HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 7 Review
All-Day Comfort, Minus the Weight
Likes
- Plush cushioning
- Redesigned heel collar
- Adaptable fit
- Ride
Dislikes
- Lack of energy return
What's New
Using the same midsole as the previous iteration, the HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 7 continues to provide maximum cushioning for running comfort. But with this newest update, HOKA focused on redesigning the shoe's fit via new TPU overlays that offer extra security throughout the foot. To provide a more luxurious feel, the Bondi 7 now features a memory foam heel collar, so you can enjoy plush comfort the moment you slide your foot into the shoe. Runners looking for a plush shoe with a secure fit will enjoy the subtle updates that the Bondi 7 has received.
The Bottom Line
The Bondi 7 continues to follow HOKA's philosophy of maximal cushioning in a lightweight package. While it's not a particularly fast shoe, many will love the Bondi 7's high cushioning-to-weight ratio and soft underfoot feel. Whether you are looking for underfoot protection on recovery days, a pillowy-soft running experience during training runs, or comfort when spending long days on your feet, the plush feel of the Bondi 7 is sure to please.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to High |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 10.5 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.7 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 36 mm (Heel), 32 mm (Forefoot) | 4 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
The Bondi 7 continues its streak as the most cushioned shoe in HOKA's catalog. Providing loads of foam underfoot, this shoe is great for runners who need to relieve stress on their joints and back. With this update of the Bondi, wearers will experience the same marshmallow-y feel that keeps fans coming back again and again.
Ben: "These shoes are soft underfoot and have a comfortable ride. I would happily wear these around all day."
Liese: "Fans of the Bondi will find that the cushioning they love hasn't gone anywhere. The Bondi 7s were very soft with tons of cushioning underfoot, but they still maintained a lightweight foam composition, which kept me from feeling sluggish."
Ride/Energy Returni
Although the Bondi 7 isn't the most responsive shoe on the market, HOKA's geometric rocker technology helps the wearer efficiently roll from their toes to their next step.
Liese: "While the Bondi is the plushest shoe in HOKA's lineup, it isn't mushy in its performance. I haven't been trying to run at a very energetic pace due to a recent knee injury, but I also haven't felt slowed down due to the maximal cushioning. The shoe's rocker motion propels me forward, almost counteracting the typical sinking-in feeling that highly cushioned shoes provide."
Ben: "With considerable stack height, the midsole of the Bondi 7 absorbs much of the energy from footstrikes. At faster paces, around 6 minutes, I think Bondi 7 feels very heavy and awkward to run in. However, at regular speeds, it has a smooth ride."
Underfoot Protectioni
True to its mission, the Bondi 7 provides a high level of protection underfoot. Our testers agreed that after spending some time in the shoe, they felt confident in its ability to absorb the shock of running on hard pavement.
Ben: "The EVA foam in the midsole does what it sets out to do. I cannot feel the pavement or any rocks that I run over. I feel confident running in the Bondi 7, even at marathon distances."
Liese: "The Bondi 7 is about as protective they come! With 36 mm of EVA foam underfoot, you've got some real armor between your knees and the asphalt. I can see why so many podiatrists send their patients to us recommending this shoe!"
Flexibilityi
Both testers noted that due to the considerable stack height, the Bondi 7 was not a flexible shoe. However, the inclusion of HOKA's rocker technology allowed for a smooth heel-to-toe transition.
Liese: "Due to so much foam underfoot, this shoe doesn't have much flexibility. That's okay thanks to the meta-rocker, which helps keep me moving through my gait cycle."
Ben: "The Bondi 7 is a HOKA shoe with an enormous stack height, so there's no way it's going to be flexible. That being said, my feet can go through the full range of motion, except at faster paces."
Upper Supporti
The most significant update to the Bondi 7 was in the upper. Our testers appreciated how the shoe secured the foot without sacrificing its ability to adapt to the shape of a variety of foot types.
Ben: "The upper secures my heel and ankle without feeling too tight. I wore five pairs of the Bondi 6 and thought that the upper was narrow in the forefoot and toe box, so I went a half size up. The upper of the Bondi 7 is wider and fits true to size."
Liese: "The updated upper has vertical TPU overlays that offer additional support yet allow for adaptability. This allowed me to order my usual size instead of a wide, with plenty of room for swelling well into my run."
Men's HOKA Bondi Running Shoes
Women's HOKA Bondi Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
I started running in the Bondi 7s while dealing with some acute knee pain, so I took it slow. I knew the Bondi would be the perfect shoe for training coming out of an injury, so I was excited to try them. They didn't disappoint. Similar to last year's model, this shoe is about as cushioned as it gets! If you're new to the Bondi, the shoe offers a broad base, making it very stable during each stride. Each step cradles your heel and guides it through to the toe-off with HOKA's Meta-Rocker, which uses your body's biomechanics to propel you forward. HOKA shoes fit long for me, so I sized down a half size. I typically like to go with a wide, as HOKAs also tend to fit a bit narrow, but the Bondi 7's upper was forgiving enough that I was just fine with the standard width. I did employ the runner's loop to avoid heel slippage, and I found this year's memory foam heel collar update to mold nicely around my ankle.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I have found that the Bondi series (including the Bondi 7) are among the most cushioned shoes that I have ever worn. With 22 years of competitive running under my belt, my legs have certainly appreciated the Bondi series, especially on longer runs. Even with the lack of energy return at faster paces, I believe that the Bondi 7 is worth every penny.