On longer runs where I worked through the gears to finish at a steady pace it felt fine, but when running fast from the off, the shoe felt huge and clunky. I will say, however, that it’s still not a great shoe for fast stuff. The Bondi X is still fairly soft and cushioned, but the extra pop from the plate makes it better suited to faster running too.

The Bondi X slips a carbon plate into that high stack of cushioning to produce a stiffer, firmer and more versatile ride. The standard Bondi is a popular maximally cushioned shoe whose best quality is how comfortable it is on easy runs. With an eye on these runners who are curious but unsure about carbon shoes, Hoka has pitched its Bondi X as a carbon shoe that will work for runners of all levels. They are often soft and unstable too, which can put runners off, and the misconception that super-shoes are the preserve of the fastest does persist, even though evidence suggests that pretty much any runner can benefit. A major part of that will be the price – many cost over £200 – and part is the lack of durability, with most carbon shoes falling well short of the 700-800km of running you’d expect from a traditional running shoe. Once reserved for elite runners, carbon plate running shoes are increasingly common, and every time I take part in a race I’m struck that they’re worn throughout the field, rather than just by the keenest beans at the front.ĭespite this popularity, many runners would still wouldn’t consider this type of shoe “for them”.

Womens saucony ride 3