HOKA Bondi SR Walking Shoes Review
An in-depth review of stable, slip-resistant shoes for long days on your feet
December 15th, 2025
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Our verdict
The HOKA Bondi SR walking shoes are comfortable, sturdy, and slip resistant. This makes them a versatile cushioned shoe for those who work in professions that require long days on your feet, especially in potentially slick environments, like nursing and other medical field careers, education, and service industry/kitchen jobs. They also are great for daily walks and are trendy enough for casual outfits.
The standout features of the Bondi SR include the comfortable midisole, slip-resistant tread, and versatile styling. They earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, an association that recognizes products beneficial to foot health, which is particularly important for those of us who work on our feet all day.
I found myself reaching for these shoes nearly every day, as they were reliably comfortable and could be styled with many of our outfits–from athleisure to a casual jeans look. While I tested them in white, they come in black, which is often a requirement for restaurant workers. I wore them during my brewery shifts and would opt for the black color to avoid glaring spill stains.
Women's
men's
Much like the HOKA Bondi road running shoes, the Bondi SR shoes provide plenty of midsole cushioning. They’re also comfortable right out of the box. What sets them apart from their road running cousins, however, are their slip-resistant tread and bulkier, sturdier base. The women’s shoe weighs 11.5 oz compared to 9.3 oz for the women’s Bondi 9 road running shoes (the men’s Bondi SR weighs 14 oz compared to 10.5 oz for the men’s Bondi 9).
I tested these shoes over summer, fall, and winter months in Colorado, as well as on a fall road trip to Michigan. I wore them on neighborhood walks, daily commutes, during 7-hour shifts at a brewery, and over long days on our feet traveling. I also reached for them while recovering from hip replacement surgery, as their stability and slip-resistant tread felt safe during my early recovery phase and the heel tab made it a little easier to wiggle the shoes on.
The biggest drawback to the Bondi SRs, however, is that they are bulkier than the other walking shoes I’ve been testing. While some may love this signature HOKA style, others may balk at the clunky look and opt for a slimmer shoe, like the On Cloud. They’re also $180, which is a bit pricey for walking or work shoes, though they should last you awhile.
However, if they fit your budget, the HOKA Bondi SR shoes are a comfortable, stable, grippy shoe that is both practical in the workplace and cute for around town. They’re durable and should withstand heavy workplace wear for a long time.
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HOKA Bondi SR Specifications
Price: $180
Weight (per shoe): 11.5 oz (women’s), 14 oz (men’s)
Heel-to-toe drop (mm): 6 mm
Stack height (heel/forefoot mm): (42/36 mm)
Cushion level: Maximum (Plush)
Upper materials: Water-resistant leather
Midsole materials: EVA
Outsole material: Rubber
Available sizes and widths: 5-11 (women’s), 7-15 (men’s), regular and wide
Suitable for vegans: No
Comparison table
| WALKING SHOE | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (PAIR) | MEN'S WEIGHT (PAIR) | HEEL/ TOE STACK | DROP | CUSHION | OUTSOLE | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOKA Bondi SR Women's Men's |
1 lb, 7.4 oz | 1 lb, 11.8 oz | 41/ 35 mm | 6 mm | Maximum | Rubber | $180 |
| On Cloud 6 Women's Men's |
15.2 oz | 1 lb, 2.8 oz | 28/20 mm | 8 mm | Balanced | Rubber | $160 |
| On Cloudaway 2 Women's Men's |
1 lb, 0.8 oz | 1 lb, 4 oz | 25/31 mm | 6 mm | Moderate-Maximum | Missiongrip | $160 |
| HOKA Bondi 9 Women's Men's |
1 lb, 2 oz | 1 lb, 5 oz | 40.5/ 35.5 mm | 5 mm | Maximum | 80% rubber/20% EVA | $175 |
| HOKA Clifton 10 Women's Men's |
1 lb, 1.1 oz | 1 lb, 3.2 oz | 37.6/ 30.4 mm | 7.2 mm | Maximum | 77% rubber/23% EVA | $155 |
Best for
Walking on paved surfaces
Jobs that require long days on your feet or walking on slick surfaces (nurses, teachers, service industry/kitchen workers, etc.)
Traveling or long days around town
What we liked
Cushioned midsole is super comfortable
Slip-resistant rubber outsole is grippy
Versatile and easy to style
What could be better
Bulky and heavy compared to other walking shoes
Expensive for a walking shoe or a work shoe
How we tested
The slip-resistant tread and plush cushioning make the HOKA Bondi SR shoes comfortable for brewery shifts and all-day wear.
I tested the women’s Bondi SR in regular sizing over six months. I wore them on daily walks around the neighborhood, during 7-hour shifts at a brewery (with often wet and sticky floors), traveling, and on long days around town. This testing spanned summer, fall, and winter months and included hot, sunny weather, light rain, and chilly, frosty mornings. I walked on sidewalks, gravel paths, cement flooring, grass, and more.
Additionally, these were the first non-sandal shoes I walked in post hip replacement surgery. When kept loosely tied, I could slip them easily and didn’t worry about them slipping around because of their secure fit. The slip-resistant grip and sturdy footbed provided peace of mind that I wouldn’t fall. While I tested other shoes in the early stages of recovery, the Bondi SRs were my go-to choice.
I tested the HOKA Bondi SR shoes alongside other walking shoes, such as the HOKA Transport, On Cloud, On Cloudaway 2, and more. I also tested them alongside the closely related HOKA Bondi 9 road running shoes, as well as other cushioned running shoes people may walk in. This side-by-side testing allowed us to assess comfort, traction, fit, and style.
Performance in the Field
Fit and feel
The HOKA Bondi SR shoes fit true to size and are comfortable right out of the box. The regular width I tested felt plenty wide, but if you typically wear wide shoes I recommend trying out the wide version of these. If you’re between regular and wide sizing, you may be just fine with the regular size.
The upper is comfortable and the shoe fits comfortably at the heel and forefoot. I had no issues with blisters or hot spots.
Ride
The plush cushioning of this shoe is super comfortable without making you feel like you can’t bounce around while walking or working. The early-stage MetaRocker encourages a smooth ride that makes walking at a decent clip feel natural and easy, despite the relative bulk of these shoes. If you work on your feet all day, the Bondi SRs are a great option because of this balance between comfortable cushioning and the energizing, forward-motion rocker (as long as you don’t mind the bulk)
Since these shoes have a high stack height (42/36 mm), don’t expect any groundfeel. Rather, this shoe has a cushioned, smooth ride that feels energizing all day.
Cushioning
As stated above, the stack height of this shoe is high. That, coupled with the plush EVA midsole cushioning, creates a cushy and comfortable feeling underfoot. The shoes feel protective and durable over long days. After over six months of use, the midsole cushioning is still going strong and just as comfortable as day one.
Traction and grip
The outsole is made of a slip-resistant rubber that is grippy on slick surfaces without feeling too sticky during everyday wear. The tread is reminiscent of a bike tire, which makes it great for transitioning between surfaces. Sometimes mud can get stuck in the tread, but this hasn’t been a major issue. It happens less often than pebbles getting stuck in the outsoles of the On Cloud 6 and On Cloudaway 2, which happens every fifth walk or so.
Of all the walking shoes I’ve tested, I trust these shoes most on slick surfaces, with the possible exception of the HOKA Transport commuter shoes, which have a Vibram outsole. Both are grippy, but the Bondi SR is more comfortable over long days. While working a shift at the brewery, for example, the Bondi SR kept me sure footed on slick and sticky surfaces (whereas the Transport is almost too grippy and not as cushioned).
Breathability and upper
The upper is constructed of a water-resistant leather. While not the most breathable, especially compared to the mesh uppers of road running shoes like the HOKA Bondi 9, I didn’t experience noticeable discomfort even on hot summer days. The leather–which doesn’t have a leather look–is durable, which I appreciate for long-term wear. However, if breathability is a priority, you’ll want to consider other options, like the On Cloud 6 or Icebug Mosi RB9X, or a road running shoe.
The upper is made of water-resistant leather, which is particularly useful for restaurant and healthcare jobs.
Stability and support
The HOKA Bondi SR shoes are neutral and offer excellent stability. The bulkiness of this shoe feels supportive and stable while walking all day. The heel cup is cushioned and fits comfortably snug around the ankle.
The stability and support this shoe offers particularly shined while I was recovering from hip replacement surgery.
The HOKA Bondi SRs offer great stability and traction, making them a go-to shoe option while the author recovered from hip replacement surgery.
Weight and efficiency
These shoes are heavier than most walking shoes. The women’s shoes weigh 11.5 oz per shoe and the men’s weigh 14 oz per shoe. However, this weight hasn’t caused fatigue over long days in our testing–they’re still lighter than lightweight hiking boots, just heavier than running shoes and slimmer walking shoes.
Durability and longevity
After six months of frequent (almost daily) wear, every part of this shoe has held up well and they still feel as comfortable and supportive as day one. The only wear I’ve observed is in some scuffing of the leather upper–I tested white shoes, so scuffing and dirt was to be expected, but I was pleasantly surprised by how long it took to become noticeable. The shoes can be cleaned by hand with some mild soap and air dried.
Because the shoes have shown such little wear over time, they’re a good value for the price. While they aren’t cheap, if you can fit them in your budget, they should last you awhile.
Features
Drop measurement and impact
The HOKA Bondi SR shoes have a 6mm drop, which is in the mid-drop range and comfortable for most people.
Stack height
These shoes have a high stack height of 42/36 mm. This puts more room between your feet and the ground, providing cushion and protection. Since the shoe is bulky and stable, I had no issues with ankle rolling.
Slip-resistant outsole
The slip-resistant rubber tread on these shoes is grippy on slick surfaces. I wore them during shifts at a brewery and never worried about slipping if something spilled. This is a useful feature for anyone who works in environments with potentially slick floors, like in hospitals, restaurants/bars, or kitchens.
Lacing system
The HOKA Bondi SR shoes use a traditional lacing system. I had no issues with laces coming untied.
Heel tab design
There’s a pull tab at the heel that can be helpful when putting the shoes on. In fact, these were the first tied-shoes the author got on by herself after hip replacement surgery, thanks in large part to the pull tab (and because she could keep the shoes tied loosely and not worry about them falling off, since the heel still fits snugly enough).
Reflective elements
These shoes are not reflective. If you’ll be walking at night, I recommend checking out our Best Gear for Running in the Dark guide for reflective and hi-vis gear options.
Colorway options
The women’s HOKA Bondi SR comes in five monochromatic colors, including Frost (white), Black, Harbor Mist/Lunar Rock (off-white/gray), Ice Water (light blue), and Peach Whip (light pink/peach). The men’s shoes come in five colors that are all more neutral, including Frost (white), Black, Harbor Mist/Lunar Rock (off-white/gray), Outerspace (dark navy blue) with a white base, and Carbon Black with a white base.
I tested the monochromatic Frost shoes, which are trendy enough to style with everyday outfits. Restaurant workers may want the black option to hide stains/spills. I love that the women’s shoes come in a couple fun color options, and wish the men’s did too.
The white HOKA Bondi SRs can be styled with casual wear.
Sustainability
The HOKA Bondi SR shoes are made of recycled materials. HOKA is part of the United National Global Compact (UNGC), a corporate sustainability initiative whose members commit to responsible labor standards and environmental practices. HOKA also publishes their goals and reports on clean energy, carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, water, and waste.
Our biggest sustainability gripe, however, is that the company that ships HOKA products (Deckers) uses an excessive (sometimes comical) amount of packaging–e.g., a large box with lots of paper and plastic stuffed inside to keep the shoe box in place, and more tape and stickers on the outside of the box than any other company I’ve encountered (which makes breaking down the box trickier and more time consuming). No brand is perfect, but as gear testers who receive a lot of packages in the mail and care about sustainability, I want to call out this aspect of the process too.
Who should buy the HOKA Bondi SR shoes?
Buy if you want a versatile walking shoe that transitions well between surfaces and can be styled with casual outfits. This is also a great shoe for professions that require long days on your feet and on surfaces that may be slick, such as jobs in the medical field, service industry, and education.
Skip if you want a slimmer, lighter walking shoe, a shoe you can also run in, or a more budget-friendly option.
Women's
men's
Where to buy
The HOKA Bondi SR are popular footwear, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Zappos
Pros: 365-day free shipping on returns, fast delivery with free VIP program
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
Similar products
HOKA Transport
Price: $150
Weight (per shoe): 9.1 oz (women’s), 11.2 oz (men’s)
Heel-to-toe drop (mm): 4 mm
Cushion level: Moderate (Balanced)
Upper materials: Cordura® RE/CORETM with 100% rPET
Midsole materials: 30% sugarcane EVA
Outsole material: Vibram EcoStep Natural
The HOKA Transport commuter shoes are designed with versatility, commuting, and sustainability in mind. Slimmer than the HOKA Bondi SR shoes, the Transports weigh less, take up less space for travel, and still offer excellent versatility. The Vibram outsole offers great traction for light hiking, and differs from the slip-resistant rubber in that it has lugs that feel stickier on non-slick surfaces (which may be cumbersome over, say, a long shift).
The upper, midsole, and outsole materials are all more sustainably minded than the HOKA Bondi SR materials. The Transports also have two lacing options: a quick-pull tab or traditional laces. They also come in a variety of models, including regular, wide, GTX (waterproof), Chukka GTX (with a sock-like heel), and Hike GTX (with more heel protection). And it costs $30 less than the Bondi SR.
The Transports don’t offer as much cushion as the Bondi SRs, but did still receive the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance.
HOKA Transport
Women's
men's
On Cloud 6
Price: $160
Weight (per shoe): 7.6 oz (women’s), 9.4 oz (men’s)
Heel-to-toe drop (mm): 8 mm
Cushion level: Moderate
Upper materials: Recycled polyester, TPU
Midsole materials: Speedboard (nylon)
Outsole material: Rubber
The On Cloud 6 is a slim, minimalist walking shoe that is a great option for those who particularly like the classic On look. The Cloud 6 doesn’t offer anything fancy, but the upper is breathable, the lacing is simple and easy, and the shoes come in 11 colorways.
While not as cushioned as the HOKA Bondi SR, I still wore these shoes during 7-hour shifts at a brewery and didn’t have any issues with comfort (though they wouldn’t be our first choice for long days on our feet). Our biggest gripe, however, is how easily small rocks can get stuck in the outsole. This happened frequently enough I stopped wearing them on walks that crossed over dirt or areas with loose gravel.
The On Cloud 6 shoes aren’t the fanciest or most feature-rich option, but they’re comfortable and have a minimalist design that’s become quite popular. If you like the look of these shoes and will wear them mostly on sidewalks and indoors, they’re worth considering.
On Cloud 6
Women's
men's
HOKA Bondi 9
Price: $170
Weight (per shoe): 9 oz (women’s), 10.5 oz (men’s)
Heel-to-toe drop (mm): 5 mm
Cushion level: Maximum/Plush
Upper materials: Engineered mesh with 55% recycled polyester
Midsole materials: EVA
Outsole material: 80% rubber/20% EVA
The HOKA Bondi 9s are the road running shoe equivalent of the Bondi SRs. They’re highly cushioned and ideal for walkers who may also run. In fact, we’ve named these shoes the Best for Active Recovery in our Best Recovery Shoes guide since they’re super cushioned and versatile for running, walking, and long days on your feet. They received the same designation in our Best Men’s Road Running Shoes guide as well.
If you’re interested in the comfort of the Bondi SRs, but want a shape that doubles as a running shoe, this is a great option. Learn more in our in-depth review of the HOKA Bondi 9 road running shoes.
HOKA Bondi 9
Women's
men's
Why you should trust us / About the Author
After being diagnosed with hip arthritis in 2020, long-time runner Becca Downs began incorporating more walking into her daily routine. And after recently receiving hip replacement surgery, she walks several times a day as part of her recovery plan. On top of all that, she loves traveling and finding the best versatile footwear for her trips, which typically include long days on her feet and a variety of activities.
Becca Downs ran D1 cross country and track for Indiana University—Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) and continued racing everything from elite miles to an ultramarathon in her post-collegiate years. She earned a USATF Level 1 certification and coached boys and girls high school cross country and track in Indianapolis for four years. Becca then joined the IUPUI women’s distance coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach in 2020-2021.
She geeks out on trail running, track and field, and cries every time she watches a marathon (they’re just so beautiful!).
After notching a few small FKTs under her belt, she was diagnosed with hip arthritis and now channels her passion for running into coaching, crewing, writing, creating training plans for her friends, hiking, snowshoeing, and running as much as her hip allows. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the Mile-High MFA Program at Regis University. Becca is based in Denver, Colorado.
You can find her at her website, Instagram, and her Treeline Review author page.
