer runs. Its better energy return also provides more assistance through each stride, making it easier to keep your legs moving. That said, the Clifton 9 is significantly lighter, more stable, and cheaper. If you mainly want a straightforward shoe for everyday mileage and don’t need the Bondi’s extra cushioning, the Clifton is a good alternative.
The HOKA Mach 7 is a better all-around running shoe than the HOKA Bondi 9. It’s much lighter, more stable, and offers better energy return, making it more versatile for daily training and faster workouts. The Bondi 9 provides significantly deeper cushioning, especially over longer distances, making it the better option for relaxed runs where comfort takes priority. However, its heavy build and soft platform make it less suitable for picking up the pace, while the Mach 7 can comfortably handle a wider variety of runs.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better running shoe than the Nike Vomero 18 for runners who prioritize cushioning. It provides significantly better protection from road impact, particularly over longer distances, while its much better energy return makes it easier to keep your legs moving. However, the Nike is more stable, providing a more trustworthy platform underfoot. Its higher heel-to-toe drop and stronger heel rocker also make it better suited to heel strikers, while its roomier forefoot is more accommodating for runners who need extra space.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a much better running shoe than the Brooks Ghost 18. Its significantly deeper cushioning provides much better protection under both the heel and forefoot, especially over longer distances. Its better energy return also provides more assistance through each stride, making it easier to keep your legs moving. That said, the Ghost 18 is lighter and more stable, providing a firmer, more planted feel for regular mileage. It’s also a good alternative for heel strikers who prefer a traditional daily trainer.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better daily trainer than the Brooks Glycerin Max 2. Both provide amazing cushioning and perform similarly over long distances, but the HOKA is lighter and delivers significantly better energy return, making it easier to keep your legs moving through regular mileage. The Brooks has a taller stack and a roomier forefoot, making it the better option for runners who need additional space. It’s also firmer and moves more smoothly through each stride, though its heavier build and poor energy return make it less versatile.
The HOKA Skyward X is a better running shoe than the HOKA Bondi 9 for long runs. Its taller, more cushioned platform provides superior impact protection, while its carbon plate and more energetic midsole offer significantly more assistance through each stride. The Bondi is firmer and easier to settle into at relaxed paces, making it a more straightforward option for easy daily mileage. However, if you regularly run longer distances and want maximum cushioning with plenty of rebound, the Skyward X is the better choice.
The HOKA Bondi 9 and the Brooks Glycerin Max both shine in protecting runners during long distances. With its DNA-Tuned foam midsole, the Brooks shoe provides runners with excellent cushioning, delivering a soft ride as they cruise through their run. The HOKA, however, has a firmer underfoot feel for cruising due to its supercritical EVA foam. On the contrary, the Brooks provides the runner with a plush ride but offers terrible energy return. Meanwhile, with its updated midsole composition, the HOKA provides better energy return and offers a more responsive, fun ride. Depending on the runner's preferences, both running shoes offer comfort on easy, long, or recovery miles without sacrificing the protection they need.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better running shoe than the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14. Its deeper cushioning provides better protection from road impact, while its significantly better energy return makes it easier to keep your legs moving during daily mileage and longer runs. The New Balance feels softer underfoot, but its foam provides much less rebound, making the ride feel more sluggish. The New Balance also has a snugger standard fit, though both shoes are available in wide sizes.
The New Balance 1080v15 is a better choice than the HOKA Bondi 9 for most runners. Much lighter and a bit bouncier, the New Balance feels more lively, while its rockered heel and steadier platform keep transitions smooth. If maximum protection is your priority, though, the HOKA's deeper cushioning holds up better over long distances, making it a great fit for slower long runs. Note that the New Balance is narrow through the arch, but both shoes are available in wide versions.
The HOKA Skyward X 2 and HOKA Bondi 9 both sit in HOKA's cushioned cruiser lane, but the Skyward X 2 takes the concept further. The Bondi 9 uses a supercritical EVA midsole for a soft, stable, familiar max-cushion ride. The Skyward X 2 uses that same kind of foam as its base, then adds a PEBA top layer and carbon plate for a more responsive feel underfoot. The Bondi 9 has the wider, steadier platform and costs much less, making it the pick for walking or relaxed daily miles. The Skyward X 2 makes more sense if you want a lighter, taller, more energetic version of the Bondi idea for long runs.
The HOKA Gaviota 5 and HOKA Bondi 9 are two different daily trainers from the brand that launched the max-cushioning craze, and they target different kinds of runners. The Bondi is a neutral running shoe that is soft and comfortable, with excellent cushioning. The Gaviota is a stability shoe that uses an H-frame of firm foam around the outer edges of the midsole to guide your foot back into a neutral position if it starts to roll sideways. Its cushioning is still decent, but the denser midsole gives back almost no energy. The fit of the Gaviota is a bit more accommodating than the standard version of the Bondi, but the latter is also available in Wide and Extra Wide versions.
The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 and HOKA Bondi 9 both fall into the premium daily trainer category. The ASICS midsole features FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam and a PureGEL heel insert, which delivers a soft, plush ride. It delivers less energy return, though, so it's a more difficult shoe to pick up the pace. The HOKA's supercritical EVA midsole delivers a fun, energetic ride, with more bounce and responsiveness than the NIMBUS 27. Though the HOKA is firmer than the ASICS, both offer great protection, stability, and comfort.
The HOKA Bondi 9 and the HOKA Mach 6 now share the same supercritical EVA foam, but with some noticeable differences. The Bondi 9 is still a high-stack, max-cushioned trainer. Though the forefoot has remained firmer, the altered rocker geometry and the renowned wide platform have created smoother transitions while offering reasonable energy return. The Mach 6 has more ground feel, thanks to its lighter weight and solid energy return, which promotes a higher cadence and allows the runner to pick up the pace, giving more versatility in their daily mileage. Overall, the Bondi 9 delivers the protection you want for your longer runs. In contrast, the Mach 6 offers more efficiency as a lightweight daily trainer.
The HOKA Bondi 9 and New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 are both trainers built for easy and recovery mileage, though the More v6 leans further into plush, marshmallow-like comfort. Its wider platform and softer forefoot give it a more accommodating feel, especially for runners who want extra room up top. The Bondi 9 delivers significantly better heel and forefoot energy return, with a firmer forefoot that gives it a more stable feel at easy paces. Though both shoes offer strong protection for longer runs, the Bondi 9 is the livelier of the two for easy mileage, and makes more sense if you want better rebound without sacrificing stability. The More v6 is the better pick for runners who need extra room and want a plush shoe to sink into.
The Saucony Hurricane 25 is a better shoe than the HOKA Bondi 9. It's bouncier and more stable while still being very well cushioned, making it the pick for runners who want one shoe for daily use, long runs, and the occasional faster workout. The Bondi 9 is slightly softer, so it's the better choice for runners who only want maximum comfort.
The Brooks Ghost 17 and HOKA Bondi 9 are both daily trainers, though they have very different philosophies about what that means. The Brooks is the classic, lower-stack daily shoe that provides a comfortable, stable companion with a traditional ground feel to soak up daily mileage. The HOKA, however, is the taller, more plush option, with exceptional cushioning over easy, long, and recovery runs, and is the more protective (though slightly less stable) shoe, providing more bounce and responsiveness in comparison.
The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and HOKA Bondi 9 are both high-stack daily trainers, but they prioritize comfort in different ways. The ASICS is the lighter, more modern-feeling option, combining great cushioning with a lively bounce that makes it quite versatile. The HOKA leans harder into protection, with a more cushioned, more comfort-forward ride, but it feels heavier on foot and more focused on soaking up impact than feeling nimble. If your priority is maximum protection and a plush cruiser feel, the HOKA makes more sense. However, if you want a lighter daily trainer that still delivers great cushioning with a bit of bounce for more versatile training, the ASICS is the better fit.
The HOKA Bondi 9 and Brooks Glycerin 22 are both daily cushioned trainers but differ in feel and purpose. The Bondi 9's supercritical EVA foam and wide platform deliver a softer, more protective ride ideal for easy or recovery runs. The Glycerin 22's nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 midsole feels denser and more stable, offering a firmer, more traditional experience suited for steady daily mileage. Runners prioritizing plush comfort will favor the Bondi 9, while those wanting a balanced, consistent ride will prefer the Glycerin 22.
The Saucony Triumph 24 and HOKA Bondi 9 are both premium cushioned daily trainers, but the Saucony is the better shoe for most runners. The HOKA offers slightly more cushioning overall, though it's much heavier and duller underfoot. The Saucony gives up very little protection in exchange for a lighter, bouncier, more responsive ride. Pick the HOKA for a more traditionally cushioned ride; pick the Saucony if you want protection and a shoe that can handle more runs.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better daily trainer than the PUMA MagMax NITRO if you want more assistance through each stride. It delivers significantly better heel energy return and somewhat more forefoot rebound, making it easier to keep your legs moving during regular mileage. However, the PUMA has a taller stack and a much roomier forefoot, making it more accommodating for wider feet.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a much better running shoe than the HOKA Bondi 8. Its updated foam provides significantly deeper cushioning and much better energy return through both the heel and forefoot, making it more comfortable for daily mileage and easier to keep your legs moving over longer distances. It’s also lighter despite having a taller stack. The Bondi 8 is firmer and more stable, making it worth considering if you prefer a more planted feel, but the Bondi 9 is the clear upgrade.
The HOKA Clifton PRO and HOKA Bondi 9 offer the same excellent cushioning, but the Clifton PRO is the better daily trainer. It's much lighter and much more stable, and performs better on routine mileage all the way through to marathon efforts. The Bondi 9 is bouncier and much more energetic underfoot, though its heavier build makes it less versatile. If you prioritize a livelier ride, get the Bondi 9; otherwise, the Clifton PRO is the better all-rounder.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better choice than the ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSH if you want a livelier feel during easy daily runs, and it typically retails for less. Both provide excellent cushioning, but the HOKA returns more energy with each step, making the ride feel less muted. The trade-off is lower stability, so the ASICS makes more sense if feeling planted matters more than rebound. Both shoes suit relaxed running rather than faster workouts.
The HOKA Bondi 9 and Mount to Coast C1 are two similarly stacked running shoes that suit different kinds of runners. The Bondi 9 feels softer when you step in, but once you start running, the C1 does the better job of absorbing heavier impacts. Both have cushioning that holds up well over long runs, but the narrower fit of the HOKA, combined with the dual lacing system of the C1, makes the upper of the Mount to Coast more comfortable over longer distances.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a better running shoe than the R.A.D MALLOW, especially for longer distances. Its significantly deeper cushioning provides much better protection from road impact, making it more comfortable for easy runs and regular mileage. That said, the R.A.D is more stable and offers slightly better energy return, despite being heavier.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We purchased and tested the HOKA Bondi 9 in a men's US size 9, as shown here on the label of our pair. The pair we bought is in the Drizzle/Downpour colorway. The model is available in more than 18 colorways, purchasable through various retailers depending on your region. This shoe is available in a variety of widths, ranging from B (Women's Medium; Men's Narrow) to D (Women's Wide; Men's Medium), 2E (Men's Wide; Women's Extra Wide), and 4E (Men's Extra Wide). The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other sizes and gender variants to perform similarly.
