Hoka vs. On Cloud Review: Which Is the More Comfortable Sneaker?

• Appearance: 19/20
• Comfort: 20/20
• Stability: 20/20
• Support: 18/20
• Value: 19/20

Total: 96/100

Even before I started seeing them everywhere, I’ve had Hokas on my radar since my boyfriend suffered a serious Lisfranc injury to his foot and found them to be the only sneakers he could comfortably walk in during and after his recovery. (He has multiple pairs but swears by the Challengers, $145.) While I have relatively healthy feet, I did spend my entire 20s in stilettos, so these days I’m looking for a lot of cushy comfort. And that’s just what I found in the Hoka Bondi 8s.

When I first took my pair of Bondi 8s out of the box, I loved the bright, chunky look of them, but I did worry that they looked a little big. Not just height-wise, due to the thicker foam midsole, which I was expecting, but lengthwise. As it turns out, I had nothing to fear. They’re newly designed with an extended heel and flared sole, which means the base reaches past the upper part of the shoe (i.e., where the foot goes) to provide better balance and lots of stability. I easily slipped my feet in, and they fit perfectly, with just the right amount of room to let my toes wiggle. I will add here that I have pretty narrow feet. When I asked my colleague, PureWow’s executive managing editor and experienced runner, Catrina Yohay, for her thoughts on Hoka shoes, she warned, “I have wide feet and the way the foot bed is cut I feel like the mid/inner sole of my foot isn’t supported/is spilling out over the edge.” The good news is that the Bondi 8s are also available in wide-width sizing, which may take care of that issue.

Upon first wear, I was immediately impressed with the ultra-plush memory foam collar and heel counter, which I have found to really cradle my ankles during my runs and boxing sessions. Whenever I get new sneakers, my ankles always need time to adjust to the collar and counter (and will often blister before the shoes are broken in), but not so with the Bondis. There has been no uncomfortable chafing and zero break-in time. Even the tongue of the shoe is padded and pillowy. Of course, none of the comfort and cushiness quite compares to that of the shoe’s foam sole. It’s thick, yes, but so cloudlike and lightweight that it allows for effortless leaping and jumping, all while absorbing the impact when I land (jump squats have never felt better). The thick cushioning does not make my feet feel like they’re sinking in, however. Although they aren’t particularly springy, I find the Bondis to be supportive and buoyant enough to help lift my feet off the ground during my runs and other workouts. Meanwhile, the extended sole supplies fantastic stability, whether I’m panting up a hill, throwing punches into a boxing bag or doing deadlifts. 

My only complaint about the Hoka Bondi 8s is that the insole support feels to be a bit lacking in the arch area. I do have higher arches, though, so this may not be a problem for everyone. Nevertheless, I can confidently say that these are some of the most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever owned.