HOKA (and don't call them HOKA One One anymore, they've dropped that part of the nomenclature) is on an expansion kick. From their original line-up of oversized midsole shoes to now, the goal has always to become a fully-fledged running manufacturer. They've been moving in that direction for years, first with the purchase by Deckers to bringing dozens of additions to the footwear line-up and now deep into the running apparel game. They're also on a hiring kick, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outdoor industry continues to boom.
With that in mind, HOKA brought to market two new releases for the fall time frame: the Bondi X and the Zinal. We'll take a look at both of them.
Bondi X: Is It Really a Bondi?
The Bondi X is the attempt to expand the Bondi product line beyond HOKA's flagship shoe. It features a similar geometry to the core Bondi, but adds a carbon plate to it, adding some stiffness to the Bondi formula. For more detail on the core of the shoe, and for another opinion on the Bondi X, you can read Dan's take on the Bondi X here.
Here's the thing, though: I find the Bondi X to be much like the Clifton Edge. As in: "is this really a Bondi?" And my answer is "no." I, like Dan, loved the Bondi B. My PR off the bike in a race was set in a pair of Bondi B's that I put on for the first time in transition on race morning. I loved that shoe. In my opinion, what makes a Bondi a Bondi are a lightweight for the amount of cushioning offered; a stable ride underfoot due to the width of the platform; and an upper that, combined with midsole wrap, holds the midfoot in place while still allowing the forefoot to splay well.
The Bondi X, meanwhile, is harsher riding than its non-X counterpart. Although the cushioning comes alive when running downhill, on flatter terrain it borders on stiff. The best analogy I can think of is a car with a "sport" suspension that hasn't had much other modification to it -- it mangles the ride without improving the rest of the vehicle dynamics. I point the finger here at the carbon plate -- I simply don't think it's well advised to put that in a shoe that likely would get used everyday.
And that's the underlying dilemma when it comes to the Bondi X: because it's tied to the flagship Bondi product line, it's bound to be viewed as an everyday run shoe replacement. And unlike the Bondi B, this isn't a one-quiver shoe. It's a specialist. Put it in the same category as, say, a Saucony Endorphin Speed, or a Nike Zoom Fly -- shoes meant to mimic some of the ride characteristics of the real, top-dollar racing shoes but used for some faster training runs. But, in my opinion, don't expect it to be the new, all-the-time Bondi.
MSRP: $200
Available: Now
The Zinal: A New Leader
As I've written before, a trail shoe is damn near the perfect winter running shoe for those of us in the northeast. Here at Slowtwitch's Tundra Division outpost, my road will be frozen hardpack, deep mud, ice covered, and everything in between. (And usually all within the same two week time period, no less). Trail shoes often give the traction you need without resorting to YakTrax or other devices, and now often will give you the additional cushioning you need on a variety of surfaces.
According to HOKA, the Zinal sits as their shorter distance and more responsive trail running shoe. In a size 9, it weights 8.5 ounces and features a heel-to-toe offset of 5mm. It's also lower to the ground than your traditional HOKA, with a midsole maximum height of 33 millimeters. In general, this shouldn't be a recipe for a killer HOKA experience.
And yet, my goodness, they've knocked this one out of the park by comparison to the Bondi X. I've run in this shoe when my road is very firm, very sloppy, and everything in between. It handles it all with aplomb. The Vibram outsole provides grip when you need it without being too aggressive from a lug perspective to become bulky when you transition onto firmer surfaces. It's also quite flexible for a HOKA; it runs much more like, say, a Brooks Pure series shoe from a few years back. And I'll be honest -- I miss those shoes.
The only drawback here is that, because the midsole doesn't envelope your foot, HOKA has opted for a much flatter sockliner in the shoe. As I get older, I find I really like having a shoe that has a medium-to-higher arched sockliner. Although it's not much, it just adds to the overall comfort experience. But that's really the only complaint I can come up with. And considering today's shoes, that's a pretty high compliment.
MSRP: $160
Available Now
A Note on Availability
Folks, the run shoe business is about to go into the same supply chain crisis that we've been seeing on the bike side. And unlike bikes, you can't exactly get a lot of life out of a used pair of running shoes. HOKA is not an exception to this rule. If you spot something you like, get it now. But you'll also likely need to be flexible in your choices. Be prepared to diversify your run shoe portfolio from one brand or model.
