HOKA Bondi 8 Review

Published: July 22, 2022

HOKA's Bondi Gets Update Overhaul and Sporty New Look

Likes

Highly protective recovery shoe
Smooth ride perfect for long runs, recovery runs, and walks
Super comfortable upper with dependable lockdown
Aesthetic is sporty and modern

Dislikes

Max stack may be a little bulky for some
Not a very versatile midsole

What's New

Everyone knows the Bondi is one of HOKA's signature models. This highly cushioned road running shoe has solidified itself over the years as a recovery day superhero, a capable daily trainer, and a favourite among walkers. The Bondi 8 retains the line's trademark soft and comfort-oriented characteristics, despite receiving an entirely retooled midsole, updated outsole layout, and an all-new upper, making version 8 one of the highest performing Bondis yet, and possibly the most stylish as well. Runners definitely won't want to miss out on this lighter, softer, sleeker Bondi.

The Bottom Line

HOKA has given the Bondi an overhaul in version 8, offering a new midsole, outsole, and upper design that Bondi faithful and newcomers alike will love. Promising a lighter and more comfortable on-foot experience, the Bondi 8 remains an excellent recovery shoe and easy mileage trainer. Its sleek new upper design and comfort-focused midsole also make the 8 ideal for avid walkers or those who enjoy a comfy all-day sneaker.

The modified foam compound in the midsole is soft immediately upon the first step in and is noticeably more plush than version 7. That said, runners don't have to worry about fighting through quicksand in these shoes, as the midsole retains enough firmness to keep things efficient and smooth out on the roads. The overall ride still lacks the bouncy return that more performance-oriented shoes typically deliver, but it is super protective and almost encourages runners to take things easy (queue "Slow Ride" by Foghat). This is why the Bondi 8 remains one of the best recovery shoes on the market. If walking is more your speed, then the Bondi 8 is also the shoe for you. Just remember, it will be a slow ride, so take it easy and enjoy.

We cannot finish this review without praising the Bondi 8's new upper design; the shoe's overall aesthetic is a huge step in the right direction for the line, which has been subject to criticism over the years for its bulky, clunky look. The Bondi 8 is now rocking a modern and sporty design that looks almost as good accenting your everyday outfit as it does with your running kit.

Shop Men's Shop Women's

Specifications & Fit

Shoe Specs

Weight	Men's: 10.8 oz/ 306 grams (size 9) \| Women's: 8.9oz/ 252 grams (size 8)
Stack Height	39 mm (Heel), 35mm (Forefoot) \| 4mm Heel-Toe Offset
Terrain	Road
Stability	Neutral
Sizing	True to Size

Our In-Depth Look

Shoe Softnessi

Risa: "When I first put the Bondi 8 on, I was surprised that it didn't have an immediate, sinking-in softness underfoot. There is a ton of foam, and I was anticipating that marshmallowy step-in feel, but that wasn't what I experienced. The Bondi's softness was more present once I started walking and running."

Ali: "The Bondi 8 felt very plush immediately out of the box. They were so soft and comfortable that I enjoyed wearing them long after I had finished my run."

Kaleb: "There is a lot of foam underfoot, and I was a bit apprehensive when I first got the Bondi 8, especially given my experience in the Clifton, which is already a lot of shoe for me. That said, the Bondi 8 surprised me. It was soft, but it didn't feel sluggish and was more balanced than I was expecting."

Ride/Energy Returni

Risa: "This shoe was not designed to deliver a high energy return. Rather, the Bondi is a max-stack daily trainer crafted to be comfortable and protective. Despite being a bulkier shoe with a lot of foam in the midsole, the Bondi is surprisingly lightweight and delivers a smooth ride that I enjoyed. I would be happy using it for slower runs and recovery miles."

Ali: "Overall, I felt like the Bondi 8 provided a good amount of responsiveness for being a more recovery-minded shoe. On days when my energy was low, the Bondi helped give me that extra spring to keep me moving."

Kaleb: "The Bondi 8 was incredibly protective and very effective at absorbing foot strikes. It was perfect for days when my feet and legs were sore and when I admittedly needed some extra encouragement to get out and run. I could rely on the Bondi to keep my body protected while trying to hit weekly mileage goals."

Underfoot Protectioni

Risa: "This is the most protective running shoe I've ever worn, and I have enjoyed running in it more than I expected. The Bondi was perfect for my recovery runs, and it has become my go-to shoe for walks. It's also one of the most comfortable shoes I own."

Ali: "The Bondi 8 had the highest stack height of any running shoe I have run in. It took a little getting used to, but once I had a few miles logged on the shoe, I began to appreciate the midsole's high stack of foam. This is one of the most comfortable shoes I've ever run in."

Kaleb: "The Bondi 8 was incredibly protective out on the run and was highly effective at absorbing the impact of foot strikes. It was perfect for days when my feet and legs were sore and needed some extra encouragement to run. I could rely on the Bondi to keep my body protected while trying to meet weekly mileage goals."

Flexibilityi

Risa: "Given the high amount of foam underfoot, the Bondi is not very flexible, though this did not take away from the shoe's smooth ride. The lack of flex did not bother me in the slightest."

Ali: "The Bondi 8 could be a little more flexible. However, for daily and easy runs, it wasn't enough of an issue to bother me."

Kaleb: "With such a big stack, the Bondi 8 doesn't flex that much. What flex it does have helps the foot roll smoothly from heel to toe, which made running easy. It's slow but easy, and sometimes there's nothing wrong with that."

Upper Supporti

Risa: "The HOKA Bondi provides a standard wrap around the foot. HOKAs tend to run a little wide for me since I have slightly narrow feet, but I found it pretty easy to get a secure lockdown."

Ali: "On the first run, the upper felt a little too restrictive for my liking. However, after a couple of runs, I found that I got the little bit of stretch I was needing. My only complaint was it was a little more supportive on my inner arch than I tend to like."

Kaleb: "The Bondi 8's upper update was awesome. One of the biggest reservations I had with the Bondi was that it flirts with looking a little bulky and dad-like. That is not the case with the Bondi 8, which has a sporty design that looks more like a modern max-stacked shoe. As for fit, the jacquard mesh combined with the padding in the heel collar and tongue helped make the Bondi feel plush once on foot, and it continued to deliver comfort each and every run."

Individual Thoughts

RisaOverall Score: 9/10

The Bondi hype is real! I remember seeing older models of the Bondi and thinking it looked like a beast that I would not want to wear. In my opinion, version 8 is still not the prettiest shoe, but here I am today, a happy Bondi wearer who really appreciated the shoe's reimagined look. I appreciated the colour options as well and found my light blue and yellow colourway to be stylish on foot.

The Bondi is not my preferred shoe for all my daily training runs, and I don't wear it for anything more uptempo, but that's not what the Bondi is designed for anyways. I've been enjoying it for my recovery runs, easy days, and walks, and honestly, I'm loving the Bondi 8 for those activities. Furthermore, the timing for testing this shoe could not have been better. I've been recovering from a soft-tissue injury to my ankle, and the comfortable, stable protection has helped me continue running while on the mend. I think this would be an excellent shoe for beginner runners or anyone looking for a slow mileage shoe.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

Reviewer Picture

AliOverall Score: 8.5/10

Overall, I enjoyed running in the Bondi 8. It took me a few miles to break it in, but once the shoe got a little stretch in the upper, it was super comfortable. The toe box had just the right amount of roominess, and I appreciated the padding in the heel collar.

I don't love the overall look of the Bondi 8, and it was pretty clunky on foot, but when I'm running, I'm not thinking about appearances but rather about how much I love moving in these shoes. I am a new mother, and it's been hard to get back into a consistent running routine, especially a routine similar to the one I had pre-baby. Having shoes I enjoy running in and can trust to help keep my body feeling good has made all the difference. I highly recommend the Bondi 8 as a great option for a daily trainer. It's relatively lightweight, super comfortable, and stable.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

KalebOverall Score: 8.5/10

As I mentioned earlier, initially, I was not in a huge rush to test out the Bondi 8. I hadn't worn a Bondi before and admittedly didn't think that I needed that much shoe given my preference for lower stacked, more performance-based options. I haven't been a big fan of the shoe's aesthetic over the years and was nervous that I would be testing a clunky "dad" shoe. But after testing, I am very impressed with the Bondi 8 — both how it performed and its stylish updated look.

Though soft, the midsole was firmer than I expected, which helped stabilize the shoe and kept the Bondi from feeling mushy. It doesn't feel fast by any means, but the Bondi's ride was efficient overall and felt really smooth out on the run. It was also highly protective and excellent at minimizing the impact of the road, making the shoe perfect for recovery runs. The plush heel collar and tongue were also highly appreciated, creating a comfortably snug feel that never caused any irritation. This just further contributed to the shoe's protective characteristics.

Overall, the Bondi 8 is a really good update from HOKA. It remains a recovery-day specialist that is protective and efficiently smooth while running. It also has a fresh new look that I feel Bondi lovers and skeptics alike will greatly appreciate, so if you are looking for a go-to recovery-day shoe, then the Bondi 8 is well worth considering.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

Men's HOKA Bondi Running Shoes

Offering unmatched protection mile after mile, the highly cushioned HOKA ONE ONE Bondi is an everyday road running shoe designed for everyone from the injury-prone runner to the recovering elite racer.