HOKA Arahi 8 vs Bondi 9

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

HOKA Arahi 8
HOKA Bondi 9

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Jan 22, 2026 08:21 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Apr 08, 2026 06:30 PM

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Amazon.com
HOKA Arahi 8 Picture

Track

HOKA Bondi 9 Picture

Track

Our Verdict

HOKA Arahi 8

HOKA Bondi 9

The HOKA Arahi 8 and HOKA Bondi 9 represent two very different running shoes from the same brand. The Bondi is plush and absorbent, with some of the best cushioning of any daily trainer. All the foam underneath does make it heavier, but this is partially offset by the liveliness of that supercritical EVA foam, which gives it reasonable energy return. The Arahi, on the other hand, is more concerned with guidance and uses an H-frame of dense foam to help stabilize your foot and prevent overpronation. Its cushioning is still good, but it can't compare to the Bondi's. If you want to protect your legs from the impact of the road, opt for the Bondi. If you want to prevent your feet from rolling side to side while you run, get the Arahi.

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Variants

  • Arahi 8 (Asphalt/Gravel - (Men - US 9))
  • Arahi 8 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Bondi 9 (Asphalt Grey/Gravel - (Men - US 9))
  • Bondi 9 (Aster Flower/Starlight Glow - (Women - US 7))
Read more

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

6.5
6.8

Heel Energy Return 
 

2.3
6.4

Weight  

5.8
4.5

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

5.6
6.8

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.8
4.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

266.7 g (9.41 oz)
297.8 g (10.50 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.7 mm
41.5 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.0 mm
34.5 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.7 mm
7.0 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
5.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
HOKA Arahi 8 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
HOKA Bondi 9 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

95 mm (3.7")
99 mm (3.9")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

86 mm (3.4")
87 mm (3.4")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

115 mm (4.5")
120 mm (4.7")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.39
2.39

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.48
3.48

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
HOKA Arahi 8 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
HOKA Bondi 9 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

281 mm (11.1")
277 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

61 mm (2.4")
64 mm (2.5")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

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

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

7.6

Forefoot Width Photo  

HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

-1.1 mm (-0.041")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-8.3 mm (-0.325")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

8.3

Forefoot Height Photo  

HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.2 mm (-0.087")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

8.6

Arch Fit Photo  

HOKA Bondi 9 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-2.5 mm (-0.098")

Length Fit 
 

10

Toe Clearance Photo  

HOKA Bondi 9 Toe Clearance Photo

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

2.3
6.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

68.5%
74.3%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

5.6
6.8

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

72.8%
75.4%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.8
8.8

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.30 J
3.81 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.79 J
11.03 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.82 J
19.35 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.6
8.9

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.36 J
5.77 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.26 J
10.02 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.57 J
14.47 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.0
4.3

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

48.4 N/mm
45.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

103.3 N/mm
88.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

228.2 N/mm
192.9 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.5
7.2

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

97.0 N/mm
83.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

189.7 N/mm
177.4 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

364.9 N/mm
379.1 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.3

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Bondi 9 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

9.31 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

9.03 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.86 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.72 J

HOKA Arahi 8

HOKA Bondi 9

Comments

  1. Comparison

HOKA Arahi 8 vs HOKA Bondi 9: Main Discussion

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