Hoka Bondi 7 Review Analysis (2022)
Published on: 12/21/2021
The Hoka Bondi is a good maximalist road running shoe, especially comfortable for daily runs.
The Consensus
Discover the latest model: Hoka Bondi 8!
The sole is slightly thinner with now 33 mm under the heel for men and 31 mm for women. The drop remains low at 4 mm. The sole uses a simple and efficient configuration: EVA foam combined with Hi-Abrasion rubber on some important areas of the outsole to protect the shoe and improve grip.
The testers found this configuration comfortable while noting a lack of bounce and flexibility. Indeed, the platform doesn’t flex with the movement of the foot. Also, the shoe is rather heavy with 323 g/11.4 oz for men, 252 g/8.9 oz for women, which doesn’t help for speed training that requires good agility (e.g. tempo runs). Thus, the Bondi 7 is primarily intended for daily workouts and recovery runs. Some testers even said that they liked this shoe but for walking…
As for the rest, the upper offers fits well and effectively locks down the foot. The mesh is denser than before while still allowing some airflow.
In short, the Hoka Bondi 7 is a good road running shoe with comfortable cushioning but it lacks some ‘pop’ and flexibility to be remarkable. To be honest, the Bondi seems like an aging collection that, in 2020, is struggling to compete with shoes that are as cushioned but much more responsive.
- Great comfort
- Well-fitted upper that provides a secure foot lockdown
- Cushioning not too soft considering the massive stack
- A sturdy shoe even with exposed foam on the outsole
- A rather heavy shoe
- Cushioning that lacks bounce
- Mesh a bit thick for warm temperatures
- Few changes compared to the Bondi 6
Technologies
Outsole
- Firstly, the outsole of the Hoka One One Bondi 7 uses Hi-Abrasion rubber which reinforces the more fragile areas of the shoe that are likely to wear out rapidly from impact. This set-up provides an effective grip on roads and dirt tracks even when it rains.
- Then, the outsole of this road running model also features exposed EVA foam. Located in the midsole, it’s actually barely covered in rubber to provide more comfortable cushioning. This kind of design can potentially cause the sole to be damaged more quickly but overall the EVA foam in Hoka shoes is sturdy enough.
Midsole
- The high-stack midsole is mainly made of EVA foam. Ethylene-vinyl acetate is a material known for its lightness and natural cushioning. As a result, we find it in many sports shoes. It allows for maximum shock absorption while also ensuring a bouncy ride by by returning as much as possible while running.
- On the other hand, there is the Early Stage Meta-Rocker Geometry technology. This flagship innovation of the brand aims to optimise propulsion by helping the runner to get into a natural rocking motion. This should help you to adopt a more efficient and fluid stride. This configuration is particularly suitable for heel strikers.
Upper
- The upper of the Hoka One One Bondi 7 features a multi-layered engineered mesh that combines open and closed parts (the open part uses knit). It wraps around the foot comfortably for a secure lockdown.
- Moreover, 3D TPU overlays improve the snugness of the fit and gives better structure to the upper to make it more sturdy.
- Finally, the horizontal loop behind the heel makes it easier to put on and take off the shoes. This is especially useful if you need to take off your shoes to remove a small stone during a race.
Facts
Technical Specs
| Terrain | Road |
| Pronation type | Neutral |
| Drop | 4 mm |
| Heel stack height | 31 mm, 33 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 27 mm, 29 mm |
| Weight (men) | 323 g/11.4 oz |
| Weight (women) | 252 g/8.9 oz |
| Features | Maximal cushioning |
| Release year | 2020 |
Cushioning
| Softness (1-5) | 4 – Soft |
| Bounce (1-5) | 2 – Low |
Technologies
| Outsole | Hi-Abrasion rubber, exposed EVA foam |
| Midsole | EVA foam, Early Stage Meta-Rocker Geometry |
| Upper | Multi-layered engineered mesh, 3D TPU overlays, horizontal loop |
Use
| Speed | Slow, moderate |
| Distance | Mid, long, 10k, half marathon, marathon |
| Workout | Daily runs, recovery |
Comparisons – Hoka Bondi 7 vs.:
Hoka Bondi 6
Ultimately, the Bondi 7 brings few changes compared to the previous model. The sole is slightly thinner and the upper is thicker (which gives a better foot lockdown, according to the testers). If your Bondi 6 still have a few kilometers in them then there is no reason to change. Moreover, it can be interesting to find it for cheap considering that the shops are likely to lower its price with the release of the Bondi 7.
Hoka Elevon 2
These two shoes offer a similar cushioning with approximately the same stack height. However, the Elevon has a narrower upper and firmer cushioning. The Elevon seems better suited for faster paces while the Bondi is a good choice for recovery runs. However, both their cushioning lack some responsiveness, according to the runners who tested them.
Hoka Rincon 3
The Rincon is much more lightweight and delivers a more responsive and versatile ride. However, it’s less durable. See the side-by-side comparison.
Hoka Clifton
See the side-by-side comparison with our comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This road running shoe uses a regular sizing system. Thus, it should correspond to the indicated size. For now, we haven’t seen any comments from runners indicating otherwise. So you can pick your regular size. However, if this is your first pair of Hoka One One, a visit to the store may be a good idea to make sure you choose the right size.
This model is a neutral running shoe. Thus, it is designed to suit all runners independently from their type of pronation. It doesn’t feature any specific help to avoid pronation. In any case, it should be noted that stability shoes are no more effective than neutral shoes in reducing the risk of injury. We, therefore, recommend that you select your shoes according to their comfort as it is the most important criterion. In other words, you can choose this model independently from your pronation, as long as it is comfortable.
To our knowledge, only one study so far has investigated the link between sole thickness, risk of injury, and weight. According to the results of this study, shoes with very thin soles (minimalist) can increase the risk of injury for runners weighing more than 71 kg/157 lbs. The Bondi 7 offers a comfortable high-stack sole and should, therefore, be adapted regardless of your weight.
This Hoka One One shoe is above all designed for long runs at a slow or moderate pace with its massive and well-cushioned platform. It is a good candidate to run a marathon comfortably. However, if your goal is to go fast, a lighter model with more pop might be better suited.
