Hoka or Altra?

Altra's are good for walking , and gym work only.

I tired the Hoka Ariahi and didn’t like it, but then tired Altra Provison and love it.

namebrands for the win. wrote:

That’s all you got? No substance. I speak the truth. Their materials and quality control of their product is crap. Go with a brand that has money to do research and produce quality product. Adidas has the $$$. /END

cliffon 2.

700 miles running

Over a year as casual shoe

Close to a year using them as a work shoe

I think I got my money's worth.

Skechers. Meb. And now king Cheserek. Anyone have a training block on Skechers?

escalant wrote:

theJeff wrote:

The only Altra worth a flip is the Escalante... that being said, it is my favorite shoe on the market right now. The TPU midsole is making EVA obsolete.

For their road lineup I would have to agree with you.

However they are coming out with a 3.9 oz racing shoe called the Vanish-R, and it seems pretty awesome. Also, there will be an Escalante Racer.

Even better, though, Skora is back in stock. Their shoes are apparently superior in durability, and I can't wait to try them!

I was already pumped abt the Vanish R. I am positively salivating over the Escalante Racer. Thanks for posting.

Altra looks interesting but they also look like clown shoes. Is it possible to run fast in those or are they more suitable for the plodding type of runner?

You can def run fast in the Escalante and The One.

theJeff wrote:

You can def run fast in the Escalante and The One.

What model(s) do you use? How does your size in Altra compare to major brands?

Noskechskechers wrote:

Skechers. Meb. And now king Cheserek. Anyone have a training block on Skechers?

boi. Don't even think about wearing skechers. I'd rather have a shoe that isn't a literal piece of crap on my feet. Personally, I don't enjoy the feeling of severely rolling my ankles, or having my shoe rip apart when I take one step. Please, go learn yourself something about running shoes. Also, how could you ever forgive a company like skechers, which literally rips off other companies' designs (but executes the ripoff poorly)?

I've never seen anyone in my state wear Hoka's

I run in Hoka's and have for a few years. More/less I like them - but, I'm absolutely disgusted with how fast they wear. I'm not an over-pronator. I'm pretty much a smooth runner with a decent foot strike. I can get at least 600 miles with other brands. Hoka's though - about 300 miles is about it. I either have to look forward to buying Hoka shoes more often - or, changing brands.

Hoka just needs to keep the cushioning.... wrote:

namebrands for the win. wrote:

That’s all you got? No substance. I speak the truth. Their materials and quality control of their product is crap. Go with a brand that has money to do research and produce quality product. Adidas has the $$$. /END

cliffon 2.

700 miles running

Over a year as casual shoe

Close to a year using them as a work shoe

I think I got my money's worth.

You were Clifton's as a casual shoe. All other opinions you provide are trash based on your demonstrated terrible judgement.

I do like Clifton's for running tho. They're just real ugly for casual wear.

Size wrote:

theJeff wrote:

You can def run fast in the Escalante and The One.

What model(s) do you use? How does your size in Altra compare to major brands?

The only current model I can speak to is the Escalante, which I find runs true to size. Just know that the knit upper is very stretchy, so it can accommodate a wide variety of feet... at the cost of a super-secure fit. (I have finally figured out how to lace them up so they feel snug in the midfoot without the laces biting thru the tongue.)

I have been using Hoka Speedgoat 2, Challenger ATR3, Clifton 3 and Clifton 4 and Altra Lone Peak 3.5.

I tried a lot of running shoes, most of them I use now for walking. If you are not super slim, light and flexible go for cushioning you will not regret it when you get older.

Clifton 3 is ideal for training, long runs on the road, slows me down in races. The cushioning feeling is plush and when I increase the tempo traction gets weak.

Challanger is ideal for mid distance changing terrain, wears out easily. Kind of spare shoes.

I love Speedgoat 2. The best shoe I have worn so far. I can speed up, jump on to rocks, fly downhill without any hesitation.

Clifton 4s didn't work for me. They triggered my chronic ankle problems. They feel firm, fast but lack the Clifton 3's cushioning. And I guess they tried to increase stability which changed my feet landing, where my Hoka story ended.

And worst thing about Hoka shoes, they break apart very fast. I mean really very very fast. So I decided to try something different and bought Altra Lone Peak 3.5. Right out of box I ran 10K and felt completely comfortable. I can feel the ground but cushioning is enough to protect my feet. Grip is good on trail but I am not sure how it will serve on a rocky terrain because it didn't give me the same confidence of Speedgoat 2 which uses Vibram outsole.

Zero drop and wide toe box improved my running technique and I am going to stick with that.

Well, briefly, perfect shoe doesn't exist but for me a combination of Hoka & Altra would be fine.

Altra Escalante & Racer have a midsole material similar to the Supernova. I LOVE these two shoes, but I consider the rest of the Altra lineup to be kinda garbage.

I have always been unimpressed with the midsole durability of Hokas.

You really want to try the Saucony Freedom, if you want a “Supernova with more pop”. Really.

Noskechskechers wrote:

Skechers. Meb. And now king Cheserek. Anyone have a training block on Skechers?

I am using the GoRide7 as a recovery shoe right now, and I am very pleasantly surprised.

mgunes wrote:

And worst thing about Hoka shoes, they break apart very fast.

I have over 700 miles on my Bondis and they are still going strong. Midsole feels like new.

I had some Challengers that fell apart after only 300 miles. Soles were fine but uppers fell apart.

I have some other Hokas in their early life so we'll see.

Size wrote:

theJeff wrote:

You can def run fast in the Escalante and The One.

What model(s) do you use? How does your size in Altra compare to major brands?

Sizing in Escalante Racer is spot on. Expect a snug midfoot and a very spacious toe box (by design).

I guess I’ll chime in since I have run in numerous Hokas (Stinson ATR, 2 pairs of infinites, Bondi 4) and Altras (instinct 2,3,4). I would say why not get one of both and rotate them! That’s what I’m doing right now with the Bondi 4 and Instinct 4 and it works well for me. The Hokas definitely have a lot more cushion so I prefer them for longer runs and the Instinct is harder, more responsive and a true zero drop. I can feel the difference in my calves every time I switch from Hoka to Altra so I would say if you want a more true minimal zero drop experience then the Altra would be your bet, just make sure you’re ready or your shins will hate you. I think both would work well together in rotation, the Hokas to give you some cushion for higher mileage and the Altras to keep you accountable to a midfoot/forefoot strike.