Been running in the Bondi for the past year. A relatively larger (180lbs) runner with a tendency to pronate. Generally, the Hokas are working for me and my orthotics. However, I’ve had a couple bouts of runner’s knee and want to see whether rotating shoes helps. There is some anecdotal feedback the knee may prefer a firmer shoe.
I figured a moderately cushioned, low drop, neutral, shoe would be a good alternative. My plan is to use that shoe for treadmill sessions that include intervals and hill repeats. My local running shop sent me home with the Saucony Ride.
What does ST say? Is the Ride a reasonable companion to the Bondi?
I am recently on the rotating shoe train as well. I have been running in Hoka’s, and I like them a lot. I did a rare treadmill run recently and noticed in the mirror the over pronation of my right foot.
My run shop sent me home with Bondi 3’s and Saucony Omni 12’s. They suggest long road runs in the Saucony’s and 1 out of 4 runs should be on trails
in the Hoka’s. They believe the variability of the terrain on trails is beneficial. I just bought the shoes yesterday but I will watch the thread and post results.
My old Hoka’s were Stinsons and I got over 400 miles in them before the right inside of the shoe became fatigued leading to the over pronation.
hokas lack a medial post which is not good if you overpronate. I may be wrong but I don’t think orthotics will correct the pronation problem. You need medial support to prevent pronation regardless of orthotics. It’s a trade-off between the cushioning and support.
I think it’s a good idea to rotate shoes though. Hokas are good for long runs and recovery. Maybe a stability shoe for faster stuff. Also, I rolled my ankle so many times on the bondi and stinson on trails that I now use the skechers ultra. The cushioning feels about the same as the bondi but it’s way more stable because the sole isn’t as high.
You need medial support to prevent pronation regardless of orthotics. It’s a trade-off between the cushioning and support.
This is one of my concerns about the Ride. Does it have the medial support for my Orthotics? The Bondi does. I will shoot some video of my foot plant with both shoes and see what it tells me.
Currently I rotate between the Hoka Conquest & New Balance 1400V2, which before was the Bondi S2 vs NB1400V1. With occassionally the Altra Torin thrown in. Am 84kilos, so not that heavy, but find the Conquest an utter delight for most longer runs. With any speed work done in the New Balance or Altra Torin. If i use just the New Balance it becomes to much for my legs, and same goes for the Hoka. I find that by using different types of shoes, you ten dto work on your weaknesses more.
My run shop sent me home with Bondi 3’s and Saucony Omni 12’s. They suggest long road runs in the Saucony’s and 1 out of 4 runs should be on trails in the Hoka’s. They believe the variability of the terrain on trails is beneficial.
Looks like we are on the same page! The 8mm drop across Saucony’s lineup seems to align well with Hoka. It’s just a question of how much medial support I need to pair with my orthotic. And I’ve found trail running beneficial.
Any chance you are in Seattle? Super Jock & Jill set me up. They are a great resource. Just asking because a good LRS that carries Hoka and Saucony seems a coincidence.
I do the majority of my running in Saucony Rides. I have mild pronation and do own orthotics (which fit in the Rides – tried it at the shop), but I haven’t even bothered using the orthotics in them and have done just fine.
The Ride is a neutral shoe and if you over pronate beyond ten degrees, you should be running in a stability shoe. Orthotics are typically there to support the arch, not to correct pronation upon foot strike when running. Hoka calls some of their shoes “neutral stability” but they don’t have that medial posting you see in a true stability shoe. I often see that knee discomfort on the medial side when a runner needs stability but is running without it. As someone else mentioned, the Guide is the stability version of the Ride. The running store should have watched you run to determine if you over pronate and if so put you in a stability shoe.