Hoka Bondi 9 running shoes

After two years, one of Hoka’s most popular running shoes has finally received an update, with the Hoka Bondi 9 available in January 2025. The shoe changes a lot, but the character doesn’t, the Hoka Bondi 9 is still a highly cushioned running shoe with a focus on comfort. Like its predecessor, the Bondi 9 is likely to become a fashion shoe, and in the case of the Bondi 8, Hollywood stars had a lot to do with that as they were the preferred everyday wearers. The Bondi 9 will be equally suitable for walking and standing work, making it a good choice for hairdressers, waiters and healthcare workers. The Hoka Bondi 9 running shoe is best suited for lower-intensity and even longer runs. It has a comfortable, well-cushioned upper, a soft and flexible midsole with enough dynamics, and the outsole covers a large area of the midsole with good traction and abrasion resistance.

After 2 years since the release of the previous Bondi, the Hoka Bondi 9 has changed a lot compared to the previous version. The most significant change is the midsole, which is 2mm higher and made of new foam that is softer and lighter. The Bondi 9 is also lighter, with the men’s version weighing 9 grams less despite the higher midsole. In the 2 years since the previous version was released, Hoka’s line has expanded with the introduction of new models such as the SkyFlow, which is very close to the Bondi 9. It has the same well padded upper, the same supercritical EVA foam midsole, but 3mm lower. The Skyflow is 14 grams lighter and $10 cheaper than the Bondi 9, so it’s not easy to choose between the two if you’re looking for a highly cushioned, comfortable Hoka running shoe.

Hoka Bondi 9 upper

The upper of the The Hoka Bondi 9 running shoe is clearly designed for maximum comfort. The upper is made of a mesh material that is highly cushioned, so its breathability is average and varies in some areas of the shoe. The materials used are premium quality for comfort. The uppers are true to size and the standard version offers enough room at the toes, but if you have wider feet, wide and x-wide versions are available. The tongue is well padded and not fixed on either side.The fixed tongue is especially important for thinner tongues. For thick, cushioned tongues like the Bondi 9 running shoe, it doesn’t matter much because the cushioning allows the tongue to be well held by the laces, and these shoes are for lower-intensity running where the tongue is less likely to move out of place. The heel collar of the shoe is also well cushioned, stiff and built higher, keeping the foot secure and very comfortable.

Hoka Bondi 9 midsole

The Hoka Bondi 9 running shoe midsole is made entirely of supercritical EVA foam that’s lightweight, dynamic and has good shock absorption. The midsole is 43 mm high at the heel and 38 mm high at the forefoot with a 5 mm drop, making it a highly cushioned running shoe. The midsole is 2mm higher than the previous version, but also lighter thanks to the new foam. The Supercritical EVA foam is not only lighter, but also softer than the previous CM EVA foam, making the Bondi 9 more comfortable. This foam has better compression, but can pop out faster and more dynamically, making it more dynamic. The energy return of the Bondi 9 is not that you can run fast in it (neither the midfoot geometry nor the weight of the shoe supports that), but that you can run longer at lower intensities.

Hoka Bondi 9 outsole

The outsole of the Hoka Bondi 9 running shoe doesn’t completely cover the midsole, as is usually the case. The outsole is designed to allow the midsole to remain flexible, which increases comfort. At the forefoot of the outsole has a series of transverse cutouts that allow the sole of the shoe to flex and stay flexible. The outsole is made of an abrasion resistant rubber that is thick and durable. The outsole of the Hoka Bondi 9 running shoe has a deep and dense tread pattern that helps it grip well on both dry and wet surfaces.

Who the Hoka Bondi 9 is for and what kind of running? Summary

The Hoka Bondi 9 running shoe is a highly cushioned, comfortable running shoe that is best suited for low-intensity, even longer runs. It has a comfortable and cushioned upper that is available in a wide and extra wide (x-wide) version in addition to the standard width. The high midsole is made of supercritical EVA foam, which is lightweight, soft, shock absorbing and flexible. The outsole is durable and offers good traction. The Bondi 9 running shoe is recommended for beginners, but can also be used by experienced runners for easy and/or longer runs.