Customer Reviews Hoka Bondi 8

The narrower toe box is not necessary and really ruined the feel of the Biondi line of shoes. Prior versions were much better all around.

The shoe fits fantastic but I was very disappointed in the cushion of the shoe. I have been wearing New Balance 990 and 993. After 8 miles of walking my soles of my feet hurt with the HOKA's but with the NB I can walk 10 miles or more without any pain.

There are two things that I did not like at all about the Bondi 8 vs. the Bondi 7 and all other previous models. (1) The shape of the shoe changed to be very wide with a more pointed toe. Not at all the shape of anybody's foot! (2) The structure around the perimeter of the shoe was removed making this more like a slipper with a tread on the bottom. The result of these two changes was is a very sloppy feeling shoe. I returned my pair after one run.

The toe box was nice and spacious but the middle of the shoe was too narrow for my foot and my foot was up against a seam in the show and uncomfortable. I was really disappointed because my niece said all the physical therapists at her therapy place wore them. I bought "wide" shoes also

I tried on a pair at my local shop, they were perfect. They didn't have the color ilI needed and couldn't get them by the date I needed as well so I ordered online. The shoes I recieved were smaller in width. My inserts slid into the first pair with no issue and them the ordered pair they didn't fit.

Colors too limited in the extra wide shoes

I've worn the Bondi 7's for about a year and really love them. What sets the Bondi's apart from other brands is the low heel to toe drop, so they don't feel like you are wearing heels. Since the Bondi 8's came out I upgraded to them, but overall I feel they are a significant downgrade for many reasons. First the good, the foam is a tiny bit softer which makes them more comfortable, and the base is much more stable which helps with ankle rolls and instability. Two stars for these improvements. The negative, however, far outweighs the positive. My main gripe is that they significantly lowered the heel cap height, you can clearly see this side by side with the Bondi 7. So now my heel does not properly get locked in, and I'm definitely in the right size with about .5" room at the toes and have also tried heel lock lacing techniques. So now my heel shifts up and down and makes the shoe feel quite unstable, eliminating any gains the wider shoe tread gave and then some. I could try heel cups, heel spacers, or a variety of other half baked solutions, but would rather just have the shoe made correctly. If you have smaller heels then this may not be an issue for you. They also run quite a bit narrower than the 7's, although I resolved that issue by getting a wide pair. But even with the wide size they still chafe the sides of my toebox a bit. Another downgrade is the finish, especially the white at the sole. It has a semi rough finish which catches dirt very easily. Because of the semi rough surface you can't just wipe them clean, you have to lightly scrub with a toothbrush, and that gets old very quickly. Last is the finish, let's be realistic here, I'm willing to bet the vast majority of these are sold for lifestyle, those who want a cushier walk, and not to hard core runners. While I'm not short, I'm 5' 9", when I'm wearing these everyone asks me if I like how tall they make me because they look like elevator shoes. The 7's at least minimized this with color

Shoe quality is excellent as usual I think. I wear Bondi 7 last few years (EE width). As Bondi 8 is released, I called to make sure I order same sized shoe bc I have very sensitive foot. Even though EE is now wide, somehow it is different and does not fit comfortably. So I returned it and ordered two of Bondi 7 again. So now I have 6 of Bondi 7 (I do not wear two of them bc of a worn out insole).

I stepped into the Hoka Bondi line at the Bondi 6. Loved them. When the Bondi 7s came out, I thought they were pure perfection & I was going to be a Bondi buyer for life. I have terrible knees and wide, flat feet, but walk a lot with my job & the Bondi 7 saved me. Must have about 4 or 5 pair of the same style/color. Perfect shoe. When the Bondi 8 was released, I immediately ordered a pair in black (because I wear them with everything) and was like a kid at Christmas when tearing into the newly delivered box. The excitement didn't last long, unfortunately. Like other reviewers of the Bondi 8, I immediately noticed the narrowness of the shoe. Thought maybe they were laced too tightly, so I loosened them. Walked around the house & couldn't stop noticing how the edge of the arch cut into the outer arch of both feet. Thought maybe they needed to be broken in, even if I'd never had that issue with the 6 or 7s. I was out for a walk in them and just stopped, thinking, 'I'm going to have to send these back. No way are the arches going to get better.' It was like walking on skinny, stiff rails. Also, the heel did not have that same level of 'walking on a cloud' squish. That's what first sold me on the Bondi 6. I removed the insoles from the 8 and compared to the insoles from my 7s. Obviously narrower & also actually shorter, which was unexpected. Purposefully designed that way it a cost-cutting measure? Thank goodness for their 30 day return window, even when worn. Otherwise, the new 8 would have been a very expensive mistake. I went to a shoe store and bought another pair of Bondi 7, and also ordered a wide pair of the Speedgoats for more traction in the Colorado winter. I absolutely adore Hokas, just not the Bondi 8.

The sole/ in-sole cuts into the side of my arch on the inside part of each foot (more on the right foot). This is extremely uncomfortable. I do not have wide feet either. In fact, I would go as far as to say I have narrow feet.

I purchased these shoes for a vacation and started wearing them to break them in. I have only worn them twice but both times they hurt my feet in the toe area and my feet hurt for a couple of days after wearing them.

Like the stability and cushioning of Bondi 8 but it sure looks clunky. And difficult to use driving. Extra width gets stuck on car pedals. Keep making Bondi 7.

Plush, yes, but much tighter and less comfortable than the 7. Must wear thinner sox. Inside design has changed. Will purchase another 7 and hope the 9 is more comfortable.

i have been a bondi fan for years but it appears that will end with the 8... the redesign has left the new version with not enough front support for toe box (too stretchy fabric on top) , not enough cushion compared to the 7, sizing that is a full half size too large (if not more) and a break that is a 1/2" too far forward.... im so sad i cant believe they have ruined what i think was THE perfect shoe :(

I really wanted to love this shoe like I do my 7s. Firstly, I do like the foam and overall fit and performance. However, the ankle collars are simply rubbing my ankles too much through my socks which is a shame. These don't have quite the cushion in this area like the 7s and it allows for a firm edge in the ankle collar to press through easily. These will have to go back. Can't really recommend them unless I'm just one of the few having this issue.