by In this comparison, we’ll be looking at two ends of the Hoka brand’s spectrum, comparing the Hoka Rincon vs Bondi. One is the brand’s lightweight road runner that feels fast and light on the feet, while the other is a cushioned and plush fit runner built to take the shock out of logging a lot of miles. So, which one is the right choice for you? Below, I’ll break down the key differences, specs, photos, and provide a more in-depth review. Now, let’s get to the shoes.
HOKA Rincon vs Bondi
- Both are neutral road running shoes. And will be a good choice for the majority of runners.
- The Hoka Rincon is noticeably lighter. Weighing 7.7 oz compared to the 10.7 oz Bondi.
- While the Hoka Bondi features a 4mm drop. While the Rincon has a slightly higher 5mm drop.
- Hoka lists the Rincon as a “Balanced” runner. And have the Bondi listed as “Plush”.
- The Rincon features an “early stage meta rocker”. Which offers some increased speed on the turnover.
- Both have an upper mesh build. And are both good road running shoes for hot weather.
Hoka Rincon
MSRP Price: $125
Men’s – Men’s Link Click Here
Women’s – Women’s Link Click Here
Surface: Road Running
Weight Men’s: 7.7 oz
Weight Woman’s: 7.2 oz
Stability: Neutral
Drop/Offset Men’s: 5mm
Drop/Offset Women’s: 5mm
Cushion: Balanced
Volume – The total volume of foam in the mid sole of the shoe.
Men’s: 603 cm3
Women’s: 462 cm3
Spring – Measurement of the curvature of the shoe, how high the heal and toe are off the ground.
Men’s: 38 x 24 mm
Women’s: 35 x 22 mm
Hoka Bondi
MSRP Price: $160
Men’s: Men’s Link Click Here
Women’s: Women’s Link Click Here
Surface: Road Running
Weight Men: 10.7 oz
Weight Women: 8.9 oz
Stability: Neutral
Drop/Offset Men’s: 4mm
Drop/Offset Women’s: 4mm
Cushion: Plush
Volume – The total volume of foam in the mid sole of the shoe.
Men’s: — cm3
Women’s: — cm3
Spring – Measurement of the curvature of the shoe, how high the heal and toe are off the ground.
Men’s: — x — mm
Women’s: — x — mm
Performance Summary
Hoka running shoes are known for their thick cushion and unique look, both of which have helped them become one of the fastest-growing shoe brands in the world. One of the reasons for this growth is their diverse product line. Below, I’ll break down two completely different feeling shoes from the Hoka lineup: the Hoka Rincon vs Bondi.
Hoka Rincon
Taking the Hoka Rincon out of the box, the first impression is that they are a good-looking shoe with a bit more aggressive lug. They are less bulky compared to other Hoka models and are noticeably lighter, especially compared to the Bondi, which is almost 3 ounces heavier. On the feet, the Rincon has a mild arch, better for those with low to medium arches. They also run a bit more narrow in the toe box than I would have expected. If you’re looking for or need a wider fit, they do offer a “wide version” or you may want to half-size up.
Hitting the road in the Rincon, I was impressed with the overall cushioning and stack height, which is surprising for how light they are. That said, they are nowhere near as cushioned as the Bondi. The Rincon offers a nice balance of cushioning and road feel, which may or may not be what you are looking for. One of the things I enjoyed most about these shoes was the turnover. They are designed to be faster and more nimble shoes, and they feel it when looking to hit the gas. These shoes seem to just fly through your running motion compared to the heavier and more cushioned Hoka shoes.
Overall, the Rincon is a lightweight road runner designed to give you the opposite feel of the Bondi. In these, you are going to feel the ground a bit, and you are really going to get their full benefit when picking up the pace or on race days. That said, if you’re looking for something to log a lot of training miles in, these would not be my first choice for a low and slow road runner.
Hoka Bondi
The Bondi is one of Hoka’s signature shoes, the brand’s most cushioned road running shoe, and has become one of the brand’s top-selling models. Out of the box, the Bondi definitely has the typical Hoka look, featuring a thick stack of cushioning along the bottom. Even before putting them on, you can tell they are a heavy shoe. On the feet, the one word that describes the Bondi is “plush”. There is more than enough cushioning, and wearing them, you could walk across a path of loose Legos without feeling anything. The other thing that stands out is the amount of arch support, which is a bit too much for my liking and probably better suited for medium to high arches.
Taking them out for a run, the Bondi performs very much as advertised. The heavier weight can take a bit of time to get used to when coming from a lighter model. And I wouldn’t classify them as nimble by any means. But for logging a lot of training miles, these shoes definitely have a sweet spot in my heart. The cushion takes all of the road shock out of training, and while I had to work a little harder on the turnover (in turn making my legs stronger), I felt like once I had my cadence down that I could run forever. Reducing recovery time and leg soreness after long back-to-back runs.
Overall, the Hoka Bondi is a shoe that delivers on its designed purpose. If you want a lot of cushion along with a plush feel for running a lot of slower miles, then Bondi hits the nail on the head. My only complaints are the high arch support (really a personal preference) and overall weight, which could be too much, especially for lighter runners.
Image Comparison
Below are images of the Hoka Rincon vs Bondi side by side. In the images, from the side, you can see a lot of similarities in the designs. What’s hard to get is the scale. The Rincon is notably smaller all around.
Hoka Rincon 4 Profile
Hoka Bondi Profile
From the top the two shoes start to look a bit different. With the Bondi featuring more intricacies. And the Rincon being a little more clean and lighter in the upper build.
Rincon Top View
Bondi Top View
The sole and lugs is where we can the designs start to become their own.
Hoka Rincon Soles
Hoka Bondi Soles
Conclusion – HOKA Rincon vs Bondi
One is the brand’s light and nimble road runner, providing just enough cushion while focusing on speed and a quick turnover. The other features the brand’s iconic look and feel, giving you more than enough cushioning and taking away any impact-related injuries you may be facing. So when comparing the Hoka Rincon vs Bondi, which one should you buy?
Which road running shoe to buy?
Like most shoes, making the right choice can come down to what you are using the shoes for. And with these two models, this is really the important question to ask. If you are looking for a shoe to log a lot of training miles at a slower pace or something with a ton of cushion for standing on your feet all day, then I would look at the Bondi. This is also going to be a great choice for heavier runners, where the cushion will help save your joints long term.
Now, if you are looking for something in the Hoka lineup that is designed to be a bit lighter with a quick turnover for race day, then I’m going with the Rincon. Which is one of my favorite shoes for running a half marathon or less. They still have plenty of cushion to get the job done, just not compared to what most people are thinking/looking for when choosing a Hoka shoe.
