Hoka One One Bondi 7 Intro
I can keep in mind my very first run in a Hoka. Whereas numerous manufacturers describe operating of their trainers as “like operating on clouds”, in my expertise, this was the primary time that I truly felt that have.
After I consider cushioning, I consider Hoka.
Their outsized midsoles and thick stack heights present a degree of cushioning that no different model can match and their marshmallow-soft midsoles present bottomless cushioning whereas feeling a lot lighter than they give the impression of being.
Hoka says on its web site that the Bondi is probably the most cushioned Hoka operating shoe. It falls into the max-cushioned class and from seems to be alone, it seems to be prefer it might steamroll the competitors with its large stack heights.
The Clifton is already a really comfortable shoe so I used to be excited to attempt the Bondi which is meant to be even softer.
The Bondi 6 was launched 2 years in the past so the Bondi 7 was two years within the making. Nonetheless, the Bondi 7 continues to be solely a minor replace to the Bondi 6. It has the identical midsole and outsole however will get a model new higher.
Hoka One One Bondi 7 First Impressions
Hoka One One Bondi 7 – Lateral Aspect
When taking the Bondi 7’s out of the field, the sheer enormity of the shoe was amazing- by far the most important operating shoe I’ve ever purchased.
They jogged my memory of climbing boots and they’re undoubtedly not a shoe I’d put on casually.
I attempted flexing the Bondi 7’s thick midsole nevertheless it was actually stiff and rigid, a lot stiffer than the Clifton.
Compressing the midsole with my fingers, I seen that the froth felt a lot firmer than the froth of the Clifton and the Rincon.
When placing on the Bondi 7 for the primary time, I might really feel the bucket seat arch in opposition to my midfoot. This can be a sensation that I additionally felt within the Clifton which I finally obtained used to.
My first run within the Bondi 7 was a sluggish restoration run and an underwhelming one. The midsole felt actually agency: firmer than the Clifton and even the Rincon. I anticipated the trip to be marshmallowy comfortable nevertheless it was extra medium agency.
As soon as I obtained used to the concept the Bondi 7 will not be a brilliant comfortable shoe, my second run in them was extra pleasurable. They felt environment friendly and quicker than I anticipated them to really feel.
It was an extended weekend run which is normally round 30 kilometres on common however on this run, I needed to cease at 22 kilometres as a result of shoe not possessing sufficient cushioning and luxury to go the complete distance.
Hoka One One Bondi 7 Sole Unit
Hoka One One Bondi 7 – Heel-Closeup
The Bondi 7’s midsole, like most of Hoka’s sneakers, is obvious, good old style, compression-molded EVA foam. Being EVA, it doesn’t possess the identical excessive power return of TPU or Pebax foams.
Its medium-firm density midsole makes it extra versatile and makes the Bondi 7 really feel extra like a each day coach than a max-cushioned one.
I used the Bondi 7 for easy-paced runs between 10 and 20 kilometres. I discovered it a lot too agency to be a restoration run shoe and was even too agency for me for my lengthy runs however middle-distances have been the candy spot.
My favorite factor concerning the Bondi 7 is its early stage Meta-Rocker midsole. It really works just like a rocking chair in that the shoe is stiff so as an alternative of flexing, it rolls you thru transitions, enhancing effectivity.
The rocker midsole is likely one of the issues that Hoka obtained proper on the Bondi 7.
Whereas most of the Hoka trainers have a rocker geometry midsole, most of them flex within the forefoot so the rocker can not successfully roll you however the stiffness of the Bondi 7 helps the Meta-Rocker shine.
Stability within the Bondi 7 is superb. The midsole will not be overly comfortable so there isn’t any lean bias. The bottom can also be extensive so footstrikes really feel planted regardless of which place your foot strikes the bottom.
Hoka One One Bondi 7 – Medial Aspect
The sting of the midsole is raised in order that it types a steerage rail across the perimeter of the shoe to assist maintain your ft centred. This additionally will increase stability within the Bondi 7.
I assumed that I’d get used to the distinguished arch of the Bondi 7 as I ran extra within the shoe however this wasn’t the case.
I might at all times really feel the arch all through my runs and despite the fact that it didn’t trigger me any ache, the feeling was at all times current, like a mosquito that flies round you however by no means bites you.
The Bondi 7 is a impartial shoe that looks like a stability shoe.
The midsole is a single piece of uniform-density foam, so transitions are very clean. The rolling impact of the Meta-Rocker feels environment friendly so selecting up the tempo doesn’t really feel like an excessive amount of of a chore in comparison with different heavy sneakers.
One factor I seen is that the Bondi 7’s EVA midsole performs very in a different way in varied climates.
Early morning runs in South Africa the place it’s winter proper now undoubtedly felt firmer than in Singapore the place the warmth and humidity is way larger.
The insole of the Hoka Bondi 7 is a thick Ortholite foam one which provides a layer of sink in consolation. Beneath the insole is a white perforated strobel lining which makes the trip softer.
Hoka One One Bondi 7 – Sole
The outsole of the Bondi 7 has copious quantities of rubber protection and has blown rubber on all of the excessive put on areas. This rubber sturdiness is suitable however not near Continental or AHAR+ rubber.
There’s a small quantity of uncovered midsole on the midfoot not lined with rubber to save lots of weight. This space scuffs because it scrapes the bottom nevertheless it doesn’t change the trip of the shoe.
I discovered that the Bondi 7 has glorious traction on tar roads, pavement, grass and gravel and in each moist and dry circumstances.
Sturdiness of the Bondi 7 is simply common. Whereas it feels very effectively constructed and the outsole doesn’t present a lot put on but, the Bondi 7’s EVA midsole will finally lose cushioning and grow to be firmer over time.
Hoka One One Bondi 7 Higher Unit
Hoka One One Bondi 7 – Lace
The Bondi 7 matches very narrowly and the common particular person must get the extensive model. Even I discovered it to be cosy and I’ve extraordinarily slim ft. The higher additionally doesn’t stretch a lot so it’s not very accommodating.
Its toe field top is okay however the width is simply too slim and I might really feel the perimeters squeezing my ft throughout runs.
The higher is produced from a multi-layer engineered mesh which is of common breathability.
There are many skinny overlay strips across the perimeter of the toe field and midfoot which give the midfoot and toe field some additional construction and safety.
On the heel and across the eyelet holes there are clean laminated overlays which make the higher stiffer but additionally stronger.
The brand new addition to the Bondi 7 is the reminiscence foam collar which looks like a dense sponge that slowly springs again to form when you compress it.
Hoka One One Bondi 7 – Closeup
Hoka says that the brand new reminiscence foam collar was designed to accommodate a narrower heel and it labored completely with mine.
The heel counter and tongue are adequately padded and guarded my ankle areas from any uncomfortable strain.
The tongue will not be gusseted nevertheless it has extensive wings which maintain it in place throughout runs so no tongue slide happens.
The Clifton 7 has a gusseted tongue and it’s $20 cheaper than the Bondi so the explanation why Hoka determined to skip out the Bondi 7 is a thriller.
There are double final row eyelets for heel lock lacing which I truly wanted to make use of to forestall my heel from slipping. With heel lock lacing, foot lockdown was nice.
On the heel are 5 skinny reflective strips so that in night time runs, vehicles coming from behind can see you.
Total, the higher of the Bondi 7 is much too slim and never plush sufficient to match the luxurious, padded uppers of the opposite max-cushioned cruisers.
Whereas the reminiscence foam collar is a pleasant addition, the Bondi 7’s higher will not be as snug because the competitors.
Hoka One One Bondi 7 Conclusion
Hoka One One Bondi 7 – Heel-Closeup
The Hoka Bondi 7 will not be a nasty shoe. It will get numerous issues proper like its safe foot lockdown, its sturdy outsole and its steady trip.
Its Meta-Rocker midsole makes transitions really feel environment friendly and it has loads of stability options.
Nonetheless, the Bondi 7 is meant to be a max-cushioned, lengthy distance coach nevertheless it doesn’t match into the class it was meant to suit into. Within the Bondi 7, you don’t get the true “operating on clouds” expertise.
Its midsole will not be comfortable sufficient for distances over 20 kilometres and the Bondi 7 for me, matches extra into the each day coach class however at the same time as a each day coach, the Bondi 7 is simply too heavy and costly.
Hopefully Hoka makes the Bondi 8 a lot softer and provides in a gusseted tongue as a result of because it stands, the Clifton 7 is a greater Bondi than the Bondi 7.
Get the Bondi 7 solely if you’d like a firmer, extra steady trip with a extra sturdy outsole. In any other case, the cheaper Clifton is a softer trip and a greater max-cushioned coach.
We bought a pair of Hoka One One Bondi 7 from runningwarehouse utilizing our personal cash. This didn't affect the result of this evaluate, written after operating greater than 50 miles in them.
