Hoka is back with their new and improved Bondi 7 and those who are in need of a little more cushion should rejoice. Hoka did not mess with the recipe and the shoe overall is really a Bondi 6, but with a few extra features and much stronger aesthetic. Overall, we love the minor changes and the fact they stuck with a familiar recipe will really make Bondi loyalists more than happy.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- Hoka’s highest cushion road shoe gets a bit of a makeover, but still plush as ever
- Weighs in at 10.7oz or 303g for a US Men’s 9
- Has 33mm of cushion and a 4mm heel/toe drop
- Retails at $150.00 USD and comes in 6 colors for Men and Women
Run Test
The Bondi is really what people see in their heads when they think of Hoka, at least historically. It features a ton of cushion and a big giant landing area, so it has always been daunting for me a bit. I was pleasantly surprised by the look of the Bondi 7 out of the box though because it definitely turned some of my expectations around, they looked really good and dare I say kind of normal.
I am not the fastest runner of the group here and I am always on the lookout for a bit more comfort and also a little wider, more comfortable experience. The Bondi 7 ticks all those areas so it should have been a perfect match and in many ways it was. The shoe is really plush during the run which I loved. I felt very little knee pain and my legs were pretty thankful every time I went up. The new heel collar is very padded and definitely felt like it was wrapping around my ankle well, but I did have some minor complaints.
First, they ran a little warm for me. That engineered mesh upper also has an interior liner and that coupled with the overlay and the padded collar just made everything feel a little warm. Second, they ran a little narrow for me on the lateral side… my pinky was getting squished a bit. This is definitely just my foot shape, but my Cliftons don’t give me that issue. Lastly, they are a touch heavy which is to be expected, but even though I am slower and like a soft landing I would probably stick with my Cliftons over these. I see where they are going though, the Bondi 7 feels more durable in many ways which some folks will love.
Construction: Upper
The upper on the Bondi 7 is an engineered mesh mixed with TPU overlays. Those overlays provide a bit more support and structure specifically around the midfoot. It also features an internal heel counter to lock you in place. The tongue is padded, but not gusseted and a heel pull remains for easy on and off. The big change in the upper comes in the new heel collar. This memory foam based collar molds against your ankle and Achilles providing a very nice hold.
22The all new padded heel collar and heel pull 
A look at the updated engineered mesh upper and some of the overlays 
Hoka One One Bondi 7 from the front 
Hoka One One Bondi 7 from the back
Construction: Midsole
Like so many other Hoka shoes, the Bondi 7 uses a full length of compression-molded EVA. Stacked up to 33mm high and featuring a 4mm drop, these are designed for a highly plush ride. They also feature Hoka’s MetaRocker which is designed to aid in transition and provide a smoother ride.
Midsole – lateral heel 
Midsole – lateral front 
Midsole – medial front 
Midsole – medial heel
Construction: Outsole
The amount of rubber on the outsole has been reduced which has led to some weight loss but without loss of traction. There is still plenty from the beveled heel to the toe so regardless of how you land, expect a solid feel underfoot.
Hoka One One Bondi 7 1
Style & Aesthetics
Hoka has done a really good job with the Bondi 7 aesthetically to make it seem like it is lower than it actually is. The midsole color treatment disguises the 33mm of stack height through clever use of gradient and blocking. The color choices overall are really well done and in both the men’s and women’s lines there are ample choices including an all-black version as well. Our only complaint is the continued placement of the large HOKA logo on the sidewall, but it is how you can easily spot a Bondi.
Hoka One One Bondi 7
Overall Conclusion
Hoka has done a great job with the update to the Bondi 7, leaving most of what was good from the 6 in place and then adding a few new improvements like that plush collar which folks will love. The market for this shoe will definitely skew to those who need a little more upper stability and also desire a more cushioned ride. The rocker design does give you a nice bit of forward momentum, but this should not be a performance go to… it is meant for comfortable miles and taking the pressure off those legs.
Learn more and buy now on the HOKA website
Check Out Other Reviewers Thoughts
As always, we gather together some of our favorite reviewers so you can get a well-rounded view of the shoe. Here are our favorites.
