Our verdict

The 8th iteration of the Hoka Bondi remains our beloved plush and cushy daily trainer that excels on easy days and recovery sessions. With its humongous foam, our feet found themselves in a very comfy position all throughout the run! On top of this, the shoe kept us surefooted thanks to its highly stable ride.

hoka cavu 3 chaussures de route pour femmes en lantanaeggnog taille 37 13 1106482 leng Pros

  • Footwear HOKA ONE ONE Zinal 1119400 Rycm
  • Gliding ride
  • zapatillas de running HOKA talla 31.5
  • Feels stable
  • Breathable
  • HOKA Women's Zinal All-Terrain Running Shoes in Scuba Blue Diva Pink
  • Highly durable

hoka cavu 3 chaussures de route pour femmes en lantanaeggnog taille 37 13 1106482 leng Cons

  • Tight midfoot
  • Narrow toebox
  • It's still heavy

Audience verdict

84
Good!
  • Top 1% most popular running shoes

Who should buy

We are convinced that the Bondi 8 from Hoka is a daily running shoe that's great for those who want a very cushioned ride. It is a Godsend for recovery runs.

And if you want a shoe that can also double for walking, this version of the Hoka Bondi won't let you down.

Hoka-Bondi-8-review

hoka cavu 3 chaussures de route pour femmes en lantanaeggnog taille 37 13 1106482 leng | Who should NOT buy

The Hoka One One 124 is a pass if you want a running shoe that gives a lightweight ride. If this is the case, you can opt for the HOKA ORA Recovery Slide 2 für Damen in Black Größe 40 instead. It weighs about 2 oz less than the Bondi 8.

If you have wider feet, you might find the shoe's midfoot too tight. We think that the Footwear HOKA ONE ONE M Speedgoat Mid 2 Gtx GORE-TEX 1106532 Obbs HOKA Clifton Edge Schuhe in Blue Flower Green Glow Größe 45 1 3.

Hoka-Bondi-8-lab-test-review

hoka cavu 3 chaussures de route pour femmes en lantanaeggnog taille 37 13 1106482 leng | Cushioning

Heel stack

zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE mujer trail talla 42.5 grises!

And how does this feel on the run? Ooooh la! Meaning to say, it's 11/10 comfortable. There’s no disguising that this shoe is incredibly cushioned.

While stack height does not 1-1 correspond to more cushioning, there's usually a connection between the two. Based on our caliper measurements, the Bondi 8 has a massive stack height of 36.2 mm (3 mm thicker than the average).

Hoka-Bondi-8-heel-stack

That's a significant departure from the previous Bondi 7 which came in at 33 mm in the heel.

Test results
Hoka One One 124 36.2 mm
Average 34.2 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
Number of shoes
22.5 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

Things get even beefier in the forefoot as our caliper shows 30 mm of stack.

Wow! That's 4.5 mm thicker than road shoes on average! Only 10% of shoes in our lab exceeded the 30 mm mark in the forefoot. 

Hoka-Bondi-8-forefoot-stack

Test results
Hoka One One 124 30.0 mm
Average 25.6 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
Number of shoes
13.7 mm
Forefoot stack
37.1 mm

Drop

However, we were disappointed to find a discrepancy between the shoe's actual heel-to-toe drop and the ones stated by the brand.

Hoka-Bondi-8-in-shoe-padding

Based on our own stack measurements, the drop comes at 6.2 mm. That's 2.2 mm taller than what Hoka claims - 4 mm.

This may not be a big deal to the majority of runners but those who specifically look for low drop should be warned.

Test results
Hoka One One 124 6.2 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
Number of shoes
-0.2 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

The Hoka One One 124 has more life now!

Why? Because all along, the Bondi has been known as the ultra-cushioned, ultra-plush trainer from Hoka. That said, it didn't really target speed or responsiveness. But in the Bondi 8, we felt some really challender rebound which added a little pep in the step. 

To bondi your expectations, it's not insanely springy that you can do tempos, no. But it has enough bounce to make the ride enjoyable, especially during slow days.

The foam on the Bondi 8 is rather plush. With a durometer measurement of 18.0 HA, we found it to be 34% softer than the average.

Hoka-Bondi-8-cushioning-softness-durometer

And if you're wondering, the Bondi 8 IS plusher than the Clifton 9. By a good 13%!

Test results
Hoka One One 124 18.0 HA
Average 20.9 HA
Hoka One One 189.
Compared to 330 running shoes
Number of shoes
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.0 HA

Midsole softness in cold (%)

We also checked how much firmer the Bondi 8 would get after spending 20 minutes in the freezer.

Hoka-Bondi-8-freezer-test

The foam got 49% harder but still ended up softer than most running shoes at room bondiature. So, we are happy to say that this Hoka shoe won't be turning into an ice cube under the cold breath of winter.

Test results
Hoka One One 124 49%
Average 25%
Compared to 330 running shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Midsole softness in cold
63%

Insole thickness

Measuring the shoe's insole thickness, we got 4.9 mm. This is a little more generously padded than the average, adding up to the Bondi 8's heavenly underfoot feel.

Hoka-Bondi-8-insole

Test results
Hoka One One 124 4.9 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 399 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Rocker

We found that the shoe's rocker geometry performs very effectively. It makes the strides feel effortless in the Bondi 8.

We think that its seamless and easy-rolling ride is the shoe's biggest selling point after cushioning.

Size and fit

Size

Hoka One One 124 is true to size (2157 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 382 running shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - widest part

HOKA Challenger ATR 6 Chaussures pour Homme en Outer Space Taille 42 2 3.

To investigate further, we created a gel mold of the toebox and, using a pair of calipers, confirmed that the toebox is unexpectedly narrow on paper. At its widest point, the gel mold measured 92.2 mm—significantly narrower than average.

Hoka One One 124 widest
Test results
Hoka One One 124 92.2 mm
Average 95.5 mm
Compared to 158 running shoes
Number of shoes
88.5 mm
Toebox width - widest part
102.4 mm

Hoka Womens Clifton Edge

We think this will be a problem even for medium-sized feet like ours, especially because the Bondi 8 tapers significantly. Our second measurement in the toebox area showed only 69.2 mm, making it one of the few shoes in the lab to go under 70.0 mm in this test.

zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE mujer trail talla 42.5 grises

For that reason, we recommend going half a size up in this Hoka shoe or opting for the wide and extra-wide options available for it.

Hoka One One 124 big toe
Test results
Hoka One One 124 69.2 mm
Average 73.7 mm
Compared to 158 running shoes
Number of shoes
66.7 mm
Hoka Womens Clifton Edge
83.6 mm

Toebox height

After our third measurement of 28.5 mm, the Bondi 8 offered better news for runners with high-volume feet—providing a comfortable amount of vertical space.

Hoka One One 124 Height
Test results
Hoka One One 124 28.5 mm
Average 27.1 mm
Compared to 157 running shoes
Number of shoes
22.4 mm
Toebox height
33.8 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

What's great about the Bondi 8 is that it's soft, but it's not too soft. Despite its high-stack design, the shoe never made us feel tippy.

Torsional rigidity

Reebok neutro amortiguación media talla 38.5.

In our manual flexibility test, we rated this Hoka shoe's torsional stiffness as 4 out of 5. That's pretty high up on a 1-5 scale where 5 is the stiffest!

zapatillas de running HOKA constitución media pie normal.

Test results
Hoka One One 124 4
Average 3.4
Compared to 382 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

zapatillas de running HOKA neutro minimalistas

Contributing to a sense of stability is the Bondi 8's moderately stiff heel counter. In a manual assessment, we gave it 3 out of 5 (where 5 is the stiffest).

The shoe's generous collar padding also adds a great deal of ankle security to this Hoka shoe.

Test results
Hoka One One 124 3
Average 2.9
Compared to 366 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
zapatillas de running HOKA neutro minimalistas
5

hoka speedgoat 5 chaussures de trail pour hommes en fiestaradiant yellow 1123157 fryl

If you thought that the Hoka Clifton was a monster, you've got to check out the Bondi!

Based on both the look of it and the measurements, the Bondi 8 makes one of the largest platforms in our lab! And probably in the history of running shoes too.

Hoka-Bondi-8-wide-sole

In the widest part of the forefoot, our caliper shows a whopping 126.5 mm. THat's over 13 mm wider than the average road shoe! Insane!

Test results
Hoka One One 124 126.5 mm
Average 114.1 mm
Compared to 404 running shoes
Number of shoes
102.2 mm
hoka speedgoat 5 chaussures de trail pour hommes en fiestaradiant yellow 1123157 fryl
126.9 mm

HOKA Speedgoat 5 Schuhe für Damen in Blue Coral Camellia Größe 42 2 3

The shoe continues to impress us in its heel section too! Our caliper shows 100.9 mm in the widest part which, yet again, exceeds the average. This time by 11 mm.

Hoka One One 124 heel width

HOKA Mafate Speed 3 Chaussures de Trail pour Hommes en Dazzling Blue Desert Sun!

Test results
Hoka One One 124 100.9 mm
Average 90.6 mm
Compared to 404 running shoes
Number of shoes
70.8 mm
HOKA Speedgoat 5 Schuhe für Damen in Blue Coral Camellia Größe 42 2 3
106.6 mm

Men's HOKA Carbon X 3

The Bondi 8 surprised us. Despite being a maximalist running shoe, it showed surprisingly decent longitudinal flexibility.

We found it only required 17.7N in our machine, which lands right around the average range!

Hoka One One 124 Men's HOKA Carbon X 3
Test results
Hoka One One 124 17.7N
Average 15.6N
Compared to 124 running shoes
Number of shoes
4.6N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
28.5N

Weight

The Hoka One One 124 gets a weight penalty because, at 11 oz (311g), it is way heavier than most daily running shoes by almost an ounce.

HOKA ONE ONE Clifton L Embroidery lighter note, it doesn't feel like the shoe drags the foot down.

Hoka-Bondi-8-heavy-weight

Test results
Hoka One One 124 10.97 oz (311g)
Average 9.38 oz (266g)
Compared to 404 running shoes
Number of shoes
5.61 oz (159g)
Weight
12.59 oz (357g)

Breathability

With all the in-shoe padding on the Bondi 8, breathability is still not compromised. It may not be the best choice for warm weather but it definitely has enough airflow for moderate climates.On a 1-5 scale, we rated its breathability as 3.

pueden disfrutar de las sensaciones de carrera que ofrecen las HOKA Bondi 8 y HOKA Clifton 8.

Test results
Hoka One One 124 3
Average 3.8
Compared to 333 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Outsole hardness

The fact that the Bondi 8 has softer rubber and lots of exposed foam made us a little concerned.

Using our durometer, we measured the shoe's outsole hardness at 74.0 HC. That's 8% softer than the average of road shoes.

Hoka One One 124 outsole hardness

But on the actual run test, we were quite relieved to find that the rubber held up pretty well! In fact, its soft nature really helped to soften the landings.

Test results
Hoka One One 124 74.0 HC
Average 79.7 HC
Hoka One One 189.
Compared to 384 running shoes
Number of shoes
56.1 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

Outsole thickness

Despite not having a full-length outsole, we found the Hoka One One 124 to be fairly durable. It is not as wear-resistant as most road shoes due to its exposed foam but we believe that it will hold up for at least 300 miles.

Hoka-Bondi-8-outsole

The good news is that the rubber pieces at the bottom of the shoe are 3 mm thick. This is the same amount of rubber as road running shoes have on average.

Hoka-Bondi-8-outsole-thickness

Test results
Hoka One One 124 3.0 mm
Average 3.2 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.0 mm

Misc

Tongue padding

HOKA talla 23.5.

With a caliper reading of 9 mm, it is 3.2 mm thicker than the average! Lace bites are unheard of in this Hoka shoe.

Hoka-Bondi-8-tongue-thickness

Test results
Hoka One One 124 9.0 mm
Average 5.8 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.4 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Tongue: gusset type

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures pour Homme en Harbor Mist Black!

The shoe's tongue is partially attached to the sides a.k.a semi-gusseted. We experienced zero shifting and the tongue did its job of locking the foot down in place.

Hoka-Bondi-8-semi-gusseted-tongue

Test results
Hoka One One 124 Both sides (semi)