Customer Reviews Hoka Bondi 5

They have changed their products to no longer be comfortable for the niche users that initially supported the brand. Now they cater to the public and might as well be another nike or addidas. Shame on you Hoka.

I am a 30 year veteran of running. Long time ASICS user, but after ASICS started adding the latest gizmos and chasing fashion ideals, I decided to look into Hoka. I started with the Clifton 3 and was very happy. Ran in three pairs in them and they each did me well. When the Clifton 4 came out I had read reviews that were not favorable to it. I also developed a slight knee problem and thought that maybe a more plush/cushioned shoe might be helpful to me, so I tried the Bondi 5. Without a doubt, these might be the worst running shoes I have ever run in. Completely stiff and heavy, and felt very clunky. After giving them a couple of weeks, I still haven't warmed up to them, nor have they broken in any more. It's like running with a brick on your foot. I'd skip these if I was you.

These shoes are a waste of money. Got a pair from nurses recommendation at hospital. 30 minutes after getting them, the black trailer rubber piece heel sole came off. Store replaced w new pair next day. It started to peel off again on new ones and sent back to hola. After 3 weeks waiting, store voucher w $0 credit in it, they fix the voucher and got same pair again. Now 3 weeks after getting the new 3rd pair, the black triangle rubber heel piece is coming off. Gonna have to do another dreaded hola return, again.

The Good: they come in all-black. The Bad: Bought these in the all-black color scheme for road runs, specifically for the advertised max cushioning. However I am seriously thinking the all-black version is designed differently than the other color schemes, like Hoka's version of a work or service shoe - since these shoes are the stiffest running shoes I've ever worn with absolutely no effective cushioning. My Challenger ATR 3's which are rated as middle-level cushioning have much more cushion on the road than these Bondi's. Even my 3mm midsole minimalist shoes have more cushion that these do. I bought this model specifically for the advertised super-cushioning characteristic for longer road runs but what I am experiencing is the exact opposite. I am a longtime runner currently doing +\- 25 miles per week and have had many different brands and shoes and can discern the differences between shoes. I am on the heavier side (205#) but if anything should be able to compress these more but there is no compression whatsoever. I have only worn these on a short 5 mile run but had to turn around short of my planned route because these cloppers just would not bend and sounded like horse hooves on the road and just jarred the heck out of my feet and joints. I am willing to concede I got a unit from a bad batch, that is why the 2 stars vs one.

I've had many pairs of the Bondi 4, GREAT shoe. Hoka completely changed this shoe: tighter fit, less cushiony feel, basically, an entirely different shoe. So, here's what I don;t understand, the Bondi 4 was great, why not just create a new model instead of trying to trick owners into thinking its the same show with a few upgrades. I would buy the Bondi 4 for the next 20 years if they kept making it. Stop messing with a good thing. Change for the sake of change is not necessarily a good thing. Bring back the Bondi 4!!!!!!!!

Clifton 4 is way better!!!

Had hi hopes for these plush trainers. At less than 2 miles into my regular run the balls of my feet were burning. Adjusted lacing in the forecourt tight and then loser. Nothing worked. By 5k I was done. Left knee paIn, sore shins and numb forefeet. These are going back. Have over 500 miles on about 3 different pairs of Nikes(Pegasus) with no issues other than the pack out too soon. Never had a running shoe experience this poor.

I can only hope the Bondi 6 is going to be similar to the Bondi 4 with a SOFT midsole. The Bondi 5 is a total disappointment with its firm hard riding midsole.

I am a 5-time Hoka buyer, love your shoes, and I can't stop yammering to anyone that will listen that they are the only shoes that allow me to enjoy running, I take my son (8 months old) out every morning for a 3 mile jog. I just purchased the Bondi 5 and I had my first run this morning......a wonderfully cool, overcast day in Cardiff, CA. I was very very excited to feel the cushion, cloud-like sensation that I am used to with a new pair of Hokas, but I was confused as the Bondi 5s did not feel the same. I didn't have that bounce, cushion, or cloud-like comfort that I tell people they experience with Hokas. I slipped my Bondi 4s on and took a couple more laps to make sure I wasn't crazy, and it was a significant difference.

I had great hopes for these shoes, but with only 125 miles on them -- the black part of the sole on one side of the heel is worn through to the softer white cushioning.

Previous purchaser of multiple HOKA products. Greatly disappointed in this new version. HOKA needs to return to its roots with Clifton 3 -like cushioning.

I usually wear a size 11 so I purchased a 11 and felt cramped , so I purachased a size 11and 1/2 cannot wear these more that a hour cause my right foot a great amount of discomfort around the joint of my big toe

Bought Bondi online and when did not fit right I mailed back next day for exchange. After 7 days of no reply I called support and was treated with indifference. Gave them 3 more days and still no replies so cancelled order.

Sizing of soe s uiesd

was recommended Bondi , wasn't even close and returned it 2 hours later

I bought these as a "second" running shoe, for everyday walking around, albeit open minded re switching for running, as I like the ifea of the padding. I live in the Cayman Islands so sent them to PA where I was going on vacation. First day tried them walking around Philly and I could feel twinges in my knee (no unbalancing as such). One toe was also hitting the end. Next time I ran (in my normal adidas) the outside of my knee was very sore. I'm 6'5" and suspect they are just too elevated for me. I've ordered the return slip and will send back when we get back to Philly from the Catskills.

The shoe is too stiff and does not have the cushioning of the Bondi 4. The toe box is too narrow as well. I have a bruise on my small toe. I am extremely unhappy with the Bondi 5. I am having a crisis because I can no longer find the Bondi 4 in my size. I am afraid that I will not be able to complete my fall marathons. Bring back the Bond 4; it was legendary. Please note that many of the reviewers giving five stars to the Bondi 5 are WALKERS/low mileage runners.

I've been running in Bondis since the Bondi B and this should have been the greatest Bondi yet. You got everything right, after the small problems with the Bondi 3 and the huge problems with the 4. The Bondi used to be a wide-body shoe with a large footprint. The 4 got much narrower which lead to twisted ankles and - even more troubling - deformation of the sole. The foam of the 4 was much softer than the previous versions and combined with the narrow footprint after 100 miles my foot was leaning to the outside on both shoes, on both pairs that I purchased. They only lasted 150-200 miles before they gave me serious knee trouble. The Bondi 5 has solved all those troubles and should be a great shoe. The footprint is back to the widebody the Bondi was known and loved for and everything about the shoe is great. The fit is great. It's ventilated. Great heel counter. Except that there is no cushioning. The foam is hard as rock. It's made for the road, but even on soft forrest paths I get a jarring sensation in my body with every footstep. It's like putting 33 mm of rock under my foot. In three months I've only put 40 miles on this shoe, preferring to go back to my worn out Bondi 3 instead. Or My Stinson Evo (that shoe is still amazing). When I put on those old models I remember what made Hoka so great. That soft but firm foam. I'm sure it's too expensive for mass production, but it really made all the difference. Is there any way to return the 5 and exchange it for a 3?

I have bought these sneakers before but this pair is too narrow. Very uncomfortable and a real bummer. I can't wear these shoes because they are too uncomfortable for a long run.

The Bondi 4 was my favorite running shoe ever. The Bondi 5 is my least favorite. They are extremely stiff whereas the Bondi 4 was very-well cushioned. They are really polar opposites on the cushioning spectrum. I had hoped the Bondi 5 would soften after some use, but they never did. In terms of performance, the two models do not resemble each other at all. The Bondi 5 model is a totally different shoe and should not have the same model name in my opinion. I gave up on the Bondi 5's after 100 miles. I have had good experiences with other Hoka shoes so this was very disappointing.

I purchased the Bondi 5 wide. The third pair of Hokas for me. My first pair was amazing, the second was okay. This pair of Bondis is the worst shoe I've ever run in. The left shoe was fine but the right was like a brick and made my foot go numb after a mile into my run. Took them back and received a replacement pair. Now both feet go numb a mile in. Last pair of Hoka for me.