HOKA Bondi 8 Review

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 color options as well and found my light blue and yellow colorway 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.

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.

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.