Products
Tested using Methodology v0.12
Updated Aug 06, 2026 05:53 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Oct 07, 2026 07:36 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Heel Stack Height
41.5 mm
Weight
297.8 g (10.50 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.0 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
46.6 mm
Weight
279.7 g (9.87 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.4 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
HOKA Bondi 9
ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSH
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.
Variants
- Bondi 9 (Asphalt Grey/Gravel - (Men - US 9))
- Bondi 9 (Aster Flower/Starlight Glow - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-SLOWCUSH (Soft Oat/Simply Taupe - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-SLOWCUSH (Soft Oat/Simply Taupe - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
6.8
6.8
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
6.8
3.5
Weight
4.5
5.2
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.6
5.5
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
4.5
5.2
Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Weight
297.8 g (10.50 oz)
279.7 g (9.87 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Heel Stack Height
41.5 mm
46.6 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
34.5 mm
36.2 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.0 mm
10.4 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.0 mm
8.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
99 mm (3.9")
100 mm (3.9")
Outsole Arch Width
87 mm (3.4")
89 mm (3.5")
Outsole Forefoot Width
120 mm (4.7")
118 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.39
2.15
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.48
3.26
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
277 mm (10.9")
283 mm (11.1")
Internal Heel Width
64 mm (2.5")
67 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
96 mm (3.8")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
7.6
9.5
Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-1.1 mm (-0.041")
2.7 mm (0.107")
Toe TTS Deviation
-8.3 mm (-0.325")
-0.1 mm (-0.004")
Forefoot Fit: Height
8.3
5.5
Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Toe TTS Deviation
-2.2 mm (-0.087")
-5.3 mm (-0.209")
Arch Fit: Width
8.6
8.5
Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Arch Width TTS Deviation
-2.5 mm (-0.098")
-2.7 mm (-0.105")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Heel Rocker Geometry
7.0
7.9
Heel Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Heel Spring
17 mm (0.7")
25 mm (1.0")
Heel Apex Position
15.5%
20.1%
Heel Rocker Angle
24.4°
22.6°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.3
7.8
Forefoot Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Toe Spring
50 mm (2.0")
56 mm (2.2")
Toe Apex Position
62.1%
66.6%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
24.4°
29.2°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
FF LUXE+
Primary Foam Type
Unknown
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Flat
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.7 mm (0.1")
Stretch
9.5%
Breathability
6.0
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
Upper Microscope Photo
Time-To-Dry
2.2
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
13.1 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
31.8 hrs
Time To Dry
49.3 hrs
Water Absorption
5.1
Dry Weight Photo
Wet Weight Photo
Water Absorbed
56.5%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
6.4
2.2
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
74.3%
68.3%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
6.8
3.5
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
75.4%
70.1%
Heel Cushioning
8.8
8.7
Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.81 J
4.13 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
11.03 J
10.73 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
19.35 J
17.87 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.9
9.1
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.77 J
6.07 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
10.02 J
10.38 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
14.47 J
15.13 J
Heel Firmness
6.4
6.4
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
39.8 N/mm
37.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
48.0 N/mm
47.9 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
66.2 N/mm
68.1 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
5.6
5.6
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
48.2 N/mm
48.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
62.6 N/mm
62.5 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
87 N/mm
86 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.3
8.6
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
9.31 J
9.76 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
9.03 J
9.51 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.86 J
9.37 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.72 J
9.27 J
Rocker Stiffness
5.2
5.8
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
46 N
57 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.6
5.5
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
63.0%
58.5%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.5
7.0
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
9.4 N/mm
14.9 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
258 N
244 N
Heel Compression Depth
6.8
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
14.5 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
22.9 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
27.9 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
7.1
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
16.6 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
20.8 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
23.7 mm
HOKA Bondi 9
ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSH
Comments
HOKA Bondi 9 vs ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSH: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Members have direct access to buying advice on our member forum.