HOKA - Bondi B 2 (HOK0026)

Almost all companies, including Hoka, are making what I'd call "normal" running shoes. My perspective on "normal" - I started running in fall 1980 for ski team training in a pair of adidas lowcut basketball shoes. Didn't understand the difference between them and running shoes. My first real running shoes, a year later, were Brooks Vantage Supreme, followed by a pair of Saucony Jazz, then a pair of Brooks Chariots. Amazing how I can remember all that like it was 5 years ago. 2001-2021 I coached a D2 college XC team, we had a Brooks preferred buyer program so I got very familiar with the Brooks line. I also work for a company that produces running races, 2012-2023 our largest race was sponsored by Hoka, so I became very familiar with their line. I gotta say, when we started with Hoka I was extremely skeptical of their designs. I've always liked more minimalistic shoes like the Brooks Burn and Launch - still "normal" shoes but on the lighter and more flexible side of the equation. I remember rolling my eyes at Hoka's original designs and saying to myself, "fine, I'll wear these on raceday to fulfill the sponsorship, but I'm not going to be wearing them for my training." And then I actually ran in them, the Bondi 2. They worked great for me. But I digress... Like I said, lots of "big' shoes these days, but most everybody still makes some "normal" models. For Hokas, check out the Rincon and Mach. I'm not super familiar with their line these days because our sponsorship ended, but I still have a pair of each of those models in my rotation and they're close to normal. For Brooks, check out the Revel, the Stack, the Ghost. The Ghost sole looks thicker than it is because it kind of wraps up, so your foot sits lower than it would appear.

Same with my Hoka Bondi OG :)

From this, personally, I find NB super comfortable, but the foam does 'die' a bit earlier. I think if you're after a versatile trainer, Clifton is meant to be great daily (I have the Bondi for easy/recovery). They're meant to be a bit more durable too, I like the Vomero (just from trying on, not running), but they're soo soft I'd worry they would break down faster than the clifton

Hoka bondi - very soft, too soft for me, Hoka clifton - soft, harder than bondi - mu daily choice.

Shoes are so personal so what helps one person’s back or feet may not for another. Do you live somewhere you can go try them on? I run in Hoka Mach 6 (I know nothing about them, I just went to a running store and tried shoes on til I found what felt good) and I wear Bondi ones at work (healthcare on my feet all day)

Hoka bondi wide & go to a shoe store & be properly sized

If you can find the HOKA sales on shoppee you might be able to find on in your price range. Can’t go wrong with the Clifton or bondi series.

I have hallux limitus so need stiff rockered shoes. I’ve therefore spent a lot of money arrive at this. Base mileage at slow pace: Hoka Bondi / Puma Magmax v1 Quicker workouts: Nike Zoom Fly 6 / Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Long Runs: ASICS Superblast 2 Race Day: Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

They are my favorites and I have two pairs in wide. However you are correct, they are not quite wide enough for my feet, so will be looking for a new shoe soon. But I loooove them otherwise!

I also like my Bondis for speed work! Planning to run my first marathon in them too. I like that they’re supportive without feeling too clunky