Hoka Bondi 9 Shoe

Review by Erin Trail

The Hoka Bondi 9 Shoe is a solid everyday cushioned running shoe that’s undergone a modest makeover for better performance.

Details

• 3D molded collar
• Super critically foamed EVA
• Engineered mesh with 55% recycled polyester
• Reflective upper details
• Extended heel pull
• Smooth MetaRocker™
• Rearfoot-focused Active Foot Frame™
• Molded EVA sockliner
• Durabrasion rubber outsole
• 5mm drop
• Stack height: 43 mm heel, 38 mm forefoot

Fit and Function

You know when shoe companies “improve” your favorite shoe, but you feel that they’ve made it worse?  That’s not the case with the updated Hoka Bondi 9 – it’s a great update to a tried and true shoe.

Full disclosure, I have been running in Hokas since 2017.  In 2014, I raced Ironman Boulder, and the run was all on concrete bike paths.  My body took a beating and I moved to Hoka because of the plush ride, in hopes that it would help on those brutal concrete long runs. I’ve been running in Bondis since 2020, including an Ironman and several Ironman 70.3s (including a World Championship race).

In 2024, I forgot my beloved Hoka Bondi’s for an out of town race (I only had flip flops and bike shoes) and went to a local running store and got the Hoka Skyflow. These shoes had a snappier midsole and provide a fun ride; pretty quickly, the Skywards became my daily running shoe.

When I learned about the improvements that Hoka made to the Bondi’s, I thought – hmmm, that sounds like they took what I loved about the Skyflow and put it into the Bondi.  After running in the Bondi 9s, sure enough, Hoka had taken what I loved about the Skyflows and added them to my beloved Bondis.

I wear women’s size 9 in Hoka shoes and I have found that the Bondi 9 fit very similarly to previous models.

For me, the Bondi 9 fits and feels similar to the Bondi 8.  Changes to the Bondi 9 from a fit perspective is that it has a wider midfoot and toe box.  I have to wear special insoles to accommodate a foot issue, so having more room within the shoe is something that I welcome. The fit isn’t tremendously different, I mostly notice the update in how tight I need to wear my laces.

The main – and most important – update is to the midsole.  The Bondi 8 used a traditional CMEVA foam and had a high cushion, almost marshmallowy feel. The Bondi 9 midsole uses supercritical foam, which gives the shoe a more responsive, snappy feel while still being soft and cushioned.

Lately, I’ve been enjoying running in the Hoka Mach 7 shoes.  I’ve recently come back to running in the Hoka Bondi and it’s just like running with an old friend again (in the best way).

For me, the Hoka Bondi 9 shoes are best for easier running, recovery running, or long runs where a little extra cushion is welcomed. They just feel GOOD to run in.  The updated midsole is my favorite feature.  The previous Bondi versions were very cushioned, almost to the the point where it felt a little stodgy.  The updated supercritical foam in the midsole gives the runner a little return on their energy.  The responsiveness isn’t quite on the scale of the Mach 7 shoes and it’s definitely not in the realm of carbon plated supershoes, but it is definitely noticeable.

Also of note is how good my body feels after running in the Hoka Bondi 9 shoes.  I don’t feel beat up or have additional fatigue once I’m done running, making them a perfect option for a recovery run.

While intended for road running, the soles also have enough traction where they’re good for running on rail trails or gravel roads, for those that prefer running on softer surfaces.

I also want to touch on the price point.  In a world of rising costs, Hoka has kept the cost of the Bondi series relatively in check.  I looked through my emails and found that in March 2022, I paid $160 for a pair of Bondi 7s. Current pricing on the Bondi 9 is $175.

Closing Thoughts

The Hoka Bondi 9 shoes are for road running and are available in both men’s and women’s sizes.  Men’s sizing ranges from 7 to 16 (regular and wide).  Women’s sizing ranges from 5 to 12 (regular and wide).  Both genders have a wide, seasonally changing, variety of colors to choose from.

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke

Erin Trail on her mountain bike at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race

Erin Trail on her running at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race