You heard it here first: It’s officially walking season, but my narrow feet (which deal with a recurring bout of plantar fasciitis) need a sturdy but comfy pair of shoes to hold up to the task. When it comes to stability and comfort, Hoka and New Balance lead the pack. They have both been featured in our roundups of best walking shoes, running shoes, and more for their thick cushioning and plush comfort. But I was curious: of the brands’ best-selling walking shoes, how do Hoka vs. New Balance really compare?
I decided to take the most cushioned walking shoe from each brand—Hoka’s Bondi 9 and New Balance’s Fresh Foam X 1080 v15, respectively—for a spin around the city for 60 days to see how they (and my feet!) held up. Here’s how it went.
Key differences: Hoka vs. New Balance
When it comes to cushion, the Bondi 9 is on its own level. The brand’s former most-plush shoe, the Bondi 8, received an upgrade last summer, and all of us testers at Prevention deemed it a worthy one (for a more detailed breakdown, check my Bondi 8 vs. Bondi 9 review!). Most notably, the Bondi now features a new premium EVA foam midsole, which adds two millimeters of cushioning to its already-plush stack height, making it the most cushioned sneaker I have ever worn. Yes, it added some weight to the shoe, which now clocks in at 9.3 oz, but its knit upper is well-ventilated and light feeling around the foot.
New Balance has long been a popular walking shoe choice for people of all shapes and sizes because of their range of widths (their shoes often come in narrow, medium, wide, and extra-wide!), but it’s their Fresh Foam pillow-soft line that has really popped. The Fresh Foam X 1080 v15 is the most cushioned in New Balance’s Fresh Foam line and has become a best-selling choice due to its lightweight cushion that adds maximum comfort for only 7.3 oz (two full ounces lighter than the Bondis!).
Fit
Bondi 9 overhead
Fresh Foam overhead
In terms of fit, despite looking relatively similar, they’re actually quite different. They both feature thick cushioned silhouettes, rocker outsoles, and come in a wide array of eye-catching colors, but that’s really where the similarities end. I was advised by fans of the Bondi 8s that Hokas fit true-to-size (unlike most athletic shoes, which require a half size increase), but the Bondi 9s were a bit short on my foot. I wished I had got a size 9.5 rather than my size nine dress-shoe. I think this has a lot to do with the new knit upper, which fit the foot a lot more snugly than its former mesh.
The Fresh Foam X 1080 v15 actually did fit true to size. The nine had ample room for my toes to wiggle around due to its wider-than-usual toe box. They also looked much sleeker on my foot (despite the sole being just as thick as the Bondis), I think due to the updated upper which is made from a stretchy perforated mesh that hugs the foot.
Cushioning
The cushioning is where both these shoes really shine—it’s why I tested them out against each other in the first place! But the feel of the cushion was extremely different. The Hoka Bondi 9s feature a 3-D cushioned collar and a structured base that make the cushion feel as if it’s encasing the entire foot with a pillowy hug. My foot sank into the cushion, almost like walking across a mattress. I can see why people recommend them for walking on concrete or standing for long hours, where impact on the joints needs to be absorbed.
Hoka Bondi 9
The 1080s—while still incredibly cushioned—were much springier and bouncier. The foam isn’t just lightweight, it’s also responsive. This is mostly due to its upgraded midsole, which uses Infinion (a New Balance original foam that won’t wear out over time so each stride feels like a brand-new pair of sneaks) to increase energy return. That, combined with the smooth rocker outsole, propelled me forward. It was as close to trampoline-like as a shoe can be, and it was much better suited to fast-paced (and long-distance) walks than the Hokas because of this. Its previous iteration felt a little bit like the cushion was eating my foot like quicksand, but this update ensured I stayed light on my toes.
Stability
Both shoes offer neutral stability, but it’s not where either of them shines. Because of the Bondi’s chunkier silhouette, I found getting used to its rocker outsole a bit of a learning curve. However, once I got the hang of it, I found myself feeling well supported and stable with each step. The 1080’s ultra-responsive midsole and smooth rocker are designed for propulsion, which made me feel far less grounded. So, if stability is what you are looking for, the winner is the Hoka Bondi 9, hands down.
How I tested
For two months, I swapped between the Hoka Bondi 9 and the New Balance Fresh Foam x 1080 v15 for all my walks—and as a New York City resident, that was a significant amount. I walked through New York City on errands, my work commute, park walks, and more—according to my Oura Ring, I average about 100 miles walked in a month.
The final verdict
Both of these sneakers are phenomenal walking shoes, but they serve vastly different purposes. For those who are looking for a cushioned shoe to help alleviate foot or joint pain from long-standing shifts or time spent walking on concrete, just add the Hoka Bondi 9 to your cart right now. Not only did I find myself more comfortable during my leisurely walks because of its pillow-like cushion that fully enveloped my foot, but I woke up with fewer aches and pains in my knees and hips.
If you are in search of a lightweight cushioned shoe to take you long distances or walk at a brisk pace, stick with the 1080. The responsive cushion increased my pace unintentionally, so much that I arrived at my subway stop with minutes to spare—and I barely felt like I’d put in any effort. I look forward to using both all summer long, and treating my feet to some serious comfort.
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