Hoka Bondi 9 test – Maximum cushioning!

Test video summary

My summary

How to use the Hoka Bondi 9?

Hoka’s Bondi is a maximalist road running shoe. It is the model with the most cushioning in the brand’s road range (more than the Clifton, for example). It’s a comfortable shoe, suitable for long outings, recovery jogging, a marathon at a leisurely pace, or simply for runners looking for comfort above all else, without any need for performance or speed.

There’s also a fair amount of feedback from people with joint pain who feel better in the Bondi (it’s all individual, of course, no miracle here). Incidentally, this model is also worn a lot in everyday life by people who have to stand a lot, as they are renowned for their comfort!

Features

• Drop: 5mm
• Stack at heel: approx. 40mm
• Weight: 290g on our scale (women’s model, size 40 2/3)
• Carbon plate: no
• Colors: 15 colors available

Our full Hoka Bondi 9 test

Look

The look of the Bondi 9 remains true to the Hoka style: an oversized sole and a rather massive look, but one that’s still fun and quite elegant in my opinion! I like the color I’ve got, a minty blue (blue spark/mint fluorite) with touches of yellow and pink. There’s a lot of choice when it comes to colors , and you can also opt for a more muted look. The mesh is rather thick and seems quite resistant.

Weight

At 290g in size 40 2/3 (women’s model) on our scale, the Hoka Bondi 9 is a rather heavy shoe. It’s a weight that’s totally assumed, and is the result of the shoe’s maximalist design: very thick sole, generous foam, thick mesh, padding on the collar and tongue, wider platform… All elements that weigh down, but also contribute to the feeling of comfort so dear to Bondi fans. That’s why we buy them!

Although the Bondi is not made for speed, the weight is well forgotten once you’re running in them: you don’t feel like you’re wearing ultra-heavy shoes, I assure you!

Fit and comfort

Comfort is clearly the strongest point of the Hoka Bondi 9.

When I put it on, I was quite surprised by the fit, which is very snug. The size 40 2/3 is not too big, whereas I’m more of a 40 1/2 or even 40 in other brands. Once I’d found the right size, the fit suited me well: the width was perfect, neither too narrow nor too wide, and the foot felt well supported. Note that Bondi 9s also come in a “wide” model, which can be interesting depending on your morphology.

The tongue and collar aregenerously padded, and the technical mesh upper is soft, supple and seamless. The foot is enveloped without being compressed, and the forefoot space is comfortable.

This comfort was confirmed during the race sessions: no pressure points to report on my side, I felt good inside.

Amortized and dynamic

In terms of cushioning, the Bondi is a benchmark in the world of maximalist shoes. In this version 9, the midsole features a new Supercritical EVA foam, which is lighter, more flexible and slightly more responsive than that used in previous versions.

When running, you immediately feel a sensation of softness under the whole foot, without feeling like you’re “sinking” into the shoe. It’s a shoe that absorbs, softens, reassures and protects perfectly against shocks.

While the cushioning is top-notch, the dynamism remains limited (that’s the concept!). The Bondi 9 returns little energy: it accompanies the stride, but doesn’t push. The sole geometry and rocker facilitate a fluid roll-off, but there’s no sensation of energetic rebound like on other, more dynamic models. If you’re looking to do some fast-paced splits, but also like the comfort of the Bondi, you’ll want to have a second pair of shoes to alternate between.

Stability

This was a point that scared me a little at first, due to the consequent height of the sole. However, I was pleasantly surprised: the stability is really excellent. There are several reasons for this:

• sole width: the platform has been widened under the midfoot and heel to provide a better base of support.
• Hoka’s Active Foot Frame system somehow “embeds” the foot in the sole, rather than simply placing it on top. The heel is thus slightly “wrapped”, which improves the lateral support of the foot.

The Bondi 9 is made for the road, but you can also take it on stretches of rolling road (not trail riding either!).

Adhesion

On the road, I found the grip to be good, even on wet pavement and cobblestones.

Conclusion

The Hoka Bondi 9 is a sure bet for those looking for maximum comfort, ultra-soft cushioning and reassuring stability. Not made for speed, but ideal for long runs, recovery or hours of walking!