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Hoka Bondi 8 Review

A max-cushioning shoe that doesn’t do anything well
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Hoka Bondi 8 Review
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Price:  $165 List
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Manufacturer:   Hoka
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jun 5, 2024
42
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#25 of 25
  • Cushioning and Landing Comfort - 25% 5.5
  • Responsiveness - 25% 2.0
  • Stability - 20% 6.5
  • Upper Comfort - 15% 4.0
  • Weight - 15% 2.5

Our Verdict

The Hoka Bondi 8 is a maximal cushioning shoe designed to provide plush comfort for easy running at the expense of speed and weight. Typically that's a fair tradeoff. Unfortunately, the foam of the Bondi 8 is firm and lifeless, the upper runs oddly narrow through the midfoot, and the heel collar is overly stiff. This shoe isn't very comfortable to run in, so you're paying a huge weight penalty for no good reason. We've tested a number of other max-cushioning shoes that are more comfortable, more versatile, and lighter. With that in mind, we can't recommend the Bondi 8 for running. However, we think some of the features that detract from the running experience make it a good choice for walking or standing.
REASONS TO BUY
Popular brand name
Good for standing in
REASONS TO AVOID
No responsiveness
Inert foam
Uncomfortable upper
Extremely heavy
Narrow/low-volume fit

Compare to Similar Products

 
hoka bondi 8
This Product
Hoka Bondi 8
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Men's Running Shoe
Editors' Choice Award
Best Running Shoe for Uptempo Training
Top Pick Award
Best for Performance without a Plate
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Price $164.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
$139.95 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$169.95 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$140 List
$139.95 at Amazon
$135 List
$135.00 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line This shoe makes too many sacrifices while still failing its primary objective. Not a good running shoeA daily trainer that can handle most runs, the Novablast 4 is fun and extremely comfortableAn all-around standout that can handle easy days as comfortably as hard workoutsBouncy, responsive and well-cushioned, this shoe is performance-oriented but still versatileA daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price
Rating Categories Hoka Bondi 8 Asics Novablast 4 Saucony Endorphin S... New Balance FuelCel... Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Cushioning and Landing Comfort (25%)
5.5
8.3
8.0
8.5
8.0
Responsiveness (25%)
2.0
7.0
8.0
7.5
7.0
Stability (20%)
6.5
7.0
5.7
4.0
6.0
Upper Comfort (15%)
4.0
8.0
7.5
6.0
7.0
Weight (15%)
2.5
5.9
7.1
8.8
5.3
Specs Hoka Bondi 8 Asics Novablast 4 Saucony Endorphin S... New Balance FuelCel... Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Sizes Available 7-16 US, regular, wide & extra wide 6 - 15 US, regular 7-15 US, regular 7-16 US, regular & wide 7 - 14 US, regular
Style Cushioning Daily/cushioning Plated daily Daily Daily
Measured Heel Stack Height 41 mm 43 mm 38 mm 36 mm 39 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop 6 mm 7 mm 6 mm 5 mm 10 mm
Plate Type None None Nylon None None
Rocker Angle 20.0 deg 22.5 deg 25.0 deg 19.5 deg 18.0 deg
Rocker Apex Location 68.00% 66.53% 67.74% 62.18% 66.67%
Measured Weight 11.80 oz 9.76 oz 9.73 oz 7.98 oz 10.07 oz
Upper Engineered mesh Engineered woven/knit Engineered mesh/knit Engineered mesh Engineered knit
Midsole EVA FF Blast + Eco PWRRUN PB FuelCell Profoam
Outsole Rubber AHAR Lo Rubber Rubber PumaGrip
Heel Tab Type Finger loop Finger loop None None None

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Bondi 8 is an update of a hugely popular shoe. Unfortunately, we think it is a step backwards. This shoe makes huge sacrifices in an attempt to provide supreme comfort but fails to accomplish that goal. As a result, it's the lowest-scoring trainer in our lineup. We think it is a poor choice for a running shoe.

In late spring 2024, Hoka made the Bondi 7 available for purchase again. Many user reviews preferred the ride and upper fit of that shoe as compared to the Bondi 8.

Performance Comparison


hoka bondi 8 - the bondi 8 just isn't enjoyable to run in when compared to it's...
The Bondi 8 just isn't enjoyable to run in when compared to it's competitors.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Cushioning and Landing Comfort


If you only looked at the lab specs for the Bondi 8, you'd assume that the cushioning was excellent. It packs 41mm of foam under the heel and 35mm under the forefoot. That's on par with some of the most cushioned shoes in our test. Sadly, the foam Hoka used in this shoe is inert and oddly firm. With most max-cushioned shoes, we expect one of two sensations underfoot: plush and pillowy, or firm and bouncy. Some of our favorites are both plush and bouncy. The Bondi 8 doesn't fall into any of those categories. Instead, it's firm and lifeless. The foam borders on hard. You don't sink into it. It returns no energy and has no bounce. Running in the Bondi 8 feels like you have rubber bricks taped to the underside of your foot.

hoka bondi 8 - the stack height of the bondi suggests comfort.
The stack height of the Bondi suggests comfort.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

As a result, we found that the Bondi 8 did very little to dampen landings, regardless of pace. It felt much more similar to shoes that have 10mm less stack height, just heavier. We did notice that it actually started to feel a tiny bit better at faster paces when impact forces are higher, which is unfortunate because this shoe is designed for easy running. That does suggest it may work slightly better for heavier runners, although we still wouldn't recommend it.


Overall, for a shoe that is designed around max-cushioning, we are very disappointed with the Bondi 8.

hoka bondi 8 - you can see here how little "give" the foam has. for the amount of...
You can see here how little “give” the foam has. For the amount of stack height underfoot, the ride is supremely disappointing.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Responsiveness


This is a shoe that is designed for easy running. It is not responsive, and actively fights you any time you want to run faster in it. The massive chunk of foam tries to slow you down. It feels like it absorbs all the force you're trying to push off the ground with, and returns none of it. We attempted a threshold session in them, but gave up and switched shoes after only a mile. What are normally easy and relaxed mile paced strides were slow and difficult in these shoes. In fairness, the shoe isn't designed for that type of running, but it's part of our standardized testing that every shoe goes through. The Bondi 8 is the least responsive shoe in our lineup, and it really isn't close.


The Bondi 8 does have a forefoot rocker to help offset the stiffness of the shoe, which is necessary. Counterintuitively, we think it helps the most at slower paces.

hoka bondi 8 - the rocker is visible in this cutaway.
The rocker is visible in this cutaway.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

This just isn't a versatile shoe. It has one pace: slow. If you ask it to go faster, it will argue with you until you give up.

hoka bondi 8 - trying to pick up the pace in the bondi 8 is a chore... so we gave up.
Trying to pick up the pace in the Bondi 8 is a chore... so we gave up.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Upper Comfort


The materials on of the upper are pretty standard for Hoka. They're comfortable and mostly soft. The heel collar is padded and the engineered mesh is soft. It isn't very breathable, but it works.

hoka bondi 8 - the upper breathes poorly.
The upper breathes poorly.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The same mesh that limits breathability also creates a very rigid toe box. The outside of the toe box has a fast taper that limits volume. We rarely have issues with toe-box volume, but found that the taper was a little too aggressive for comfort during longer efforts. The heel cup is overly stiff, which provides nice support, but likely won't feel great if your heel doesn't fit the shoe perfectly. All of these issues have been noted in user reviews as well.

hoka bondi 8 - here you can see the stiff heel collar, the narrow and high arch...
Here you can see the stiff heel collar, the narrow and high arch, and the low-volume fit.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Finally, we noticed some mild discomfort through the midfoot of this shoe. That's unusual, and it's a result of a very narrow midfoot shape. Other users have reported similar issues. Hoka does offer a wide version of the shoe, which we would recommend to most users who typically find regular sizing to be comfortable through the midfoot.


Overall, for a shoe designed to be comfortable on everyday runs, the upper really falls short.

Lateral Stability and Support


The Bondi 8 scores surprisingly well in the stability department, thanks to a few features that really help create a planted feel.


First, there's the wider, flared platform. When combined with the firm foam, the shoe provides a very stable base when standing. That's one of the reasons we think this is a better option for walking or wearing to stand than it is for running.

hoka bondi 8 - the wide platform and sidewalls provide solid stability.
The wide platform and sidewalls provide solid stability.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Second, the Bondi 8 has decent sidewalls on the inside of the heel and midfoot that provide some lateral support. Finally, the stiff upper structure and narrow fit help to provide solid lockdown.

Weight


The Bondi 8 is anything by light. It's the heaviest shoe in our lineup, coming in at a whopping 11.8 ounces in a US Men's 10.5.


That puts it at a significantly higher weight than similar shoes that offer much better cushioning and upper comfort. We definitely noticed the weight while running.

hoka bondi 8 - the bondi could stand to cut an ounce or two.
The Bondi could stand to cut an ounce or two.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the Hoka Bondi 8?


If you're looking for a shoe to run in, look elsewhere. There are a number of max-cushioning shoes that better accomplish the cushioning and comfort goals of the Bondi 8 without making so many sacrifices to weight and responsiveness (or price). If you're looking for a decent shoe to stand in all day, or to go for walks, this might be a decent shoe for you.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?


If you value comfort above all else, there are a number of options that provide that far better than the Bondi 8. We think the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 is a great option that provides phenomenal cushioning and excellent upper comfort. The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4 has very plush cushioning, but has a more rockered ride and a bit more pace versatility.. The Saucony Triumph 21 packs a chunk of soft and bouncy foam that makes it reasonably versatile and very comfortable.

Nathaniel Bailey