Altra FWD Via 2 vs HOKA Bondi 9

FWD Via 2 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 soft, protective cushion with tons of toe room? Get the FWD Via 2.

Want max cushion with a firmer, more supportive feel? Get the Bondi 9.

Get the FWD Via 2 if

• You want the softer, more cushioned ride
• You need a roomier fit
• You like a flexible, natural-feeling forefoot
• You want the lighter shoe, by about 0.9 oz

Get the Bondi 9 if

• You like a firmer, more stable feel
• You want more foam underfoot (10mm more at the heel)
• You want a dedicated recovery-day shoe
• You have slimmer feet and like a snug fit

On the run

FWD Via 2: Altra’s soft, max-cushion cruiser. Much softer and more protective than the first version, with strong impact protection. Energy return is still below average.

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

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

FWD Via 2. True to size with a very wide, roomy toebox for natural toe splay.

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 FWD Via 2 · Shop the Bondi 9 · Compare other running shoes