Old falling-apart woman here. On the advice of a few ST peeps a while back, I got a pair of Bondi Bs and like them real well, even though the $170 price tag kind of blew my mind. They suit my Birmingham left hip resurfacing and my failing right hip really well and keep me moving forward. But I don’t like to wear one pair of shoes exclusively. Thinking about picking up a pair of Speed, S, or S2. Since the Bondi B works well for me, I’m hesitant to pick up a different model but the colors of the Bondi B line are really sucky. (yeah, it matters.) Are there significant differences between the different Hoka road models, or should I stick to what works?
Thanks for your thoughts. You guys are great. The guys at the local running store say to stop, but I figure I’ve already worn everything out so why stop now? Nothing left to break.
Hi DB, old guy with bilateral Birmingham HR’s here. I’ve been back running for 21 months and I got my first Hokas 3 months into my comeback. My first pair were Stinson EVO’s that I mailed ordered from The Tri Shop. For my second pair I was able to try them on at the local running store and I chose the Bondi B because it felt more supportive. The Stinsons feel softer, more cushy but I like the feel of the Bondi better. I just got a second pair of Bondi’s for 20% off on Labor day sale from The Tri Shop. Watch for a good Black Friday Sale from Boca Hawaii. My wife got here first pair there for a very nice price.
I had my bilateral HR’s done by Dr Scott Marwin at NYU Hospital for Joint Desease on 11/15/2011 and it all has been going great. I know your HR hip must be good, how is the other one feeling?
My understanding is the bondi speed is identical to the bondi, just with the speed laces. The Mafate is quite a bit heavier but its got a huge lugged sole for traction on technical terrain (trail running).
Here is a good explanation of the models and differences.
Thanks for the response. Bilateral! Man, I couldn’t have done that, I don’t think. Kudos on you. The left BHR hip is 110 percent. The right is bad enough that the doc said to bypass all the preliminary rigamarole and just make an appt. to have 'er done. So I guess it’s maybe 95 percent shot. Trusting I have enough left to finish IMAZ in November, then it’s a toss-up between a new shoulder & a new hip. Osteoarthritis sux. My doc was Brooks at the Cleveland Clinic, April 2011. He’s da bes. He sold me on the resurface when he spun the head around in the socket like a top. Smoooooth.
Thanks for the info on the Bondi B. I have the blue ones but don’t like any of the other colors. So I’m looking at the pink & yellow Speeds. You’re the last guy in, you want to at least be stylin’.
The Speed and the B certainly look alike. I understand that the Speed even includes a set of standard laces if you don’t like the speedlock things. Appreciate the link. Will have to give it a thorough read through before pulling the trigger. For whatever reason, none of the local guys stock Hokas. And it’s an expensive trial-and-error process.
‘’ it’s a toss-up between a new shoulder & a new hip. Osteoarthritis sux.‘’
Are you talking shoulder replacement? I’ve had surgery on both shoulders and both knees for tears, and I have the fake hips, but I never heard of shoulder replacement.
I have the Bondi B, The Speed and the Mafate all three are different, The Speeds are a lot like the B but they weigh 3 Oz Less I just ran IM Louisville in them they gave me great support, I weigh 210 and got my first pair the B’s when I was having issues with my IT Band. The Mafate are a lot softer you can really feel the absorption even when you are going from the parking lot to the trails to run.
oh yeah. Just this morning i just got shot up good & proper on my right shoulder (spinatus, supraspinatus, teres) cuz the head of the humerus is flat instead of rounded & it catches in that glenohumeral whatsit. (technical term) So on a century, for example, if I’m in the aerobars, my whole bicep will start to spasm & lock & go into “fire mode.” (same thing our hips did when they shut down). ish. There are 2 shoulder surgeons here in Cleveland that I’d trust, and one in Clermont. They do like a total hip replacement. Saw off the head of the humerus & replace it with an (I think) cobalt chromium head on a long spike. The one doc in Cleveland says that afterward you can do overhead stuff, like freestyle. (I’m reduced at the moment to a mighty one-armed sidestroke, watch out world.) A couple of peeps on ST have also had it done.
Amazing technology. In the old days, we’d have both been candidates for the Scooter Store.
My doc was Brooks at the Cleveland Clinic, April 2011. He’s da bes. He sold me on the resurface when he spun the head around in the socket like a top. Smoooooth.