Folks, what’s the difference between these two models? Tried the search function and didn’t get much. And the hoka website doesn’t really clear it up.
40% running on grass, rest on concrete.
Thanks.
I own each of these now and rotate them for mostly street and occasional trail (grass/dirt) workouts. The Bondi B2 was my first Hoka shoe and love them but I wanted to try the Tarmac. The Tarmac has a little heavier upper and feels a little bit chunkier than the B2. I raced tris this past summer up to Oly distance in the B2 with speed laces and not sure I could do that with the Tarmacs. They are a little more difficult to get on–just more deliberate due to heavier uppers/tongue. I think overall I prefer the B2. They both have the cushy but stable “Hoka feel”. I run in grass around the trails in my neighborhood in the B2’s but I havent much in the Tarmacs. Not a lot of trail feel due to the thick sole (both shoes) but they are stable with the extra width of the shoe. Hope this helps.
The biggest difference that I noticed when I tried both shoes on is the toe box in the Bondi 2s is bigger than the Stinson toe box. I plan on using my Hokas in longer races so the extra space was the way to go and I bought the Bondi 2 model. I also use thicker wool sox in the winter so the extra space makes the Bondi 2 a better choice.
Just be aware that the Hokas have a lower heel to toe rise than most other shoes and will take some getting used to. My knees have not responded well to that change and tonight I am trying a heel insert to raise my heel a bit relative to my toes to see if that resolves the discomfort. My previous shoe was the Nike Pegasus, which I may go back to if the heel insert does not resolve my knee pain.
The Stinson’s have more padding by far. There are two basic styles (besides the obvious trail and tarmac versions) of the Stinsons: Unisex and men’s. The Men’s have a long quick lace which makes it far easier to get into and out of than the unisex version. I find the men’s version of the Stinson to be quite comfortable with my wide foot, no trouble with the toe box and they’re much faster to put on during tri’s than anything else. The unisex version is much harder to get on for people with fairly high arches like myself.
I had a pair of the Bondi’s (not the Bondi2) that I just never liked. Too narrow for my foot
I also have both.
As mentioned above; toe box in B2 speed is bigger, and I prefer the speeds.
Tarmacs seem to “wear” better. Both the upper and sole.
I cut the speed laces out of both of mine and went with the regular. I could never get the speed laces to feel right.
My foot is pretty narrow. And it just looks like the rubber would hold up better on the tarmac. May go back and return the speeds and gets the tarmac.
Any other feedback?
Rubber does hold up better on Tarmac.
I have about 350 miles on the Tarmac and 100 on the Speed and then look about the same.
I’m also 6’4" and 185ish
Folks, what’s the difference between these two models? Tried the search function and didn’t get much. And the hoka website doesn’t really clear it up.
40% running on grass, rest on concrete.
Thanks.
For me the Tarmacs have quite a bit more bounce but not as nimble as the BS2. The BS2 have a bit more dense foam and a touch roomier toe box. I’ve races in both- Tarmac for HIM and IM, BS2 for Oly.
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Folks, what’s the difference between these two models? Tried the search function and didn’t get much. And the hoka website doesn’t really clear it up.
40% running on grass, rest on concrete.
Thanks.
Here in Australia the Bondi Speed are apparently no longer available, which is a shame as the fit is slightly different that the others and fit my feet perfect. The local shoe store told me there was an issue with the current model of Bondis so their wont be anymore until the new model comes out.
I have both models. Honestly there ísn’t a huge difference in how they feel while running. The Bondi’s might be ever so slightly more plush but the difference is very subtle.
The Tarmacs wear significantly better. I have well over 1000 miles on my Tarmacs and they still have a lot of tread life left. I only have about 200-300 miles on the Bondis and they are almost as worn down.
Bondi is 4.5 mm drop, and Stinson is 6 mm drop. The Stinson also has around 3 mm more cushioning and is slightly heavier. There are new versions of the Bondi and new models coming out in January. So, it may pay to wait a few weeks if you can.
Bondi is 4.5 mm drop, and Stinson is 6 mm drop. The Stinson also has around 3 mm more cushioning and is slightly heavier. There are new versions of the Bondi and new models coming out in January. So, it may pay to wait a few weeks if you can.
Where did you get this info regarding the extra cushioning as Hoka’s website doesn’t show that. In fact their website doesn’t even list the new models yet as one is now available per retailers, the Rapa Nui Trail
There’s a poster at the local run shop that has each of the models, the drop, and the amount of cushioning nicely laid out. Not sure why it’s not so clear on the website, though if you look at the specs of each of the models separately, you can figure it out.
There’s a poster at the local run shop that has each of the models, the drop, and the amount of cushioning nicely laid out. Not sure why it’s not so clear on the website, though if you look at the specs of each of the models separately, you can figure it out.
Oh, I meant when you said that"The Stinson also has around 3 mm more cushioning and is slightly heavier". Don’t see that
Don’t the Stinson and Bondi’s have a different toe ramp angle?
My Bondis definately have a thicker sole under the toe, whereas the stinsons are more tapered.
From the Hoka website:
Bondi B2
CATEGORY:
Neutral ULTRA Lightweight Cushion
GEOMETRY:
Offset: 4.5mm
Heel: 29mm
Forefoot: 24.5mm
WEIGHTS:
10.8 oz
Stinson Tarmac
CATEGORY:
Neutral Cushion
GEOMETRY:
Offset: 6mm
Heel: 32mm
Forefoot: 26mm
WEIGHTS:
11.9 oz
So, Bondi weighs about 1.1 ounces less and has about 3mm less cushioning in heel and 1.5 mm less cushioning in forefoot.
Found this the other day, nice comparison
http://hokaoneoneaustralia.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/a-hoka-timeline-notes.jpg
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From the Hoka website:
Bondi B2
CATEGORY:
Neutral ULTRA Lightweight Cushion
GEOMETRY:
Offset: 4.5mm
Heel: 29mm
Forefoot: 24.5mm
WEIGHTS:
10.8 oz
Stinson Tarmac
CATEGORY:
Neutral Cushion
GEOMETRY:
Offset: 6mm
Heel: 32mm
Forefoot: 26mm
WEIGHTS:
11.9 oz
So, Bondi weighs about 1.1 ounces less and has about 3mm less cushioning in heel and 1.5 mm less cushioning in forefoot.
Ok, I see. didn’t do the math 