8,101
edits
Changes
From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
no edit summary
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Best Running Shoe Reviews – Hoka Bondi}}
The Bondi is my favorite of the [[Hoka Shoe Review| Hoka range]], with a nicely cushioned ride, though I generally prefer the [[Altra Olympus]]. I've found that the Original Bondi B, the Bondi 2, Bondi 3 and Bondi Speed are all remarkably similar. I have a slight preference for the Bondi Speed, but the difference is mostly visual. I've run with a Bondi B on one foot and the Bondi Speed on the other without feeling any real difference. The Bondi has a horribly small toe box, but once its cut open the shoe works quite well, and the Bondi has best balance of soft cushioning and reasonable weight in the Hoka range. The Bondi is not available as a trail specific version, but I've found it works pretty well on most trails, though it lacks the lugs for slick, muddy tails.
=Characteristics=
These characteristics apply to all of the Bondi range of shoes unless otherwise noted.
* '''Midsole'''. The Bondi midsole is its key feature.
** '''Cushioning'''. The Bondi is one of the best cushioned shoes available, and is slightly softer than the [[Altra Olympus]]. While it's not as thick as it looks on the outside it is much thicker than a traditional running shoe. While not quite as thick as the [[Hoka Stinson]] or [[Hoka Mafate]] it's thicker and softer than most other shoes.
** '''Drop & Shape'''. Sadly the Bondi does not have a zero drop midsole, and the rear is about 5 mm thicker than the front. This is only about half the drop of a traditional running shoe and I typically don't have any issues moving between the Bondi and a zero drop shoe like the Altra. The Bondi has a rather abrupt taper at the very front of the shoe, unlike the Altra Olympus that has a gradual taper. Personally I find the Olympus taper preferable and swapping from the Olympus to the Bondi rather odd. It feels like the Bondi has a lump under my toes. However, I know of the runners that prefer the Bondi taper. The very rear of the shoe is cut away slightly, creating a little bit of a rocker shape. The midsole does wrap around the lower part of the foot to create some additional stability. This helps overcome some of the problems you get with a thick sole creating a stilt like instability.
** '''Structure'''. This shoe is made of a single type of foam, so there is no variation in foam density within the midsole to interfere with the movement of the foot on the ground.
** '''Flexibility'''. The Bondi is quite flexible for shoe of this thickness.
* '''Outsole'''. The Bondi has a variety of materials on the outsole. There is some exposed midsole, some slightly more durable foam, and some durable rubber. While this helps balance durability with the weight it does create some uneven wear over the life of the shoe.
* '''Shape'''. The Bondi has the typical Hoka shape, which includes a horribly constricted toe box. The toe box is so bad that I've noticed a distinctive pattern of blisters it courses when I'm working blister repair at aid stations. I believe it is critical to [[Shoe Dissections| cut open the toe box of any Hokas]].
* '''Upper'''. The upper varies a little with the different models and versions of the Bondi, but they all tend to be multilayered and complex. There is good padding around the ankle opening.
* '''Tongue'''. The Bondi has a classic tongue rather than a tongue-less sock style of upper. The tongue has good padding.
* '''Lacing'''. The Bondi Speed and Bondi 3 have a "speed lacing" system that uses in laces and a locking system, but in the shoes include traditional round laces as well. I generally prefer the traditional laces as it can be tricky to get the tension right with the "speed lacing" system.
* '''Heel counter'''. The Bondi has a mild heel counter with no strongly defined edges, so it should not cause a problem. The heel counter comes as far up the back of the heel as is normal for a running shoe.
=Compared with Altra Olympus=
The [[Altra Olympus]] is a competitor for the Bondi, and I believe it represents a much better shoe. The Olympus has a slightly thicker sole, a toe box shaped for the human foot, and zero drop.
=Gallery=
{| class="wikitable"
