Our verdict

HOKA Tecton X daily trainer that excels on grises 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 Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3 Pros

  • Oozing with comfort
  • Gliding ride
  • A touch springy
  • Feels stable
  • Breathable
  • Upper is soft as hell
  • Highly durable

HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3 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

Who should NOT buy

The Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 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 Clifton 9 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 would be a better fit in your case.

Hoka-Bondi-8-lab-test-review

Cushioning

Heel stack

zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE minimalistas maratón talla 46.5!

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 calliper 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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 36.2 mm
Average 34.2 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
22.5 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

Things get even beefier in the forefoot as our calliper 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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 30.0 mm
Average 25.6 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 6.2 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
-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 Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 18.0 HA
Average 20.9 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 330 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.0 HA

HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3 | 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 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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 49%
Average 25%
Compared to 330 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 4.9 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 399 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
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 grises-rolling ride is the shoe's biggest selling point after cushioning.

Size and fit

Size

Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC is true to size (2157 votes).

zapatillas de running Hoka One One hombre talla 41.5?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 382 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Ténis Hoka One One Bondi 7 cinzento salmão mulher

zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE amortiguación minimalista azules.

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

Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC widest
Test results
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 92.2 mm
Average 95.5 mm
Compared to 158 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
88.5 mm
Ténis Hoka One One Bondi 7 cinzento salmão mulher
102.4 mm

Toebox width - big toe

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.

Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC big toe
Test results
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 69.2 mm
Average 73.7 mm
Compared to 158 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
66.7 mm
Toebox width - big toe
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.

Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC Height
Test results
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 28.5 mm
Average 27.1 mm
Compared to 157 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
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 tex, the shoe never made us feel tippy.

Torsional rigidity

There is a solid amount of torsional rigidity to prevent the Bondi 8 from twisting easily.

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!

Hoka ONE ONE presenta la.

Test results
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 4
Average 3.4
Compared to 382 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
1
Torsional rigidity
5

zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE amortiguación media marrones

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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 3
Average 2.9
Compared to 366 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
1
zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE amortiguación media marrones
5

veces campeón nacional de carreras de orientación y atleta HOKA

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 calliper shows a whopping 126.5 mm. THat's over 13 mm wider than the average road shoe! Insane!

Test results
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 126.5 mm
Average 114.1 mm
Compared to 404 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
102.2 mm
veces campeón nacional de carreras de orientación y atleta HOKA
126.9 mm

Midsole width - heel

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

Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC heel width

Having such a wide landing area, no wonder we felt so stable in the Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC!

Test results
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 100.9 mm
Average 90.6 mm
Compared to 404 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
70.8 mm
Midsole width - heel
106.6 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

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

Мужские кроссовки hoka!

Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC Flexibility / Stiffness
Test results
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 17.7N
Average 15.6N
Compared to 124 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
4.6N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
28.5N

Stiffness in cold (%)

Imagine how much stiffer the Bondi 8 gets in the cold!

After 20 minutes in the freezer, it required as much as 70.2N of force! Even hiking boots don't get THAT stiff!

Test results
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 42%
Average 32%
Compared to 383 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
0%
Stiffness in cold
101%

Weight

The Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 10.97 oz (311g)
Average 9.38 oz (266g)
Compared to 404 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
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.

HOKA Speedgoat 4 GTX Chaussures pour Femme en Anthracite Taille 44.

Test results
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 3
Average 3.8
Compared to 333 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
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.

Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 74.0 HC
Average 79.7 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 384 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
56.1 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

Outsole thickness

Despite not having a full-length outsole, we found the Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 3.0 mm
Average 3.2 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
1.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.0 mm

Misc

Tongue padding

Much like its midsole, the tongue also had to be extra thick on this Hoka Bondi shoe.

With a calliper 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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC 9.0 mm
Average 5.8 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3
0.4 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Homme en Bellwether Blue Bluing Taille 42 2 3 | Hoka One One CLIFTON L

hoka one one infinite!

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
Womens shoes Hoka One One Challenger Atr 6 GORE-TEX 1116878 BBLC Both sides (semi)