HOKA BONDI X

£180 Carbon training shoe

The Bondi range is known for its cushioning, and this version comes complete with a carbon fibre plate, the brand’s trademark Meta-Rocker and a 5mm drop. In practice, these elements delivered a smooth, slightly bouncy, but stable ride. They encourage you to push on, while the EVA midsole provides soft cushioning underfoot. Comfort is high, with the latter combining with a breathable mesh upper to good effect. This is clearly a bulky shoe, with a stack height of 33.5mm and a weight of 330g per shoe (UK11). Combined with the soft cushioning, this means the Bondi X wouldn’t be our first choice for longdistance triathlons where we want to push the pace, but it is a great shoe for eating up easy efforts and long miles in training.