Hoka Bondi 8 - Women's Review | Tested & Rated

The latest version of the Bondi by Hoka left our testers disappointed. The underfoot cushion and epic stack height feel the same as it has for the last few years, but the upper comfort really took a hit this time around. If you have a semi-narrow foot and are looking for a plush cushion to run upon, you might like the updated Bondi.

Unsurprisingly, this metric is where the Bondi 8 earned a near-perfect score. With a stacked landing pad and plenty of cushioning, the joint protection offered by the Bondi is top-notch. This shoe has a 6 mm drop, with the heel sitting at a lofty 36 mm and the toe sitting 30 mm above the ground. This means that there is a ton of foam to dampen the impact of each footfall. When it comes to joint preservation and underfoot comfort, the Bondi provides exactly what many runners seeking out a maximalist shoe will need.

As a trend, maximalist shoes tend to score poorly in this metric, and the Bondi 8 falls in line. This shoe is built for comfort, not fast turnover and speed, so it is no surprise that it is not the most responsive.

When it comes to a maximally cushioned shoe's responsiveness, it isn't the actual worst, though. Because Hoka thoughtfully designed the midsole with rear crash pads and ultralight foam, the Bondi does offer some bounce. The weight of the shoe is well-distributed, which aids in its responsiveness by preventing it from feeling as clunky underfoot.

The stability of the Bondi 8 is on par with that of the prior versions. The engineered mesh overlays of the upper provide strong support, though not quite enough for runners who want support structures to help correct overpronation. This version of the Bondi feels like it is relying on the tight body structure to create stability. This is great for the stability of the shoe but less so for the overall comfort.

The redesigned upper of the Bondi 8 is far less comfortable than it has been in the past. As a past award winner for well-rounded comfort, we were disappointed with the updates to the upper of the Bondi.

The overlays of the upper provide support, which is awesome, except that the engineered mesh isn't quite as forgiving as it was in past versions. The mesh surrounding the toe box is quite rigid and doesn't leave quite enough real estate for toes to splay. Even our tester with narrow-to-average feet found the narrow and stiff toe box to be uncomfortable. Even after 20+ miles in the Bondi 8, we still felt uncomfortable around the toes due to this updated shape. Since much of the upper comfort occurs around the toe box, loosening and tightening the laces doesn't influence this. In fact, the tongue of the updated Bondi is quite plush and provides great comfort through the midfoot.

The Bondi 8 weighs 8.87 ounces per women's size 6.5 shoe. Since it's a maximally cushioned running shoe, it is no surprise that it weighs in quite a bit heavier than many of the shoes in our lineup. As mentioned above, we love how well the weight is distributed in the Bondi. While much of the shoe's structure exists beneath the platform, it doesn't feel this way while running.

With an outsole constructed of Durabrasion rubber, the Bondi has notably more traction than many of our favorite road shoes. We have worn it on many different surfaces and never had an issue with slipping. The Bondi has become popular among demographics who need traction to aid in their balance, with good reason.

If you want a durably built running shoe that boasts maximum underfoot cushion, the Bondi 8 might be a great choice for you. If you want a shoe that will be with you for long days on your feet, the Bondi can be just that. While not the least expensive running shoe around, it provides good value, especially when it comes to specifically designed shoes. If the uncomfortable, narrow toe box doesn't bother you and if all of the other elements come together in the right way, the Bondi could still be a good choice for you.