Customer Reviews Hoka Bondi 7

I'm 47 and 158 pounds. I have knees damaged from years of skateboarding, but I took up running about 8 or 9 months ago after biking regularly for 15 years, and I was very careful to move slowly and lightly but still for fairly long stretches (i.e., 6 or 7 miles in about an hour, 4 or 5 times a week). I had some mid-range running shoes that did well for a while but eventually bottomed out. After doing some brief research online, I decided the Hoka Bondi 7 was probably the most cushioned shoe out there and hence the best to protect my knees and keep me on the road. The first time I took them out, they were MUCH firmer than expected and left me with significant knee pain. The second time, they were softer, but after that, they didn't really soften at all over my next four or five runs. I did like the width, general fit, and metarocker sole--and the weight didn't bother me--but the midsole cushioning was why I bought them, and it just wasn't sufficient. I eventually decided to try some other options. On my first day with a pair of Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit's, the difference in softness/cushioning/support from the Bondi 7 was night and day, plus the Nike's fit even BETTER. I also have a pair of Saucony Triumph 18's on the way and hope they're equally if not more cushioned than the Nike's. After doing even more reading of reviews on the Bondi's after trying them out, it seems that a huge portion of the people who really love them use them for standing/walking rather than running, which obviously puts much more stress on one's knees. Perhaps they'll work for some people, but for me, they were a no-go even after a full week of trying them out. I have heard that the EVA foam can vary radically from one pair to another, but a buyer shouldn't have to worry about that in a $150 shoe. I've also heard that the foam can harden with cold weather, but I wore them from the 40's to the 70's, and they were the same. (I live in South Texas, hence the weather shifts.) So buyer beware: the Bondi 7's might work for you, but they might not, and they're by no means the most cushioned, supportive, and protective running shoe out there, at least for many of us.

Main problem is the width. 4E in a New Balance is wide enough but 4E in this shoe is not. Found the shoe's arch support superior but doesn't help if the shoe is not wide enough, causing pain on top part of foot.

I bought these because I read that they were good for people who are on their feet all day. I wore them one day and it aggravated my plantar fasciitis.

Fit just fine but felt funny walking on them due to the extra padding on the soles. Felt off balance when walking.

These were my first pair of Hoka One One shoes. They felt great out of the box and were true to size. The padding of the soles was very generous providing an almost floating feel. The problem was they caused blisters on my insteps within the first 2 miles the three times I tried running in them. This is the first pair of running shoes I've had this problem with. Ultimately I had to take advantage of Hoka's 30 day return policy. If it wasn't for the blisters I would really like them. They felt great the first mile each time I wore them.