Brett took the NEW Hoka Bondi 9 road shoes for a test run at the weekend and his thoughts are below. This shoe has had a great response in store and we are really enjoying running in them.
How did we test the shoes?
I’m not a huge fan of gear reviews as they are normally by “influencers” or people that have been given the products and are therefore biased. I only review equipment that I’ve purchased myself, and wanted prior to, and independently of doing the review, the review was just a way to support the shop, and I wouldn’t recommend something that wasn’t fit for purpose.
I like to properly test the product in the environment that it was intended, as the Hoka Bondi 9 is a road shoe, I thought a 20 mile run straight out of the box, with no breaking in period, would be a wise approach…….
What do Hoka say about the Bondi 9?
The ultra-cushioned game-changer. One of the hardest working shoes in the HOKA lineup, the Bondi 9 delivers peak plushness for everyday miles. Overhauled from top to bottom, we’ve increased the stack height and added a new premium foam midsole to deliver that soft, resilient ride that’s become synonymous with the Bondi. Elevated with a 3D moulded collar and structured knit upper with zonal breathability, this ultra-cushioned cult favourite has been finished with Durabrasion rubber to combat high wear zones
Hoka have upgraded underfoot cushioning with super critical foa, added 2mm in stack height, retooled the collar, and enlisted a knit upper for a more accommodating fit.
The features boasted are a 3D moulded collar, super critically foamed EVA, engineered mesh with 55% recycled polyester, reflective upper details, extended heel pull, smooth MetaRocker, rearfoot-focused active foot frame, moulded EVA sockliner, Durabrasion rubber outsole, and so importantly vegan friendly.
The road test!
It happened to be a lovely sunny day for the long Bondi equipped run, not a cloud in sight, no rain forecast, it couldn’t have been better. No need to describe what I was wearing but it is worth noting I had on my trusty Injinji socks on, and I lightly lubed my feet with Gurney Goo. I loaded my Raidlight pack up with some 90g Precision Fuel and Hydration gel pouches, some Precision electrolyte tablets in my Raidlight 650ml soft bottles, Clif Bloks Tropical chews, and a bit of cash for some treats at the end of the run!
I headed out on my standard 20 mile loop, taking in the sights of Shoeburyness, and the joys of Southend sea front on a sunny day when the tourists descend and us runners have to take our lives in our hands negotiating the cycle paths because they want to use the entire width of the pavement. Overall, the run was uneventful, only a single incident where a motorist needed be explained the highway code (in a calm and polite manner), other than that a very enjoyable run, with the joys of Spring noticeably approaching.
How did the Bondi 9 feel?
From the moment I slipped on the Bondi 9, the shoe screamed comfort. It was like pulling a comfy duck down pillow on to my foot, it was a perfect fit, giving my foot a lovely little hug. I opted for a 9.5, I’m normally a 9 in a Clifton, and I also went for the wide fit which gave my foot the room it needs to sit comfortably in the toe box. Over 20 miles I didn’t get any noticeable hot spots, the shoe felt perfectly cushioned, and I can’t find any areas of fault. The Bondi isn’t a shoe that feels fast, there is no assistance in push off, not like a Cielo or Mach 2X. The Bondi 9 does exactly what Hoka said, it’s a comfortable road shoe for long distances. I got home after a short visit to the sweet shop (I’m not saying what I purchased) and had zero blisters, feet didn’t ache, and the toenails I thought I’d lose after last weeks race were still holding on. These are a perfect shoe choice for long training runs. It is worth noting the 2mm increase in stack height on the Bondi 9, 43mm at the heel, 38mm in the forefoot, that’s health cushioning, and provided a very cushioned running experience.
Summary
The Bondi 9 is not a race shoe, it doesn’t pretend to be, but it would suit somebody that wanted a very comfortable marathon experience. The Bondi would suit a heel striker of mid/forefoot striker, it is a shoe for any runner looking for a lower impact running experience. I think I will be rotating these with my Cliftons, and now I’ve tried them, I would keep buying them as a long training run shoe of choice. I’d suggest getting down to MyRaceKit for a test run, jump on the treadmill and see what you think, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.