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The HOKA Bondi are one of the most popular max-cushioned running shoes. However, there’s a lot of competition in this category - and there’s more choice than ever. Additionally, it’s fair to say runners have high expectations when they step into a max-cushioned model. If it doesn’t feel ultra cushioned, light, stable, and fun to run in, it will be the subject of criticism. In a bid to deliver the best performance yet, and to live up to these high expectations, the HOKA Bondi 9 Running Shoes features an updated super critically foamed EVA midsole - which is a significant upgrade.
We’ve been testing out the pair of Bondi 9 Running Shoes that HOKA sent to us for this review. This Journal article covers the tech, how they feel and fit, and what type of running they’re best suited for.
Shop Men's and Women's HOKA Bondi 9 Running Shoes
HOKA Bondi 9 Tech
Key stats
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Men’s approximate weight: 297 grams
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Women’s approximate weight: 263 grams
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Men’s total stack height: 43/38 mm
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Women’s total stack height: 42/37 mm
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Drop: 5 mm
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Midsole: Supercritical EVA foam with rearfoot-focused Active Foot Frame™
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Knit upper - with 55% recycled polyester
Midsole construction
As mentioned, the HOKA Bondi 9 now features a supercritical EVA foam. This should result in a lighter, softer, and more responsive underfoot feel. The stack height has also gone up by 2 mm, so there’s more cushioning under your feet.
The Bondi 9 midsole also comes with a rearfoot-focused Active Foot Frame™. This simply means the foam cups your feet in the rearfoot area, and offers some additional support. While the Bondi 9 are neutral running shoes, the combination of the Active Foot Frame™ and wide base nets (broad midsole base), ensures the midsole feels exceptionally stable.
HOKA’s signature MetaRocker™ helps roll your feet forward, and smooths out transitions from landing to take-off.
Upper construction
The HOKA Bondi 9 Running Shoes upper has moved to a knit upper. The new engineered mesh construction is designed to offer a more accommodating fit.
Although, the most obvious change appears to be the retooled collar. Following suit with other HOKA models, the lean back design should help reduce friction at the Achilles tendon. It should also make it easier to slip the shoes on and off.
Finally, the tongue feels like it has slightly less padding in it. We’ll come back to this point later.
Outsole construction
HOKA has stuck with the durabrasion rubber outsole that was used on the previous Bondi 8 Running Shoes.
As the majority of the midsole is covered with the outsole rubber, it should offer good levels of durability.
HOKA Bondi 9 Test Runs
HOKA Bondi 9 Running Shoes are designed to deliver maximum comfort for everyday miles. With this in mind, we tested them out at slow to steady speeds. Since the midsole isn’t intended for speed, we didn’t test them at faster paces. However, we did try them at a pace of around 4:10–4:20 minute/kilometre.
Please note, we know our test paces might - and are likely to - translate into different effort levels for you. Our focus is on presenting how the cushioning performs at various efforts, which is most relevant.
Easy effort/pace run performance
First off, the new cushioning in the HOKA Bondi 9 Running Shoes feels much softer and lighter than the previous version, thanks to the use of the supercritical EVA foam. This results in a plusher and more forgiving underfoot feel - and it’s likely runners will find it more comfortable than the previous version. Particularly when you’re running slowly.
Even though the midsole feels softer, it still feels exceptionally stable. It’s worth noting some runners might find it feels less stable than the Bondi 8 Running Shoes - but it’s marginal. And the tradeoff for the extra cushioning is definitely worth it. The Active Foot Frame™ offers great support, and the Bondi continues as one of the most stable feeling max-cushioning running shoes on the market.
Steady effort/pace run performance
This is where you’re likely to notice the most substantial benefits from the changes to the Bondi 9 midsole. While the new compound doesn’t feel ultra propulsive - it feels much more energetic underfoot. And even though the Bondi 9 aren’t light, the cushioning feels very good as you pick up the pace.
As a result, the Bondi 9 cushioning feels very comfortable for steady run days. I found the midsole felt great at around 4.10-4.20 minute/kilometre pace - and you couldn’t run at that effort in the previous version. The following image shows the splits from steady run - where the average pace for 5k is 4.16 minute/kilometre pace:
Importantly, the midsole doesn’t bottom out at all - which leads to very smooth and fluid transitions. The cushioning is well suited to runs that build in pace. For example, long runs that start slow, and finish closer to an effort that’s bordering on being a tempo.
HOKA Bondi 9 cushioning summary
The Bondi 9 cushioning is everything it should be. It feels forgiving, plush, and stable underfoot - which takes the stress off your muscles and joints when you’re running easy. The cushioning also feels dynamic and fun to run in as you pick up the pace.
The high stack and rocker profile also means the cushioning is perfect for long distance runs. If you’re wearing max-cushioned running shoes for a long slow run, you want to feel great protection in the later stages - and this is what the Bondi 9 offers.
Upper Fit
The updated upper feels a bit more flexible than before, but there’s a lot of similarities. And in terms of the fit, there’s not a lot of changes. Which is likely a good thing, as a lot of previous Bondi wearers should be able to transition into the Bondi 9 with relative ease.
It’s worth noting that we opted for half a size up to our normal running shoes size. This is down to the fact that HOKA converts the US to UK size slightly differently to other brands. We always recommend choosing your US running shoe size in HOKA.
Coming back to the point on the tongue - I experienced some unwanted lace pressure on the first few runs. The tongue feels pretty thin, and it’s likely that I simply tied the laces too tightly around the midfoot. This is unlikely to be an issue for everyone, but it’s something to be aware of.
HOKA Bondi 9 Running Shoes summary
Returning to the point we made at the beginning, it’s hard to not have very high expectations when it comes to max-cushioned running shoes. In our opinion, the HOKA Bondi 9 Running Shoes meet those expectations.
Yes, there are softer - potentially more cushioned - max-cushioned models out there. There’s also more responsive max-cushioned running shoes available. Our conclusion is that the Bondi 9 offers the best of both worlds. The midsole isn’t too soft or too firm - it’s just right.
With this in mind, the Bondi 9 Running Shoes should suit a lot of runners. Ultimately, this HOKA model is one of the best choices for everyday miles. If you’re a previous Bondi wearer, you should really enjoy what the latest edition has to offer. If you haven’t run in the HOKA Bondi before, this is a great time to start.
