HOKA Gaviota 6 vs Bondi 9
Gaviota 6 or Bondi 9? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.
The short answer
Want maximum support with lots of cushion? Get the Gaviota 6.
Want max cushion with a firmer, more supportive feel? Get the Bondi 9.
Get the Gaviota 6 if
- Your feet roll inward or you like extra support
- You want the softer, more cushioned ride
- You need a roomier fit
Get the Bondi 9 if
- You don’t need stability and prefer a neutral ride
- You like a firmer, more stable feel
- You want more bounce and energy back
- You want more foam underfoot (3mm more at the heel)
On the run
Gaviota 6: Max cushion, max support. Protective cushioning with a long rocker, and softer than you’d expect from a max-support shoe, though it firms up in the cold. The support frame runs the full length, so it’s one of the most stable shoes we carry.
Bondi 9: The supportive max-cushion tank. A huge, protective slab of foam that’s firmer than it looks, more supportive than squishy. The rocker keeps it moving, but it’s built for easy miles and long days on your feet, not speed.
Specs side by side
| Gaviota 6 | Bondi 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $180 | $175 |
| Stack height (heel / forefoot) | 40 / 35mm* | 43 / 38mm* |
| Drop | 6mm | 5mm |
| Weight, men’s | 10.25 oz | 10.5 oz |
| Weight, women’s | 8.62 oz | 9.3 oz |
| Support | Stability | Neutral |
| Plate | None | None |
| Widths | Standard, Wide, Extra wide | Standard, Wide, Extra wide |
| Built for | Easy days, Long runs, Walking & all-day wear | Easy days, Recovery runs, Long runs, Walking & all-day wear |
| Expected life | 400–500 miles | 400–500 miles |
Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.
Fit
Gaviota 6. Wider-fitting than most HOKAs, with a roomy toebox and a secure midfoot. Narrow feet may need thicker socks.
Bondi 9. Lower volume, with a toebox that tapers, so wide feet should go straight to the wide. The heel counter is stiff, so it isn’t a sockless shoe.
Try them on
Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.
Shop the Gaviota 6 · Shop the Bondi 9 · Compare other running shoes