HOKA Bondi 9 vs ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28

The HOKA Bondi 9 and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 are two popular premium trainers built around plush cushioning, but they differ in a few aspects. The ASICS comes in lighter and feels very protective underfoot, delivering a smooth, absorbent ride that doesn't really try to add much energy return. The HOKA, on the other hand, has a bit more noticeable liveliness from its midsole, along with very plush initial cushioning that outperforms the ASICS. However, as the distance stretches toward longer runs, the ASICS tends to absorb impact a bit more consistently, while the HOKA maintains a slightly more dynamic feel. In practice, both offer similar overall performance for easy and recovery miles.