Super athletes, like those who frequent Letsrun, are not the target audience for Hoka shoes. Do you think that >Insert major shoe company name here< would be where it is if it only targeted "hard core" runners?
well........ wrote:
I currently train in the Asics Hyperspeed and the Hoka Ones look WAY too clunky and heavy. Plus that much heel cushioning? I'm still very skeptical.
athletesinfluencefootwear? wrote:
Couldn't the same be said for Sketchers and Meb? How many people actually think the Gorun is a good shoe?
Do people actually base their footwear purchases on what professional runners are wearing instead of what is best for their feet?
At least with Hoka you have a customer base who actually uses them for their benefits. They were originally made for Ultra Runners and triathletes. People who were doing very long races, and doing a lot of downhill running. This group of athletes tends to enjoy them. Go to any ultra marathon and look at whats on peoples feet. They were not meant to be the ideal trainer for someone trying to run a fast 5k or 10k.
This may have changed when Deckers bought the brand, and that may be why you are seeing Hoka release some lighter, not as over sized models. They are attempting to reach a broader audience now.
Yes, they were originally a shoe geared toward the ultra crowd. That's me. I saw lots of other ppl running in the Cliftons at a road ultra I did in the US a few weeks ago. I need a training shoe that will hold up to my high mileage,hence the Bondi and or Stinson. I weigh about 53kg and can see these being 1000mile or more shoes for me because they hold up great.
Not to be promoting them in any way, but one of DT's comments on r/running suggested that Hoka Athletes are currently testing One One spikes before they start to mass produce them. Don't get me wrong, I am skeptical at least of their current training shoes as well (they look to be more pillow like than the Nimbus).
Kipketer: try the adidas boost. Cant get enough of them. They are great. Lightweight, good cushioning, 'bouncy' etc. I use them from everything from long runs to tempos and intervals. Personally I think Adidas is the best out there today, Nike is far behind (but leading in spikes).
well........ wrote:
I currently train in the Asics Hyperspeed and the Hoka Ones look WAY too clunky and heavy. Plus that much heel cushioning? I'm still very skeptical.
I could see why you would be skeptical. The look like you are going to be running on a big block of two running shoe mid-soles.
Go to a running specialty store, and ask to try them on and permission to run around the block. (That's how I did it).
They are light.
You are not on stilts. Your feet go down into some of that "large cushioning," i.e, your foot is gently cupped or cradled.
It is is comfortable fit. It is a shock reducing ride, for anyone who wants to lower the stress or soreness on the body from the pounding of running on or off pavement, you owe it to yourself to give just one pair a try.
I recommend a Stinson Trail, as I think that out sole will last the longest at this time.
Older dudes, you gotta try them out, they are damn near the cure to pounding and soreness.
well........ wrote:
I currently train in the Asics Hyperspeed and the Hoka Ones look WAY too clunky and heavy. Plus that much heel cushioning? I'm still very skeptical.
yes because the only way to get a TRUE feel for a pair of shoes is to look at them.
i love trips to the local running shop to look at shoes, feel like a kid in a candy store!!!
TURNTLIVES wrote:
Then a friend of mine (a fast friend of mine) got sponsored by them and I tried one of his pairs on. My mind was changed. It was a bit awkward at first, but the 5mm drop keeps your steps quick and I found my hips fell right into place. During my run, the word "apogee" came to mind when I was trying to describe how good my form felt.
I'm calling BS.
Do you work for Hoka?
"a fast friend" got sponsored by Hoka? Hoka sponsors 1 athlete I know of - Leo Manzano.