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Tested using Methodology v0.12
Updated Jun 30, 2026 04:02 PM
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Tested using Methodology v0.14
Updated Oct 29, 2026 06:19 PM
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Heel Stack Height
50.4 mm
Weight
306.9 g (10.82 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.8 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
41.5 mm
Weight
297.8 g (10.50 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.0 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
HOKA Skyward X
HOKA Bondi 9
The HOKA Skyward X is a better running shoe than the HOKA Bondi 9 for long runs. Its taller, more cushioned platform provides superior impact protection, while its carbon plate and more energetic midsole offer significantly more assistance through each stride. The Bondi is firmer and easier to settle into at relaxed paces, making it a more straightforward option for easy daily mileage. However, if you regularly run longer distances and want maximum cushioning with plenty of rebound, the Skyward X is the better choice.
Variants
- Skyward X (Black/Electric Aqua - (Men - US 9))
- Skyward X (Blanc De Blanc/Swim Day - (Women - US 7))
- Bondi 9 (Asphalt Grey/Gravel - (Men - US 9))
- Bondi 9 (Aster Flower/Starlight Glow - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
7.1
6.8
Weight
4.1
4.5
Rocker Stiffness
8.0
5.2
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
4.1
4.5
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
306.9 g (10.82 oz)
297.8 g (10.50 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
50.4 mm
41.5 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
43.6 mm
34.5 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.8 mm
7.0 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.0 mm
5.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
95 mm (3.7")
99 mm (3.9")
Outsole Arch Width
82 mm (3.2")
87 mm (3.4")
Outsole Forefoot Width
119 mm (4.7")
120 mm (4.7")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
1.88
2.39
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.73
3.48
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
274 mm (10.8")
277 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
60 mm (2.4")
64 mm (2.5")
Internal Forefoot Width
91 mm (3.6")
94 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
No
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
10
7.6
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-0.2 mm (-0.006")
-1.1 mm (-0.041")
Toe TTS Deviation
1.6 mm (0.061")
-8.3 mm (-0.325")
Forefoot Fit: Height
10
8.3
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
0.4 mm (0.016")
-2.2 mm (-0.087")
Arch Fit: Width
4.3
8.6
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-7.6 mm (-0.300")
-2.5 mm (-0.098")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
8.0
7.0
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
26 mm (1.0")
17 mm (0.7")
Heel Apex Position
23.0%
15.5%
Heel Rocker Angle
20.9°
24.4°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.6
7.3
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
53 mm (2.1")
50 mm (2.0")
Toe Apex Position
64.5%
62.1%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
26.8°
24.4°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
Not Advertised
Primary Foam Type
EVA
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
1.8 mm (0.1")
Stretch
13.0%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Semi-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
7.5
6.4
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
78.1%
74.3%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
7.7
6.8
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
79.2%
75.4%
Heel Cushioning
8.8
8.8
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.56 J
3.81 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
11.41 J
11.03 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
21.08 J
19.35 J
Forefoot Cushioning
9.6
8.9
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
6.19 J
5.77 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
11.79 J
10.02 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
18.34 J
14.47 J
Heel Firmness
6.7
6.4
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
44.4 N/mm
39.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
49.5 N/mm
48.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
65.7 N/mm
66.2 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
5.0
5.6
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
48.3 N/mm
48.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
59.0 N/mm
62.6 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
79 N/mm
87 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
9.0
8.3
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
10.59 J
9.31 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
10.34 J
9.03 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
10.19 J
8.86 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
10.08 J
8.72 J
Rocker Stiffness
8.0
5.2
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
119 N
46 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
7.4
6.6
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
67.7%
63.0%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.3
6.5
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
19.9 N/mm
9.4 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
370 N
258 N
HOKA Skyward X
HOKA Bondi 9
Comments
HOKA Skyward X vs HOKA Bondi 9: Main Discussion
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