The shape of a running shoe’s heel isn’t just an aesthetic choice—it can also impact your stride and how well the shoe absorbs impact as you run. Along with new foam and a softer, more cushioned tongue, the Bondi 8’s new, larger heel and crash pad are meant to provide a soft, smooth ride.
There’s no getting around it: The Bondi 8 will look chunky on your feet—which a lot of people love—but if that’s not your personal preference, it’s something to consider. This was actually one of the factors that made me hesitate so long in the first place, but now that they’re on my feet almost daily (and I don’t trip or stumble around in them due to the thick sole, like I was afraid of), I’m glad I took the plunge. If anything, the height of the heel makes it feel like there’s something more substantial under my feet.
What I found most impressive was that, despite how bulky the shoe looks, it feels shockingly lightweight—which makes sense since they clock in at 8.9 ounces, the Bondi 8 is significantly lighter than my Adidas’s Stan Smith’s (my old standbys), which weigh around 11 ounces.
I’m not the only fan of the redesign: With over 6,000 five-star reviews on Hoka’s website, the Bondi 8 has plenty of other admirers. Even the American Podiatric Medical Association has noticed—the organization awarded this sneaker their seal of acceptance, meaning a group of experts has determined that it helps promote better foot health.
Board-certified podiatrist Julie Schottenstein, MS, DPM, tells SELF that she recommends the Bondi 8 to her patients all the time—particularly people with high arches, due to the shoe’s ultra-plush cushioning. These sneakers have a stack height of about 50 millimeters at the heel and a heel-to-toe drop of 4 millimeters, meaning there’s over 1.5 inches of soft foam throughout the entire footbed to absorb shock as you walk or run.
“Cushion is always the name of the game for patients with high arches, and the Bondi 8 really does this well,” Dr. Schottenstein says. “Additionally, this shoe would be great for patients with conditions like metatarsalgia [a condition marked by pain in the ball of your feet] and also older patients who have lost the fat pad on their foot, which can occur with normal aging.”
Fit and feel
When I first laced them up, it was obvious that there’s a ton of padding in the Bondi 8. My feet felt like they were resting on a firm pillow. (And as an added bonus, they made this short person feel an inch taller.) The tongue itself is extra cushioned and soft against my foot—this is clearly a shoe designed for ultimate comfort.
I got them in the regular width, and even though my feet are on the wider side, they’ve never felt tight or constricting. Concerned about pinched toes? You may want to spring for the wide width—just note that there are fewer color options to choose from.