Running Shoe Review: Hoka Bondi 8

There’s no mistaking what and who the Hoka Bondi 8 running shoe is for. Straight out the box its huge sole and plump upper shouts comfort. It might also shout ‘Spice Girls’ or ‘mid-90s revival’ if you’re of the same generation as me and remember the last time soles like this were popular (I’m reliably informed by my nieces that they are again). Thankfully, despite my ginger hair, nobody mistook me for Geri on my run.

The Hoka Bondi line is the brand’s most cushioned shoe and has amassed a lot of fans over its seven previous versions. While it comes up a little lighter than the Hoka Bondi 7, the Bondi 8 is not a shoe that is paying a huge amount of attention to its weight – it’s designed for comfort over speed.

Hoka Bondi 8 technical details

Price: £145
Weight: 252g
Sizes: 3.5 to 9.5 with a wide fit option
Sole: 31mm heel, 27mm forefoot

Who are the Hoka Bondi 8 for?

It’s a shoe for runners who aren’t too fussed about speed and want an enjoyable, comfortable running shoe. They’d suit beginners and heel strikers, as well as runners who have room in their cupboard (and wallet) for a dedicated recovery run shoe. They’re a neutral shoe but it does feel as though the wider sole adds a little stability to your stride.

What new features does the Hoka Bondi 8 have?

Hoka has updated the foam from the Bondi 7 to give the Bondi 8 softer and more resilient soles. They’ve also updated the heel geometry with heelstrikers in mind. The Bondi 8 also features more recycled content than its predecessor.

How does the Hoka Bondi 8 fit?

The Bondi 8 fits a little narrow in the forefoot, however there is a wide fit option so I’d definitely suggest trying that if you want or need a little extra room. Length wise it’s true to size though. The upper around the toe box is lightweight and breathable fabric, while around the ankle there’s a lot more structure and support.

Is the Hoka Bondi 8 comfy?

It’s a very comfortable shoe to take out of the box and pop onto your feet. The upper is very plush with no scrimping on the padding. Everything is designed to maximise comfort. The Hoka Bondi line has a lot of fans who use it as a walking shoe – whether that’s recreationally or because they’re runners who walk a lot for their job – and it certainly feels comfortable as I walk around the house in it.

Hoka Bondi 8 running review

My first impression of running in the Hoka Bondi 8 was not what I’d expected. The sole looks so plump that you can only anticipate it will be a pillowy soft feeling as you run. But as I set off running, this was not the case – it felt a lot firmer than I’d hoped for. During that first mile I considered turning back and swapping shoes (I was actually going to swap to the Hoka Mach 5), but I’m glad I didn’t because I’d have been judging it too soon.

Like the runner who was testing them (that would be me) the shoes needed a little time to warm up. Two miles into my run the sole started to feel a lot softer.

I was hurrying that morning because I had a train to catch, and I still hadn’t packed but the shoes were in no rush. And I think this is where their strength lies. They’re not a versatile shoe – they’re not going to help you out on speed sessions or tempo runs, they’re an easy run and recovery run shoe. That’s it. As a coach, I know how hard it is to get runners to relax and go at their true easy pace – this shoe definitely helped me do that.

On my next run I went in knowing what I was getting into with the shoe – I wore them for an easy run after doing a long, marathon training run at the weekend. While I’d still like them to be a little softer, the Bondi 8 helped me stay at an easy pace and at the end of my 4 miles my legs felt better than they had when I set off.