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10.5 oz. (297 g) for a US M10 / 9.3 oz. (263 g) for a US W8
Stack height unavailable (5 mm drop)
Recovery runs and easy days
Supercritical EVA midsole, updated knit upper, additional 2mm of stack
Available now for $170
MEAGHAN: I’m fairly certain the first pair of Hoka Bondi I ever slipped on was the Bondi 4 back in 2015. It arrived after I had run the Boston marathon and felt like the perfect recovery day shoe. The Bondi has always been known as the thickest of the thicc bois in Hoka’s lineup, and that certainly hasn’t changed through the years, but the materials and ride have seen some updates. It’s gotten heavier, it’s lost weight, one year it had a memory foam collar, then there were TPU overlays, and this year we got a brand new midsole material.
For the first time, the Bondi 9 is designed with a supercritical EVA midsole (in place of traditional EVA) and 2mm more stack to boot. The difference between the two EVAs is the manufacturing process. Supercritical EVA uses a process that involves high pressure and temperature with gas (like nitrogen). This creates a lightweight foam with a lot of tiny, uniform bubbles. It typically makes the shoes lighter and more bouncy, kind of like that traditional EVA finally had its morning coffee.
The upper also gets a couple of updates, with a newly designed knit material and retooled collar. But it still looks and feels like your traditional maxed-out Bondi. So, where does this all land us on the roads?
THOMAS: Unlike Meaghan, max-cushioned shoes don’t always float my boat. While I’ve enjoyed the comfort the Bondi has delivered over the years, the shoe has always felt a bit too heavy and blocky for my tastes. I understand the appeal and adulation the shoe has received, but up until now, the Bondi X, which had a plate to add some stiffness to the rocker, was my favorite version of Hoka’s max-cushioned trainer.
The Bondi 9, with the addition of a supercritical EVA midsole, drops almost a full ounce of weight to 11.6 oz / 328 grams (still not a lightweight) and gets a more lively underfoot feel. Read on and see if it makes me a convert.
RYAN: As a smaller dude, I have to admit that the Bondi line never really tickled my fancy. Although it’s always been thick and plush and could probably add an inch or two to the height on my driver’s license, I just never liked the idea of slapping more weight under my foot. But the times, as they say, seem to be a-changing. Or, at least, Hoka finally seems to be catching up with the times like everyone else.
At long last, it’s ditched the CMEVA (compression-molded) midsole, which is the same solid block of foam that every Hoka since forever has ridden on. Both Thomas and Meaghan have already touched on just how much of a difference the new supercritical midsole should make, adding bounce and trimming weight, so I don’t have to reiterate that part. But, what I will point out is that, hopefully, this new formula will keep the Bondi 9 from compressing vertically and expanding horizontally like Hokas of old.
So, if this is finally a Hoka that should add some bounce and hold its shape a bit longer, I should love it, right? Well, read on and we’ll see how my miles went.
MEAGHAN: The Hoka Bondi 9’s step-in feel is as plush as expected. There’s plenty of padding around the collar and heel, along with a soft tongue and flat, stretchy laces to hold the foot in place. I’m happy to report that the latest Bondi fits true to size, even with all that padding, and while Hoka has been known to have a narrower last, my wider foot felt comfortable, with a nice amount of room in the forefoot. It’s also worth noting that this shoe will come in wide and extra-wide (for the dudes).
Hoka’s introduction of supercritical foam is definitely a step in the right direction. It makes the Bondi 9 lighter and livelier, yet it still has that soft, cushioned feel we’ve grown to love and expect. I laced this one up for several 8 and 10-mile runs and even a couple of hill sprint workouts. It felt great for all of the miles, but it shone brightest when I dropped into cruise control. I love using this shoe when my legs feel tired, or my body feels like it could just use a little extra cushioning.
I typically include the weight of a Bondi in the negative section of the review, but I’m not that upset about an 8.6-ounce shoe whose main goal is to provide a comfortable ride. Not to mention, this model has 2 mm more foam and is lighter than the previous version. That’s a solid update.
THOMAS: The best news for fans of the Bondi line is that the Bondi 9 lives up to expectations. Meg has already covered the details of the upper, but what surprised me was how well the regular width fit both her wider foot and my narrower one. The sizing is spot on — I experienced no puckering in the throat or vamp, which are usually the first trouble spots when a shoe runs too wide for me. My usual, a US M10.5, fit true to size without a hint of irritation.
As for the midsole, the standout feature is its supportive arch. In a shoe as soft and cushioned as the Bondi 9, this support is essential. The familiar rocker shape remains intact, easing your stride through each phase of the run. The supercritical foam is both responsive and pleasantly soft — yielding gently under your body weight as if inviting you to sink in just a little with every step. It’s like the whipped cream on a sundae: luxurious and satisfying. And rounding it all out is a generous layer of durable, grippy rubber on the outsole, ensuring the Bondi 9 is as practical as it is plush.
RYAN: Alright, so I think I put the Bondi 9 through slightly different runs from both Thomas and Meg. That’s not to say that I used it for something entirely outside of its scope, but I think I landed right in between my fellow reviewers. I started my journey in the Bondi 9 with a smooth 8 miles around the harbor at a nice, casual pace, and I felt like that was where it was at its best. It rolled nicely through my stride, and I was glad to have the heaping mountain of foam while I worked off my New Year’s Eve mischief.
Then, I decided to put the Bondi into unfamiliar — or at least probably uncomfortable — territory. I laced up for one of A Tribe Called Run’s infamous monument runs, where we’d head downhill from Remington until we reached Baltimore’s Washington Monument, then turn around and run right back up that hill, a la Kate Bush. I promised myself time and time again that I’d take it easy and cruise for the entire chilly run, but before I knew it, I was running a pseudo-tempo in a marshmallow.
Now, you might expect me to start complaining about the idea of searching for speed in a tugboat, but the Bondi 9 actually held up pretty well. I think the smooth midsole rocker pretty much bailed me out, allowing me to maintain most of a natural stride while hustling back up Maryland Avenue. I never once felt like the padded upper struggled to keep up with my effort, nor did it really feel like I had a pair of bricks strapped to my feet.
Do I kinda wish I took that hill a bit slower like I promised myself I would? Sure, but I’m also pretty impressed with what I got out of Hoka’s updated EVA concoction.
MEAGHAN: I love the newly designed knit upper for these colder winter runs, but I think this is going to turn into a real hot box in warmer temperatures. I’ll be putting that to the test down in Miami at the end of the month, so I’ll report back.
Another thing to note is that the shoe now costs $170, which is creeping into the super trainer price point (but without a carbon plate or race day foam). With that said, the new foam formulation feels like it’s going to last a really long time, especially with all the rubber coverage on the outsole, so I suppose it’s justifiable.
THOMAS: First, let’s get one thing straight: Meg can run fast in anything. The Bondi 9, however, isn’t built for speed — there’s no chance I’d take it out for hill repeats. That’s Meg’s territory, not mine. The Bondi is a one-trick pony, and that trick is comfort. This is not a do-it-all shoe for anyone with ambitions beyond steady maintenance miles. It’s made for cruising, not for chasing PRs.
Recently, two shoes have pushed the boundaries of softness for me: the New Balance More v5 and now the Bondi 9. That’s not a flaw — it’s just a matter of preference. If you’ve followed my reviews and share my tastes, you might feel the same way.
As for the styling, the launch colorway feels a bit muted and off-trend. A bolder palette, or a nod to the edgier aesthetic seen in Hoka’s collaborations, would better capture the gritty, evolving vibe of today’s road-running culture. It’s a good shoe, but visually, it could pack a little more punch.
RYAN: This time, I think I have to agree a bit more with Thomas than with Meg. Although I managed to wring some speed out of the Bondi 9, my legs paid for it the next day. It felt kind of like I proved that I could do it, but I didn’t stop to think if I should do it. Once I have a chance to lace up the Bondi again, you can bet I’ll be doing so at a more comfortable pace. Also, I wear custom orthotics to fix my janky form, which helped to add a little bit of stiffness to the otherwise very soft shoe.
Once again, though, I agree with Thomas about the style of the Bondi 9. I could completely understand how the Bondi 8 achieved crossover status, pairing bold horizontal waves with a ton of simple, wearable colorways over its couple of years of life. The Bondi 9, on the other hand, feels like it’s a little bit closer to dad shoe or dedicated running shoe territory. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that — it’s a running shoe, after all — but I just don’t find myself as drawn to the new midsole styling. Maybe I just need to see it in cream…
Shop The Shoe - Men Shop The Shoe - WomenMEAGHAN: Bondi fans rejoice. The ninth iteration of this shoe is still a classic Bondi but with a few nice upgrades. The supercritical foam provides a lighter, bouncier ride, and the newly designed knit upper is as plush and comfortable as ever. While you might have to dish out an extra $5 for these changes, I think it’ll be worth the extra miles you’ll get out of your pair.
THOMAS: Meg’s right: if you’re a fan of the Bondi, the 9 is the best version yet. Hoka stayed true to the essence of the shoe while refining it in all the right ways, adding value without straying from what loyalists love. While the Bondi still hasn’t fully won me over, I can’t help but respect what it brings to the table.
RYAN: Is the Bondi 9 a good, cushioned shoe for easy-peasy miles? Heck yeah, it is. Is it still maybe a little heavier than I’d like as a small dude? Yep, it’s that too. I think I’d largely listen to Meg’s conclusion on this one since she’s run in most versions of the Bondi, but don’t forget that she can run in literally any shoe. Personally, I’ll probably stick with a lighter, lower-stacked Hoka shoe, as ironic as that continues to sound.
You can pick up the Hoka Bondi 9 for $170 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.
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Meaghan signed up for her first marathon three weeks before the race, because it was $10 more than the half she planned to run. She learned everything in running the hard way. Now a USATF & UESCA certified run coach, she loves encouraging friends to go for big goals as she continues to chase faster times. She enjoys a hot cup of coffee, a cold martini, and making bagels for friends and family.
More from MeaghanAs the founder of Believe in the Run, Thomas’s goal is to help runners pick the shoes and gear that will make their running experience the best that it can be.
More from ThomasRyan is kind of like Robbe’s Igor behind the scenes. He helps to compile and clean up everyone’s reviews, and finds time to get in a few miles of his own. When he’s not running or editing, Ryan writes and reviews for Android Authority, spending time with the latest tech and complaining when things don’t work quite right. If he’s not doing any of that, maybe you’ll find him nose-deep in a crossword puzzle or trying to catch up on an endless backlog of shows to stream.
More from Ryan
Runners crack me up. They’re more arrogant than cyclists and I never thought that possible.
Hoka Bondi 8 (and 9s) are the ultimate shoe….. well, for mere mortals who are looked upon in disgust by those who jog in place and stare anxiously at their stopwatch/uber cool wrist computer while waiting to cross the road blocked by slovenly drivers like myself.
Congrats sir, you win the most unhinged comment of the year award, and it’s only January.
this is an insane comment holy shit