Hoka One One Bondi 4. Is this FINALLY a truly great Hoka Shoe?

These have been out since at least mid-February. I ordered mine from RRS. It is hard to believe the Hoka site has them on backorder until July.

The padded tongue and the general fit (not as loose) are a major improvement on the Bondi 3.

The definitely improved the shoe over the horrible version 3. But still a sloppy fit for me.

The older Bondi 2 helped me recover from PF two years ago, but the shoe is too big for a forefoot striker. I tried the Clifton's last month but had to return them -- too stiff, ill fitting, and just not conducive to smooth running for a mid-forefoot striker.

The Challenger remains the only Hoka I can wear and I have to say I'm liking it more and more every time I run in it.

Since you seem to be looking for something cushioned yet comfortable, may I suggest the Skechers Ultra 2? When I think of Skecher, I think of skateboarders, but this U2 is one heckuva shoe. Cushioning I would say is almost like the Stinson with a nice wide toe box and very comfortable upper fit. I've heard they don't wear very well, but for 80 bucks a throw, who cares?

These are the most ugly shoes!

Not as loose? I tried on three models of Hoka a few months ago and found them all to be too narrow in the forefoot. I prefer a wider shoe, but still, you'd think one model would be wide enough for me.

elmore345 wrote:

These are the most ugly shoes!

SFW?

isn't the challenger basically the clifton with a beefier sole?

Shawn H wrote:

I will definitely try these on.after they come out in July.

What are you, a Hoka rep giving the message board backhanded promotional ads?

Is this like, your runners diary to my decision to buy a pair of shoes?

If you want to talk about the shoes, just try and start an intelligent conversation for a change.

Guy who wears Hoka's wrote:

Shawn H wrote:

I will definitely try these on.after they come out in July.

What are you, a Hoka rep giving the message board backhanded promotional ads?

Is this like, your runners diary to my decision to buy a pair of shoes?

If you want to talk about the shoes, just try and start an intelligent conversation for a change.

Shawn does a good job giving the boards information on shoes - he talks about several brands in detail - it's useful stuff - esp on Adidas.

dc wonk wrote:

The older Bondi 2 helped me recover from PF two years ago, but the shoe is too big for a forefoot striker. I tried the Clifton's last month but had to return them -- too stiff, ill fitting, and just not conducive to smooth running for a mid-forefoot striker.

Completely agree, Hoka's are not great shoes for mid or forefoot strike. You can get by but there's alot better out there.

Skechers are making some, if not the best shoes right now with an incredible price tag.

agip wrote:

Guy who wears Hoka's wrote:

What are you, a Hoka rep giving the message board backhanded promotional ads?

Is this like, your runners diary to my decision to buy a pair of shoes?

If you want to talk about the shoes, just try and start an intelligent conversation for a change.

Shawn does a good job giving the boards information on shoes - he talks about several brands in detail - it's useful stuff - esp on Adidas.

Thanks, agip. As I have said over and over again, I DO NOT work for a shoe company, and I get nothing but an occasional thank you from LRCers for posting about shoes. I have never run in Hokas, and unless their price drops way down and/or they address some of the issues I have with their shoes, I won't ever buy them. I often read the shoe reviews of other posters, and I appreciate them. We runners have only one piece of equipment that is so important to us, and that is our shoes.