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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Best Running Shoe Reviews – Hoka StinsonLite Review}}The latest version of the Stinson has evolved to become almost identical to the latest version of the [[Hoka Bondi]]. It's not clear to me why Hoka would produce two shoes that are so similar, but I suspect this is part of a wider problem that Hoka has with its range. It seems that as Hoka has become more popular they have created shoes without any clear strategy. The good news is that the update from the earlier Stinson Evo Low has produced a slightly lighter and slightly better cushioned shoe. While the Stinson is a little heavier than the Bondi, it has a better outsole that should wear more evenly. While it's close, I think I prefer the Stinson over the Bondi. However, I much prefer the [[Hoka Clifton]] over either shoe, as it has nearly as much cushioning and is much lighter.{| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Lite-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Lite top]]|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Lite-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Lite bottom]]|[[File:HokaStinsonEvoLowSliceHoka-Stinson-Lite-inside.JPGjpg|none|thumb|x300px150px|Hoka Stinson Lite inside]]|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Lite-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Lite outside]]|- valign="top"|- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Evo -Low-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Evo Low top]]The |[[httpFile://wwwHoka-Stinson-Evo-Low-bottom.zapposjpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Evo Low bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Evo-Low-inside.com/hokajpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Evo Low inside]]|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Evo-Low-stinson outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka StinsonEvo Low outside]]|}=Characteristics=* '''Why you'd buy it'''. My top [[Maximalist]] shoe is the [[Hoka Clifton]] , but the Stinson Lite is slightly better cushioned, though it's also quite a bit heavier. I'd recommend the Stinson over the Bondi if this extra bit of cushioning is worth the weight to you. * '''Cushioning'''. The Stinson is one of the best cushioned shoes available , and is slightly softer than the [[Altra Olympus]] or Clifton. While it's not as thick as it looks on the outside, it is much thicker than a road (Tarmac) or trail versiontraditional running shoe. The latest incarnations of the Stinson, the [[Hoka Bondi]] and the trail version [[Hoka Mafate]] all have surprisingly similar levels of cushioning. * '''Drop'''. The Stinson has an outsole that about s 5mm drop, which is only about half the drop of a traditional running shoe and I typically don't have any issues. The Stinson has slightly more aggressive drop than the road versionBondi, but it lacks the Bondi's abrupt taper under the toes. * '''Structure'''. The midsole is a single type of foam, so there's nothing to interfere with the natural movement of the foot.* '''Flexibility'''. The Stinson is pretty inflexible, though the cushioning offsets this a little. * '''Outsole'''. The Stinson has harder rubber covering virtually the entire contact patch, so it doesn't have the uneven wear that I've found with the Bondi. * '''Shape'''. The Stinson has the trail version typical Hoka shape, with a tight, narrow toe box. The toe box is so bad that I've noticed a distinctive pattern of blisters from Hokas when I'm working blister repair at aid stations. I believe it is critical to [[Shoe Modifications| cut open the toe box of any Hokas]]. {{H:TryCuttingShoes}}* '''Upper'''. The upper is thin, with quite happy on roadsa bit of mesh for breathability, but there is no cushioning and there are cutouts in the reinforcement that could cause friction. The padding around the ankle opening is less I'd like in a [[Maximalist]] shoe, but it's adequate.* '''Tongue'''. The Bondi has a classic tongue rather than a tongue-less sock style of upper. The lugs tongue is unpadded, so watch out for problems from the laces pressing on the outsole do make top of the foot.* '''Lacing'''. The Stinson Lite has a "speed lacing" system that uses fine laces and a little more noise on asphaltlocking system, but they include traditional round laces as well. I generally prefer the traditional laces as it can be tricky to get the tension right with the "speed lacing" system. Like many shoes in the Hoka range, the Stinson Lite has elastic straps that pull the sides together even if the laces are loose, but it's easy to cut these elastic straps off.* '''Heel counter'''. The Stinson Lite has a mild heel counter with no strongly defined edges, so it should not enough to be cause a problem. The heel counter comes as far up the back of the heel as is normal for a running shoe.{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/stinson-lite-1086|1086|Hoka One One Stinson Lite}}=Compared with the Hoka Stinson ATR=The Stinson is slightly heavier also available as the ATR that is intended to be more of a trail shoe. However, I'd say the ATR version has little more grip than many conventional road shoes like the [[Brooks Transcend]]. If you're after something for muddy trails, look to the [[Hoka Mafate]]. =Compared with the Hoka Clifton=The [[Hoka Clifton]] seems like it's an evolution of earlier Hokas, and thicker than I prefer the Clifton. The Clifton has nearly as much cushioning, but is far lighter. {| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 top]]|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 inside]]|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 outside]]|- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton top]] |[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton inside]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton outside]]|}{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/clifton-2-1062|1062|Hoka Clifton 2}}=Compared with Altra Olympus=The [[Altra Olympus]] is a competitor for the Hoka range, but not by muchand I believe it represents a better shoe. There The Olympus has been a slightly thinner sole, but its toe box is shaped for the human foot, and it's zero drop. Overall, I prefer the Olympus to the Bondi.{| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 top]]|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 inside]]|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 outside]]|- valign="top"|[[File:Altra-Olympus-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus top]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus inside]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus outside]] |}{{FastBlr|altra/olympus-1079|1079|Altra Olympus}}=Compared with Hoka Bondi=The Stinson Evo Lowhas become closer to the [[Hoka Bondi]] as it' which is a thinner s evolved. The latest version of the Stinson Lite has remarkably similar levels of weight, cushioning and comfort. It's not clear to me why Hoka would produce two shoes that I rather likedare this close, but the outsole on the Stinson Lite is better than the Bondi, making it a slightly better shoe. I've not seen it for sale for run with a Bondi on one foot and a while. The Stinson can be considered part way between on the other and I found the differences are so small it's hard to tell them apart. {| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 top]]|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 inside]]|[[File:Hoka -Bondi-4-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi 4 outside]]|- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Lite-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Lite top]] and the |[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Lite-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Lite bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Lite-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka MafateStinson Lite inside]] in terms of thickness and weight|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Lite-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Lite outside]]|}{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/bondi-4-1083|1083|Hoka Bondi}}{{ShoeGraphs}}
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}