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.
True-to-size length.
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.
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
.
Tall stack height.
True-to-size length.
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 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.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- 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.
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.
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 10, the updated Bondi 9 has more foam under both the heel and forefoot and offers noticeably better protection over longer distances. Both shoes are more cushioned but less nimble than the HOKA Mach 7, the brand's 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 Clifton 10 and HOKA Bondi 9 are both daily trainers, but they deliver noticeably different ride experiences. The Clifton 10 remains lighter and more versatile, offering a firmer and more structured ride that works well across a variety of different mileage. The Bondi 9, however, leans further into max-cushion comfort, and, thanks to its updated supercritical EVA midsole, has a more forgiving ride with better long-run protection and slightly more energetic transitions. While both shoes handle daily training comfortably, runners looking for a lighter and more versatile option will likely prefer the Clifton 10, while those prioritizing cushioning and protection over longer distances will prefer the Bondi 9.
The HOKA Bondi 8 and HOKA Bondi 9 share a similar ride philosophy, but the newer version modernizes the experience considerably. The HOKA Bondi 8 delivers a firmer and more structured ride, with a denser compression-molded EVA midsole that feels more traditional but noticeably less energetic. The updated HOKA Bondi 9 swaps in a supercritical EVA midsole that improves both heel and forefoot energy return substantially, while also increasing cushioning and reducing weight slightly despite the taller stack height. While both shoes prioritize protection and comfort over speed, the HOKA Bondi 9 feels smoother and more energetic, making it noticeably less sluggish during longer runs, while the HOKA Bondi 8 remains the firmer and more traditional-feeling option overall.
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 and HOKA Bondi 9 are two shoes that deliver very different experiences on foot. The HOKA is all about plush cushioning, and its supercritical EVA midsole soaks up even the heaviest of impacts. The HOKA does an okay job of returning the energy you put into it, so you'll get a bit of bounce in your step. The Brooks, on the other hand, is a firmer, less cushy shoe. The stiffer midsole, combined with a slightly lower stack height, makes the Brooks shoe a bit more stable than the HOKA. It also gives the shoe very little bounce. If you're planning to do more running than walking, the HOKA is the better shoe. If you want a walking shoe that you can occasionally run with, the Brooks is a solid choice.
The HOKA Bondi 9 and HOKA Gaviota 6 serve different types of runners. The HOKA Bondi 9 is a max-cushion, comfort-first shoe with a very plush underfoot feel and a heavily padded upper that gives it a more luxurious, relaxed experience for daily training. The HOKA Gaviota 6 is the more support-focused option, using its guidance features to actively help control overpronation, which makes it more stable and more corrective overall. If you don’t have known pronation issues, the HOKA is the better choice for most daily training because of its superior protection.
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
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.
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.
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'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.
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.
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.
