Honest Question re: Hoka Shoes

Okay, I'll bite.

Give them a few months and they'll be running in wooden clogs.

True story. To give some perspective, I've been running for 45 years and still run 30-40 mpw and coach many very talented female runners. As a shoe to wear on easy days, I thought I'd try some Hokas on a six mile run. The very next day, I had one knee that hurt so much, that I had to lay off for 2 weeks until the pain subsided. Needless to say, I went back to my normal rotation of Nike Zoom Elites, Adidas Adios (for quality and tempo runs) and Adidas Energy Boost (for the easy days). Problem solved. I'm sure that the Hokas might work for many people, but why would anyone change if you're running pain free? I too read (with amusement) the "scientific treatise" that is Born to Run and I am baffled at the constantly changing "expert" opinions on footwear. In the final analysis, the shoes certainly play an important role, but the proper training with allowance for recovery, etc. also has a significant impact on injury free running. Good luck!

If you aren't having any problems then I wouldn't change anything. In my case, my legs would ache pretty much every run as I am getting closer to 50. The more cushioning has really helped me increase my mileage. I still wear Brooks Ghost when I want to do a faster paced run but the Hokas really feel good for all the other miles.

Go to a HokaOneOne store, try some on, ask them to let you run a block or two in them.

They're pretty great. Still some room for improvement, but they have lots of comfortable ride in them. I improvement could be around the lacing area.

If you are not having problems, I see no reason to try them.

A few folks I know who had foot problems tried them and seem to be doing well.

The drop of a Hoka is the same as a minimalist shoe. It's a great shoe for a midfoot or forefoot striker.

A Duck wrote:

Go to a HokaOneOne store, try some on, ask them to let you run a block or two in them.

They're pretty great. Still some room for improvement, but they have lots of comfortable ride in them. I improvement could be around the lacing area.

I am on my second pair of Hokas. I bought the Bondi 2 last year and loved them. I recently bought the Conquest and like them except for the lacing. I took off the speed laces and replaced with the standard laces that were included. I have to tie them pretty tight and they are a little uncomfortable -- possibly because the tongue is not that padded. Next pair will probably be Bondi 3s.

Interesting , I had the same problem and kept them in the rotation of shoes I wear thinking is was something else. Every time I wore the Hokas knee pain.

They have some work do to understand how the "thick midsole profile" can be used/adapted by a larger group of runners. Shoes are are over priced for what they are , quality issues over the last couple of years as well.

did some 75 mile weeks wrote:

If you aren't having any problems then I wouldn't change anything. In my case, my legs would ache pretty much every run as I am getting closer to 50. The more cushioning has really helped me increase my mileage. I still wear Brooks Ghost when I want to do a faster paced run but the Hokas really feel good for all the other miles.

End of thread. If something is working, don't change it. The last thing you want is an injury.

As for HOKA, I'm glad they exist. They work for some people. It's a good concept. I haven't tried them yet, but I might if I keep running on concrete.

History.

Injured with/by minimalist shoes, went back to cushioned shoes, but with lower drop. Worked well.