The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is an inventive super trainer with a lively midsole that feels fast and fun. Its cushioning is outstanding and holds up well over long distances, giving it the versatility to cover long runs and uptempo workouts. The bounce can turn chaotic, though, and runners who need more stability might find this shoe too unsteady.
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Our Verdict
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is an impressive candidate for a marathon racer. Its cushioning holds up superbly well over long distances, so your legs will be spared much of the impact of repeated pounding. The combination of energetic midsole foams and decently aggressive rocker is your friend when you're trying to pick up the pace, but there is a caveat: the malleable midsole will require your stabilizer muscles to do more work, and you might find it harder to maintain good form as the miles pile up.
Cushioning holds up remarkably well over long distances.
Impressive energy return makes the ride very efficient.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is a reasonable choice for racing a 5K or 10K. The shoe has impressive energy return, which rewards harder efforts. But if you're trying to hit top speed, the soft midsole becomes a liability, as your forefoot sinks in rather than being able to firmly push off.
Impressive energy return makes the ride very efficient.
Forefoot can feel too mushy to apply much force.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is a very good long run shoe if you don't have any pronation issues. The cushioning is simply outstanding, continues to absorb remarkably well even after 40k of repeated pounding. The shoe is responsive enough to help keep your legs turning over as fatigue sets in, but the instability is a major caveat: your stabilizer muscles will be recruited very early on in the run, so you could start to fatigue early if you haven't already developed these muscles.
Cushioning holds up remarkably well over long distances.
Impressive energy return makes the ride very efficient.
Unstable platform fatigues your stabilizer muscles.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is a good option for a daily trainer, even though it's a bit excessive. There's more than enough cushioning to dampen the impacts of everyday runs, but the shoe isn't very stable, so it isn't the most comfortable at relaxed paces.
Cushioning is great for stacking everyday mileage.
Unstable platform fatigues your stabilizer muscles.
Midsole can feel too chaotic for relaxed paces.
Changelog
- Updated Sep 30, 2026: We've updated this review to Test Bench 0.16, expanding our coverage with new tests for breathability, water absorption, and drying time. For more details, see the changelog.
- Updated Sep 16, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.15, which replaces Responsiveness with three specific performance usages: Bounciness, Snappiness, and Roll. To read more about the changes, see the changelog.
- Updated Sep 02, 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.
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Updated Aug 11, 2026:
We've added text to the new usage boxes and updated the Popular Comparisons section.
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Updated Jul 10, 2026:
We've updated the Popular Comparisons section to tweak the wording for the newly reviewed Li-Ning Chaoying Pro.
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Updated Jul 07, 2026:
We mentioned the Li-Ning Feidian 6 Ultra in the Popular Running Shoe Comparisons section of the review.
- Updated Jun 30, 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.
- 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.
- Updated Jun 01, 2026: Review published.
- Updated May 21, 2026: Early access published.
- Updated May 06, 2026: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 14, 2026: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Mar 27, 2026: 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
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra has excellent energy return. Both the heel and the forefoot are very lively, so you can feel the shoe bouncing back no matter where you land on your foot.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra's forefoot has amazing energy return, even better than some racing shoes like the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 or ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO.
Stability
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra isn't a very stable shoe. All those different foams under your foot feel a bit volatile at times, and the soft heel can feel particularly wobbly if you land further back on your foot. The tall stack height leaves you perched quite high off the ground, but the midsole platform is fairly wide. The midfoot shank helps a bit to control twisting, but if you have any pronation issues, the Red Hare 9 Ultra isn't the shoe for you.
Combination of different foams can feel chaotic underfoot.
The heel doesn't really firm up that significantly when force is applied, and the soft, malleable foam can get wobbly.
Cushioning
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra has truly remarkable cushioning. The shoe feels soft when you step in, and remains so even at the end of a long run. The thick stack of foams does a superb job of absorbing impact at all force levels in both the heel and the forefoot, so runners of any weight and strike pattern will get incredible protection from the impact of the road.
Cushioning holds up remarkably well over long distances.
Midsole does an incredible job absorbing heavy impacts.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra's heel is superbly cushioned and can absorb even the most forceful impacts, so heavy heel strikers will still get outstanding protection from the impact of hitting the pavement.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra's forefoot absorbs shock better than the vast majority of running shoes we've tested. Even if you land on your forefoot with significant force, you'll be well cushioned from the impact.
The cushioning in the Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is remarkably resilient. In our simulated 50K long run test, this shoe absorbed more impact than any shoe except the much higher-stacked Nike Vomero Premium.
Bounciness
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is a very bouncy shoe. The various foams work together to give impressive rebound and a very springy sensation in the forefoot.
Impressive energy return makes the ride very efficient.
Very lively through toe-off.
Forefoot compresses deeply and springs back forcefully.
Snappiness
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is not an especially snappy shoe. The forefoot does an excellent job of returning energy as it unbends, but overall, the midsole isn't stiff or firm enough to give much leverage as you push off.
Forefoot springs back quickly as it unbends.
Midsole can feel mushy when you're trying to apply force.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra does an amazing job of returning the energy it stores when bent, making the shoe very efficient.
Roll
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra rolls fairly well through each stride. The midsole is slightly rockered, but the rocker isn't stiff enough to maintain its shape when force is applied, making it less smooth at faster paces. Overall, the shoe relies more on the interactions of foams than its geometry for propulsion.
Forefoot is decently rockered.
Rocker loses its shape when force is applied.
The rocker of this shoe is very compliant, so it doesn't give you much assistance through the stride.
This shoe has a huge stack beneath the heel and forefoot, providing an incredible amount of separation between your foot and the ground. For reference, it has a taller stack in its forefoot than shoes like the adidas Adizero Boston 13 have in the heel.
True To Size
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra has some sizing quirks that can be problematic when you have to buy the shoe online without trying it on first. The length is generally true to size, but the arch is very narrow. The gusseting can feel quite restrictive at first, but it does stretch out after a few runs. That said, if you have wide feet, this shoe could be prohibitively tight.
Length is true to size.
Fit is very tight through the arch.
Wet & Warm Weather
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra has very good performance in wet and warm weather. Its good breathability keeps airflow moving through the shoe on long runs or hot days, and it takes on very little of its dry weight when soaked, so it won't be cumbersome when running in the rain. Though it takes over a day to fully dry, it's still decent, and if you space your runs, you can still use it the next day.
Good airflow means feet won't overheat.
Holds onto very little water when running in the rain.
Takes over a day to fully dry.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra has good breathability. There's enough airflow through the shoe to keep feet from overheating.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra takes just over a whole day to dry. Though not bad, it's not as good as shoes like the adidas Adizero Evo SL. If you want to use it for back-to-back days after running in the rain, we suggest using a shoe dryer or a fan to speed up the drying process.
This shoe does an amazing job of not holding onto water when soaked. For reference, even when fully soaked, it's still lighter than a dry Brooks Glycerin Max 2.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is light for such a tall, deeply cushioned shoe. It's much lighter than max-cushion cruisers like the Brooks Glycerin Max 2, and even lighter than daily trainers like the HOKA Clifton 11.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is a super-cushioned, versatile trainer that defies convention or categorization. Runners looking for a lighter, more stable alternative might like the Dynafish Xiaonian, although it has a bit less cushioning. Runners who want a more refined take on a highly responsive max-cushion trainer might prefer the ASICS MEGABLAST, though it carries a higher price tag. Runners looking for a max-cushioned shoe with a more relaxed ride might like the HOKA Skyward X 2.
For more great long-run shoes, check out our recommendations for the best shoes for long-distance running. You can also see our recommendations for the best running shoes.
The Dynafish Xiaonian is better than the Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra. It has a more stable platform and works better across regular mileage. It is lightweight, which helps it feel less demanding over repeated training miles. The Red Hare 9 Ultra absorbs more impact, making it more comfortable for easy miles. It has more bounce, adding some life to everyday running.
The ASICS SUPERBLAST 3 is a better long-run shoe than the Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra. It's more stable and smoother through the stride, making it more dependable over long distances. The Li-Ning is bouncier, so it's the better option if you want a softer, springier ride, though it's currently harder to buy.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is a better running shoe than the Nike Vomero Plus. It's lighter, more cushioned, and returns more energy, so it's less tiring to run in and provides more assistance with each stride. Its cushioning also holds up much better over longer distances. It can handle everything from easy miles and recovery runs to progressive long runs with faster sections mixed in. The Li-Ning also performs better in the rain since it absorbs less water and dries much faster. However, its tall platform is much less stable, so runners with inward-rolling ankles may find it too chaotic underfoot.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is a better shoe overall than the adidas Adizero Evo SL, especially for cushioned long runs. It absorbs substantially more impact under both the heel and forefoot, and retains that advantage over distance. That means it's a better choice for daily runs, long runs, and even long-distance racing. Its softer cushioning also provides more comfort if you dislike a firm feel. The adidas shoe is better if you want a lighter shoe that sits closer to the ground and feels slightly steadier.
The Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite and Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra are two impressive shoes from the Chinese brand, each built for different uses. The Feidian 6 Elite is a purpose-built racing shoe, so it's lighter, more streamlined, and has a spoon-shaped full carbon fiber plate. The Red Hare 9 Ultra is meant to be a more versatile, max-cushioned trainer. It's much higher stacked, which makes it heavier, but the deeper cushioning offers better impact protection, especially over the course of a long run. The tall stack of foam in the Red Hare 9 Ultra is partially stabilized by a winged midfoot shank.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is a better running shoe than the ANTA Zone 2 90. Despite being heavier, it's considerably more cushioned, protecting your legs much better across everything from daily miles to long runs and even the back end of a marathon. Neither shoe is particularly secure, but the Li-Ning is the more stable of the two. However, if you're looking for the faster shoe, the ANTA's lower stack and lighter build make it better suited to intervals and workouts.
The ASICS MEGABLAST is a better shoe than the Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra for most runners. It's a bit more responsive, its sizing is more accommodating, and it's much easier to buy. The Li-Ning's taller sole absorbs impact better over long runs, but it's currently harder to buy.
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Pro is a better everyday trainer than the Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra. It's lower, more stable, and more reliable for daily runs. The Ultra is much taller and livelier, but significantly less stable, making it the better pick for longer, faster workouts.
The Li-Ning Chaoying Pro and Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra are both high-stack trainers from Li-Ning, but they have different usages. The Chaoying Pro is the least chaotic shoe, pairing a Super Boom PEBA midsole core with a firmer EVA frame to create a stable, heel-biased daily trainer that works best when you sit back and let it roll. The Red Hare 9 Ultra is the more ambitious and versatile option, using the same Super BOOM core, but inside an outrageous, triple-density midsole that gives it more rebound, deeper cushioning, and better range across paces. It's heavier and less stable than the Chaoying Pro, but it's a lot more exciting underfoot. If you want a lighter, more predictable shoe for daily miles, the Chaoying Pro is the pick; if you want a bouncier, more protective, more capable shoe for everything from long runs to faster efforts, and don't mind a healthy dose of chaos underfoot, go with the Red Hare 9 Ultra.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra in a men's US size 9. When we received our pair, no size label was found inside the shoe. The colorway of this pair is called White ARPW007-2, but the shoe is available in several other colorways. It's only available in one standard width. The design section of this review applies only to the exact pair we tested, but we expect other sizes and gender variants to perform similarly.