Customer Reviews Hoka Bondi 5

Been a Hoka One One fan for years. Went through a bunch of Bondi 4's. No real complaints there. Then Hoka came out with the Bondi 5. It felt like better cushioning until my first long run. The mid-sole is horrid. It is incredibly hard. The material on the inside is very rigid and cheap-ish compared with the Bondi 4. It is still one of the best shoes on the market. My complaint is that why did the shoe quality and design go in the wrong direction...

I really wanted to love the shoe. It was very comfortable and felt great running at first. However, I quickly realized that the arch in the left shoe was pushing my flat foot to the outside on every foot straight. I could feel an old injury from a similar problem and shoe from another company starting to resurface. The last time it resulted in a stress fracture. I had to return the shoes.

Bondi 5 are very comfortable. The 2EE width, the cusion, the offset, the metarocker, the ride - all pluses. I do wish the outsole was a little grippier and that turning was a little easier to do. These shoes do best when running straight on dry pavement.

Hoka is getting close to getting this shoe right, but there are still some improvements that desperately are needed. First of these is the tongue, it's too short. During long runs, the tongue routinely slips down into the shoe exposing the laces to the top of the foot, triggering pain. Both my wife and I experience this problem. Lacing tight doesn't solve the problem, which brings us to problem #2 - The tongue does not have enough padding. If you want to lock in your foot, important for downhill, etc, the tongue is so thin it creates pressure points on the top of the foot. If you're just running 5 miles, this may not be enough to cause you problems. But, put on 8, 10, half, or full marathon and its excruciatingly painful. If you're running hills and really need the foot locked it, look out, OUCH! I'll take an extra half ounce of weight for this problem to be fixed. Problem #3 is still the width of the shoe. It's not that the width is not right, it's the slope of the shoe at the tip. It drops too quickly from the big toe to the second and third. If you have a slightly longer second or third toe, which most people do, you're going to feel it on longer runs as the box bangs into the toe. On longer runs, this is also a sore point. FYI - I'm not a freak of nature, second toes are just slightly longer, but it's enough to be a real problem. Now here's the real issue. These three problems I describe add up to make a great shoe only decent. Because the tongue is short and there is not enough padding, the tendency is to not want to lace tight. But, by lacing a little looser, this allows the toes to push further forward into the toe box, resulting in injury. You're only option is to go to a larger size shoe. I'm a size 12, but my Bondi's are a 14! And even that's not enough room to compensate for these design flaws. Previously they sold 14.5's, and those worked, but they've since eliminated the half sizes at the upper end ranges. Hopefully, Deckers reads this and adjusts.

The shoes are great but the elastic laces will not stay tied longer than an hour. I finally gave up and put in new ones. That is a terrible idea.

Love the color but should've gone wide width. Hoka do I have any recourse?

Well in one word Disappointment!! I CANT BELIEVE IT, I AM VERY DISAPPOiNTED HOW UNCUSHIONED THEY FEEL! Seriously and I mean serious I am wondering if the pair I ordered are defective! Hey all you shoe reviewers out their (and you are many and know who who you are) just poured how cushy this shoe is. Not only that, Hoka says its the flagship of the bunch for cushion. I feel like I have 2 sherman tanks on my feet. Actually, When I was very young and getting ski rentals, the ski boots never let me forget how clunky and big they were. Well to me these shoes are a pleasant version of those. Its not like I dread to get them off, but I just really cant feel a thing, and always know they are their. I REALLY WANTED TO LOVE THIS SHOE. Last, to the credit of the design the toe box is more than fine! Thats the other thing most reviews and comments I have been (as you Im certain) tight toe box, unbelievable cushion. Thats why perhaps I got a dud! Mine are "a flat dead feel -it doesn't hurt mind you , just feels like I am standing on a wood panel thats wrapped in a soft towel with plenty of room"

I've had Bondi's since the beginning. I have other Hoka shoes as well but my go to shoes for long distance is the Bondi. I started noticing that the signature Bondi cushion started losing it's feel on the 4 and now the 5. I still love the shoes the the "comfort" on long runs are gone. It appears that signature cushion was replaced by a mid-foot easy strike adjustment. I can tell the difference. So to make due with the 4 and 5, had to go out and get a Dr. Scholl's insole. Works for me.

The top part of the tongue is too stiff and is uncomfortable on the ankle.

Wish there was amore of a description on the width of the shoe before buying

I wear orthotics therefore the inside top to bottom room is welcomed.

I miss the cushion that made me a true believer in HOKA. Going to see if cushion insert will help but I am really going to look around for a new running shoe next time.

Have been a Clifton wearer since it's first iteration. Due to hip and back issues,thought I would give the Bondi a,try. But personally was just to o cushy for my running style. Returned for my fourth pair of Cliftons

I wanted a really comfortable shoe. Turns out one shoe is a bit tight and both seem to slip a bit at the ankle. Will not buy this model again.

In the middle of training for a marathon and was looking at wearing in a new set of shoe for the race and did not have the current shoe I was training in and had to try this one it is not as good as the vanquish 2's but after 20 miles they are breaking in well.

I was hoping the shoe would widen over time but it is so sturdy it has not become wider on its own. I think I need a size 11 would have been more comfortabe for me when using thicker socks. It seems like a hassle and waste to exchange them at this time. I wear them every day for walking. They have even been to Iceland. People notice them all the time and compliment me on the color scheme. I hope you maintain this color for the next time I am ready to order. I definitely will try size 11 then

I am a mover and I love your shoes because my feet feel great after carrying furniture upstairs all day. I have bought over 15 pairs of your shoes in the last couple of years and the best ones that I feel most comfortable in is your M STINSON 3 SHOE. I feel like I am walking on air when working with these shoes on. I just had a total knee replacement last October and I have been back to work for two months now and I don't think I would be able to do the work that I do if I didn't have these shoes to wear. I am that serious about the shoes I wear for work. Thank you very much

The Hoka was recommended by who loves his Hokas. I did buy a pair, then returned the Hokas because they fell tight on the to middle of the foot, I was suggested to get a wide size sounded great but know if I got the wide size ???, because they still fell tight. I did try them few times the shoe did not fell comfortable, too late to return I think. I do like the style but I am afraid that also will be tight.

When my Bondi 5s arrived, I put them on to take them on for a first run. As I was stretching on the floor I noticed that the bottom tread on two areas of one of the shoes were flapping off. I had to remove the shoes and use my old pair. I bought some contact cement, glued the areas down and applied a clamp for 24hrs. Ran with them 3 days later with no further issues.

The shoe is great but I really think there is a defect on the tread glue. The bottom tread peels off.

I purchased the Bondi 4 because the shoe had very comfortable wide width and great cushioning. Although, the cushioning only lasted around six months and the inside of the shoe did not hold up well. Now I purchased the Bondi 5 and they've changed the shoe. Very tight across the top! My left foot is bigger than my left yet the right shoe actually seems tighter! Very disappointed in this shoe! It already feels like they are flattening out. Won't buy again.