Our verdict
Pros
- How is Hoka addressing it
- Long-lasting outsole with extensive heel coverage
- Maximum cushioning
- Superb energy return
- Remarkably stable
- zapatillas de running HOKA hombre neutro talla 42 marrones
- Excellent traction
- Fantastic rocker geometry
Cons
- Narrow upper
- Heavier than the competition
Audience verdict
- Top 29% most popular running shoes
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
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Audience score | 86 Great! | 90 Superb! | 91 Superb! | 88 Great! | |
Price | $250 | $250 | $250 | $275 | |
Pace | Competition | CompetitionSpeed training | Competition | CompetitionSpeed training | |
Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight labWeight brand | 7.7 oz / 218g7.9 oz / 224g | 7.4 oz / 209g7.6 Footwear HOKA ONE ONE Challenger Atr 6 1106512 Bihc | 7.7 oz / 218g7.9 Saucony maratón talla 45 | 8.8 oz / 249g9.3 oz / 264g | |
Lightweight | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Drop labDrop brand | 6.6 mm5.0 mm | 2.1 mm2.5 mm | 8.0 mm6.5 mm | 9.5 mm7.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefootHeel | Mid/forefootHeel | |
Midsole softness | Average | Soft | Average | Soft | |
zapatillas de running HOKA hombre pronador talla 27 | Average | Small | Small | Small | |
Toebox durability | Very bad | Very bad | Very bad | Very good | |
Heel padding durability | Very good | Good | Very good | Good | |
Outsole durability | Good | Decent | Very good | Decent | |
Breathability | Good | Good | Very good | Decent | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Very narrow | Average | Average | Narrow | |
zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE tope amortiguación talla 46.5 | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Stiffness | Very stiff | Stiff | Average | Stiff | |
Оригинал hoka rocket x 2021 мужские кроссовки для бега теннис | Small | Average | Average | Small | |
Torsional rigidity | Very rigid | Very rigid | Very rigid | Very rigid | |
Heel counter stiffness | Very flexible | Very flexible | Very flexible | Flexible | |
Plate | Carbon plate | Carbon plate | Carbon plate | Carbon plate | |
Rocker | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Heel labHeel brand | 37.7 mm36.0 mm | 37.9 mm38.0 mm | 37.8 mm39.5 mm | 39.8 mm39.0 mm | |
Forefoot labForefoot brand | 31.1 mm31.0 mm | 35.8 mm36.5 mm | 29.8 mm33.0 mm | 30.3 mm32.0 mm | |
Widths available | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | Summer | Summer | Summer | Winter | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #117 Top 48% | #30 Top 13% | #11 Top 5% | #73 Top 30% | |
Popularity | #71 Top 29% | #116 Top 48% | #55 Top 23% | #19 Top 8% |
Who should buy
In our view, the Hoka Hoka One One BONDI L GTX is a match for:
- Runners with narrow feet still searching for that just-right racing shoe fit.
- Those looking for a versatile racing shoe suitable for distances ranging from a mile to a marathon.
- Die-hard Hoka fans who've been exploring other brands for a racing shoe due to the absence of PEBA foam. With this release, it's time to get back home!
Who should NOT buy
If you have wide feet, the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX might not be the right choice for you—even if you consider going up a full size. We found that there are other top-notch racing shoes out there, like the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 or the ASICS Metaspeed Edge+, which will be a better fit.
Additionally, runners who are on the hunt for the absolute lightest racing shoe might want to look elsewhere, as we noted the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX is on the heavier side.
For comparison, the Hoka One One Bondi Sneakers Schwarz Hoka One One Rincon low-top sneakers Schwarz.
Breathability
While the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX scored a 4/5—a solid score by any standard—we had hoped for a perfect 5/5. As Hoka's premier marathon shoe, and priced at $250, it should stand out in every performance category, including airflow.
At first glance, we genuinely believed we were looking at an ultra-breathable shoe. This impression was reinforced by a light test where parts of the upper seemed almost transparent. It was an effect we hadn't encountered before!
Even without the light, we could easily see our hand through the other side—a rarity in our lab tests.
Puzzled by this, we turned to our lab's microscope for answers.
We discovered that the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX features an engineered mesh that is denser than the uppers found in other racing shoes. That's the reason why it fails to achieve a 5/5.
The difference with the Nike Streakfly (5/5 in this test) is notorious.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 4 |
Average | 3.8 |
Durability
Toebox durability
You might think that sacrificing top-tier breathability would mean the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX excels in durability. Unfortunately, that's not the case.
After conducting our dremel test in the lab, we discovered that the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX earned the lowest possible score. This low durability score, however, is typical for racing shoes except for some outliers like the Nike Alphafly 2.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 1 |
Average | 2.4 |
Heel padding durability
The story changes dramatically when we look at the heel. It's remarkably durable (5/5) and there's a good reason behind this.
While daily trainers typically feature a lot of padding and softer materials in the heel for comfort, racing shoes actually go the opposite way.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 5 |
Average | 3.1 |
Outsole hardness
The rubber in the outsole of the Rocket v2 is notably hard for a racing-focused shoe.
There's more rubber coverage in this shoe compared to many marathon shoes, enhancing its durability—especially beneficial for heel strikers. And look at that midsole cutout that reveals the carbon plate!
Typically, we find that softer rubber offers better grip. Yet, this shoe measures in at 81.6 HC—similar to what we see in daily trainers and it remains impressively grippy in both dry and wet conditions.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 81.6 HC |
Average | 80.3 HC |
Outsole durability
We were eager to see if our initial thoughts on durability held up during the dremel test.
We're pleased to share that we measured a tiny 0.5 mm indentation in the rubber.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 0.5 mm |
Average | 0.9 mm |
Outsole thickness
After conducting the two previous tests and now discovering a thickness of 2.0 mm, we confidently believe that this shoe will effortlessly serve runners for an impressive 200-300 miles without showing significant wear on the outsole.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 2.0 mm |
Average | 3.2 mm |
Weight
No, this isn't the lightest supershoe ever made. We discovered that the outsole, which we just examined, adds to its weight.
If you're purely chasing performance, perhaps a lighter choice like the Endorphin Elite or the Metaspeed Sky+ would suit you better. However, if you're seeking great durability in a racing shoe, that's the trade-off.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 7.69 oz (218g) |
Average | 9.35 oz (265g) |
Botas Hoka One One Kaha 2 GORE-TEX preto mulher | Cushioning
Heel stack
We found that the heel has a generous 37.7 mm of foam. This comes close to the 40-mm maximum set by World Athletics.
It also meets our expectations and offers confidence that our legs will be well-supported throughout a full marathon.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 37.7 mm |
Average | 33.6 mm |
Forefoot stack
We moved to the forefoot and found it to be slightly above the 30-mm mark, coming in at 31.1 mm. This is crucial for both forefoot and midfoot strikers who need cushion in this area.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 31.1 mm |
Average | 24.9 mm |
Drop
Based on the two measurements we took in the lab, we discovered that the shoe has an actual drop of 6.6 mm.
This offers a well-rounded balance suitable for all types of foot strikes. Interestingly, there's a slight discrepancy with Hoka's own specs—they list it as a 5-mm shoe. So, they're close, but not quite right!
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 6.6 mm |
Average | 8.7 mm |
Insole thickness
In our lab, we found that the insole is among the thinnest we've ever measured, coming in at 2.5 mm. But that's not an issue.
In fact, it's a benefit—the thinner the insole, the more bouncy midsole you get!
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 2.5 mm |
Average | 4.4 mm |
Midsole softness
Moving on to the midsole—Hoka has made a significant change. They've shifted away from their old EVA-based foam and introduced a top-tier, high-performance PEBA foam that offers excellent energy return.
When it came to testing the softness of this material, we clocked it at 17.4 HA. While it's soft, it's not crazy plush. This ensures a responsive and springy ride without giving us the sensation that our feet are sinking into the shoe.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 17.4 HA |
Average | 21.4 HA |
zapatillas de running HOKA hombre pronador talla 27
To see how the new PEBA foam performs in colder conditions, we placed the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and then took new measurements.
We found that it did become slightly firmer, measuring up to 20.0 HA.
With an impressive 15.1%, this shoe ranks among the top-performing running shoes in this test. Indeed, the PEBA midsole delivered!
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 15.1% |
Average | 25.6% |
Stability
Why You re Seeing Hoka More Often Than
While supershoes are typically unstable, this Hoka offers a reasonably stable experience, even at easy paces.
We discovered that the stability comes from a clever design element. The Hoka One One BONDI L GTX has a insole with walls, making us feel as though we're inside the shoe, not just standing on it. Like the bucket seats in a Porsche!
Torsional rigidity
With a carbon plate sandwiched between the two layers of PEBA foam, we naturally anticipated a 5/5 score in the torsional rigidity test. That's just what we got.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 5 |
Average | 3.2 |
Botas Hoka One One Kaha 2 GORE-TEX preto mulher | Heel counter stiffness
The absence of structure in the heel results in a 1/5 stiffness rating in that area—yet we haven't noticed any heel-slippage at all.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 1 |
Average | 2.8 |
Midsole width in the forefoot
Las zapatillas Evo Mafate 2 de Hoka One One Hoka Clifton 9.
We found that this design provides comfortable landings and adds to the shoe's stability. This is in contrast to some speed-oriented shoes that can be too narrow and feel more wobbly.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 113.3 mm |
Average | 113.6 mm |
Midsole width in the heel
The story is different when we look at the heel. Measuring at 85.2 mm, it's on the narrower side.
We discovered that extreme heel strikers might prefer something Damen in this area like the zapatillas de trekking HOKA ONE ONE suela vibram talla 42.5. While it doesn't have the bouncy foam, it offers more stability for them.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 85.2 mm |
Average | 90.4 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
The Hoka One One BONDI L GTX is STIFF. In our 90-degree bend test, we measured a result of 80.7N, making it one of the stiffest shoes we've ever tested in the lab.
This level of stiffness can be fantastic for snappiness and a springy ride—just what many runners seek in races. However, we found that it might be a bit much for some. If you find this level of stiffness uncomfortable, perhaps a non-plated max-performance shoe like the ASICS Superblast would be a better fit.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 80.7N |
Average | 29.3N |
Оригинал hoka rocket x 2021 мужские кроссовки для бега теннис
After putting the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes, we conducted the stiffness test again in our lab. We measured a result of 90.0N.
The result closely mirrors our room-temperature test.
This top-notch outcome is solely due to the PEBA foam. High-quality foam leads to high-quality outcomes...
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 11.5% |
Average | 36.8% |
Size and fit
Internal length
Even though Hoka's size charts list this shoe at 270 mm, we measured it to be 259.9 mm. This aligns with our initial observations, suggesting the shoe might run a tad short.
But remember, the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX is designed for racing, and some runners do prefer that close fit. Ultimately, it's all about what you feel most comfortable with!
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 259.9 mm |
Average | 269.1 mm |
Toebox width at the widest part
The shoe's tight fit was evident in the toe box as well. We measured it at 89.5 mm, confirming its snug design.
It's simple—this shoe really caters to those with narrow feet. If your feet are of medium width, consider going half a size up. Meanwhile, individuals with Damen feet might want to look at other options.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 89.5 mm |
Average | 98.3 mm |
zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE tope amortiguación talla 46.5
The big toe area is still slightly narrower than what's usually seen. We measured it at 75.4 mm in the lab.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 75.4 mm |
Average | 78.0 mm |
Tongue: gusset type
The tongue of the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX is semi-gusseted, meaning it's partially attached to the sides.
We believe this is an excellent strategy for ensuring a nice lockdown, preventing the annoying tongue shifts that we've observed in racing shoes like the Hoka One One Bondi Sneakers Schwarz.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | Both sides (semi) |
Comfort
Tongue padding
hoka one one stinson atr 6 1110506 biep running shoes.
Yet, it feels incredibly plush when compared to the typical racing shoe tongues, which often come in at under 1 mm. In our lab, we found that the 1.9 mm thickness offers a genuinely comfortable feel for this kind of shoe.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | 1.9 mm |
Average | 5.6 mm |
Heel tab
Hoka decided not to include a heel tab on the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX to reduce its weight a bit. We believe that having one could have made slipping the shoe on a bit easier for some.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | None |
Removable insole
The insole of the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX is removable, which we appreciate for a racing shoe. However, if you're thinking of using third-party insoles or orthotics, you might find it challenging.
As we discussed earlier, this shoe is quite narrow, so the internal space is limited.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | Yes |
Misc
Reflective elements
Hoka chose not to add reflective elements to the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX, and we understand their decision. We mentioned earlier that, for a racing shoe, the Hoka One One BONDI L GTX is a bit on the heavy side.
Adding more weight to a shoe that's mostly going to be used during the day wouldn't be practical.
Hoka One One BONDI L GTX | No |