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The Wait is Over: Introducing the Hoka Bondi 9
Last month, I wrote about a massive sale on Hoka’s Bondi 8, and it turns out my colleague, Jack Seemer, was spot on in his prophetic paragraph: "Even if you have no intention of picking up a pair, the news bodes well for fans of the Bondi, which hasn’t received an update since the end of 2022. Is a new version of the popular trainer right around the corner?" The answer, it seems, is a resounding "yes!".
Meet the Hoka Bondi 9
The new Bondi 9 has recently surfaced on Hoka’s website and will be available for purchase early next year. And it’s not just a minor tweak – it’s getting a significant overhaul. For starters, it’s getting 2mm added to its already generous stack height. But that’s just the beginning. Here are some key highlights:
• Stack height: 2mm boost for a total of 33mm
• Midsole: A new, more precise midsole design
• Upper: A revised upper with a more seamless construction
• Traction: New outsole design for improved grip
Hoka History
Before we dive into the Bondi 9’s features, let’s take a look at the shoe that started it all. The Bondi nameplate has played a crucial role in Hoka’s early growth. In fact, 15 years ago, a chance meeting between father and son, Johnny and Jason Halberstadt, and Hoka co-founder Nico Mermoud at The Running Event helped launch the brand.
As you can see, the Bondi has come a long way, and the new Bondi 9 is set to take it to new heights.