The Bondi SR is one of the best slip resistant shoes I have worn in professional kitchens over the past 20 plus years. They are not light in weight by running shoe standards, but they are certainly light compared to most approved slip resistant industry shoes on the market. They are on back order right now for good reason. I would love to see Hoka expand even more on the SR market with updated versions and new designs.
I imagine they are excellent if used for their purpose. I think I bought without knowing the strengths of them. They have held up really well though. I ended up keeping my pair as a backup shoe (esp since they were so pricey).
Thank you for this updated review! Especially for the BONDI SR'S . I am a 6 year restaurant worker on my feet for 25-30hr weeks. I've been looking at Hokas for some time now because sketchers/ vans and other top SR shoe brands just don't hold up. After 6 months they start to deteriorate. And they are all so pricey. I know I'll probably be a little harder on them than just casual walking but seeing the condition of yours after a year is really reassuring! I can see how the weight of the shoe from a runners perspective can be a bit of a negative, but as a service worker I need a good sturdy shoe for flat grounds to avoid trips & falls on carpet, tiling and concrete. It seems Hoka really thought about service workers with these...Thank you for your review. I'm sold on Hoka SR.
Let me know how it goes. I didn't use mine in a kitchen or anything more challenging, but I did do a lot of walking on cement when traveling and the soles do seem as good as new. The heel area got worn down (as noted in the video) but all my HOKAs have had that issue, and it's probably more that I don't ever untie them when slipping on and off, which never helps the heel area much.
I was trying to wait out if hoka had any black friday deals! but of course the bondi SR is "excluded from promos" *facepalm* will buy them this week since I had no luck. @@JayCapo
Great review! I had an acl tear a couple years back playing basketball, and at age 40 now, am starting to slow down (just mainly want casual comfort shoes for walking/standing). A friend recommended the Bondi 8’s and when I went to try them on they felt great, but they looked pretty clunky to me, specifically the width (they looked almost like clown shoes). That being said, do you think the Bondi 7s would solve that clown shoe concern for me?? Thanks for your time and hope to hear back.
Glad you liked them. Yeah, the cushion and shock absorption are excellent. I wear nothing but HOKA now. The 7s are about the same as the 8s, so it will stick look a little wide. I find the solid black ones help. But also, they are getting very popular now and even celebrities sport HOKAs a lot these days. Thus, "wide shoes" are sort of becoming more common and fashionably acceptable. I hope. :)
Thanks for the quick response. Thats what I feared about the 7s… maybe i’ll just try the Clifton 9s. They seemed like a compromise, but not near as comfy as the Bondi. What do you think?
@@jamesmateik8150 I've not tried those. Buying direct from HOKA does allow for their great return policy though, so if they don't fit or look right, you can just return and get something else.
You should get some locklaces .. dont have to untie/tie that way but can still adjust so dont have to tear the heel up forcing foot in. I havent used locklaces yet cuz just recently taken interest in walking / shoes but im going to get locklaces for my bondi when it arrives
@@Cirwo085 Very well. You've convinced me to try them out. I ordered a pair for my Hoka Bondi 8, and it arrives tomorrow. I'll review them if I like them. Well, I'll review them either way. Ha!
@renaissancejames nice! I got mine for $5.88 at walmart. Also, I still haven't got my bondi 8 (I went DHG knockoff so longer wait) but I'm using the locklaces on my On Cloudmonster shoes that arrived. Works great 👍 And also, quick testimony; Jesus Christ delivered me from meth Adderall cigs alcohol and all other sins I was practicing back in 2014. No rehab or any other outside help. Just the Lord and His Word. Eternal life in Christ alone. Be sure not to neglect your salvation/not to forfeit your soul. Wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal thru Jesus Christ our Lord. He paid a high price, His blood on the cross, for our redemption. He is worthy of all praise and glory and honor! God calls you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord 1 cor. 1:9. Amen 🙏
@renaissancejames also fyi you don't have to switch out your laces. You could just put the locks on your original shoe laces . Probably more comfortable
Oh yeah! I forgot about that. But I definitely experienced that sometimes on clean wooden floors and such. I don't think much can be done about that though.
do you have the same size in all bondi styles? i had the bondi sr for a year and loved them and just ordered the bondi 8 in the same size(8.5Wide)- but am finding my toes a bit squished around the width. Do you find the fabric gives a bit?
Yeah, I always buy the same size. I guess I find the Bondi 8 a tiny bit more snug than the Bondi 7, though not a huge amount. The 7s just seem a little wider in the middle.
You say that 'of course you don' t run in SR'. But why is that exactly? The weight, non existent breathability or Just the fact they were made for walking? I am looking for something to run in wet and cold conditions. Bondi Sr and Challenger GTX are the main contenders right now. But it's impossible to find runners' review of SRs
I guess one "could" run in them, though the soles are not like the other running shoes from HOKA. They are hard and rubbery, not the soft foam. Perhaps with a foam insert they could be used that way, but I dunno. Just might not work well. HOKA offers free returns though. Perhaps give it a shot?
The Bondi SR is one of the best slip resistant shoes I have worn in professional kitchens over the past 20 plus years. They are not light in weight by running shoe standards, but they are certainly light compared to most approved slip resistant industry shoes on the market. They are on back order right now for good reason. I would love to see Hoka expand even more on the SR market with updated versions and new designs.
I imagine they are excellent if used for their purpose. I think I bought without knowing the strengths of them. They have held up really well though. I ended up keeping my pair as a backup shoe (esp since they were so pricey).
I’d personally love to see them expand into making work boots. I love my Bondi sr but it’s not steel toe so at work I can’t wear it
Thank you for this updated review! Especially for the BONDI SR'S . I am a 6 year restaurant worker on my feet for 25-30hr weeks. I've been looking at Hokas for some time now because sketchers/ vans and other top SR shoe brands just don't hold up. After 6 months they start to deteriorate. And they are all so pricey. I know I'll probably be a little harder on them than just casual walking but seeing the condition of yours after a year is really reassuring! I can see how the weight of the shoe from a runners perspective can be a bit of a negative, but as a service worker I need a good sturdy shoe for flat grounds to avoid trips & falls on carpet, tiling and concrete. It seems Hoka really thought about service workers with these...Thank you for your review. I'm sold on Hoka SR.
My wife had Reebok work n cushion, which were very light and cheap, but quite comfy
Let me know how it goes. I didn't use mine in a kitchen or anything more challenging, but I did do a lot of walking on cement when traveling and the soles do seem as good as new. The heel area got worn down (as noted in the video) but all my HOKAs have had that issue, and it's probably more that I don't ever untie them when slipping on and off, which never helps the heel area much.
ddi you buy the bondi sr?
I was trying to wait out if hoka had any black friday deals! but of course the bondi SR is "excluded from promos" *facepalm* will buy them this week since I had no luck. @@JayCapo
Great review! I had an acl tear a couple years back playing basketball, and at age 40 now, am starting to slow down (just mainly want casual comfort shoes for walking/standing). A friend recommended the Bondi 8’s and when I went to try them on they felt great, but they looked pretty clunky to me, specifically the width (they looked almost like clown shoes). That being said, do you think the Bondi 7s would solve that clown shoe concern for me?? Thanks for your time and hope to hear back.
Glad you liked them. Yeah, the cushion and shock absorption are excellent. I wear nothing but HOKA now.
The 7s are about the same as the 8s, so it will stick look a little wide. I find the solid black ones help. But also, they are getting very popular now and even celebrities sport HOKAs a lot these days.
Thus, "wide shoes" are sort of becoming more common and fashionably acceptable. I hope. :)
Thanks for the quick response. Thats what I feared about the 7s… maybe i’ll just try the Clifton 9s. They seemed like a compromise, but not near as comfy as the Bondi. What do you think?
@@jamesmateik8150 I've not tried those. Buying direct from HOKA does allow for their great return policy though, so if they don't fit or look right, you can just return and get something else.
You should get some locklaces .. dont have to untie/tie that way but can still adjust so dont have to tear the heel up forcing foot in. I havent used locklaces yet cuz just recently taken interest in walking / shoes but im going to get locklaces for my bondi when it arrives
Interesting. But yeah, the backs have worn down on almost all my pairs. Kind of frustrating.
@renaissancejames been using my lovk laces fir a few days now. Turns the shoes into slippers basically 😆
@@Cirwo085 Very well. You've convinced me to try them out. I ordered a pair for my Hoka Bondi 8, and it arrives tomorrow.
I'll review them if I like them.
Well, I'll review them either way. Ha!
@renaissancejames nice! I got mine for $5.88 at walmart. Also, I still haven't got my bondi 8 (I went DHG knockoff so longer wait) but I'm using the locklaces on my On Cloudmonster shoes that arrived. Works great 👍
And also, quick testimony; Jesus Christ delivered me from meth Adderall cigs alcohol and all other sins I was practicing back in 2014. No rehab or any other outside help. Just the Lord and His Word. Eternal life in Christ alone. Be sure not to neglect your salvation/not to forfeit your soul. Wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal thru Jesus Christ our Lord. He paid a high price, His blood on the cross, for our redemption. He is worthy of all praise and glory and honor! God calls you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord 1 cor. 1:9. Amen 🙏
@renaissancejames also fyi you don't have to switch out your laces. You could just put the locks on your original shoe laces . Probably more comfortable
The SR is so squeeky in the hospital floors! Any tips on how to soften the squeak?
Oh yeah! I forgot about that. But I definitely experienced that sometimes on clean wooden floors and such. I don't think much can be done about that though.
do you have the same size in all bondi styles? i had the bondi sr for a year and loved them and just ordered the bondi 8 in the same size(8.5Wide)- but am finding my toes a bit squished around the width. Do you find the fabric gives a bit?
Yeah, I always buy the same size. I guess I find the Bondi 8 a tiny bit more snug than the Bondi 7, though not a huge amount. The 7s just seem a little wider in the middle.
You say that 'of course you don' t run in SR'. But why is that exactly? The weight, non existent breathability or Just the fact they were made for walking?
I am looking for something to run in wet and cold conditions. Bondi Sr and Challenger GTX are the main contenders right now. But it's impossible to find runners' review of SRs
I guess one "could" run in them, though the soles are not like the other running shoes from HOKA. They are hard and rubbery, not the soft foam. Perhaps with a foam insert they could be used that way, but I dunno. Just might not work well. HOKA offers free returns though. Perhaps give it a shot?
The time it takes to notify you by email of your purchase can take 30 minutes... As of Feb 2024
Good to know.