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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 vs HOKA Bondi 9

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      WeightStack HeightsExternal ShapeInternal ShapeForefoot Fit: WidthForefoot Fit: HeightArch Fit: WidthLength FitHeel Rocker GeometryForefoot Rocker GeometryOther Features
    Performance
      Heel Compression Energy ReturnForefoot Compression Energy ReturnHeel CushioningForefoot CushioningHeel FirmnessForefoot FirmnessForefoot Long Run CushioningRocker StiffnessForefoot Bending Energy ReturnForefoot Bending Stiffness
    Comments

Products

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27
HOKA Bondi 9

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Apr 09, 2026 01:11 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Apr 27, 2026 09:38 PM

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Picture

Track

HOKA Bondi 9 Picture

Track

Weight
301.7 g (10.64 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
9.8 mm
Plate
None
Weight
297.8 g (10.50 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.0 mm
Plate
None
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Most Comfortable

Our Verdict

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27

HOKA Bondi 9

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, that delivers a soft, plush ride. It delivers less energy return though, so it's a more difficult shoe to to pick up the pace. The HOKA's supercritical EVA midsole gives it a fun and 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.

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Variants

  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Amber/Neutral Pink - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Birch/Cold Moss - (Women - US 7))
  • Bondi 9 (Asphalt Grey/Gravel - (Men - US 9))
  • Bondi 9 (Aster Flower/Starlight Glow - (Women - US 7))

Review

See ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Review
See HOKA Bondi 9 Review
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

5.6
6.8

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

2.8
6.8

Heel Energy Return 
 

2.1
6.4

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

4.3
4.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

301.7 g (10.64 oz)
297.8 g (10.50 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

45.0 mm
41.5 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

35.2 mm
34.5 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

9.8 mm
7.0 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
5.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
HOKA Bondi 9 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
99 mm (3.9")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

84 mm (3.3")
87 mm (3.4")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

116 mm (4.6")
120 mm (4.7")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.09
2.39

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.30
3.48

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
HOKA Bondi 9 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

278 mm (10.9")
277 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

66 mm (2.6")
64 mm (2.5")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

95 mm (3.7")
94 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.6
7.6

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

1.5 mm (0.057")
-1.1 mm (-0.041")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

3.7 mm (0.146")
-8.3 mm (-0.325")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

7.3
8.3

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-3.2 mm (-0.126")
-2.2 mm (-0.087")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

8.8
8.6

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-2.2 mm (-0.087")
-2.5 mm (-0.098")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

7.0

Heel Rocker Photo  

HOKA Bondi 9 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

17 mm (0.7")

Heel Apex Position 
 

15.5%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

24.4°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

7.3

Forefoot Rocker Photo  

HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

50 mm (2.0")

Toe Apex Position 
 

62.1%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

24.4°

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

2.1
6.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Heel Energy Return
 Compare in Graph Tool

Heel Energy Return 
 

68.0%
74.3%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

2.8
6.8

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Energy Return
 Compare in Graph Tool

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

69.2%
75.4%

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.8
8.8

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Heel Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.38 J
3.81 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.45 J
11.03 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.82 J
19.35 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.6
8.9

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.22 J
5.77 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

9.40 J
10.02 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

14.18 J
14.47 J

Heel Firmness 
 

5.3
4.3

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Heel Firmness
 Compare in Graph Tool

Firmness At 550N 
 

53.3 N/mm
45.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

105.2 N/mm
88.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

210.4 N/mm
192.9 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.0
7.2

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Firmness
 Compare in Graph Tool

Firmness At 800N 
 

87.9 N/mm
83.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

175.1 N/mm
177.4 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

323.4 N/mm
379.1 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.0
8.3

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.84 J
9.31 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.65 J
9.03 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.54 J
8.86 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.51 J
8.72 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

5.2

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

46 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

6.6

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

63.0%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

6.5

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture  

HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

9.4 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

258 N

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27

HOKA Bondi 9

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 6 months ago

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 vs HOKA Bondi 9: Main Discussion

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