the bondi b for 2012 is now, reportedly, true to size, which brings it in line with their other shoes.
this shoe kills it. this is THE ironman shoe, bar-none. bar-none. interestingly, the stinson evo - their new trail shoe - has “triathlon features”, like a loop on the heel and quickie laces. put these features in the bondi b (which in my view is the better motif for triathlon) and you have the world’s best tri shoe, and the best tri shoe ever made, esp for 70.3 and IM racing.
now, here’s a positive/negative shout out. mark rouse, of runners high n tri, based in chicagoland’s burbs, maintains one of the half-dozen best technical running stores in north america. the bondi is the newton killer. if you sell a lot of newtons, this shoe is the next evolution in low-ramp shoes. you’re known to be the seller of next-generation shoes, mark, and this is it. mark, you know about this shoe, why do you not sell this shoe?
mark, you’re not alone, i think some of the very best technical running stores that cater to triathletes have tried to show loyalty to brands investing in triathlon, like k-swiss and avia. hoka one one has no budget and so has not made this investment. they don’t advertise with anyone, us included. but, they just make this red smokin’ hot shoe. so, just based on the shoe - the product - this cannot not be in tri specific footwear stores.
when someone who is a very good runner, and holds the purse strings, tries this shoe, that’s another story. then the shoe comes in. i sent a pair to cid cardoso, who’s a great runner as many slowtwitchers know (esp those in his AG). cid ran in them for a week, and then called up and ordered deep.
so, to specialty running stores, all 700 of you in the u.s., here’s the naked truth: you represent a small minority of the technical footwear sales sold by the flagship brands. i don’t see evidence they care much about you. if you want a shoe that’s a light year better for serious runners than nike, adidas, and asics, and you don’t want to have to compete with big boxes - who these shoe companies care about more than they care about each of you - then, here’s the shoe that god made for your store. esp if you sell to triathletes, the customers god made for your store.
They felt a bit heavy/clunky at first, but I realized it was likely just the bulk in the sole that gave that sensation. I was running at my normal pace with the same amount of effort as other shoes. The much-touted cushioning was amazing. Particularly on downhills where it felt like running on pillows. You can really open up your speed downhill in these. They eliminate any pounding. On flats and uphills, the rockered sole seems to facilitate a smooth foot plant and toe-off.