Hoka Bondi 5 Shoe Review

Hoka Bondi 5 Shoe Review

Lately, I’ve felt a little more “beat up” during training and wanted a shoe with more cushion.  Not injured, just wanting more cushion during easy and longer runs! The Hoka Bondi 5 has the most cushion of any running shoe currently on the market.  I’m not a stranger to the Hoka brand and after coming back from my ankle fracture last year, I ran in several pairs of the Hoka Clifton 3.

Hoka Bondi 5 Quick Facts: 

Drop: 4mm
Weight: 10 oz

A common question I’ve been asked is: “am I more susceptible to falling while running in Hokas”?  I can personally tell you as someone who falls a lot (and has broken my arm doing so), I’ve never fallen because of a Hoka shoe.  Once you’re running, you don’t feel the difference too much.

While there is a lot of cushion in any Hoka shoe, it’s important to remember your feet sink into the cushion and it’s not as overwhelming as it appears.

Hoka One One shoes are designed so your foot sinks down in the cushioning quite a bit. It’s like a giant marshmallow! Once you put any model on you realize you aren’t as high up as anticipated.

Hoka Bondi 5 Fit:
While I never ran in the Hoka Bondi 4, the fit of the Hoka Bondi 5 is relatively similar.  Right now in the running industry, Hoka is one of the few brands that fits true to size.  I typically wear a size 10 and a size 10 was perfect.  Many brands this year are running either short or narrow.

The Hoka Bondi 5 has a nice wide seamless toe box which makes it a perfect candidate for anyone who has bunions or a slightly wider foot.  The Hoka Bondi 5 uses open engineered mesh construction which maximizes breathability and support. There is also a padded tongue as well as 3d puff print frame with no seams. In general, the fit is one of my favorites from any brand.

Hoka Bondi 5 Ride: 
As a brand, Hoka One One has a distinct and unique feel.  Then again, how could it not, you are higher off of the ground?

The Hoka Bondi 5 has the most amount of cushion in a running shoe. You feel that. It doesn’t feel large, or clunky, but it does feel like a lot underneath your feet.  If you have never held a Hoka One One before, they are extremely lightweight. All Hoka One One models use a meta rocker which helps you roll smoothly from the transition from heel to toe.

Compared to the Hoka Clifton 3, the Hoka Bondi 5 has more cushion.  The cushion is also denser so your foot doesn’t sink as much into the bottom.  It’s an excellent recovery or long run shoe. You can use the Hoka Bondi 5 for long rides or long distances, and light trails, but for the most part, it’s a cushioned road shoe. The full EVA midsole allows the Hoka Bondi 5 to stay cushioned throughout the entire ride.

A great aspect of the Hoka Bondi 5 is you can run as far as needed. Personally, I’ve run 10+ miles in the Hoka Bondi 5 and felt great, but this was also designed with the ultramarathoner in mind.  Would the Hoka Bondi 5 be my personal choice for a racing shoe?  No, but it’s an excellent option for daily runs, long runs and any run you want more cushion.

Hoka Bondi 5 Pros:

• Max cushioning
• True to size fit
• The most amount of cushion in any running and only $150

Hoka Bondi 5 Cons:

• Takes a few runs to get used too

My current shoe rotation:
Saucony Freedom ISO (long runs, daily runs)
Hoka Bondi 5 (long runs, daily runs)
Brooks Launch 4 (short runs, speed work)
Saucony Type A (speed work)

Questions for you:
Do you prefer a shoe with more cushion? Have you tried the Hoka Bondi 5? 
What is your current favorite shoe?