Comparison:
ASICS Nimbus 28 vs HOKA Bondi 9
The Nimbus and the Bondi are two immensely popular max-cushioned trainers. Here we'll be comparing them.
Comparison:
The legendary Nimbus is an ASICS stalwart and is one of the most popular traditional ASICS trainers. It's designed to be the softest, plushest ASICS trainer. It's on its 28th iteration. It costs $170.
The Bondi is HOKA’s equivalent of the Nimbus. It's only on its 9th iteration but it's a bestseller. It's designed to be HOKA’s most cushioned trainer. It costs $175.
This comparison will tell you which of these trainers you should buy.
Similarity and differences: Gel Nimbus 28 vs Bondi 9
Expert score
7/10
8/10
Weight
9.6 oz
9.3 oz
Heel Drop
8 mm
5 mm
Verdict
The ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 is a comfortable, firmer-than-average, max-cushioned trainer. Version 28 is significantly lighter than version 27 however, it has the same FF Blast+ midsole that lacks energy return considering its high price. This is the best Nimbus version to date but I crave more excitement and more liveliness whenever I run in it.
The Hoka Bondi 9 is a good max-cushioned trainer for easy or recovery runs. It has a firm and supportive ride that provides exceptional stability but it doesn’t posess much energy return. The 9th version features a new supercritical EVA midsole which is lighter than its predecessors and features an additional 2 mm of stack height, making it the most cushioned Bondi model yet. Notably, the irritating poking arch sensation has been eliminated, making this version suitable for runners with flat feet or wide feet.
Recommended for
Daily training, long distance racing
Daily training
Cushioning type
Balanced/plush
Balanced
Cushioning amount
Highly cushioned
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
medium
rigid
Stability
some stability
very stable
Sizing
true to size
buy half size bigger
Retail price
US$
US$
Sole unit: Gel Nimbus 28 vs Bondi 9
The Nimbus midsole is made of FF Blast+, an EVA blend foam. It’s extremely plush and your feet sink down into the foam with each foot strike.
The Bondi midsole is made of supercritical EVA. This foam is much firmer than the Nimbus midsole and it doesn’t compress as much when loaded.
There’s a gel unit in the heel of the Nimbus that’s hidden from sight- it’s designed to absorb shock when your feet strike the ground. The Bondi doesn’t have any gel in its midsole.
Both trainers have rockers but the Bondi has a stiffer forefoot and a more extreme rocker. This makes transitions faster and smoother.
The Nimbus is better for slow, relaxed runs when pace doesn’t matter– its super soft midsole makes it difficult to pick up the pace. The Bondi is better for faster paced runs due to its firmer midsole that makes it easier to go faster.
In terms of stability, the Bondi has a more stable ride. It is firmer and more supportive so your footstrikes feel more planted. The Bondi also has a wider base that provides good stability.
If durability is important to you, the Bondi has the more durable outsole. It has more rubber coverage and the exposed midsole foam is more resilient so if you’re hard on outsoles, you’ll be able to get more mileage out of the Bondi.
Upper unit: Gel Nimbus 28 vs Bondi 9
The upper of the Nimbus feels softer and plusher than the upper of the Bondi. It’s made of stretchy engineered knit that conforms to your feet. The Bondi is made of traditional mesh that doesn’t stretch. They are both more suited to cool climates than warm ones.
Both uppers are generously padded but the main difference is the tongue. The Nimbus has a flat, stretchy tongue while the Bondi has a thick, padded tongue. The Nimbus tongue is semi-gusseted while the Bondi is not; however there’s no tongue slide in either of them.
The Nimbus and the Bondi run true to size. The Nimbus has a more spacious interior than the Bondi, most noticeably in the forefoot.
Which one to buy: Gel Nimbus 28 vs Bondi 9
If you prefer really soft, plush rides for mainly relaxed runs, the Nimbus is the shoe for you. It feels more luxurious due to its plush midsole and upper and it’s significantly lighter. It’s also $5 cheaper than the Bondi.
If you prefer a firmer, more versatile ride, the Bondi is the shoe for you. It has a firmer midsole that makes it easier to pick up the pace and it also has a more stable, more supportive ride. It’s the more durable of the two trainers and it has a more prominent forefoot rocker.
Best price online: Gel Nimbus 28 vs Bondi 9
This expert review is written by
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
Brandon is a South African marathoner based in Malaysia, where the humidity is high and his shoe rotation is even higher. He’s a runner with a full-blown addiction to running shoes. Most people buy shoes to run—Brandon runs to justify buying more shoes. If there’s a new drop, he’s probably already logged 100km in them.
