When I first saw a coworker wearing a pair 2 years ago I thought those are the ugliest shoes I’ve ever laid eyes on. The heels are too thick and almost reminds me of those specially made shoes for uneven lower limb. We got to talking and she expressed how comfortable they are, very pricey but comfortable. I thought about it, went online but I couldn’t bring myself to put a pair in the basket. I work in healthcare so I’m on my feet all day except for when I’m sitting down to grab a bite. A reputable uniform establishment visit my work place several times throughout the year so I don’t venture too far for work attire. With that being said I have tried the latest, the best and most worn footwear from (Brooks to Snoop Do double G don’t know if I am allowed to mention names but it’s facts). The reputable thing about this establishment is their return policy, and with people bragging on names, I’ve bought worn even tried replacing the insoles but ended up returning them for lack of everything they advertised. I enjoyed walking and this I wasn’t able to do and with the ongoing pain and discomfort in my feet, knees, and bottom of my feet at the end of my workday, I was in need of a miracle. I had inquired about HOKA but they told me it is a conflict for them to sell because they sell a certain previously mentioned shoes. So I told myself if HOKA can’t come to me I will go and find HOKA. The thing is I’ve been disappointed so many times, invested so much money in footwear I refused to waste another dollar and I refuse to purchase online. I want to walk into a physical building try on and walk around for a good 10 minutes in the next pair on sneakers I intend to purchase. I visited a couple of stores just to be told we don’t carry those, so the last one who told me that I asked “so who does?” They told me Dick’s so off I went, I slipped my feet in the first pair and I immediately felt like I was floating around in the store. Breast cancer awareness month was approaching so I secured a pink pair, then I tried another pair for weekend wear and that one felt like I was walking on clouds. My nine year was with me and she wanted a pair unbeknownst to me they have them for kids. We literally walked out with 3 pairs of HOKA that day, When I said literally the last pair I tried I never took it off my feet. I now have 4 pairs of HOKA and I must say these are the best investment I’ve ever made.Every time some ask me about my HOKA I tell them the truth, 2 years ago I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a pair but these shoes have turned my world upside down . They have transformed my life and my lifestyle I even have a pair for church so my praise and worship is not hindered.

A few years ago I was introduced to Hoka sneakers and fell madly in love with them. I stand on my feet all day for work, and the previous model of the Bondi 7's that I have worn have been fantastic. I wanted a new brighter color for a change so I ordered my first pair of the Bondi 8's. While the shoe seems as comfortable as all my others in the previous model (I haven't really had a chance to wear them all day yet to know for sure) there are a few cosmetic issues that I absolutely hate about them.

I get my shoes in wide so that I can fit my arch support inserts in them comfortably. I also always purchase them half a size larger so that I have plenty of toe room. That preference comes from years of wearing Birkenstocks and letting my feet spread out more. The fit seems the same from that aspect.

For some reason on this new model they flared out the rubber bottoms in the front so that they look like clown shoes. The wide fit in the shoe itself is exactly the same just for some reason they wanted to change the streamlined look of the previous model and widen the appearance of the rubber underneath the cloth. I really wish they gave you an option of including pictures with the review so I could put my 7's beside my new 8's and you could see what I'm talking about, it's extremely obvious when they're side-by-side.

They also shortened the length of the shoelaces by several inches. I lace mine all the way back to the last hole and there's barely enough left over to tie it tight when I put it on. It's not like the shoelaces come in colors that make it easily available to match in a longer length if I wanted to replace them. Maybe Hoka offers that option and I should look into it. I shouldn't have to spend more money for shoelaces that fit though.

Because of these two cosmetic issues I'm not sure I would buy another pair of the Bondi 8. I'll wait until the next version comes out, hoping that they'll go back to the more streamlined style and shoelace length of the 7's.

I've been wearing Hokas since 2015. I have run and walked thousands of miles in them and have purchased and loved dozens of pairs. So when I recently ordered two pairs of the Bondi 8, I had no reason to think they would be anything other than perfect. But the quality and workmanship of both pairs deviate in critical respects from every other pair of Hokas I've ever purchased. First, neither has the same cushioning of any of my prior pairs. This is true even though all of my old pairs have many miles on them. Second, the Bondi 8's are not as balanced and instead, force my foot into a pronated position. This is unlike any of my other pairs. Third, both pairs hit my ankle bone higher than previous iterations and are stiffer, so that is uncomfortable. Fourth, the insoles in one of the two pairs are stiff and seem to curve inward so that they actually cut into my feet. In short, the quality and workmanship are lacking, and I can't tell you how disappointed I am because Hokas have been a mainstay of my life 9 years. I am at a loss as to what I will be able to replace them with. If the problem had been with just one of the two pairs, I would think the lesser quality was an anomaly. But both pairs are flawed and uncomfortable compared to all my other pairs of Hokas. With increasing popularity, is your company cutting corners? Cutting back on quality control? Switching out for less expensive materials? I haven't yet returned them because frankly, doing so takes time and I've been too busy and disappointed to mess with it. But I intend to return both pairs even though what I want more than anything are quality Hokas like those I've worn for almost a decade.

2009 introduced Hoka East Bay CA running store Forward Motion. Runner for 30 yrs. 35 miles/wk until I could not physically 5 yrs ago. The Stinson (after enduring foot, spinal disc replacement surgery) enabled me to cheat run 3-5 miles with little pain. Past 4 yrs running not option but happy to be a fast walker. still have mod/severe cervical pain which needs an intervention, my back still suffers from pain due autoimmune disorders. Obviously posture, correct shoes game changer for everyone The only shoe from Hoka that worked was Bondi l 7 sold 2yrs ago. I have very flat feet, pain the ball, pronated, bunions under big toe medium width.In athletic women shoes wear size 8. The 1st pair I received was lunar/mist core. Life changer experience in the best way. I wore them indoors was heaven , then finally took them outside on trail for brisk 2 mile walk. Although I live in pain and will be having some less invasive procedures (I already have lumbar/sacral disc replacements that 20 yrs old) for 1st time walking even with good posture "didn't worsen my daily pain "and the comfort level was 10! Needless to say immediately wanted to stock up and purchase in event the line changes. The Bondi I have has numbers/letters on the upper side of the sole. I reordered the black with white sole. Big NO! Toe bed narrower and much less cushion, so reordered another again bad fit. All 3 pair have same manufacturers numbers on the upper side sole. I did call customer service, wonderful helpful person, to discuss prior to repurchasing hoping the 1st black was fluke. NOPE uncomfortable. Not tried any of the seasonal and hoping reviewers start comment which shoe and COLOR they purchase to help this company sort out these continued discrepancies. My whole life I loved being on my feet , chose careers or jobs to pay for the schooling ..now no longer a RN or able to work being able to walk comfortably is life changing for me and all these folks commenting