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When the Hoka Bondi was first launched, it was thought-about outrageously large and cushioned to loads of runners. Now it’s the norm amongst max cushioned footwear. Our focus is on how the Hoka Bondi 9 has revamped itself and if we’d now name it an ideal working shoe once more, as an alternative of only a nice strolling shoe.
We’ve put in loads of miles in Bondi footwear over time and there’s a motive, they usually pop up on our record like finest strolling footwear or finest Hoka trainers. That’s proper a shoe could be good for each, you simply have to have a distinct pair on your lengthy strolling days vs working due to your put on sample.
The final Bondi left us wanting extra, so now right here we’re placing issues to the check. Did this large overhaul give us extra?
Who Is It Good For?
Who’s Hoka Bondi 9 match for? Let’s break it down with some widespread classes:
- Vast Ft: Go for the large and extra-wide choice!
- Heavier Runners: Completely a go to choice for foam that compresses properly, feels steady and sturdy.
- Lengthy Runs: 100% seize this for these longer miles to have a easy trip from begin to end.
- Entrance of the Pack: Superb for these simple and restoration paced miles.
This will likely be nice for mid and again of the pack runners searching for a day by day coach to go that additional distance.
Hoka Bondi 9 Evaluate
I’ve to be sincere, the final time that I attempted working in a pair of Hokas just a few years in the past, I returned them solely after just a few runs as a result of they simply weren’t the shoe for me.
I used to be fearful the identical factor was going to occur once I went to check these however you’ll be able to even ask my husband I need to’ve mentioned “wow” no less than just a few occasions whereas working.
My first run within the Bondi 9 was a type of really really feel good runs the place I needed to simply maintain going. Okay, perhaps it was the footwear or perhaps it was as a result of I used to be coming off of some relaxation days however both approach I’ll take it.
You probably have been a very long time fan of the Bondi, I feel you’re actually going to understand the updates that Hoka has made.
That is going to be a shoe that’s nice for center and again of the pack runners who’re searching for a day by day coach that’s sturdy, supportive and has a cushiony really feel.
It’s constructed for consolation over velocity, making it a great selection for these longer coaching runs. Will it’s a shoe that center and again of the pack will put on for half and full marathons? I feel it undoubtedly has some potential!
Whereas it’s not constructed for speedwork, the Bondi 9 nonetheless presents a contact of bounce because of the mixture of its supercritical EVA foam and the sleek MetaRocker midsole design.
(When you’re questioning what EVA is, it’s essentially the most generally used working shoe foam and helps the shoe to really feel springy relying on how a lot is used.)
I feel I significantly actually loved working within the Bondi 9 due to the sleek MetaRocker. It’s tremendous delicate and helped to encourage extra of a pure gait and actually, I wasn’t working as a lot in my typical dancer approach (working extra up on my toes) which has been one thing I’ve been engaged on enhancing.
Hoka Bondi 9 Specs
Let’s have a look at a number of the particulars:
- Weight: 10.5 oz Males’s, 9.3 oz Ladies’s
- Heel Drop: 5 mm
- Utilization: Max cushion day by day coach
- Accessible in 6 colours
- Accessible in large and additional large (in restricted colours)
- Accessible on Hoka.com for $170
I put on a dimension 11 in trainers so once I look down at my toes it’s A LOT extra shoe than I’m used to. However, I’m to the purpose the place I’d a lot moderately put on a shoe that FEELS good because the precedence over how my toes look within the shoe.
Bonus factors to Hoka as a result of the Bondi 9 does are available in loads of cool colorways.
Hoka Bondi 9 Really feel
Hoka gave the Bondi a makeover and it’s all about enhancing the trip and most significantly the match. Spoiler alert, they nailed the consolation.
The very first thing I observed once I placed on these footwear was how snug they felt. There’s loads of padding across the collar and tongue which felt nice from the beginning and actually, solely appeared to get higher every time I put them on.
The tongue stayed completely in place and I used to be completely happy that the prolonged heel pull didn’t trigger any irritation or blisters even with my low rise socks.
Some of the noticeable updates within the Bondi 9 is the upgraded cushioning to Hoka’s tremendous essential foam EVA. This helps to offer that softer, extra responsive really feel underfoot.
I observed that whereas working on each the treadmill and out of doors every step felt actually easy. It has the right steadiness between mushy and agency and I didn’t really feel like I used to be sinking right into a marshmallow like I’ve when attempting different pairs of Hokas.
Even with all that cushioning, the Bondi 9 nonetheless manages to really feel light-weight, which is a big win for a shoe this plush.
Hoka additionally upped the stack peak by 2mm, bringing it to 43mm within the heel, and whereas that may sound like loads, it didn’t really feel cumbersome or unstable in any respect.
Just lately, my go-to shoe for restoration runs has been the Brooks Glycerin Max however the Bondi 9 might have to have a spot in my rotation.
Hoka Bondi 9 Match
On the subject of the match, I felt the Bondi 9 was barely on the slim aspect. When you sometimes want a wider shoe, you would possibly wish to try the large or additional large choices.
For me, the midfoot felt cosy, however there was nonetheless loads of room within the toebox that will likely be particularly good when my toes swell on these longer runs.
One of many upgrades is the knit higher, changing the mesh from earlier variations. I really like how this gave the shoe a sock like match, making it really feel much more safe and cozy.
I took the Bondi 9’s out within the tremendous chilly temps that we had right here in Colorado and I really feel just like the knit higher stored my toes hotter. But it surely does make me marvel about how the thicker materials will do within the heat temps, particularly as somebody who heats up rapidly.
The shoe’s outsole is designed with a Durabrasion rubber to assist lengthen the shoe’s life, particularly within the areas that sometimes see extra put on and tear. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see the way it holds up after getting some extra miles logged each on the treadmill and out of doors.
Related Sneakers to the Bondi 9
We’ve examined just a few footwear that really feel comparable, however completely different based mostly on the model match:
Hoka Bondi Vs Skyflow
You’ll be able to see a number of the variations simply by placing the 2 footwear collectively. However the query is, what’s the distinction in how they really feel?
From Coach Amanda: Final yr, I switched from recommending the Bondi to the Skyflow for runners. With the Bondi 9 I used to be curious to see if that may keep the identical, so I pulled on each pairs for some restoration miles the day after a long term.
Now, I’d say it would come all the way down to what you get pleasure from most underfoot.
Skyflow really feels softer, however along with your foot being cupped it’s actually steady. I may choose up the tempo a bit if wanted with it. In equity, the Skyflow is de facto damaged in and I do marvel if the Bondi gained’t really feel softer with extra miles on it.
Bear in mind the midsole is a supercritical foam so it’s not as sturdy, however is loads lighter and feels softer at a barely decrease stack.
Listed below are a number of the key variations:
- Bondi is a 43mm stack and the Skyflow 41mm
- Bondi makes use of an knit higher and Skyflow makes use of Creel jacquard higher (each a thicker materials)
- Each have a padded tongue and heel collar
- Each are impartial footwear
- Bondi is accessible in large and additional large
- Skyflow is accessible in large
- Skyflow is extra reasonable to max cushioning
- Bondi has a softer plush cushioning
There you’ve it, our first ideas on the Bondi 9. I hope that this can assist get you excited to check out the up to date match and really feel of the Bondi in your subsequent stroll or run!!
Able to run? Go test it out on Hoka.com for $170
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