REASONS TO BUY
Awesome for walking
Smooth jogs
Surprisingly stable
REASONS TO AVOID
Feels chunky
Very firm considering stack height
Pricey
Snug fit
Hoka Bondi 9 Review
Lots of foam and decent support makes a great walking shoe, but the cushioning is dissapointing and the fit runs very snug
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 10, 2025
RELATED: The Best Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Hoka Bondi 9 is a popular shoe from a popular brand. This version includes a supercritical foam and other improvements to make it a better overall running shoe than prior models. This version is more cushioned than the last, but it still has a surprisingly firm feel for a shoe with so much foam. The fit is very cramped in the toebox, resulting in those with average to narrow feet perhaps preferring a wide model. This shoe lacks versatility; it's best for walking and slow running. Runners who are doing lots of mileage and regular structured workouts will likely find it lackluster. If you want a single athletic shoe for work, daily life, and some occasional running, this is a good choice. However, if you're after a dedicated running shoe, we'd recommend something else for most people.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Bondi is one of the shoes that kicked off the max-cushioning arms race. Unfortunately, it's been surpassed. Yes, this version is a significant improvement, with a supercritical foam that offers a bit more energy return. However, it lacks the premium comfort and versatility its price demands.
Running with lots and lots of foam underfoot in the Bondi is a surprising experience.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Cushioning
The Bondi 9 is a big shoe, with 44 mm of stack height and an 8 mm heel-toe drop. You'll be disappointed if you're expecting an uber plush shoe after hearing those numbers. Even though the Bondi has a lot of supercritical EVA in the midsole, it's actually a pretty firm shoe that has a very supportive landing, but not a squishy, pillowy, or energetic one. Firmness isn't bad, but if you're considering the Bondi expecting peak plushness, we think you'll be disappointed.
All the Bondi foam insulates and supports well, but doesn't feel much more cushioned than smaller options.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Even though the midsole is supercritical EVA, and there is a significant rocker (starting very close to the midfoot, at 57.4% of the length of the shoe), the Bondi doesn't do faster paces very well. Sure, it is significantly more responsive than the previous version, but that's a pretty low bar. We wouldn't recommend this option for faster running.
In this photo you can see how early the toe-box starts to taper to a point. That makes for a very cramped forefoot.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Upper Comfort
The biggest issue we have with the Bondi 9 is the size of the toebox, which is pretty cramped, something not unusual for Hoka shoes. While it didn't cause any hotspots or rubbing, some more room for our toes would be appreciated. Other users have noted this issue, and some have experienced rubbing. Choosing a wide fit could solve this issue, depending on your foot shape.
The Bondi 9 provides excellent support throughout the stride, and rolls you off your toes smoothly.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Stability
The Bondi 9 provides excellent support. Thanks in large part to the thick slab of foam that isn't particularly compliant and the early rocker, the shoe guides you through your footstrike well. It falls into what we would classify as a stable/neutral running shoe, which is a good choice for many runners.
On the other hand, the massive stack height and relatively squared off edges of the midsole make this shoe less than ideal for uneven terrain. For example, while running on a grass field, the Bondi 9 put significant torque on our ankles.
We appreciate that the Bondi 9 feels lighter even if it isn't.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Weight
For such a large shoe, the Bondi 9 feels lighter than expected. Its 11.31-ounce weight is more than most of the shoes in our lineup. However, it doesn't feel that heavy when wearing it.
We're unsure why, but the Bondi struggled on wet asphalt.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
Like some other shoes in the Hoka lineup, the Bondi's traction on cold and wet asphalt was not ideal. While we didn't have significant issues, this would not be our first choice for winter running or walking.
Should You Buy the Hoka Bondi 9?
Whether the Bondi is the right shoe for you will likely boil down to one question: Are you looking for a dedicated running shoe? If the answer is no, and you plan to wear the shoe casually for walking, standing, and running, then the Bondi may be a good fit. If the answer is yes, then we think you should look elsewhere.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you want premium and plush cushioning in your running shoes, we think the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 is a great choice. Its pillowy foam feels great on the run, although it lacks the support of the Bondi. If you're a Hoka fan and want a good all-around dedicated running shoe, the Hoka Clifton 10 is a better choice for most runners.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Hoka Bondi 9 versus top competing products:
—Nathaniel Bailey
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