How to Test the Hoka Bondi 9: Run 4 Marathons & an Ultra

Ever wonder what it's like to run in the Hoka Bondi 9?
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Before I tell you how it's handled 250 miles so far, here's how it ended up in my rotation.

• I've run the Mountain Lakes 100-Mile Ultra in late September 11 years in a row. 
• Once that race is over, the big trail days fade into the rearview mirror, and I shift to more road running through the fall and winter months.

Time for a new road shoe: This year I wanted a max-cushioned road shoe to give me a little extra protection for slowly-getting-better plantar fasciitis in my right foot.
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So I grabbed the Hoka Bondi 9. I haven't run in this shoe in about a decade, but decided to give it another try.
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What I've put the Bondi 9 through so far:

• 👟51 miles at the Autumn Leaves race at Champoeg State Park hosted by Oregon Road Runners Club
• 👟Four 26.2-mile Saturday Morning Marathons on country roads and the Springwater Trail in Boring, Ore. (Yep, it's a real place, and also home of the Boring Marathon)
• 👟A 10K Turkey Trot on the Tickle Creek Trail on Thanksgiving Day in Sandy, Ore.
• 👟A mix of shorter runs and walks

After about 250 miles of running in the Hoka Bondi 9, here's what I've learned...

Right out of the box, the Hoka Bondi 9 looks and feels like a max cushioned road shoe.
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Big. Cushioned. Protective. The upper feels plush without being sloppy and the rocker shape nudges you forward with every step.
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So what was I wearing before the Hoka Bondi 9?

• I spent the summer running in the Nike Zegama 2, then switched to the Hoka Mafate 5 the week before Mountain Lakes 100. 
• Both are trail shoes, so stepping into a road shoe again felt like a noticeable shift.

Even so, the Bondi 9 didn't feel stiff or awkward on the first run. 
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I took it out for an easy five miles and it settled in quickly. 

Soft landing, smooth transition, predictable ride. Nothing fancy. Just comfortable and exactly what I needed.
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And just in case you're wondering, there are a few things that could be better about the Hoka Bondi 9, that I'll get to in just a bit.

The Bondi 9 delivers a secure, cushioned fit that feels comfortable from the first few steps to the final miles. It’s stable, structured, and easy to dial in for long runs.
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👟Sizing that actually works

• The Bondi 9 fits true to size, but here's my take on sizing... 
• I'm technically a size 12. I can run in a 12, but my toes sit right at the end of the shoe. 
• A 12.5 gives me more room. A size 13 feels perfect for ultra miles when my feet get that fatty-sausage feeling after going for miles. 

For the Bondi 9, the size 13 ended up being the right choice for my feet.

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👟Locked in and comfortable

• Once the sizing was dialed in, the fit felt secure and comfortable. 
• The toe box isn't wide, but it isn't cramped either. 
• FYI...I always lace with the heel lock eyelet and the heel stayed locked in with no slipping or rubbing.

👟Friendly for a recovering foot

• The cushioning felt friendly on my right foot, which is still recovering from plantar fasciitis. 
• The Bondi 9 stayed stable on the paved loops and single track at Champoeg, on the rolling country roads during my Saturday Morning Marathons, and on the easy-to-navigate Tickle Creek Trail 10K.

If you want structured cushioning and a fit that stays consistent for hours, the Bondi 9 delivers.

Cushioning and ride are probably the biggest factors that nudge me towards a shoe like the Bondi 9.
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It has to feel good for miles without hotspots or constant readjusting. Here's what I found...
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Smooth and steady

• The Bondi 9 has a smooth and steady ride. It doesn't try to be fast and it doesn't feel bouncy. It simply makes slow miles feel easier.

Roads, trails, and everything in between

• This showed up during Autumn Leaves 50+1-mile ultra at Champoeg State Park. The course mixes paved trail with single track and the Bondi held up across both surfaces. The cushioning stayed consistent through all 51 miles and my legs felt fine afterwards.

Long runs feel easier

• I've ran four Saturday Morning Marathons in this shoe. On rolling country roads, the Bondi absorbed the pavement and handled uneven shoulders well. On the paved Springwater Trail, it kept the pounding from getting out of hand. The rocker helps you settle into a rhythm and just run.

Surprisingly stable

• The shoe also felt stable during the Tickle Creek Turkey Trot 10K. It isn't a trail shoe, but it handled the trail and path without any issues.

 It might feel like a lot of shoe for some runners, but it checks most of the boxes for a high-mileage daily trainer. 

Since late September, I've ran about 250 miles in the Hoka Bondi 9, mainly on roads, paved trails, and some easy, non-technical trails.
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I've also wore the Bondi for a lot of day-to-day stuff like chasing kids around, shopping, going to work, etc.
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So technically, I've put this shoe through more than 250 miles.
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So how does it feel after a solid test run like this?

• Cushioning hasn't flattened out
• Outsole wear is minimal. Noticeable wear on the outer left heel.
• Upper has kept its shape
• Heel padding is still plush
• Midsole shows no major compression lines
• Heel lock lacing still feels dialed in

The Bondi 9 has handled pavement, dirt, muddy and wet conditions, and long runs without any signs of early breakdown. I expect to get at least 400 miles, and possibly closer to 500.

Coming off a 100-miler and transitioning to road miles in a max-cushioned shoe to help manage that slowly-getting-better plantar fasciitis in my right foot, has worked pretty well.
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The original Hoka Bondi was released in 2011, so the fact that this shoe has been around for 15 years, is proof it's one of the max-cushioned shoes you can count on to go the distance. But there are a few things, I don't love about the Bondi.
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After 250 miles, here’s what stood out the most:
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PROS

✅Smooth and steady ride
✅Max cushioning without instability
✅Comfortable on long runs and recovery miles
✅Works on multiple surfaces
✅Durable midsole and outsole
✅Friendly for foot issues like plantar fasciitis
✅Heel-lock eyelet (Seriously, why do some running shoes omit this?)
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CONS

❌Heavier than stripped-down racing shoes or super shoes
❌Not designed for tempo or speed work
❌Doesn't dry fast after getting wet
❌Bulky, especially if you're trying to mash your feet in the rowing machine at the gym

👟Hoka Bondi 9: Who this shoe is best for

• High-mileage runners
• Marathoners and ultra runners
• Runners dealing with foot or lower leg issues
• Anyone who wants a protective daily trainer
• Walkers and new runners who want maximum cushioning
• Fun fact: The Hoka Bondi 9 is also a popular shoe for people who spend a lot of time on their feet (healthcare workers, police officers, retail employees)

After about 250 miles, the Hoka Bondi 9 has earned a spot in my running-shoe rotation. 
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I don't really remember why I gave up on it about a decade ago. It isn't a shoe that makes you faster, but it makes running feel easier when you start stacking up miles.
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The cushioning is consistent, the fit is secure, and the ride is predictable in all the right ways. 
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If you need a comfortable high-mileage trainer that keeps your feet, legs and body happy for miles, the Bondi 9 is a dependable choice.

Tell us about it in the comments, or Create a WeeView and tell us more about your favorite high-mileage, max-cushioned running shoe.