Hoka Bondi 8 vs. Arahi 6: Which One? (2024 Comparison)
The Hoka Bondi is one of the brand’s bestsellers, alongside the Clifton (road) and Speedgoat (trail). Less known to the general public, the Arahi is a similar shoe that offers Hoka’s core technologies but with more support for overpronators.
In other words, the Arahi is a stability shoe with medial support to prevent your foot from rolling inwards while running. This is the main difference between the Bondi and the Arahi. Indeed, the Bondi is aimed at neutral runners who don’t need any specific gait support.
As for the rest, the shoes are very similar, with a few important distinctions. When it comes to cushioning, the Bondi has a higher stack height (39 mm in the heel vs. 35 mm for the Arahi 6) and a lower drop (5 vs. 4 mm).
Also, the underfoot feel is softer on the Bondi. While this may seem attractive in a running shoe, you have to consider that softer means less structure and less stability. Nonetheless, the Arahi, while not as soft as the Bondi, isn’t firm either. Overall, it’s quite comfortable.
The most surprising difference is the weight. While stability shoes tend to be heavier than neutral shoes, the Arahi is 1.23 oz (35 g) lighter than the Bondi.
Hoka Bondi vs Arahi: Which One Is Best for You?
Both shoes are very good for runners looking for max cushion for daily training and recovery runs. If you’re an overpronator, the Hoka Arahi 6 is your best bet between the two because of its enhanced stability and overall comfort.
If you’re a neutral runner, using a stability shoe may be overkill. However, we would only recommend the Bondi if you want extra cushioning. If not, you should take a look at the Clifton or Mach, which are lighter and more versatile.
Side-By-Side Comparison Table
|
8.8  |
9.1  |
|
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Description | The Hoka Bondi 8 is a shoe with soft XL cushioning ideal for everyday running and recovery. | The Hoka Arahi 6 is a comfortable, stable shoe for recovery and long runs. |
|
9
8
9
9
9
8.5
8
|
9.5
8.5
9
9.5
8.5
9
9
| |
| Facts | ||
| Terrain | Road | Road |
| Support | Neutral | Overpronation (stability) |
| Heel stack height | 39 mm | 35 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 35 mm | 30 mm |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 4 mm | 5 mm |
| Weight (men) | 307 g | 272 g |
| Weight (women) | 252 g | 230 g |
| Features | Vegan, Wide feet, Heavy runner, Recycled materials | Vegan, Recycled materials |
| Athletes | ||
| Release year | 2022 | 2022 |
| Technologies | ||
| Outsole | Durabrasion Rubber | Rubber |
| Midsole | EVA foam, Ortholite Hybrid | CMEVA, Late Stage Meta-Rocker Geometry |
| Upper | Engineered Mesh | Engineered mesh |
| Cushioning | ||
| Cushioning | Soft | Balanced |
| Responsiveness | Low | Low |
| Use | ||
| Distance | Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon | Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon |
| Speed | Slow, Moderate | Slow, Moderate |
| Workouts | Daily running, Recovery | Daily running, Recovery |
