HOKA Bondi 9 Review – Running With the Best Cushioned HOKA

Design

The biggest update to the Bondi 9 is the inclusion of supercritical EVA foam in the midsole. Unlike traditional compression-moulded EVA foams, supercritical foams are created by infusing air into the EVA material using a high-tech injection process. The result is a lighter, more responsive ride that maintains all the signature Hoka cushioning but with a bit more pop underfoot.

Additionally, the Bondi 9 has gained two millimetres of stack height over its predecessor, solidifying its place as a max-cushion powerhouse. This change, combined with the new midsole, offers a ride that feels a little firmer than previous versions of the Bondi but still has that signature plush softness that makes it an easy choice for long miles, recovery runs, or even long walks.

The 4mm heel-to-toe drop from the previous model remains.

Fit

The fit of the HOKA Bondi 9 is true to size in terms of other HOKA models. Both length and width are consistent, with the toe box feeling just a little roomier. It’s not bag or wide by any means; there’s just a little bit more wiggle room.

It is worth noting that in the UK, HOKA convert sizes down just half a size from the US equivalent, whereas most brands use a full-size conversion. So, where brands such as Brooks, Nike and Saucony would equate a US10 to a UK9, HOKA (like New Balance) makes a US10 a UK9.5.

The engineered mesh upper is plush and holds the foot well, and there’s plenty of padding in the ankle collar and tongue for a very plush fit, wrapping around the foot.

Performance

From the moment you step into the new Bondi, you are greeted by a plushness that envelops the foot. The ankle collar has sumptuous padding, and the new, engineered mesh upper has a very neat and high-quality construction to it.

The improvement in the ride over the previous model is immediately obvious, and the combination of improved foam and higher stack makes for a more cushioned ride that is also very smooth and stable.

For a high-stack neutral shoe, the Bondi 9 is also reasonably stable. The midsole curves up a little to create sidewalls that hug the foot and keep it centrally positioned within the cushioning. The medial side of the midsole also has a slightly straighter shape to it to help reduce roll.

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On the move, the supercritical EVA feels a little bouncier and clearly smoother riding and a little more energized than previous versions.

It’s not a fast shoe, but for easy to medium pace runs, I felt the Bondi 9 is a shoe that I could rack up the miles in with total comfort.

Comparisons

ASICS Nimbus 27

The first comparison that comes to mind when considering neutral cushioned shoes with a high stack is the recently released ASICS Gel Nimbus 27.

At an almost identical weight and stack height, the shoes are aimed squarely at those seeking a great deal of cushioning in an everyday, easy-pace training shoe.

The only technical detail separating the two models is the drop in height from heel to toe, with the ASICS being an 8mm drop and the HOKA a little lower at 4mm.

Many runners will have their thoughts and theories of help drop, but I switch shoes throughout the week with drops from 4mm up to 12mm without any issue. It is also worth considering the overall softness of the cushioning in a shoe when thinking about drops. A very firm shoe will feel like a higher drop than a shoe with very soft cushioning. In the softer shoe, the cushioning will quickly deform on impact, thus reducing the effect of any drop.

Choosing between the ASICS and HOKA is tricky, and after much consideration, if pushed to choose, I’d go with the new HOKA. The supercritical foam gives it a slight edge, particularly in the forefoot cushioning feel and toe-odd. The HOKA feels a little more responsive.

Brooks Glycerin Max

Another recently released shoe up against the HOKA is the new Brooks Glycerin Max. Again, the shoes share similar weights and stack height specifications, but this time, I’m opting for the Brooks.

The Glycerin Max has the brand’s latest nitrogen-infused, dual-cell foam, ‘DNA Tuned’.

The Glycerin Max is one of the nicest shoes I’ve ever worn, and its combination of soft, plush cushioning and a highly energised feel in the forefoot makes it a shoe I’m currently reaching for on every run throughout the week regardless of my planned pace!

My Verdict

HOKA fans, and particularly long-term fans of the Bondi model, won’t be disappointed. This is the best Bondi to date, and the use of the new, supercritical midsole foam is what makes it the shoe it is.

Over its lifetime, the Bondi has gained loyal followers who wear the shoe not only for running but for everyday use and recreational walking. It has become a shoe that’s synonymous with plush cushioning for those who spend long periods throughout their day on their feet.

The Bondi 9 is a recovery dream, after a hard session or long run day, the supercritical EVA foam provides the perfect amount of cushioning that’s soft enough to feel forgiving on tired legs but not so soft that you feel like you are sinking into the shoe. The balance felt right: forgiving but natural enough for smooth turnover and comfortable strides.

The ride isn’t super responsive, but it’s runnable and much more so than previous iterations of the Bondi, thanks to the refined supercritical foam and the meta-rocker geometry that Hoka incorporates into their design. It is by no means a snappy or speed-oriented ride, but it keeps you rolling along comfortably, especially on recovery runs where responsiveness isn't always necessary.

For those easy days, the Bondi 9 is joining an ever-growing lineup of great, highly cushioned models that simply soak up the miles in a smooth and comforting manner.