Hoka One One Bondi 6

Name: Hoka One One Bondi 6 SKU: 9052015
Uploaded: 2023-01-08
Description: The Hoka One One Bondi 6 is the newest in the line of the Bondi series and with it, they bring a couple upgrades from the past versions. Hoka One One redesigned the upper so you get better ventilatio

Editor rating: 9.3 / 10

User's rating: based on 5 user ratings

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By Jessica Brown

All Hoka One One Shoes

Hoka One One Bondi 6 Review Facts

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The Hoka One One Bondi 6 is the newest in the line of the Bondi series and with it, they bring a couple upgrades from the past versions. Hoka One One redesigned the upper so you get better ventilation in the foot chamber to ensure that your feet are going to stay cooler and dry when you are on the run. You will get an extremely responsive and comfortable ride due to the soft EVA foam that makes up the midsole which runners can appreciate. There are a few things, however, that did not fare so well with this iteration of the Bondi line. This version has lost some of its durability and unfortunately seems to suffer from some premature wear and tear, much to the dismay of many customers. If you do not mind the durability issues and you are looking for a comfortable, breathable, and responsive shoe with a low drop then the Hoka One One Bondi 6 running shoes might be for you.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Great cushioning
Good color options
Breathable
Supportive
High energy return
Decent traction

Cons

Runs narrow
Tongue causes chafing
Needs to be broken in
Durability issues

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What are buyers saying?

We have spent 3 hours analyzing a total of 402 reviews.

These reviews are then categoried into "Positive" and "Negative" feedback.

Below you will read a summary of them:

Positive

The cushioning is plentiful and well-balanced.
These have helped runners train for and run in marathons.
There is a great amount of arch support.
Buyers say these are great walking shoes.
The colors are vibrant.
The support is balanced throughout the shoes.
There are no complaints of foot fatigue even after long days in these shoes.
Some active seniors give these shoes positive reviews.
These are spacious and cushioned enough to prevent extra pressure on bunions.
These work well on treadmills.
These are made with high quality construction.
The well-cushioned sole absorbs the brunt of impact when running.
Even reviewers who struggle with arthritis in their feet say these are comfortable and help them stay active.
These provide a good amount of lateral support.
The heel cup is comfortable yet keeps a strong hold.
The shape of the sole helps to propel you forward.
The fabric of the upper is more durable and more breathable than earlier Bondis.
There are extra lacing eyelets to get a snug tie all the way to the top.

Negative

The toe box is uncomfortably narrow for some people; especially those with wide feet.
The style and look of Bondi 6s don't appeal to everyone. The stack of the sole is a deal breaker for some buyers.
There are a few reports of the sole squeaking.
The upper does not have much flex or give to it.
The even distribution of cushioning on the insole does not work well for all runners.
Reviewers note unhelpful communication with Hoka One One customer service.
The sizing is inconsistent with Bondi 5.
Some reviewers say the tongue slips to the side while walking or running.
The label on the tongue can rub excessively on the ankle.
The laces are brightly colored, and the eyelets are not designed for traditional laces.
Having some more muted color options would be better.
The outsole has worn down quickly for some people.
These may require some break-in time for optimal comfort.
The cushioning can feel compressed within a few months.
These are not recommended for people who underpronate.
The heel cup is too wide for people with narrow ankles.

7.9

Outsole

The Hoka One One Bondi 6 running shoe has a rubber outsole that is made with Hi-Abrasion lightweight rubber strategically placed over the areas of the sole that are most prone to wear to increase the durability of these sneakers. This layer of rubber on the bottom is rather thin to help keep the weight down on the shoes. There is an external pad along the bottom that is made to have full ground contact which essentially means that the shoe contact points are constantly touching the ground. This design helps give you a lot of traction and smoother transitions when you are running.

Midsole

The midsole of the Hoka One One Bondi 6 is made out of a soft EVA foam that gives you amazing cushioning for great comfort. The thick cushioning helps the shoes become more stable for customers. The midsole has a rocker shape thanks to the Early Stage Meta-Rocker Geometry which helps your foot move from the heel to forefront more quickly, this combined with the EVA foam helps give you a responsive ride which runners love.

Upper

The upper of the Hoka One One Bondi 6 is made out of engineered mesh that has an open weave design that gives you amazing air flow into the foot chamber to help your feet stay cool and dry while you are on the run. They have a Lycra frame on the back section to conform to the curve of your heels helping to lock them in place and keep them secure. In addition, there is an internal heel counter that helps the Lyrca secure your foot so you do not slip and slide within your sneakers.

Weight

The Hoka One One Bondi 6 running shoes are relatively lightweight. When it comes to sneakers the lighter the better. You do not want to be in the middle of a race and feel like there are weights on your feet to slow you down. You will not have to worry about that with these sneakers. If you are looking at the men's version of these shoes they are going to weight in at 309 grams (10.9 ounces) and the women's pair weighs 244 grams (8.6 ounces).

Breathability

Breathability is very important when it comes to running shoes. You need something that is going to allow air to flow into the foot chamber to help keep your feet both cool and dry. The uppers of the Bondi 6 are designed with woven mesh to ensure amazing ventilation. The air is able to easily flow into your shoes to keep them cool and it allows the sweat to evaporate quickly and escape the shoes, keeping you dry.

Comfort

Unfortunately, the comfort level of these sneakers is not the best. The cushioning of the midsole does give you a wonderful underfoot experience. However, some customers complained that the shoes can be a bit stiff and they may need to be broken in to be more suitable for their runs. The biggest problem with these sneakers is the tongue. Reviewers said that it rubs against the instep of their feet and can cause sores and blisters which makes it uncomfortable and difficult to run.

Style

One of the better qualities about the Hoka One One Bondi 6 is the look and style of them. There are a couple of color options that you can choose from when purchasing these sneakers. When purchasing these in the women's version you can choose between black on black; Canton, green, and blue slate; blue and green; Marlin and blue ribbon; or boysenberry and blue depths. When deciding if you want to buy the men's version you can choose between alloy and steel gray; black on black; or black iris and storm blue.

Durability

The Hoka One One Bondi 6 running shoes do not seem to have the best durability. There are features incorporated into the design that help make them last longer, but they do not seem to do the job as well as customers would like. The outsole does provide a thin layer of Hi-Abrasion Lightweight Rubber placed sparingly along the bottom where the shoes are more likely to wear down. However, the layer is too thin and not in all of the right places so they still wear down too quickly. Some customers mentioned that they only lasted a couple months before they wore out. It can be very discouraging to spend your hard earned money on a product and have it suffer from premature wear and tear.

Protection

The Hoka One One Bondi 6 running shoes have a few features that are used to help keep you protected. First comes in the way of the midsole. The soft and responsive cushioning helps with amazing shock absorption which will greatly reduce the risk of joint pain or injury that is a common problem with many runners. The outsole of these shoes can also offer some protection as well. Even though the layer of Hi-Abrasion Lightweight Rubber is thin it does still offer an additional barrier between your feet and any sharp objects you may come into contact with when you are running, keeping you protected while on the go.

Responsiveness

The Hoka One One Bondi 6 running shoes offer an impressively responsive ride that customers adore. When a shoe is responsive it means that they can give you a high energy return, or save you some energy when you are running. What happens is, your feet will sink into the foam cushioning with each step you take, and once your foot sinks in the foam will quickly bounce back to its original shape and it will propel you into your next step. That is a little bit of energy that you do not have to spend with each step and you can use that to help you run faster and longer, giving you a little edge if you are participating in a race or running long distances. The soft foam of the EVA foam of these sneakers does all of that for you, giving you a high energy return that you can take advantage of with every step you take!

Support

The Hoka One One Bondi 6 running shoes offer a decent amount of support for runners. The heel area of the upper has a Lycra frame on the outside and an internal heel counter on the inside that work together to ensure that your feet stay locked in place while you are running or walking. You do not want to have to worry about being in the middle of a run and your feet slipping and sliding inside of your shoes or potentially falling out of your sneakers all together. The heel counter in the Bondi 6 works with the lacing system to make sure your feet stay put inside your shoes.

Terrain

The Hoka One One Bondi 6 is considered to be a road running shoe and as such it is recommended that you stick to more flat and non-abrasive surfaces. Many customers stick to paved surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, or paths while they are running outdoors. These are also perfect for those who prefer to do their running on an indoor track or treadmill. You will get a little protection from abrasive surfaces due to the rubber compound on the outsole, however, if you are planning on veering off the beaten path then you might want to consider a trail running shoe instead.

Price

When it comes to purchasing anything, including your running shoes, it is important to keep in mind that you are making an investment and as such you can expect to spend a little more money up front but as long as you make a good investment and purchase a high-quality item then you will not have to spend that money again for quite a while. That being said, the Hoka One One Bondi 6 running sneakers do not seem to be the best investment as customers mentioned that they will suffer from premature wear and tear. These ring up with an MSRP of $150 which is a bit steep for a pair of sneakers, especially a pair that you will probably have to replace after only a short time.

Traction

Having a pair of shoes with great traction is important, and luckily, the outsole of the Bondi 6 features an external pad that has full ground contact. This simply means that there are contact points that constantly touch the surface which greatly increases your traction. These sneakers can hold quite the grip on both wet and dry surfaces so you can rest easy knowing that they will help you stay on your feet while you are on the go.

Flexibility

When you are looking into purchasing running shoes you are going to want to find something that is flexible and will give your feet the freedom to move as naturally as possible without restricting your movements too much. You do not want to feel like your feet are trapped in prison while you are wearing them. That being said, it does not appear that the Hoka One One Bondi 6 sneakers are the most flexible. Many customers said that they feel a bit stiff when they are wearing them, but that will loosen up after some time to break them in. They are not too restrictive, but not as flexible as many customers would have liked.

Stability

The Hoka One One Bondi 6 is considered to be a neutral running shoe and as such does not offer a lot of stability support. If you are one of the thousands of runners in the world that suffer from pronation problems then you may want to consider a more stable shoe as these will not be the best option for you.

Drop

The drop of a shoe is the measurement of the incline of your sneakers. Simply, it is the difference in how high your heel and your toes are off the ground. Your average running shoes have a drop of between 8mm and 12mm with the vast majority falling at the 10mm mark. The Hoka One One Bondi 6 sneakers, however, have a low drop of only 4mm. The drop, for most customers, seems to be a personal preference so if you are looking for something with a low drop then these are going to be perfect for you.

Key Features

-Thick and soft cushioning for added comfort and a responsive ride
-Engineered mesh upper for added breathability
-Hi-Abrasion Lightweight Rubber outsole
-Lycra frame and internal heel counter keeps your foot locked in place

Bottom Line

There are mixed reviews when it comes to the Hoka One One Bondi 6 running shoes. The cushioning is great and they are super comfortable. Runners love the high energy return that they get from the sneakers. However, many do not think those positives outweigh the negatives. They have durability issues and seem to fall apart rather quickly. In addition, they do have a break in period and can feel a bit still at first. If you do not mind that they may suffer from some premature wear and tear then these responsive, breathable, and comfortable shoes might be for you.