Hoka Bondi 9 Review
The Hoka Bondi 9 is a max-cushioned road running shoe designed for neutral feet. It is specifically created for easy runs, recovery runs, and long runs, offering a plush, cruising feel alongside a high level of step-in comfort. It has been over two years since Hoka released a new version of their popular max-cushioned road running shoe. There are some significant updates, but if you love your Bondi 8s, there’s no need to worry – the updates are in line with the original concept and don’t detract from the fit, feel, or ride of previous versions of the Hoka Bondi.
The upper is now made from 55% recycled content, and the engineered mesh has a soft, almost felt-like texture. The heel cup is a hard plastic structure designed to hold the heel inside the midsole, allowing the foot to follow the motion of the rocker without slipping or instability. Both the heel cup and collar have a good level of padding, as does the tongue. The heel tab is also well-padded and curves away from the Achilles to prevent any rubbing. The laces thread through a tab on the tongue to keep it in place while you run.
Hoka shoes are generally quite narrow-fitting, and the Bondi 9 is no exception. The upper wraps nicely around the foot, holding it securely onto the midsole, offering a fit very similar to that of the Bondi 8. The Bondi 9 is available in wide-width options for both men and women, so you can achieve the perfect fit.
Like all Hoka shoes, your foot sits inside the midsole. This provides stability and encourages a better running posture by guiding the foot through the running cycle. The midsole is curved, or rocker-shaped, so when your foot touches the ground, braking forces are minimised, keeping the foot moving. This helps reduce overstriding and maintain a quick cadence, promoting a more upright posture. As a result, the runner stays light on their feet, with the glutes and hamstrings propelling them forward.
The stack height has increased by 2mm to 43mm in the heel and 38mm in the forefoot. The 5mm heel-to-forefoot drop further promotes a midfoot strike, reducing impact and encouraging better posture. The midsole is now made from supercritical EVA foam, which is lighter and slightly softer than the foam used in the Bondi 8. This results in a smoother ride, giving the Bondi 9 a cruising feel. Although the foam is softer, you can still feel some compression on impact. However, it’s not so soft that you feel like you’re sinking into the midsole, so running uphill or downhill remains a pleasant experience.
The Bondi 9 feels less bulky than the previous version when you stand and move around in the shoes. Most of my running shoes have a lower stack height than the Bondi 9, so I’m more aware of the increased stack height. However, the Bondi 9 doesn’t feel as bulky or oversized as I expected. The Bondi 8 midsole flared out, but the Bondi 9 doesn’t, reducing the width of the outsole in the forefoot slightly. The width of the midsole in the midfoot has increased, maintaining the stable feel that the Bondi is known for.
Hoka shoes have always felt lightweight, partly because they look so big on the shelf but feel almost weightless when picked up. The Bondi 9 is even lighter – the Men’s UK 9 weighs 297 grams, while the Women’s UK 6 weighs 263 grams. This, combined with the smooth, cushioned ride, makes the shoes feel like they’re barely on your feet as you cruise along.
The new supercritical EVA foam offers more bounce than the previous midsole foam, but this has transformed the Bondi into an energetic, super-responsive shoe. It is still a cruiser, lovely to run in, but not ideal for picking up the pace.
The outsole is covered in abrasion-resistant pods that provide durability and traction. Having worn the Bondi 9 on a few wet runs, I can confirm that the outsole offers good traction in wet conditions – something essential for a shoe with so much midsole, as you lose much of the ground feel and rely more on the outsole for grip.
Sizing
Hoka are smaller-fitting shoes, similar in length to New Balance, Karhu, and Inov-8 where I normally go half a size up. Compared to say Brooks, Saucony, Topo, 361, or Altra where I would get my ‘normal’ size.
In summary, the Hoka Bondi 9 is a highly cushioned neutral running shoe offering a soft, cruise-along ride. It is best suited for easy runs, recovery runs, and long runs.
Other Considerations
Karhu Mestari 1.0: A straighter big toe line, rocker and Karhu’s fulcrum system gives the Mestari a more positive feel at push off. This makes it a more versatile shoe in that it can be used for some steadier running as well as easy miles. It doesn’t have quite the same cruise a long feel. You do feel more like you are running. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-mestari-run-1-0-review/
Topo Athletic Atmos: A broad rounded toe box which is designed to give the feet more room to spread and function inside the shoes. The rocker is more noticeable than on the Bondi 9 and the cushioning is firmer and more responsive. Available in two width men’s https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-atmos-review/
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5: A softer feel to the cushioning and more of a curve at the toe gives the More v5 a bit more propulsion than the Bondi 9. However, this does take away from the feeling of cruising along. Available in two width Women’s and three width Men’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fresh-foam-x-more-v5-review/
Altra FWD VIA: A broad rounded toe box and firmer feel to the midsole gives the Altra Fwd Via a much more natural feel. This makes you feel like you are running rather than riding the shoe. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-fwd-via-review/
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14: These have a similar cruise-like quality. The cushioning is softer and bouncier. Available in two width Women’s and three width Men’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-1080v14-review/
Brooks Glycerin Max: These have a similar cruise-like quality. The ride is a bit more controlled. They feel as cushioned but, with less compression on impact. I was more aware of the stack height and bulk of the Glycerin Max than the Bondi 9. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-glycerin-max-review/
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