Live Science Verdict
The Hoka Bondi 8 is an first-class all - round shoe but is substantially suited to walking than run , as the wide clash pad can clip the inner calf .
Well buffer
large energy return
Hoka Bondi 8: Build and cushioning
keep for supinator
Not waterproof
all-embracing clangour pad undesirable for some
Hoka Bondi 8: Design and upper
Heavy
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RRP:$165
Hoka Bondi 8: Outsole
Weight ( men’s):11 oz ( 311 g )
Weight ( women’s):8.8 oz ( 252 g )
Drop:4 mm
Hoka Bondi 8: Performance
Heel deal height:1.22 in ( 31 mm )
Forefoot heap height:1.06 in ( 27 mm )
Our tester initially tested these skid six month ago and continue to reach for them as a walk shoe for hiking . Our tester is a big fan of Hoka shoe in general and has also tested the Hoka Clifton 9 and the Hoka Transport . The Bondi 8 is unbeatable as a walking shoe , but as a run horseshoe go forth a little to be desired .
Hoka Bondi 8: Front view
The cad comes high up the back of the blackguard , offer grip and support where it matters .
Hoka Bondi 8: How we tested
Our two examiner have been wearing the Hoka Bondi 8 for gentle runs for six months , covering over 50 km at a slow pace . Our examiner both reckon for slimly different thing in a persist shoe , with one preferring a well - stacked , chunky shoe ( like the Bondi 8) and the other favour something more lightweight ( like the Hoka Clifton 9 ) .
Hoka Bondi 8: Build and cushioning
These place are unbeatable in term of cushioning : the bed of pile froth in the only make wear down them akin to walk on clouds .
The rear crash pad is design with a " inflate " effect to soften the foot strike . Most hoi polloi mint the ground with their blackguard first , so this is the best space to have loads of cushioning for vigour preoccupation .
Our tester is a supinator ( a natural pace where the foot tends to roll outwards ) meaning they favour well - stacked , heavily - cushioned shoes that render band of bounce . The Hoka Bondi 8 ticks every box in this paying attention : the most cushioned shoe our tester has used to engagement , it is now a firm front-runner .
The only complaint we have is that the broad wreck pad , so prosperous underfoot , can get on our tester ’s calf as before long as they pick the tread up . While this is n’t the terminal of the creation , on a longer run this could run to sore spots and bruising .
The cad - to - toe drop ( 4 mm ) also contributes to the cushioning , postulate pressure off the back of the calves and Achilles tendon when running . They are still considered indifferent shoes , but that 4 millimeter cad - to - toe drop supports the natural roll of your animal foot , contribute to the " bouncy " experience .
Hoka Bondi 8: Design and upper
These are great shoes for road run , as the upper is elastic and easygoing , appropriate the foot to roll and move over hard surfaces like concrete . It is less desirable for something like trail running , where the squat exclusive and thin upper could lead to injury on uneven terrain .
Our tester fuck the partially gusseted tongue , which does n’t change over when running , and the good laces which do n’t demand to be retie every few minutes . There is a heel tab to make the horseshoe easy to tear on , and a ready to hand ridge on the back to help you kick them off again .
Hoka Bondi 8: Outsole
The outsole is suitably grippy , even on slick surfaces like wet tarmac , which is exactly where you want it most . This is another thing that makes them good route runners : you could confide every step you take in them without losing your footing or wiping out . While the structure have them undesirable for pronators , who will want a stability horseshoe , they are faithfully hardy underfoot .
It is deserving remembering that all that rubber can be heavy , so these are not the best shoes for arrive at speeding PBs .
Hoka Bondi 8: Performance
These are wonderfully comfortable shoes that can be worn out of the box with no issues from chafe or hot slur . The toe box seat is wide enough to let toes to splay on takeoff , and the heel - to - toe drop helps support the innate regular recurrence of your running foot .
They are heavy than some runners would care , clock in at 1 lb 5.6 oz ( 0.61 kg ) for the human ’s duad and 1 lb 1.8 oz ( 0.5 kg ) for the women ’s . However , if you ’re a distance runner looking for high energy coming back , padding and bounciness , compromising a piddling on weight might lead to a more prosperous running experience overall .
Hoka Bondi 8: Verdict
Ultimately , these are our tester ’s preferred pair of general purpose shoe , but not the good ball carrier they ’ve sample . While they are great shoes with everything you could require from a supportive distance route - runner , they are also heavy and they are broad .
These two flaws criticise a headliner off the overall military rank , but that still leave the Hoka Bondi 8 with a sizeable 4 out of 5 stars .
