Hoka Bondi 8 running shoe review

Our tester initially tested these shoes six months ago and continues to reach for them as a walking shoe for hikes. Our tester is a big fan of Hoka shoes 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 running shoe leaves a little to be desired.

The heel comes high up the back of the heel, offering grip and support where it matters.

Hoka Bondi 8: How we tested

Our two testers have been wearing the Hoka Bondi 8 for gentle runs for six months, covering over 50km at a slow pace. Our testers both look for slightly different things in a running shoe, with one preferring a well-stacked, chunky shoe (like the Bondi 8) and the other favouring something more lightweight (like the Hoka Clifton 9).

Hoka Bondi 8: Build and cushioning

These shoes are unbeatable in terms of cushioning: the layers of stacked foam in the sole make wearing them akin to walking on clouds.

The rear crash pad is designed with a “billowed” effect to cushion the foot strike. Most people strike the ground with their heels first, so this is the best place to have lots of cushioning for energy absorption.

Our tester is a supinator (a natural gait where the foot tends to roll outwards) meaning they favor well-stacked, heavily-cushioned shoes that provide lots of bounce. The Hoka Bondi 8 ticks every box in this regard: the most cushioned shoe our tester has used to date, it is now a firm favorite.

The only complaint we have is that the wide crash pad, so comfortable underfoot, can catch on our tester’s calves as soon as they pick the pace up. While this isn’t the end of the world, on a longer run this could lead to sore spots and bruising.

The heel-to-toe drop (4mm) also contributes to the cushioning, taking pressure off the back of the calves and Achilles tendon when running. They are still considered neutral shoes, but that 4mm heel-to-toe drop supports the natural roll of your foot, contributing to the “bouncy” experience.

Hoka Bondi 8: Design and upper

These are great shoes for road running, as the upper is flexible and soft, allowing the foot to roll and move over hard surfaces like concrete. It is less suitable for something like trail running, where the chunky sole and thin upper could lead to injury on uneven terrain.

Our tester loves the partially gusseted tongue, which doesn’t shift when running, and the secure laces which don’t need to be retied every few minutes. There is a heel tab to make the shoes easier to pull on, and a handy 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 need it most. This is another thing that makes them good road runners: you can trust every step you take in them without losing your footing or wiping out. While the structure makes them unsuitable for pronators, who will want a stability shoe, they are reliably sturdy underfoot.

It is worth remembering that all that rubber can be heavy, so these are not the best shoes for hitting speed PBs.

Hoka Bondi 8: Performance

These are wonderfully comfortable shoes that can be worn out of the box with no issues from rubbing or hot spots. The toe box is wide enough to allow toes to splay on takeoff, and the heel-to-toe drop helps support the natural rhythm of your running foot.

They are heavier than some runners would like, clocking in at 1 lb 5.6 oz (0.61 kg) for the men’s pair and 1 lb 1.8 oz (0.5 kg) for the women’s. However, if you’re a distance runner looking for high energy return, cushioning and bounce, compromising a little on weight might lead to a more comfortable running experience overall.

Hoka Bondi 8: Verdict

Ultimately, these are our tester’s favorite pair of general purpose shoes, but not the best runners they’ve tried. While they are great shoes with everything you could want from a supportive distance road-runner, they are also heavy and they are wide.

These two flaws knocked a star off the overall rating, but that still leaves the Hoka Bondi 8 with a healthy 4 out of 5 stars.