HOKA Bondi 9 Shoe Review
An in-depth review of a Beloved maximum-cushion Road Running shoe
April 28th, 2025
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Our Verdict
The HOKA Bondi 9 has returned to its roots (i.e., has learned from what didn’t work about the Bondi 8 updates) as a beloved road running daily trainer. With improvements to the midsole, this maximum cushioned shoe is now more responsive, making it a versatile option for those who want a daily trainer they can also use for walking or long days on their feet.
While the Bondi 9 is more responsive than the Bondi 8, the shoe retains its beloved cushion and comfort. This shoe will make long-time Bondi wearers happy, especially those who were disappointed with the changes to the 8s.
HOKA Bondi 9
Men's
Women's
Our men's and women's shoe testers ran, walked, traveled, and worked on their feet in the HOKA Bondi 9 for a month, testing the shoe’s comfort, ride, fit, and more. We tested them in Colorado mountains, Arizona desert, and on roads, gravel, and trails. We wore them side by side with similar road running shoes, studied the new specs and updates, and compared our findings to other media and customer reviews. We even cut a shoe in half to get our own data on the stack height and drop.
If you’re looking for a highly cushioned road running shoe for daily mileage, recovery runs, walks, and/or working long days on your feet, and don’t mind a shoe that’s heavier and bulkier than most daily trainers, the HOKA Bondi 9 may be a great fit for you.
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Specs
Price: $170
Weight (pair): 1 lb 2 oz (women's) and 1 lb. 3.6 oz (men's)
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5 mm
Stack height: 42 - 37 mm
Cushion: Maximum
Upper: Engineered mesh with 55% recycled polyester
Midsole: EVA
Outsole: 80% rubber/20% EVA
Available sizes: 4-12, regular and wide sizes and extra-wide (women's); 7-16, standard and wide sizes and extra wide (men's)
Best for
Daily training road runs at easy to moderate paces
Active recovery (runs, walks)
Long days on your feet (e.g., working as a teacher, nurse, or server/bartender)
Anyone who prefers a maximum cushioned road running shoe
Comparison table
| TRAIL RUNNING SHOE | WEIGHT MEN'S | WEIGHT WOMEN'S | CUSHION | HEEL DROP | STACK HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoka Bondi 9 Men's Women's |
1 lb, 5.0 oz | 1 lb, 2 oz | Maximum | 5 mm | 42 - 37 mm |
| Hoka Clifton 9 Men's Women's |
1 lb, 1.4 oz | 15.8 oz | Maximum | 5 mm | 36 - 28 mm |
| Altra Torin 8 Men's Women's |
1 lb, 4.7 oz | 1 lb, 1.3 oz | Moderate | 0 mm | 30 mm |
| Brooks Ghost 16 Men's Women's |
1 lb, 3.0 oz | 1 lb, 1.0 oz | Moderate | 12 mm | 35.5 - 23.5 mm |
| Saucony Ride 18 Men's Women's |
1 lb, 3.8 oz | 1 lb, 0.8 oz | Maximum | 8 mm | 35 - 27 mm |
How we tested
We tested the HOKA Bondi 9 on paved, dirt, and gravel roads, bike paths/greenways, sidewalks, and non-technical trails in Colorado, Arizona, and California. One of our testers ran in the Bondi 9 as part of an ultramarathon build up, putting in lots of running miles, while another tester wore them on walks and runs after recovering from an illness, as well as during 7-hour bartending shifts. We wore them mostly on dry days, though one tester was in Flagstaff, AZ, for the tail end of winter weather with patches of snow still on the ground.
To compare them to similar shoes, like the HOKA Clifton 10s we recently reviewed, we wore them side by side. Like, we actually had a HOKA Clifton 10 on one foot and a HOKA Bondi 9 on the other and went for an hour-long walk around a neighborhood south of Flagstaff, all to determine the subtle differences between two maximum-cushioned staples in the HOKA road running lineup.
We tested the HOKA Clifton 10 (left) side by side with the HOKA Bondi 9 (right). Both are maximum cushioned daily trainers, but the Clifton 10s are more responsive than the Bondi 9s. Photo by Becca Downs
Additionally, we compared specs to previous models and similar shoes, and read other trusted media reviews to compare testing notes. We even played scientists and cut the shoe in half to measure stack and drop for ourselves.
We cut a HOKA Bondi 9 in half to measure stack height because we are nothing if not dedicated to our testing and reviews. Photo by Becca Downs
After months of testing, our testers Treeline Review writers Becca Downs and Sam Schild break down the specs, features, fit, ride, and more for the HOKA Bondi 9 road running shoes.
What we liked
Plush cushion and high stack are great for recovery runs and long days on your feet
Updated supercritical EVA midsole is responsive enough to make this a comfortable daily trainer for easy-to-moderate runs
Smooth MetaRocker encourages a comfortable, seamless ride
Versatile as a daily training, recovery, and walking shoe
Lots of fun colorways to choose from
Comes in wide and X-wide
We like the updated balance of cushion and responsiveness with the new supercritical EVA foam midsole in the HOKA Bondi 9. Photo by Becca Downs
What could be better
Heavier/clunkier than similar daily trainers (not necessarily a bad thing, but many folks prefer lighter shoes)
More expensive than similar shoes
Less stack than advertised
Key features
Upper
The engineered mesh upper of the Bondi 9s is made from 55% recycled polyester. It’s sufficiently breathable on hot days and is durable.
The upper is made from 55% recycled polyester and is plenty breathable in hot weather. Photo by Becca Downs
Midsole/cushioning
A major update from the Bondi 8 is the Bondi 9 is now made from supercritical EVA foam, which uses nitrogen gas in the foam manufacturing to create a lighter, springier foam. This upgrade is noticeable—where the Bondi 8s felt too heavy, bulky, and plush to use as a daily trainer (in our review of the Bondi 8 we basically concluded the shoe was more useful for walking, working on your feet, and easy recovery jogs), the Bondi 9 feels responsive enough for longer daily training runs in addition to recovery jogs and walks.
The Smooth MetaRocker guides your feet through a smooth and more efficient transition, limiting impact on your joints. Photo by Becca Downs
The Smooth MetaRocker helps guide your feet through a smooth and more efficient transition, limiting impact on your joints. The Active Foot Frame is focused at the rearfoot, meaning the midsole walls are lifted near the heel for more cushion and support.
In testing, the updated midsole to the Bondi 9 is not just noticeable, but welcome. The Bondi 8 wasn’t responsive enough to recommend as a daily trainer—now, the Bondi 9 is.
Outsole and traction
Just like with the Bondi 8, HOKA’s Durabrasion rubber outsole in the Bondi 9 provides enough traction to comfortably run on paved, dirt, and gravel surfaces. We even ran on a snowy road and had no issues with grip. While we do not recommend this as a trail running shoe, you can occasionally cross over to non-technical trails and be just fine.
The rubber outsole is ideal for road running, but performs well on gravel and dirt roads too. Photo by Becca Downs
Style and Design
The HOKA Bondi 9 comes in 13 colorways for women and 12 for men, which is a lot to choose from (though, if you’re wearing wide or the new extra wide size option, your color options are more limited).
We found that many color options were overwhelming. As someone who doesn’t usually care what her running shoes look like, women’s tester Becca felt frozen with indecision picking a color option. But ultimately, if the choice had not been presented to her, she would not have been disappointed anyway. The colorways range from conservative neutrals to fun, interesting color combinations, and there’s probably something for everyone.
Durability
In testing, we did not notice any significant durability issues. The exposed midsole foam, which is common among road running shoes, may wear down faster than shoes with less exposed midsole. However, runners tend to wear down the midsole purely through their mileage before exposure is an issue.
Weight
The men’s Bondi 9 weighs 10.5 oz per shoe, and the women’s weighs 9.3 oz. The men’s shoe shaved 0.3 oz from the Bondi 8, whereas the women’s shoe gained about 0.4 oz.
This is on the heavy end for road running shoes, but we don’t think it’s particularly noticeable or a problem. In fact, shoes intended for normal daily training mileage, recovery runs, and walks do not need to be super lightweight—it’s in racing shoes and workout shoes where light weight matters more.
Nevertheless, if you’re accustomed to a lighter trainer—like the HOKA Mach 6, which weighs 8.2 oz for men and 6.7 oz for women—you may find the HOKA Bondi 9 heavy and clunky.
Drop
This is a mid-drop shoe with 5 mm of heel-to-toe drop. This will work well for most runners, especially those new to running or already wearing mid-drop shoes. A mid-drop shoe is also comfortable for folks transitioning from high-drop or zero-drop shoes, though you may need to start with short runs until you’re comfortable.
It’s worth noting, though, that the running shoes reviewers at RunRepeat (known for their “cut in half” reviews) found the HOKA Bondi 9s actually had a 9.1 mm drop. This is a big difference, so we decided to do our own science by cutting a HOKA Bondi 9 shoe in half and measuring for ourselves.
Fortunately, we had access to woodworking tools for our scientific research. Here, the author’s partner cuts through the Bondi 9 like a hot knife through butter so we could get to the bottom of the true stack height and drop. Photo by Becca Downs
Luckily, the author’s partner has a nice workshop with the necessary tools for this endeavor. Once he cut the shoe in half, we researched where and how to measure at the forefoot and the heel to keep our method uniform. Unlike RunRepeat, we found the drop to match up with HOKA’s claims at about 5.5 mm. However, our stack measurement was quite a bit less, which we’ll touch on below.
Stack Height
Another update to the HOKA Bondi 9 is 2 mm of stack height for 43 mm (heel) and 38 mm (toe). This is a high stack height for a running shoe, but the Bondi 9 is girthy and stable, so we didn’t have issues rolling our ankles or anything.
As noted in the drop section, another media reviewer found the stack height to be different than listed. They measured the heel at 41.3 mm and the forefoot at 32.2 mm. However, when we measured for ourselves (in keeping the same methodology), we found the stack to be 29.5 mm at the forefoot and about 35 mm at the heel. This was a consistent measurement after several trials. We played around with where to measure the stack to get the 43mm heel stack claimed by HOKA, and measured 41 mm at the very end of the shoe–however, realistically no one’s heel is landing there, so that isn’t an accurate depiction of the stack.
We measured the heel stack at about 35 mm, while HOKA claims 43 mm. Photo by Becca Downs
We measured the forefoot stack height at 29.5 mm, while HOKA claims 38 mm. Photo by Becca Downs
In any case, the Bondi 9 has a lot of stack and certainly not a shoe for folks who prefer more ground feel (though, anymore, most road running shoes are not minimalist, and you’re more likely to find ground feel in a trail running shoe).
While our measurements differ from HOKA’s and other media reviewers, the stack of the Bondi 9 is high due to the maximum cushion. Photo by Becca Downs
Fit
We found the fit to be comfortable and true to size. Both our testers found the fit to be standard for HOKA shoes, so if you’re already familiar with HOKA, you should know what to expect.
Some media reviewers found the Bondi 9 to be too narrow. While we didn’t have this issue—including our tester with wider feet—we recommend trying on HOKA’s wide or X-Wide size too if you’re unsure.
Comfort
Between the plush cushion, updated midsole, and fit, these shoes are comfy. In fact, comfort is probably the No. 1 selling point of this shoe. Compared to similar shoes cushion-wise, like the HOKA Clifton 10 and the On Cloudsurfer, this shoe is perhaps a tad more plush and comfortable than the Clifton 10s and about the same as the On Cloudsurfer. However, both the HOKA Clifton 10 and On Cloudsurfer are more responsive.
Extended Heel Tab
The Bondi 9 now has an extended heel tab, rather than a heel pull tab with the Bondi 8. In practice, I didn’t notice much of a difference. I’d say the new extended heel tab makes the shoe a little easier to remove with your other foot, whereas the pull tab made removing the shoe with your hands a little easier.
The heel tab in the Bondi 9 (top) is extended, while the heel tab in the Bondi 8 (bottom) has a pull tab. Photo by Becca Downs
Reflective Details
While this is not a fully reflective or hi-vis shoe, the Bondi 9 has some reflective details. If you’ll be running in the dark, check out our guide on the Best Reflective Gear for Running in the Dark.
Tongue
Just like in the Bondi 8, the Bondi 9 tongue is plush. Its thickness may be a turn off to those who find the shoe too snug, but we didn’t notice any issues with the comfort, fit, and plushness of the tongue.
The tongue is plush, adding to the overall comfort of the HOKA Bondi 9s. Photo by Becca Downs
Laces
HOKA uses the same standard flat laces in the Bondi 9 as the Bondi 8. They’re plenty long, and we have had no issues staying tied.
Performance in the Field
In testing, we found the HOKA Bondi 9 to perform well as a daily training road running shoe. Whereas the Bondi 8 seemed primarily a recovery and walking shoe, the Bondi 9 feels like a true daily trainer that could also work well as an active recovery and walking shoe.
The standout features of the HOKA Bondi 9 are its maximum cushion, smooth ride, and plush, comfortable fit. Photo by Becca Downs
The cushioned midsole is perfect for easy recovery runs and walks, with just enough responsiveness to also work well as a daily trainer. We particularly appreciated the cushion of these shoes on days after harder efforts when our bodies were more fatigued or sore. One of our testers also wore them while bartending at a brewery, and found the maximum cushion, high stack, and breathable mesh upper all useful features for keeping her body comfortable during 7-hour shifts.
In addition to the supercritical EVA foam midsole, another standout feature of the Bondi 9 is the general comfort, both of our feet in the shoes and the overall ride. HOKA updated the upper knit for zonal breathability and an improved fit, which we found welcome (though some reviewers thought the new fit was too narrow, so it’s worth trying on first if you’ve been a devout Bondi wearer). These updates, along with the Smooth MetaRocker, encourage a comfortable and smooth ride.
HOKA updated the knit of the upper for zonal breathability and an improved fit, which we found welcome. The fit is a bit more narrow than the Bondi 8, though, which may affect folks with wider feet. Photo by Becca Downs
These shoes are intended for paved surfaces, like asphalt and cement, but we found they perform just fine on dirt and gravel roads too. We had no issue crossing over to non-technical trails and grassy surfaces as well, though if you’re looking for a trail running shoe, we recommend checking out our Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes and Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guides.
Sustainability and Ethical Company
The HOKA Bondi 9s are made of recycled materials and are vegan shoes. HOKA is part of the United National Global Compact (UNGC), a corporate sustainability initiative whose members commit to responsible labor standards and environmental practices.HOKA also publishes their goals and reports on clean energy, carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, water, and waste. No company is perfect, but we appreciate transparency and tracking as important steps toward more ethical manufacturing.
HOKA Bondi 9 vs. Bondi 8
When worn side by side, the standout differences between the Bondi 9 and Bondi 8 are in the level of responsiveness, arch support/general fit, and bulk.
Since the midsole of the 9s is made with supercritical EVA foam, it’s much more responsive than the Bondi 8 while still maintaining a high level of cushion. In practice, this means the Bondi 9 is better suited for daily runs, whereas the 8 is better for slower paces, like recovery runs and walks.
We also noticed the Bondi 8 offers a little more arch support than the 9s. This is not an advertised update, and may be a subtle change due to HOKA’s Active Foot Frame technology, which is now in the 9s.
We tested the HOKA Bondi 9 (right) and HOKA Bondi 8 side by side to determine differences in fit, cushion, and ride. Photo by Becca Downs
Side by side, you can also notice the Bondi 9 feels less bulky underfoot, despite having more stack. The 8s feel wider, both inside the shoe and underfoot.
Other updates to the 9 include a re-tooled collar and a knit upper, which accounts for some of the change in fit. The price also increased $5.
To learn more, check out our in-depth review on the HOKA Bondi 8.
HOKA updated the collar for a more comfy fit at the ankle. Photo by Becca Downs
HOKA Bondi 9 vs. HOKA Bondi SR
The HOKA Bondi SR is essentially the Bondi road running shoe with some tweaks to gear them toward folks who work on their feet, like teachers, medical professionals, and hospitality/service industry workers.
Bondi SR features include a water-resistant leather and slip-resistant rubber outsole (SR stands for slip-resistant). They weigh more and cost $5 more. We haven’t tested the Bondi SR, but can tell it's less of a running shoe and more of a work or everyday shoe. Nurses and food/bar service workers, in particular, might appreciate this option.
Should I buy the HOKA Bondi 9?
Get it if you’re looking for a maximum cushion road running shoe for daily training runs, recovery runs, or walks.
These shoes are plush, comfy, and excellent for slow-to-moderate paced runs. If you don’t mind the relative bulk and higher weight compared to other road running shoes, and want to prioritize cushion, these are a great option.
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a great option if you’re looking for a maximum cushion road running shoe for daily training runs, recovery runs, or walks. Photo by Becca Downs
Skip it if you want a lightweight daily trainer, or a responsive road running shoe for workouts and races.
These shoes are heavier than most road running shoes. And while they’re more responsive than the Bondi 8s, they are not a highly responsive shoe and won’t encourage quick turnover. Even the HOKA Clifton 10s, which also are a maximum cushioned road running shoe, are lighter, more responsive, and cost $20 less than the Bondi 9.
Where to buy the HOKA Bondi 9
The HOKA Bondi 9 are popular footwear, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Zappos
Pros: 365-day free shipping on returns, fast delivery with free VIP program
Hoka
If you purchase from HOKA you have a Fly for 30 Guarantee so you can try a pair of shoes & even wear them, and you’re not satisfied, you can return them within 30 days for a full refund. The article mentions REI and Zappos for easy returns, and it’s important to also mention that HOKA has easy returns as well.
Advice on where to buy
In general for shoes, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns like REI or Zappos. Trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right. With both those retailers, if your funds allow, you can buy two sizes and easily return one.
Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down. In our testing, we found fit to be true to size and consistent with other HOKA shoes we have tested. However some reviewers find they run narrow, so if you aren't sure, consider HOKA’s wide or X-Wide size options for this shoe.
Similar Products
Hoka Clifton 10
Price: $150
Weight (pair): 1 lb, 3.6 oz (men's), 1 lb (women's)
Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
Cushioning: Maximum
Support: Neutral
The HOKA Clifton 10 is a highly cushioned daily trainer and perhaps the closest comparison to the Bondi 9 of all shoes we’ve tested. In fact, when we wore them side by side for an hour around the neighborhood, we hardly noticed a difference.
The Clifton 10s have 8 mm of drop, which is higher than the stated drop of the Bondi 9s (though another media reviewer found the Bondi 9 may have a higher drop than stated). The Clifton 10s also weigh about an ounce less per shoe.
Though the differences are subtle, we’d recommend the HOKA Clifton 10s as daily trainers for runners who might want more turnover for some faster running, whereas the Bondi 9s are better for those who will use the shoes for slower to moderate paces, or who want their shoes to double as walking shoes. For more, read our review of the HOKA Clifton 10.
Hoka Clifton 10
Men's
Women's
On Cloudsurfer 2
Price: $160
Weight (pair): 1 lb, 1.4 oz (men's), 1 lb (women's)
Heel-to-toe drop: mm
Cushioning: Plush
Support: Neutral
The On Cloudsurfer 2 is also a plush, comfortable daily trainer. In terms of comfort, fit, and cushion, the On Cloudsurfer is one of the closest comparisons to the HOKA Bondi 9 of shoes we’ve tested. Both offer highly cushioned midsoles and plush collars around the ankles in the upper. However, the Cloudsurfer 2 is a little more responsive and weighs nearly 2 oz less per shoe, making it a more versatile running shoe for faster paces.
Like the HOKA Clifton 10s, the On Cloudsurfers are better for runners who may want to occasionally run a little faster in their trainers. Plus, these shoes cost $10 less than the Bondi 9.
Learn more in our in-depth review of the On Cloudsurfer 2.
On Cloudsurfer 2
Men's
Women's
HOKA Bondi SR
Price: $175
Weight: 11.5 oz (women’s), 14 oz (men’s)
Heel-to-toe drop: 6 mm
Cushion: Plush
Stability: Neutral
The HOKA Bondi SR is nearly the same shoe as the Bondi road running shoe, but with some differences to cater to folks who work on their feet, such as teachers, medical professionals, and hospitality/service industry workers. The Bondi SR includes a water-resistant leather and slip-resistant rubber outsole (the “SR” stands for slip-resistant). As a result, they weigh a couple ounces more than the Bondi 9 and cost $5 more.
HOKA Bondi SR
Men's
Women's
About the author / Why you should trust us
Becca ran D1 cross country and track for Indiana University—Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) and continued racing everything from elite miles to an ultramarathon in her post-collegiate years. She earned a USATF Level 1 certification for coaching running and coached boys and girls high school cross country and track in Indianapolis for four years. Becca then joined the IUPUI women’s distance coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach in 2020-2021.
She geeks out on trail running, track and field, and cries every time she watches a marathon (they’re just so beautiful!). After notching a few small FKTs under her belt in 2020, she was diagnosed with hip arthritis and now channels her passion for running into coaching, writing, crewing, creating training plans for her friends, hiking, and running when her hip allows it.
You can read more of Becca's work at her website or on her author page. You can follow her on Instagram at @beccad___.
