HOKA Bondi 9 vs Arahi 8 – How Do HOKA’s OG Daily Trainers Stack Up?

Stack Height, Drop, Weight and Price

First up the stack height and the HOKA Bondi 9 adds 2mm more foam underfoot for 43mm in the heel, 38mm in the forefoot for a 5mm drop. The HOKA Arahi 8 also adds 3mm more foam at the rear with 39mm in the heel and 31mm in the forefoot, now for a steeper 8mm drop.

When it comes to weight, the Arahi 8 is a chunk lighter, tipping the scales at 9.5oz or 270g in a US men’s 9.5 test shoe. The Bondi 9 lands at 10.4oz or 295g.

On price, you’ll pay twenty bucks more for the Bondi 9 which is $170 compared to $150 for the Arahi 8.

Design

On design, both HOKA running shoes live at the bigger-stack end of the shelves. Though with the additional 2mm of foam (compared to the Bondi 8), the Bondi 9 now takes ‘max’ to an even higher level. It also opts for a new, lighter and livelier, supercritical EVA midsole foam to save weight and add more bounce and pop.

The Arahi 8 also has more foam underfoot at the heel than its predecessor but still packs considerably less foam across the shoe compared to the Bondi 9 – particularly under the forefoot.

By comparison – and today’s stack height standards – you might even now say the Arahi 8 is medium stacked. It also uses a regular compression moulded EVA that retains a bit more control.

The other major difference here also comes in the midsole setup where the Arahi 8 deploys HOKA’s H-frame stability tech. This adds firmer foam on both the lateral and medial sides for balanced guidance.

Up top, the Bondi 9 has a 3D molded collar, a structured knit upper with zonal breathability and active footframe – basically the sidewalls rise up so your foot sits lower in the shoe. A kind bucket seat rather than just on top of the foam.

The HOKA Arahi 8 features jacquard mesh uppers that are more enclosed but still plenty flexible. And both shoes have been designed to offer much more forefoot flare with a fit that’s roomier than some past HOKAs and ample plushness in the heel collars, tongues and padding. 

The Bondi 9 has very marginally plusher heel collars while the non gusseted tongues on both shoes are equally well padded to keep that trademark comfort.

Flip them over and both shoes have generous coverings of HOKA’s durabrasion rubber with a thickness that’s clearly aimed at big mileage durability.

Fit

When it comes to fit, I ran in my regular HOKA size which is a US 9. Both the Arahi 8 and the Bondi 9 have been designed to offer more room up front. The Arahi 8 is actually built on a new, wider last. So if you’ve found HOKA shoes a little snug in the past this definitely creates a more accommodating, roomy fit.

Both shoes offer good step in comfort with plenty of plushness. They’re easy shoes to slip on and get moving.

True to size, the Bondi 9 is still comparatively more snug than the Arahi 8, thanks to the thicker, more padded uppers and a narrower toe box. Though if you want more width there are wide and extra wide option in the Bondi 9. But for the most part, the Bondi 9 toe box strikes the right balance between fit security and space.

The Arahi 8 offer a more airy, roomy fit with lots of flex. The uppers in the Arahi 8 are more compliant across the top of the toe box and that makes for more wiggle room.

Further back I had no problems with heel hold or midfoot lockdown. I like HOKA’s unfussy lacing set up that makes it easy to get a good locked-in fit. 

In both shoes I’d recommend going true to size.

Performance

In testing, I’ve run north of 25 miles in the HOKA Bondi 9 and 65+ miles in the HOKA Arahi 8. Mainly at easy paces but with some faster miles thrown in during the odd progression run. I’ve run mostly on the road but a good few miles on uneven river paths, to really test the stability. I also used the HOKA Arahi 8 for 40+ miles of a 100 mile ultra in Berlin. I also did a mile with one shoe on each foot to tease out the differences.

But let’s start with the HOKA Arahi 8. This might be one of the biggest surprises of 2025 so far. It aims to deliver reliable wobble-free and consistent landings and that’s what you get. The rolling transitions are smooth and natural, helped by the rocker for what is a really well balanced shoe that moves with a light, happy ease.

When it comes to stability, every step is assured and secure but not forced. There’s a good natural ride and even on cut up river paths, I had confidence in each landing.

The Arahi 8 treads a happy middle ground. The midsole isn’t the most lively. It’s not bouncy, or pumped up or super energetic. It's kind of old school but it works. It’s just a really excellent, reliable workhorse of a daily trainer that serves up mild stability, a lightness and comfort without feeling unnatural or overbuilt.

The Bondi 9’s taller stack is immediately noticeable the moment you lace them on and the switch to supercritical foam is a successful gear shift for the Bondi. You still get a familiar Bondi ride but the extra cushioning and new foam now creates plenty of bounce and a bit more pop, while the meta-rocker helps to gently ease you through your stride.

The result is a shoe that’s cushioned, smooth and surprisingly assured and stable (for the stack height). In part thanks to those high walls that cradle and support. Though there’s more reliability underfoot from the lower, firmer Arahi 8.

The lighter, more agile Arahi 8 definitely has a bit more about it when you push the pace. Though while both shoes I’d say can cope with faster, neither would likely be your first choice for tempo and beyond.

And while the Arahi 8 has good versatility and range, shifting happily from easy to tempo, 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. Less ground feel than the Arahi 8 but the balance feels right for a max stack shoe, forgiving but natural enough for smooth turnover and comfortable strides. It keeps you rolling along comfortably, especially on recovery runs where responsiveness isn't always necessary.