Hoka One One Bondi X Review
By Senior Contributors Nathan Brown, David Salas, and Contributor Ryan Fluguar
Weight: 10.6oz/300g (men's size 9); 9.1oz/257g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 33mm/28mm (men's); 31mm/26mm (women's)
Drop: 5mm
Classification: Max Cushion Trainer
BONDI X SUMMARY
Nathan: The Bondi X has a lot going on, and ultimately it results in a genuinely enjoyable ride on the roads. It is very soft with a moderately rigid carbon plate that spans the length of the shoe to help stabilize the foam, and the typical HOKA geometry provides smooth transitions as well. This shoe is the best "rock catcher" I've had in a while, so only on the roads will I go with this strapped to my feet. Ultimately, this shoe has made me think about footwear design more than any other that I've seen so far this year due to the many components.
Ryan: The maximalist movement is in full effect with the Hoka Bondi X. This
shoe has a stack height of 33 mm which is on the higher end but becoming
more typical in a long distance shoe. The “X” delineates the carbon
plate that does not come with the regular Hoka Bondi. I believe Hoka’s
goal with the Bondi X was to develop a shoe that gives people the high
stack they enjoy with the benefit of a carbon plate typically seen only
in a racing super shoe. It is yet to be seen if these two hot trends can
work well together.
The Hoka Bondi X is for runners looking for
a plush, high stack shoe with the added stiffness of a carbon plate.
For me, this combination proved to be very comfortable and I enjoyed my
time running in the shoes. I injured my calf during a tempo run about a
month ago and the Bondi X was one of the only shoes that allowed me to
run comfortably while injured. I believe the stiffness of the carbon
plate combined with the rocker sole helped to alleviate some of the
muscular demand of the gastrocnemius (the calf muscle) and thus limited
my pain with push off.
David: The HOKA Bondi X is a maximum cushion trainer geared toward comfort on the easy days. The shoe is marketed as a carbon plated shoe where everyone can "level up". The shoe certainly provides a fluid ride at easy and controlled paces. For it being a maximum cushion shoe the midsole certainly is forgiving for many miles, but not necessarily plush. Especially with the combination of the carbon fiber plate the ride is more on the firm end. The shoe is a little bit on the heavy side, but for those that like a ride that has plenty of protection, a rocker, and a relatively firm ride this may be a shoe worth looking into.
FIT (LENGTH / WIDTH / COMFORT)
Nathan: Some HOKA shoes tend to be tight right at the beginning of the toe box and contain side walls that give many people blisters. This shoe bucked that trend for me. It is slightly wider and more accommodating than a typical HOKA through the toe box likely due to the flexible and slightly stretchy TPU yarn upper. Heel lock down was good, but I was unable to use the extra eyelets because the tongue (which is a think piece of suede-like material with some overlays) is too short and the laces would go up against the top of my foot if I used them. The rigid heel counter is well padded. Overall, a very pleasing fit, with the one issue being that the tongue is too short.
Ryan: The Hoka Bondi X fit is wider in the toe box than some of
the other Hoka shoes I have run in and I personally enjoyed the extra
width as it allowed more room for my toes yet didn't feel sloppy. The
length was perfect in my men's size 9. The heel counter was nicely
padded and I experienced no slippage or discomfort. My main problem was
with the tongue. On most of my shoes, I lace up to the top eyelet for
extra lock down. With the Bondi X, the tongue is too short and when
lacing to the top eyelet the shoe lace rests against my ankle. I found
this to be irritating and did develop a blister over the anterior ankle
where the lace was sitting. The tongue needs to be about a half inch
longer to protect the skin.
David: The HOKA Bondi X fits true to size in my normal Men's 9.5. Overall the width throughout is normal to slightly wide. HOKA normally tends to be a little bit narrow through the midfoot when the upper locks down on their sidewalls, but this isn't the case for the Bondi X. The fit is pretty dialed in throughout with hardly any wasted space. The length of the shoe is good. The upper certainly rides in between a traditional trainer upper and a performance upper. The mesh is a a little bit thicker throughout and locks down well with the tongue being much thinner and performance like. There is a fairly rigid heel counter present that is integrated pretty well and gave me no irritation. The shoe does have the traditional sidewall design seen in a HOKA but it feels like it is more focused in the rearfoot region.
PERFORMANCE (RIDE / SPEED)
Nathan: I initially did not think I'd enjoy this shoe from a ride perspective. First was because of the extended heel. Typically those get in the way for me and irritate my tibialis anterior. Second was how soft the foam is, which HOKA states is "their softest foam in their arsenal". I typically prefer firmer riding shoes like the firm Boston 10, and overly soft shoes tend to irritate my feet. In this case, it seems like I'm sort of a the "princess and the pea" so to speak.
Despite what I expected, this shoe has been very enjoyable for my slower recovery runs and daily mileage. The foam is, as HOKA states, very soft, but I found that over even the first 10 miles the foam settled a bit and was less of a marshmallow than initially. Now that I have many more runs and miles, the foam seems to have found it's groove. Initially it was so soft that I felt like I was sinking into the shoe, particularly in the forefoot, and had a hard time propelling myself forward. Now that it has settled, the foam is still soft, but has some decent rebound to it and I find it easier to roll up onto the toes.
The other major factor to talk about is forefoot stiffness from to the carbon plate. I don't know details of the specs of the plate, but it seems more flexible than the one in the Carbon X2 or Rocket X. I did not notice the forefoot stiffness being either restrictive or propulsive at slower paces, which made daily miles comfortable. It also felt more natural than I expected compared to how it felt in hand. When the pace picked up for things like strides, I did find that the forefoot stiffness assisted in creating what felt like a quicker toe off than if there was less forefoot rigidity. Long story short, you can tell the plate is there when picking up the pace, but it feels relatively flexible at slower paces. Given how soft the foam is and it's weight, I would reserve this shoe for daily miles, recovery runs, and slower long runs.
My biggest issue with the ride is how easily rocks get lodged into the "X" on the bottom. The foam is so soft that small rocks get embedded in there in no time. I cannot take this on the Green Circle in town, a 26 miles trail around our city made of mostly crushed rock, so it's honestly not a shoe I would choose to add into my arsenal for that reason alone. I took it on the Green Circle for less than a quarter mile and the full X was filled with small rocks on both shoes in that short of a time. Not a deal breaker for city runners, but if you want to use any crushed gravel trails around your area, this isn't the shoe.
Ryan: The Bondi X is designed as a slower, long distance shoe.
However, as it was the only shoe I found comfortable while injured, I
used it for all my runs even choosing to run a 5k and 5 mile race in it.
The shoe responds best at slower speeds but I still enjoyed taking it
through a tempo workout. When picking up the pace I felt the carbon
plate provide some assistance with propulsion which was noticeable
during my 5k race. It also sports a gentle rocker sole which helps to
smoothen out the ride from initial contact to toe off. When healthy,
this would not have been my shoe of choice for these quicker runs as it
begins to feel a bit clunky at those speeds. Despite the soft foam and
high stack height I never felt the shoe was too soft or that my foot was
sinking into it. I did miss the proprioceptive input from the ground.
Given the combination of the high stack height, soft foam, and carbon
plate the ground is difficult to feel and thus makes running in the shoe
more challenging at those faster speeds. This isn’t something that I
typically notice but it becomes very obvious when switching between the
Bondi X and something like the Hoka Mach 4. The proprioception under my
foot was so altered that even a transition from road to gravel was
sometimes challenging to feel. This wasn't a deal breaker for me but if
you're someone that likes to feel the ground under your feet, this may
not be the shoe for you. Contributor Andrea Myers offers more insight on
proprioception and how it relates to footwear in the “Thoughts as a DPT
section” in the shift review. Head over there for more information Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 Review.
Like
Nathan mentioned, the Bondi X is a rock catcher. After each of my runs,
I collected 10-15 small gravel pebbles in the “X” pattern on the bottom
of the shoe. This never bothered me and I continued to use the shoes
throughout my training on gravel trails. While running, I was not able
to feel the rocks in the bottom of the shoe likely due to the thickness
of the foam and plate.
The extended heel, or what HOKA is calling
the “crash pad”, on the Bondi X is hard to miss. Hoka is known for
these large heels (like in the Clifton Edge or Ten-Nine), but in the
case of the Bondi X does it actually do anything? The Bondi X extended
heel has a significant bevel, and therefore I don’t land on any portion
of it. In fact, the tread over the 6 centimeters closest to the back of
the shoe looks untouched despite the shoe having over 100 miles. When
comparing this wear pattern to that of the Puma Liberate Nitro, the wear
pattern of the Liberate begins around 1 centimeter from the back of the
shoe. I bring this up because I think it's important when considering
what the crash pad on the Bondi X actually accomplishes. I believe the
extended heel on the Bondi X is mainly for the Hoka appearance as the
large bevel prevents most people from landing the last 5-6 centimeters
of the foam. I personally like the look of the extended heel as it adds a
bit of flair to the shoe, however, I wouldn’t put much credence in the
fact that it will help cushion your landing.
David: The HOKA Bondi X really excels in some categories and not much in others. I really enjoyed this shoe for easy mileage where I could zone out and just get into a nice rhythm. The shoe provides plenty of protection and the rocker is pretty well done throughout. For "time on feet" type of running this is a pretty solid option. The shoe however does struggle at uptempo pacing. I learned this the hard way on a 21 mile run at 6:20 pace and I had a hard time keeping the legs lifting the whole time. The carbon plate seems to do more for the geometry and fluidity of the shoe, rather than adding responsiveness. The feeling you get in the Bondi X is more of a rolling sensation that you may feel in something like the Saucony Endorphin Shift to some degree. The shoe does feature the swallow tail extended heel bevel that we have been seeing in HOKA's lately. The bevel seems to work pretty well for me overall but I do notice I land a little harder in that initial contact phase for that reason. Otherwise the transitions are pretty smooth and rolling like throughout. The relatively full contact outsole throughout and firmer ride to give it a nice feel on multiple surfaces for me. It certainly isn't a trail shoe but I was able to do some light off roading in it ok. The weight of the shoe is certainly noticeable and is a large reason why I keep it more in the daily trainer conversation. The shoe hovers more in the daily mileage/workhorse category and doesn't have enough responsiveness or light on feet sensation to be in the performance trainer/workout shoe category.
STABILITY
Nathan: HOKA consistently does stability well in higher stack, softer shoes. Primarily this is done through the very wide and full contact outsole. This prevents excess rolling in or out on the platform itself despite the softer platform. Additionally, the carbon fiber plate does provide stiffness in both the medial and lateral directions which stabilizes the softer foam. The stability due to the plate is even higher in the heel given that the plate is closer to the foot. Even with the natural stability elements, the softer foam may pose issues for those with excess mid and forefoot mobility who have a hard time stabilizing. The foam is remarkably soft, placing demand on the foot itself for stability.
Ryan: The Hoya Bondi X is a fairly stable shoe despite its
relatively soft foam and neutral ride. This stability is achieved
through its wider midsole and full contact outsole as there is no
posting or other stability features specifically built into the shoe .
The stiffness of the carbon plate also helps to provide some guidance as
your foot sits on the plate above the foam. A neutral runner as well as
someone with mild stability needs should have no problems with the
Bondi X.
David: The Bondi X is not formally a stability shoe but does pretty well in this category. The upper locks down pretty well and does have much stretch to it. If you lace it down well the foot feels very connected to the platform and rolls with the shoe. The ride of the shoe is a little bit firmer and stabilized well with the geometry and carbon plate. The sidewalls in the rearfoot seem to help with some rearfoot stability and keep motion linear. The shoe, like most HOKA's, does provide a wide platform underfoot with a lot of cross sectional area to increase stability. The outsole is grippy enough and integrated well enough to handle some light off roading as well. Overall the stability of the Bondi X is done really well. I do wish the lockdown specifically in the heel at the calcaneus could be a tiny bit better, as I did have to lace the shoe down quite a bit, but otherwise I was really happy with the stability on the Bondi X.
THOUGHTS AS A DPT / FOOTWEAR SCIENCE
What do carbon plates really do, anyway?
This is a question we've been asked by a number of followers and I thought this might be a good chance to address it. This won't be a fully complete answer, but it will give some categories to consider where plates are at work. First is the category of efficiency. When carbon plates made their big splash in the Vaporfly 4%, the main focus was on the fact that this new plate was making runners more efficient. In reality there is much more debate. A study by Roy et. al. suggests that possibly only 1% of the efficiency improvement was due to the plate, whereas 3% was other factors like the foam compound and geometry of the shoe (Roy et al 2006). Another study actually showed that cutting the plate longitudinally in the Vaporfly 4% didn't change running economy (Healy & Hoogkamer, 2021). Editor's note: It should be known that Hoogkamer was part of the original 4% study AND was part of the recent one referenced. While there might be debates among people on this topic, I think it's safe to say that a plate alone will not make a shoe "faster" or "more efficient". This is why I'm skeptical of the marketing tagline for the Bondi X being "Everyone Can Level Up". A plate is a small piece of the efficiency puzzle, which includes weight, foam, geometry, and ultimately each runner's individual differences. Yes, the plate may stiffen the forefoot a little bit and therefore lengthen the lever arm for the calf around the ankle, but will this really account for a meaningful difference in efficiency? Maybe, but not of great significance in my mind, especially due to the pliable foam and heavier weight found in the Bondi X, which likely offset any of that benefit.
Another category is stability. This isn't talked about too much in the world of carbon plates, but it's certainly a consequence (positively) of placing a carbon plate in the shoe. Obviously the shape and length of the plate will effect this...but in general having a plate is going to increase the rigidity, and therefore stability, of the platform. This is very evident during my run experience in this shoe, where the soft platform was not a problem, partially due to the plate. Another great example is when comparing the Endorphin Speed and Pro. The Speed is notably less stable in the heel due to the fact that it uses a nylon plate instead of a carbon plate like in the Pro. The increased rigidity certainly can help stabilize these softer "super foams". Think of all of the "trusstic" or "torsion" systems used over the last several years. The goal is to increase rigidity through the midfoot to help stabilize the platform. Now you are seeing the same thing happen through the use of carbon plates. The exact area that is impacted by this will depend on where the plate is. Some are primarily in the forefoot (Skechers), while others go the full length. Like most of the above answers, the magnitude of impact depends on many interacting variables including but not limited to the plate.
Are they bad for us long term?
This is a question that we don't have an answer to yet from the literature. We don't even have consistent evidence on biomechanical changes that occur with carbon plate use. So take this as a expert opinion and not fact. First I want to say that all plates are not created equal. One plate, such as the one in the Endorphin Pro, may allow almost no motion through the great toe during toe off since it does not flex in the slightest (theoretically maximizing efficiency). Another plate, like the forefoot plate in the Razor Elite or Pacer ST, can almost not be felt because they are so flexible. The Bondi X sits somewhere in the middle. The rigidity of a plate is more than likely going to change the impact on the mechanics of the foot. The theoretical long term impact of the more flexible plates would be less than that of the rigid plates due to how much it changes the demands on the foot and lower body compared to running in a "typical" trainer like the Ride or Ghost. One concern people voice is that "running in carbon plated shoes will weaken your feet". One idea behind this is that the plate is taking over for the Windlass mechanism (the way our foot creates a rigid lever) as well as for our foot intrinsics (and extrinsics that stabilize the arch of the foot when running). The idea is that if this plate is taking over for these things, our foot will weaken over time due to non-use. First, we have no actual data on whether or not foot intrinsic or extrinsic activation changes with the use of a rigid carbon plate. Second, just because it makes theoretical sense that it would, we have studies for other areas of the body that show that what we think to be true in theory doesn't really pan out. One example is in the low back.
For a long time it was thought that wearing a lumbar support would decrease muscle mass in the back and abdomen because the brace "takes over" for your muscles that should provide that support. However, a systematic review by Azadinia et al shows that it simply doesn't pan out that way (Azadinia et al., 2017). That said, I'm not jumping on board of advocating for training daily in plates (in fact I think they should be used sparingly). I also can't fully denounce their use based on what we currently know. If it were me, I'd use a plate for its intended purpose of contributing to the cocktail required to make the most efficient racing shoe possible, and stick to other mechanisms like geometry and partial length plates/nylon to provide stability to a shoe. Just to throw one more wrench in there...if you're really concerned about people using carbon plates on a daily basis, you should be just as concerned about shoes like the Endorphin Shift or ASICS Glideride, because they have just as much rigidity (if not more) than some carbon plated shoes. In the case of the Bondi X, it seems like the plate's main function is in stability, and the rest is a little bit of taking advantage of where the market is at.
Okay but what about the maximalist movement? Is this just the next minimalist movement?
From what we can see so far, there are some pretty distinct differences between the minimalist and maximalist movement. The minimal movement could only be "packaged" in a few ways, such as the Vibram 5 Fingers, to accomplish the goal of removing as much from below the foot. Removing "protection" from underfoot has somewhat predictable patterns of biomechanical changes for runners, namely that many, but not all, move to landing more on the mid or forefoot (Hashish et al 2015). The reason this has a high impact is a couple-fold: 1) Most runners are heel strikers, meaning that this causes changes in a higher number of runners (Hasegua et al 2007, Kasmer et al 2013) and 2) Shifting to a forefoot strike drastically changes the eccentric load demand from the knee to the calf/ankle. Drastic changes that are done quickly typically end in injury, and that's certainly what we saw in the minimalist movement. Does that mean that running with minimalist footwear is bad? Absolutely not. We just saw the trend of a quick, drastic change have a negative effect on many runners. There are actually a number of potential benefits of the use of minimalist footwear that are worth considering for training and strengthening. Dr. Irene Davis is one of many recognized for the recent resurgence in barefoot/minimal running in the scientific community (Davis 2021). When we then switch over and think about the current maximalist trends, there are several ways that a maximalist shoe can be "packaged". Will it be high stack with a firm foam? Soft foam? Rocker? Plated? Flexible forefoot? Rigid forefoot? You can have different constructions that will all serve different purposes. These different purposes/footwear will also work better for different people. That doesn't mean that maximalist shoe construction doesn't come with its own consequences.
We have seen studies show that having a softer or higher platform leads to compensatory stiffening of the joints (Kulmala et al 2018). The logic behind this is that a higher and softer platform is less stable, leading to less excursion of the joints and less demand on your body to create stability. This stiffening of the joints creates a paradox, where higher cushioning in a shoe leads to less "cushioning" or shock absorption done by your muscles and more so by your joints. This doesn't necessarily pose a problem, but for people with bone stress related injuries or impact related injuries, it could be a real consideration. However, another population may actually benefit from this "automatic" stiffening of joints that occurs with softer shoes like the Bondi X. Some patellofemoral pain syndromes are caused by chondral defects on the patellar or femoral surfaces (knee cap or thigh bone). Depending on the location of the defect, it can cause pain in a certain range of motion. For example, someone may have a defect that doesn't cause pain (due to where the defect location and how the femoral or patellar surfaces contact each other) until the knee is bent to 45 degrees. Therefore, if they can avoid that range, they won't experience pain and also won't likely worsen their defect. A high cushioned and soft shoe may be a nice tool to facilitate a slightly stiffer gait pattern, which in this patient may be beneficial. Please hear me...promoting a stiffer gait pattern is not a global recommendation. I'm simply pointing out that we can use what we learn about footwear to help certain/specific populations of people.
These extended heels look strange but also kinda cool. Do they do anything?
Finally I want to talk about all these extended heels (what HOKA also calls their "extended crash pad") we are seeing, primarily from HOKA (but also present in the Nike Pegasus/Vaporfly). There are definitely two different categories. Category 1 includes shoes like the HOKA TEN-NINE or CLIFTON EDGE. These have extended heels with little to no bevel, and the apex of the bevel is far posterior to the back side of the heel (calcaneus). The philosophy behind this is to create earlier contact with the ground with a chunk of compressible foam, lessening impact. The theory is in line with how the front ends of cars are created to fold during a crash to slow the change in speed, lessen the acceleration, and lower overall impact. The theory is all well and good, but it also creates a much larger lever arm around the ankle joint, putting high demand on the tibialis anterior muscle to slow the forefoot coming to the ground after heel strike. Clinically, I've seen a number of people come in with issues due to this reality. This type of extended heel also leads to earlier contact than our body is prepared for, possibly leading to delayed reaction of our muscles to absorb shock. But that isn't at all the category that the Bondi X falls into...so let's move on. Category 2 are extended heels that have a large bevel and the apex sits at or in front of the back of the heel. The Nike Pegasus, Bondi X, Carbon X2, Mach 4, Vaporfly, and others fall into this category (lots of HOKA). When a shoe is constructed this way, the extended heel never contacts the ground. Sometimes these extended heels, particularly in HOKA, have the "swallowtail" cut or groove.
So if this doesn't contact the ground at all, what's the point? Well, to be honest, I do think a big part is to create a brand, a look, and something identifiable to the consumer. This isn't a bad thing. The pointed heel of the Vaporfly is now, in a way, iconic...and if anyone else does it on their shoe (i.e. 361 Flame) it appears as if they are stealing or copying another company. Same, I think, is true for HOKA. Their brand includes this large, beveled heel that distinguishes their look from others...and it looks cool too! (At least for some people). Although I think these types of extended heels are more branding than anything, it's possible that the extended portion allows the bevel to more appropriately mimic the calcaneus and prevent the runner from hitting the "edge" of the outsole on contact, possibly smoothing out the ride. The swallowtail heel, if extended down into the midsole like in the Kinvara 12, may decouple the foam so it can compress independently. However, if it's simply at the furthest back end of the extended heel, I believe it's just for looks. So in the end, I think the extended heel of the Bondi X is mostly aesthetic and adds a some weight, with a chance of a slightly smoother landing by not hitting the "edge" of the outsole. But if HOKA has some data on how this changes loading or mechanics, I'm all ears.
REFERENCES
1. Roy, J. P. R., & Stefanyshyn, D. J. (2006). Shoe midsole longitudinal bending stiffness and running economy, joint energy, and EMG. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 38(3), 562-569.
2. Healey, L., & Hoogkamer, W. (2021). Longitudinal bending stiffness does not affect running economy in Nike Vaporfly shoes.
3. Azadinia, F., Takamjani, E. E., Kamyab, M., Parnianpour, M., Cholewicki, J., & Maroufi, N. (2017). Can lumbosacral orthoses cause trunk muscle weakness? A systematic review of literature. The Spine Journal, 17(4), 589-602.
4. Hashish, R., Samarawickrame, S. D., Powers, C. M., & Salem, G. J. (2016). Lower limb dynamics vary in shod runners who acutely transition to barefoot running. Journal of Biomechanics, 49(2), 284-288.
5. Hasegawa, H., Yamauchi, T., & Kraemer, W. J. (2007). Foot strike patterns of runners at the 15-km point during an elite-level half marathon. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 21(3), 888.
6. Kasmer, M. E., Liu, X. C., Roberts, K. G., & Valadao, J. M. (2013). Foot-strike pattern and performance in a marathon. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 8(3), 286-292.
7. Davis, I. S. (2014). The re-emergence of the minimal running shoe. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 44(10), 775-784.
8. Kulmala, J. P., Kosonen, J., Nurminen, J., & Avela, J. (2018). Running in highly cushioned shoes increases leg stiffness and amplifies impact loading. Scientific reports, 8(1), 1-7.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ryan: I recommend lengthening the shoe tongue by about an inch.
This would allow people to use the top eyelets of the shoe without the
lace resting against the ankle. My other recommendation would be to
decrease the size of the large extended heel to help eliminate weight
especially since it likely doesn’t provide any benefit other than
cosmetic flair.
David: I really enjoyed the Bondi X but a couple of things do stand out. I think the shoe would really benefit losing some weight, perhaps through the upper or materials in the heel region. I also think the lockdown could be slightly improved on the heel region specifically perhaps by shifting the eyelets. Sharp rocker shoes do seem to increase the likelihood of my heels lifting off of the platform I've come to notice.
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR (Conclusion)
Nathan: The Bondi X is a very soft, highly cushioned shoe that is another option for a long run trainer and possibly daily trainer (see comments on if plates are good or bad for daily training above). The shoe, despite it's very soft platform, is stabilized by the plate and wide outsole platform, but will still suit people who prefer neutral shoes over stability shoes. It comes in at $200, and I do think there are other options that may comparable in comfort for runners wanting this kind of experience (especially considering I don't think simply putting in a carbon plate is going to give you the extra "efficiency" you may think you will get). It is uniquely soft and has very smooth transitions, and it'll be up to the runner if the extra capital is worth it.
Ryan: The Hoka Bondi X is a soft, high stack shoe that provides a
highly stabilized ride due to the plate and wider midsole. It is
designed for longer, slower runs. The plate helps to stiffen the midsole
and adds to stability of the foot creating a stable platform for the
foot. Given the low amount of literature regarding how carbon plates
change loading on the foot and leg, I am less likely to lean towards the
Bondi X for daily mileage but will continue to use it for my longer,
slower paced runs a couple times a week.
David: The HOKA Bondi X is a maximum cushion training shoe for those looking to pack in a lot of miles on the road and enjoy a rocker sensation to their shoe. The midsole, plate, and outsole combination to provide a firmer ride on foot than you probably would expect, but the protection for long mileage is certainly there. The shoe does ride on the heavier end so if you don't mind a little added extra weight and enjoy a firm rocker this may be worth looking into. I did have a hard time with uptempo pacing, but do enjoy it for those "time on feet" types of runs.
GRADING (SHOE CATEGORY)
Nathan
Fit: A- (No irritable side walls! Tongue being short does limit lacing versatility for different people's needs)
Performance: A- (No hiccups throughout for me, particularly at recovery paces, just a bit soft and foam compresses quickly)
Stability: B (For how soft the foam is, they stabilize well through the plate and wide base, and making sure the bevel is big enough to move the extended heel out of the way)
DPT/Footwear Science: B+ (There's a ton going on in this shoe and it is overall integrated well, but I think some of the design and tech is more marketing than effective)
Personal: B- (Really enjoyed the ride and am using it regularly, but I wouldn't purchase a $200 shoe...and this is my personal grade so I guess I can include that factor in my grading)
Overall: B+
Ryan
Fit: A- (Great fit for me. Wider toe box that allowed adequate space for my toes.)
Performance: B+/ A- (This shoe has a lot going on. The rocker sole and carbon plate provide a smooth ride from initial contact to push off. )
Stability: B+ (Very stable shoe thanks to the stiff carbon plate, wider mid foot, and full contact outsole.)
DPT/Footwear Science: B+ (There is a lot going on with the Bondi X. From the high stack height to the carbon plate.)
Personal: A- (I
really enjoyed my time running in the Bondi X. It was one of the only
shoes that allowed me to run with minimal pain following the calf injury
and will continue to be part of my shoe rotation.)
Overall: B+/A- (Great shoe for long, slower runs. The Carbon plate in a long distance daily trainer may be unnecessary)
David
Fit: A- (Overall fit was really good. Heel security could be slightly improved)
Performance: B (Kind of a one trick pony. Great for time on feet and easy runs, doesn't do too great for much else)
Stability: A- (Very stable ride for a maximum cushion road shoe, however heel security could be improved slightly)
DPT/Footwear Science: C+ (As a shoe I enjoy it, but HOKA essentially took things they were already doing and made a slightly more rockered and plated Bondi. There isn't anything overly innovative about the shoe. Still a high quality shoe though.)
Personal: B (I said it in performance, but kind of a one trick pony. But I really like that one trick. This is a shoe I do like to use for my easy days, but I also really like my Cliftons for that, so it can be hard to make clear delineating decisions)
Overall: B (Great shoe for "time on feet" efforts. The rocker is pretty well done for easy running, though the shoe does lean on the heavier end and lacks some responsiveness. Otherwise really fluid and good for easy rhythmic running)
VIDEO REVIEW
Hear Nathan Brown's full thoughts on the shoe in his video review of the Bondi X!
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Trigger Point Foam Roller: Help get those knots out post-run and feel better for tomorrow
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Theragun Massager: This small version is great on the go for working tired legs
FURTHER READING
Compare Max Cushion Trainers
Saucony Triumph 19 - The latest Triumph sheds some weight for the long haul.
New Balance Fresh Foam More v3 - The softest offering yet in the NB line
Hoka Clifton 8 - The classic cushioned trainer that helped spark a maximal movement returns for it's 8th edition
Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 - Big stack of cushioning meets speedroll for a smooth sailing trainer
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Thanks for reading!
Strava: Doctors of Running
Podcast: Virtual Roundtable
Pinterest: Doctors of Running
TESTER PROFILES:
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. David Salas is a 135 lb male with notable PRs ranging from 3:54 in the 1500m to 1:08:36 for half marathon. He typically runs 60 to 70 miles per week and trains from about 7:30 recovery runs to fast shorter efforts at 4:30 pace. He normally prefers neutral shoes with a firmer ride, but is completely open to other types of shoes. He is a footwear enthusiast at heart and will always appreciate a high quality shoe when it comes around. For updates on training or testing,
Movement Performance Institute Certified in Advanced Functional Biomechanics
Dr. Brown is a 155 lb male with notable PRs of 18:18 5K, 39:25 10K, 1:29:01 half marathon, and 3:54 marathon. He typically runs between 20-40 miles per week at a variety of paces from 7:30-8:30 min/mile for recovery runs to 6-6:45 min/mile for tempo runs. He typically prefers shoes that provide some cushioning underfoot but still maintain a more firm and responsive feel. Current goals for 2020 are to break the 1.5 hour half marathon and 3:30 marathon.
Marketing and Social Media Manager
Bach Pham is a 140 lb male with PRs of 23 5K, 52 10K. He typically runs between 25-35 miles per week at a variety of paces between 8:30 (tempo) -10:00 (recovery) min/miles. He typically prefers shoes that provide some mild to firm cushioning underfoot that is lightweight and responsive. Currently his goals are to complete the half and marathon distances.
Editor's Note: As always, the views presented on this website belong to myself or the selected few who contribute to these posts. This website should not and does not serve as a replacement for seeking medical care. If you are currently injured or concerned about an injury, please see your local running physical therapist. If you are in the Los Angeles area, I am currently taking clients for running evaluations.
Contact us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com
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