Quickly becoming one of the hottest brands in running, Hoka has more than a few models in their lineup worth checking out. In this review, I’ll be breaking down two of the brand’s more cushioned runners: the Hoka Kawana vs. Bondi. The Kawana is one of the brand’s newest running shoes, designed to be functional inside and outside of the gym. On the other hand, the Bondi is one of Hoka’s oldest, most cushioned, and classic road running models. Below, I’ll go over the key differences, specs, and more. So, let’s get to it!
Hoka Kawana vs Bondi
- The Hoka Bondi is a neutral road running shoe. Perfect for runners that do not need support for overpronation.
- While the Hoka Kawana is a “moderate” stability shoe. Which Hoka says for a moderate amount of stability that is still designed to work for neutral gaits.
- Hoka also lists the Kawana as an “active” shoe. With a wider more stable base, meant for workouts beyond just running.
- The Hoka Kawana is the lighter of the two shoes. Weighing 10 oz compared to the Bondi at 10.8 oz.
- Both shoes are listed as “plush” in cushioning by Hoka. And are two of the more plush shoes in the brand’s lineup.
- There is more overall cushion in Hoka Bondi. With a cushion volume of 842 cm3 compared to 712 cm3 in the Kawana.
- The drop in the Hoka Kawana is 5mm. And the drop in the Hoka Bondi is 4mm.
- The Kawana also features the brand’s unique SWALLOWTAIL™. WHich is an extended rear crash pad to ensure proper landing.
Hoka Kawana
MSRP Price: $140
Men’s – Men’s Link Click Here
Women’s – Women’s Link Click Here
Surface: Road Running, Active
Weight Men’s: 10 oz
Weight Woman’s: 8.4 oz
Stability: Moderate
Drop/Offset Men’s: 5mm
Drop/Offset Women’s: 5mm
Cushion: Plush
Volume – The total volume of foam in the mid sole of the shoe.
Men’s: 712 cm3
Women’s: 558 cm3
Spring – Measurement of the curvature of the shoe, how high the heal and toe are off the ground.
Men’s: 33 x 32 mm
Women’s: 31 x 28 mm
Hoka Bondi
MSRP Price: $165
Men’s: Men’s Link Click Here
Women’s: Women’s Link Click Here
Surface: Road Running
Weight Men: 10.8 oz
Weight Women: 8.9 oz
Stability: Neutral
Drop/Offset Mens: 4mm
Drop/Offset Women’s: 4mm
Cushion: Plush
Volume – The total volume of foam in the mid sole of the shoe.
Men’s: 842 cm3
Women’s: 663 cm3
Spring – Measurement of the curvature of the shoe, how high the heal and toe are off the ground.
Men’s: 37 x 25 mm
Women’s: 34 x 23 mm
Performance Summary
One is a hybrid road runner and active shoe cross, aiming to offer people the best of both worlds. While the other is a highly cushioned running shoe that’s been tested for years and is one of the brand’s best sellers. When comparing the Hoka Kawana vs Bondi, it’s challenging to pit them head-to-head without considering their designed purpose. So below, I’ll break down each model in more detail.
Hoka Kawana
Unboxing the Hoka Kawana, my first impression was that they are good-looking shoes. With their bright color options and thick soles, they are easily identifiable as Hoka. If you like or are used to that style, the Kawana will fit right into your lineup. The few things that stand out about the shoe are the weight; they are slightly heavy compared to other “active” shoes. Another distinctive feature is the shoe’s new “swallowtail” crash pad on the back, giving the shoes a very unique and identifiable look.
On the feet, the Kawana does feel a bit heavier than most other shoes, but when compared to the Bondi, they are lighter. The extra weight in the Kawana comes from the shoe’s added cushioning and active foot frame. They do a great job of taking away the road shock from running, and the active foot frame provides just enough stability. I don’t typically run in a stability shoe but found the Kawana to offer a nice bit of support.
Taking the shoe to the gym and testing its “active” capabilities, I found the Kawana to be very stable and great for basic functional fitness and classes like Orange Theory and Pure Barre. However, I wouldn’t recommend using them for heavy lifting or CrossFit. Overall, I was impressed with the balance between running and active fitness, and the Kawana could end up being a good fit in the Hoka lineup.
Hoka Bondi
The Hoka Bondi is one of the brand’s longest-running models and for good reason. When first looking at the Bondi, it’s a substantial shoe, both in weight and overall size. The amount of sole thickness on the Bondi stands out, making it the most cushioned shoe Hoka offers in its lineup. The brand even offers the Bondi X, the same shoe featuring a carbon plate for “super shoe” performance.
When putting on the Hoka Bondi, they feel heavy, but once your feet hit the ground, the extra weight makes sense. These shoes have so much cushion and take out any and all road shock when running, perfect for logging a ton of training miles. If you are a bigger runner, the Bondi will probably add years to your joints. The shoe features a bit of rock to propel you and the shoe’s weight forward, which may take a few runs to get used to if you’re coming from another brand.
The few negatives I can find when it comes to Bondi are less negatives and more personal preferences. First, the shoes have a lot of arch support, and if you have a lower arch, this can be noticeable, especially at first until the padding breaks in a bit. Second, the amount of weight to spring ratio just doesn’t feel perfect to me. I think a lot of this has to do with my height/weight/stride ratio, and I know a lot of runners, mostly taller or heavier, will only run in the Bondi.
Image Comparison
Hoka Kawana Profile
Hoka Bondi Profile
From the top the two running shoes the two things that stand out are the extended tail and wider outer sole on the Kawana. This will be much more obvious in the sole pictures below.
Next is the wider toe box on the Bondi. Which is slightly larger when comparing the two.
Kawana Top View
Bondi Top View
Below you can really notice the Kawana’s rear “swallowtail” extended crash pad. And the wider stance around the midsole. As the Bondi has much more curve to the design.
Hoka Kawana Soles
Hoka Bondi Soles
Conclusion – HOKA Kawana vs Bondi
The Kawana is the brand’s first real crossover, with a focus on being a confident road runner while also performing well in the gym. In contrast, the Bondi is a true roadrunner through and through, not one I would recommend for workouts. However, the Bondi is the purer and better-performing road runner.
Which road running shoe to buy?
This is the most significant difference between the two shoes. If you are looking for a true road running shoe, the Bondi is the better choice. It excels in straight routes, providing maximum cushioning as it is designed to do, and it does it very well.
However, if you want something versatile that you can wear into a fitness class setting, then the Kawana’s wider and more stable base is better suited for lifting or lateral movements, making it the better choice.