Hoka Bondi 9 review: Ultimate comfort meets everyday stability

The Hoka Bondi 9 is the night iteration of the brand’s popular ultra-cushioned support running shoes and comes with just the right amount of upgrades to keep Bondi fans going and new Bondi fans excited.

The company’s decision not to release a successor to the Hoka Bondi 8 until now paid off. Even those wearing the shoes’ predecessor should be ready to upgrade, and the new model provides exciting updates that might make them pumped to try the Bondi 9.

Hoka had a massive year in 2024; the brand experienced almost exponential growth thanks to its relentless pursuit of innovation and successful forays into style. As a result, Hoka’s shoes are accepted by both hardcore runners and casual wearers alike.

The Bondi 9 continues the brand’s good tradition of slapping a massive slab of foam underfoot with a comfortable upper, enabling you to run farther and more comfortably. How do the new shoes fare against the best running shoes in today’s max-cushioned world? Let’s find out.

Hoka Bondi 9 review

Price and availability

The Hoka Bondi 9 was launched in January 2025 and is available now at Hoka US, Hoka UK and Hoka AU for a recommended price of £170/ £160/ AU$290 in six colours and three width options for women and men.

Hoka launched its "Everybody Bondi" campaign to coincide with the Bondi 9’s reveal. It celebrates the ‘supportive spirit’ of the running community with a 9-week challenge that encourages runners to build healthy habits and complete a 9-mile run. You can sign up at Hoka.

Design and materials

The Hoka Bondi 9 introduces a new supercritical foamed EVA midsole, which is said to deliver a lighter, more resilient, and dynamic ride. The franchise has always been famous for its tall stack height, but Hoka decided to make the Bondi 9 even taller by adding 2mm of extra foam underfoot.

The shoes feature a more refined MetaRocker, the brand’s signature sole shape that promotes better heel-to-toe transition. Needless to say, this benefits heel strikers the most, but other types of runners also benefit from it (based on my non-definitive anecdotal research). Hoka says the new foam and revamped rocker shape provide ultra-plush cushioning and smooth transitions.

The upper has been enhanced, too, using a structured knit fabric with zonal breathability and a 3D-moulded collar for an even softer feel and easy step-in, Hoka says. The heels flare up and are well-padded. The Bondi 9 has a traditional, symmetrical lacing system with reinforced eyelets at the top.

Finally, the outsole was finished with high-wearing Durabrasion Rubber to improve durability and traction for consistent daily miles. The Bondi 9 is far from being the lightest running shoes on the market; my UK 11 (US 11.5D) comes in at 345g/ 12.2oz, which, to be fair, isn’t that bad, considering the size of the shoes.

Performance and comfort

I re-read my Hoka Bondi 8 review (from 2022!) to refresh my memory about the shoes before testing the new model. I shouldn’t have been, but I was surprised how well the Bondi 9 retained the look and feel of its predecessor while introducing some changes, like the new heel counter, different upper material and softer foam.

Running in the shoes felt like a familiar experience. The Bondi 9 is wide, stable, and super soft, which makes running in the shoes a joyful experience. The franchise has always been an ultramarathon runner’s favourite, thanks to its ability to mitigate the impact force of continuously pounding your feet against hard surfaces.

The Bondi 9 continues to be an excellent choice for ‘long and slow’ type training, where speed is a secondary objective. The new foam feels responsive enough, but due to the chunky nature of the Bondi 9, I wouldn’t recommend them for racing. Hoka has many more appropriate shoes for that purpose, from the Mach X 2 to the Cielo X1 and beyond.

The upper reminded me of the Clifton 9, especially the heel area. The collar flares up and is padded, which, combined with the new 3D-moulded heel counter, makes the Bondi 9 ultra comfortable at the rear. The upper is more forgiving than the Clifton, although it’s worth noting that I probably tested those shoes in half a size too small.

I have a few runs in the shoes, but not enough to comment on the outsole’s durability. The grip is impressive; I nearly tripped when I stopped abruptly around a corner. The shoes practically glued themselves to the ground. This helps further preserve energy as you don’t slip and slide continuously when you run.

Verdict

The Hoka Bondi 9 is the perfect running trainer for those who like to go the extra mile – literally. The soft foam, supportive nature and comfortable upper provide a superb, albeit slow, running experience, ideal for marathon runners wanting up their mileage.

Being a workhorse-style shoe, it’s hard to get super pumped about the Bondi 9. Sure, it looks lovely and performs well, but it doesn’t stand out from other shoes from the brand. Plus, there are so many max-cushioned shoes these days, which makes it even harder for the Bondi 9 to make a splash.

That said, the Bondi franchise has an almost cult following, and if you’re a member of the Bondi Clan, you won’t be disappointed with the shoes. If you haven’t tried max cushions shoes yet, you can also give the Bondi 9 a try; it’s one of the more stable ones.

Also consider

Brooks Glycerin Max: Designed for runners seeking plush comfort with added stability, the Glycerin Max features nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 cushioning for a soft yet supportive ride. It offers a slightly firmer feel with enhanced guidance than the Bondi 9, making it ideal for cushioned comfort with a more structured and balanced stride.

ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26: Featuring ASICS' FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning and PureGEL technology, the Gel-Nimbus 26 offers a bouncy, cloud-like ride with a bit more energy return than the Bondi 9, appealing to runners seeking soft landings with a livelier toe-off.

New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4: This shoe rivals the Bondi 9 in cushioning with its thick Fresh Foam X midsole but offers a slightly more flexible and adaptive ride, appealing to runners looking for softness without the bulk.