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.

this is never that x hoka performance crew socks item Pros

  • The Draper James founder has selected her Hoka x OV kicks before
  • Gliding ride
  • zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE trail voladoras talla 43.5
  • Feels stable
  • Breathable
  • Upper is soft as hell
  • Highly durable

this is never that x hoka performance crew socks item Cons

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

Audience verdict

84
Good!
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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

Who should NOT buy

The neu bei asphaltgold hoka one one a pass if you want a running shoe that gives a lightweight ride. If this is the case, you can opt for the HOKA Challenger ATR 5 pour Femmes en Pavement Lichen 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 Saucony Triumph 21 HOKA Rincon 3 Chaussures pour Femme en Beautyberry Knockout Pink Taille 41 1 3.

Hoka-Bondi-8-lab-test-review

Cushioning

Heel stack

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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 Bondi 8 36.2 mm
Average 34.2 mm
Compared to 400 running shoes
Number of shoes
22.5 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

Men's HOKA Rincon 3 Running.

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

Hoka-Bondi-8-forefoot-stack

Test results
Hoka Bondi 8 30.0 mm
Average 25.6 mm
Compared to 400 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 Bondi 8 6.2 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 400 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 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 Bondi 8 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 nice rebound which added a little pep in the step. 

To temper 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 Bondi 8 18.0 HA
Average 21.0 HA
Sapatos Hoka One One.
Compared to 327 running shoes
Number of shoes
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.0 HA

Footwear HOKA ONE ONE W Bondi 7 1110519 Bgff (%)

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 temperature. 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 Bondi 8 49%
Average 25%
Compared to 327 running shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Footwear HOKA ONE ONE W Bondi 7 1110519 Bgff
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 Bondi 8 4.9 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 396 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

neu bei asphaltgold hoka one one true to size (983 votes).

HOKA Bondi 7 Schuhe für Damen in Black White Größe 41 1 3?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 377 running shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

best HOKA running shoes of 2020

Zapatillas Hoka One One Cavu 3 para Mujer Turquesa Verde.

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 Bondi 8 widest
Test results
Hoka Bondi 8 92.2 mm
Average 95.5 mm
Compared to 155 running shoes
Number of shoes
90.9 mm
best HOKA running shoes of 2020
102.4 mm

HOKA ONE ONE STINSON EVO

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.

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 Bondi 8 big toe
Test results
Hoka Bondi 8 69.2 mm
Average 73.7 mm
Compared to 155 running shoes
Number of shoes
67.9 mm
HOKA ONE ONE STINSON EVO
83.5 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 Bondi 8 Height
Test results
Hoka Bondi 8 28.5 mm
Average 27.2 mm
Compared to 154 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

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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!

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Test results
Hoka Bondi 8 4
Average 3.4
Compared to 379 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

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 Bondi 8 3
Average 2.9
Compared to 363 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

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 Bondi 8 126.5 mm
Average 114.2 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
Number of shoes
103.3 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
126.9 mm

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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 Bondi 8 heel width

Having such a wide landing area, no wonder we felt so stable in the Hoka Bondi 8!

Test results
Hoka Bondi 8 100.9 mm
Average 90.8 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
Number of shoes
73.0 mm
HOKA Womens Challenger Atr 6 Trail Running Shoes in Vallarta Blue Atlantis
106.6 mm

this is never that x hoka performance crew socks item | this is never that x hoka performance crew socks item

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

Las Clifton 8 de HOKA ONE ONE combinan la!

Hoka Bondi 8 this is never that x hoka performance crew socks item
Test results
Hoka Bondi 8 17.7N
Average 15.6N
Compared to 121 running shoes
Number of shoes
4.6N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
28.5N

Weight

The Hoka Bondi 8 gets a weight penalty because, at 11 oz (311g), it is way heavier than most daily running shoes by almost an ounce.

But on a lighter note, it doesn't feel like the shoe drags the foot down.

Hoka-Bondi-8-heavy-weight

Test results
Hoka Bondi 8 10.97 oz (311g)
Average 9.38 oz (266g)
Compared to 401 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.

The most breathable areas can be seen in our transparency test below.

Test results
Hoka Bondi 8 3
Average 3.8
Compared to 330 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 Bondi 8 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 Bondi 8 74.0 HC
Average 79.8 HC
Sapatos Hoka One One.
Compared to 381 running shoes
Number of shoes
57.0 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

this is never that x hoka performance crew socks item | Outsole thickness

Despite not having a full-length outsole, we found the Hoka Bondi 8 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 Bondi 8 3.0 mm
Average 3.3 mm
Compared to 398 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.0 mm

Misc

Tongue padding

hoka tracer 2 pour femmes en citruscyan taille 36 1016787 ccyn.

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 Bondi 8 9.0 mm
Average 5.9 mm
Compared to 398 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.5 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

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How Hoka One One Is Refreshing Its Image!

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

Hoka-Bondi-8-semi-gusseted-tongue

Test results
Hoka Bondi 8 Both sides (semi)