First Look: Hoka One One Bondi B Running Shoe

"I think being different, going against the grain of society, is the greatest thing in the world." - Elijah Woods

As individuals, we were never designed to fit neatly into a one-size-fits-all box. In an attempt to conform to that which is deemed “popular” we relinquish our individuality in an attempt to accommodate the wishes of others.

The same is can be said for the equipment we depend on day in and out. At the end of the day, corporations are no different from individuals, they are susceptible to falling in line with the latest trends and fads.

Towards this end, Hoka One One is charting a distinct course that stands apart from the rest of the running world. While much of the early refocus of this new era of shoe design has been around minimalism and less cushioning, Hoka One One has pursued innovation in an entirely different direction.

The Hoka One One shoes are engineered for maximum cushioning, comfort, protection and energy return, while still offering lightweight, nimble performance and uninhibited movement.

With the goal of designing shoes for optimal performance, comfort, efficiency and fun, Hoka One One has pioneered a new philosophy in running by merging aspects of minmalism and maximal- ism. The design guru’s at Hoka One One have incorporated several of the key performance traits of the oversized technology trend in skiing, mountain biking, golf, tennis, while also paying heed to recent footwear advances that aid in natural foot motion and efficient running mechanics.

Foam in the midsoles of Hoka shoes is 30 percent softer than the material used in traditional running shoes, and there is 2.5 times more midsole volume than in most running shoes. 50 percent increase in outsole surface area (com-pared to traditional running shoes) improves grip and stability.

The additional surface area allows greater contact with the ground, allowing the runner’s foot to dynamically engage the ground while the shoe’s outsole gains traction on pavement, dirt trails or rocky surfaces.

Hoka One One notes that “Running in Hoka shoes is like nothing you’ve ever experienced, and it’s something you’ll never forget. Unlike shoes that produce a hard or rigid feeling, Hokas offer up luxurious softness and a sensation of weightlessness.” While our field team has only put limited miles on the shoes thus far, there’s no doubt that running in the Bondi B is like nothing we’ve ever experienced.

In the early testing stages the Hoka One One innovation combination of minmalism and maximal- ism does deliver a near floating sensation during runs that reduces fatigue in the runner's feet, legs and core. One thing is for certain, on downhill runs the Bondi B leaves you feeling as though you’ve stepped outside of the Space Shuttle Atlantis for a weightless space jog.

Over the next several months our Gumption Gear team of runners, triathletes and fitness junkies will be putting the Hoka One One Bondi B Road Shoes to the test.  We will continue to examine functionality, features, impact of the technological innovations and of course the long term durability and gumption of Bondi B Runners.