Shoe is just hitting retailers this week. I had a chance to try the sample on 3 months ago. Bondi just got some competition. I think it fits better, same weight, same drop, similar stack, rocker, and is offered in D, 2E, 4E for men and B, D, 2E for women. If anyone is an avid Bondi lover let me know what your thoughts are. Our store gets them sometime this week too!
New Bondi 6 is pretty good- I am enjoying as my base mile / training shoe.
Is that the new model name? MORE? I have new balance fresh foam zante. I have worn hoka’s in the past. Not the bondi. But found the fresh foam cushioning very good
Yes that’s the name
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Indeed, looks like a Bondi.
However, the ASICS Metaride also looks like a Bondi but is much more firm apparently (TBC). This one, as well as the MetaRide, will need some testing to get a more clear view.
New Balance is now having a fairly good line of mid-drop (4 to 6mm) shoes :
More : Bondi like ?
Beacon : firmer and lighter than Clifton
1500 v5/T2 : firm “stable” racing flat
Hanzo S : firm racing flat
Hopefully they will have a model between the Beacon and the More, in line with Clifton (a bit softer than Beacon, a bit firmer than Bondi), and the range will be complete ?
UPS just dropped these off for me and I went about a mile in them just to get initial thoughts. I think they’re firmer like the bondi 5 only with a way better upper. My beef with hoka has always been the fit. In most brands I wear a 15 wide. In hoka the 15 wide was sloppy and getting my foot locked down without pinching was some strange voodoo the usually required readjustments a few times. If I did a 15 standard I would have some pressure spots near my arch but it was at least secure. A 14 wide ended up too short though that worked on the bondi 5, not the 6. I have a similar deal with saucony shoes where the only way it works is if I wear a wide shoe with the laces puled stupid tight, so its not just a hoka thing.
I slipped on the NB, just puled the laces and all felt right with the world and I had the big deep cushioning below my feet. I’ll have to get some actual miles in but on first glance this will meet the needs of some people.
Interesting. I might check them out. I’ve always worn size 16 in New Balance, but wear 14 in Hoka. Don’t need wide. They make the More up to size 15, but that might be about right. Seems like the past few years I’m wearing smaller sizes and it’s been a few years since I’ve had New Balance. I had the Bondi 4 and liked them, but might try the NB next time around.
Any follow-up on the shoes?
Cheers
I just got mine. I’ve been running in the Beacon’s for several months and like them. I was hoping that the ‘MORE’ would be a slightly more supportive version of the beacon while retaining the softness.
Very disappointed. If you like Hoka’s, maybe you’ll like these. They are -very- stiff and the foam doesn’t feel soft, nothing like the beacons. I may try them for a few minutes on the treadmill, but almost certain I’ll send them back.
I may try the new 1080v9 shoe from them, maybe its softer…
How much stability do you need? Before I got injured, I had been running in the Saucony Hurricane ISO (I think that’s the name) and really liked them. Decent support, but a pretty soft running shoe.
Thanks, for me I have to go with trying the More or 1090 as I need the extra width, so can’t get the fit with the Beacon.
I run in and like Altra, but have to use heel lifts to get some drop; 4-8mm is a great zone for me. When Saucony killed the Mirage, it ended an almost 10 year love affair and the last 3 years have been spent fishing around.
How much stability do you need? Before I got injured, I had been running in the Saucony Hurricane ISO (I think that’s the name) and really liked them. Decent support, but a pretty soft running shoe.
Not really sure. I love the beacons, but ended up with a post tib stress fracture. So I thought it would be nice if there were a ‘beacon’ with just a bit more support. Not blaming the shoe for the fracture, but figured a little more protection couldn’t hurt. But these new 'MORE’s feel as much like rocks as the Hoka’s from the past couple years do.
Thanks, for me I have to go with trying the More or 1090 as I need the extra width, so can’t get the fit with the Beacon.
I run in and like Altra, but have to use heel lifts to get some drop; 4-8mm is a great zone for me. When Saucony killed the Mirage, it ended an almost 10 year love affair and the last 3 years have been spent fishing around.
I need a wide midfoot. Did you specifically try the ‘2E’ version of the Beacon? Thats what works for me fit-wise.
Thanks, for me I have to go with trying the More or 1090 as I need the extra width, so can’t get the fit with the Beacon.
I run in and like Altra, but have to use heel lifts to get some drop; 4-8mm is a great zone for me. When Saucony killed the Mirage, it ended an almost 10 year love affair and the last 3 years have been spent fishing around.
I need a wide midfoot. Did you specifically try the ‘2E’ version of the Beacon? Thats what works for me fit-wise.
No, basing off previous fit of NB 2E; do you feel the 2E Beacon is a true 2E cut, mesh upper may help?
Thanks, for me I have to go with trying the More or 1090 as I need the extra width, so can’t get the fit with the Beacon.
I run in and like Altra, but have to use heel lifts to get some drop; 4-8mm is a great zone for me. When Saucony killed the Mirage, it ended an almost 10 year love affair and the last 3 years have been spent fishing around.
I need a wide midfoot. Did you specifically try the ‘2E’ version of the Beacon? Thats what works for me fit-wise.
No, basing off previous fit of NB 2E; do you feel the 2E Beacon is a true 2E cut, mesh upper may help?
I think it is. It is at least definitely wider than their regular width shoes.
There are so many mail order houses for running shoes in the US with free returns, including the new balance site itself, you have nothing to lose.
I returned them. I may need a bigger size? My toe kept hitting the front unless I murder laced them down.
I quite like mine. Am trying to progress to a less supportive shoe from brooks vapor 4 which is super supportive. Giving it a slow transition so have only used them for some easy runs, but enjoying the feel so far sturdy enough heel cup.
I tried another pair of NB’s yesterday, the 1080v9, also in 2E. Felt really nice, a little more side to side support than the beacons. They are about 100 grams per shoe heavier than the beacons (size 12).
I plan to do a few short runs in them over the next week. If it goes well, I think I’ll use them for training, and use the Beacons, or Beacon v2 when available, for racing.
Our running group had samples of the MORE 2-3 weeks ago. Everyone disliked them immensely. They felt they were too firm and just plain clunky. Based on the feedback the running store was going to just market them to walkers. I run in NB Beacon’s and love them and would have liked to try the MORE’s out but they didn’t have a sample that fit me (2E). I am in the market for something more maximal for long runs so I would have liked to try them. I don’t really like my Altra Paradigms - too clunky (need a rocker maybe). I’ll probably give the Bondi 6’s a try.
If anyone is looking for a soft, supportive shoe I suggest the NB Vongo v3 - I just recently bought a pair of Beacons and the Vongo v3, both in men’s 2E width as I have absurdly wide feet.
The toe box is a little deeper on the Vongo v3 than the Beacon, but both have more than adequate width - that’s not something I can say for all NB 2E shoes, but it’s true here.
The Beacons are a little firmer than I’d hoped, but the Vongos are very plush with just a touch of stability in the form of a slight wedge in the heel - not enough to be annoying if you don’t need it, but just enough to guide the foot as form starts to break down. I have a 100 miler coming up on rail trail, and I think the Vongos will be the shoe for that.