The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 and Hoka Bondi 9 are the two shoes runners point to when they say they want “maximum cushioning.” Both are flagship max-cushion daily trainers, both land within a fraction of an ounce of each other on the scale, and both stack up close to the legal limit of foam. But they get to that plush ride in very different ways — and after putting miles on both, the difference comes down to two things: how much the foam pushes back, and how the shoe rolls you through the stride.
Here’s the head-to-head on fit, ride, cushioning, and who each shoe is actually for.
Quick Verdict
Choose the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 if you want the softest, most pillowy easy-day ride, a more traditional 8mm drop, and a slightly lower price. It’s the plush cruiser for easy miles and recovery runs.
Choose the Hoka Bondi 9 if you want max cushioning that still has some life to it. Its new supercritical EVA foam and signature meta-rocker make it the more energetic, rolling ride of the two, with a low 4mm drop.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 vs Hoka Bondi 9: Specs At A Glance
| Spec | ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 | Hoka Bondi 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Max-cushion daily trainer | Max-cushion daily trainer |
| Weight (men’s) | ~10.7 oz / 305 g | ~10.8 oz / 306 g |
| Weight (women’s) | ~9.3 oz / 265 g | ~9.0 oz / 255 g |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 4 mm |
| Stack height | 43.5 mm / 35.5 mm | ~43 mm (very high) |
| Midsole foam | FF Blast Max (soft, plush) | Supercritical EVA (more responsive) |
| Geometry | Mild rocker | Signature meta-rocker |
| Approx. price | $164.95 | $169.95 |
| Best for | Soft easy miles, recovery | Max cushion with a livelier roll |
Cushioning & Ride
This is where the two part ways. The Nimbus 27 is the softer, more sink-in shoe — its FF Blast Max foam (the most cushioned Nimbus to date) is tuned for plush, protective easy miles. The Bondi 9’s headline change is supercritical EVA in the midsole, which makes it noticeably more responsive than older Bondis: it’s still huge underfoot, but you get a bit more pop back. The Bondi is the firmer of the two, while the Nimbus is the plusher.
Geometry: Rocker vs Plush
The Bondi’s aggressive meta-rocker is the defining feature of the ride — it rolls you forward through each step, which is part of why a 10.8 oz shoe doesn’t feel sluggish. The Nimbus has a milder rocker and leans on raw softness instead. If you like the sensation of being “tipped” forward, the Bondi wins. If you’d rather just float along, the Nimbus does that better.
Drop & Fit
The 8mm drop on the Nimbus is the more traditional, heel-striker-friendly geometry; the Bondi’s 4mm drop sits flatter and asks a little more of the calves and Achilles. Fit-wise, both run true to size with a secure midfoot; the Nimbus has the slightly more accommodating, padded upper, while the Bondi 9’s upper is cleaner and a touch more performance-oriented than past versions.
Weight, Durability & Value
Weight is effectively a wash — both hover around 10.7–10.8 oz in men’s. On durability, ASICS’ outsole rubber tends to hold up extremely well over high mileage, and the Nimbus is the value pick at roughly $5 less. The Bondi’s supercritical foam is livelier but, like most softer supercritical midsoles, may feel “used up” a little sooner than the Nimbus under very heavy mileage.
Which Should You Buy?
For runners who want the softest possible easy-day and recovery shoe with a familiar 8mm drop, the Gel-Nimbus 27 is the pick — and it’s cheaper. For runners who want maximum protection but hate feeling slow in it, the Bondi 9‘s rocker and new responsive foam make max cushion feel surprisingly nimble. Many high-mileage runners happily rotate both: Nimbus for the plushest recovery days, Bondi for everything else.
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