HOKA Makes Flying a Reality With Release of the Bondi 9

When Nico Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard founded HOKA in early 2009, they had one problem they were trying to solve: how to run downhill in the mountains. Fast.

“When the ground was soft, covered in dead leaves or volcanic ash, there had to be a way to roll, glide and fly,” Mermoud says, explaining their early motivation as trail racers looking to increase the joy and performance of running. From this idea, the HOKA midsole was born. A high stack, super wide design that, at the time, defied every convention in the footwear industry. “You don’t sit on top of the shoe, you sit inside it, like a race car driver,” he says. “We wanted to connect it with a new culture of running. More freedom, more joy. That’s how HOKA was born.”

What started as a smart solution to a niche problem quickly turned into a global phenomenon. And by the end of 2011, their first road shoe was ready: the Bondi B. Inspired by Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, the original Bondi arrived with its bold, maximalist cushioning and bright, citrus cyan and white pop colour. The original Bondi featured a 32mm to 36mm high cushioned foam stack, while most other competitors’ midsoles sat around 12mm to 15mm. It was bouncy, energetic and unlike anything runners had seen before.

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Now, Bondi Beach is exactly where the French mastermind behind HOKA sits, outside the brand’s ‘Cushion House’ pop-up to celebrate the newly released Bondi 9. It’s early afternoon and sweltering hot when we speak, and Mermoud has been up since the crack of dawn when he and 250 HOKA community members ran nine kilometres along the Bondi coastline. “Running is hard. Every step feels like a restart, especially in the morning. But when you’re on a beautiful beach with a community of happy, supportive people, and you have the right technology, it’s a little less hard,” he says.

Chatting with Mermoud, it’s clear his passion for innovation remains as fresh as it was in 2009, and the Bondi 9 takes that philosophy to new heights. The secret behind the new sneaker is its supercritical EVA foam midsole and an additional 2mm of stack height, which delivers superior rebound and extreme comfort. “It looks soft, but there’s quick transition for the rocker and a bounce from step to step,” he says. The updated geometry ensures a smooth, gliding motion that feels like flying – a fitting evolution for a brand named after the Maori word “to fly or to soar.”

Over the years, the Bondi has evolved into more than just a high performance running shoe. Bella Hadid, Harry Styles, and Adam Sandler have all been spotted in HOKAs, transforming the brand into both a fashion and functional staple. “For years, people would tell me, ‘My parents wear those,’ or, ‘My grandpa has a pair,’” Mermoud says. “Now, I think I was the second oldest person running in them, it’s become something connected to trends and fashion. In the lifestyle and fashion space, there is a desire and appetite from the people for function, innovation and comfort.”

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In addition to its cultural hype, HOKA remains deeply tied to its roots in performance. “It’s always been about the ride, the joy of running, and improving,” Mermoud says. In fact, the success of the Bondi has encouraged other brands to embrace maximum cushioning. “Our technology has now inspired all of the industry, the dimensions and form have slowly become the standard. But we remain on top for a high performance shoe,” Mermoud notes. Despite growing competition, few brands have such a dedicated fan base. And that’s because they’ve stayed true to their focus: making running easier, more enjoyable, and more accessible.

Launching the Bondi 9 in Sydney feels like a full-circle moment for the brand. “There’s something special about this place,” Mermoud says. “The sunrise, the scenery, the community, it’s like nowhere else.” In fact, at sunrise on Bondi Beach might just be the time where you see the most HOKAs flying through the air, on the feet of people walking to gym, training for a marathon, or jogging alongside friends.

Whether you’re running in the mountains, on Bondi Beach, or anywhere in between, Mermoud encourages everyone to get out there and move. “There is something in the ride, whether you walk or you run, which generates so much joy and excitement.”

Discover the Bondi 9 now in stores and online at HOKA.com.