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The [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Hoka&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhoka-one-one Hoka] shoes are unique in their thick, softly cushioned soles. They reduce the pounding on the soles of your feet, but they are not without their downsides.
=Introduction=
* The Hokas provide remarkable protection for the soles of your feet. This protection is most noticeable on trails, where you can ignore far more of the stones and bumps. I've found this protection to be wonderful, as it has allowed me to run trails again, which would not otherwise be possible. Even on smoother surfaces, the Hokas can protect your soles, which is a factor over longer distances.
* The Hokas have far less of a drop between the heel and forefoot than a traditional shoe. The Hokas have claim 3-4.5mm of drop, but measurements suggest it's more like 6mm. Compared with a traditional running shoe like the Asics GT 2170 which has 11mm of drop, the Hokas seem quite flat. I've found that running in Hokas is a little like running barefoot on a padded track, which is quite impressive.
* The Hokas are remarkably light for their size, and other than the Mafete 2, they are comparable with a traditional running shoe. (Obviously they are heavier than a [[ShoesMinimalist Running Footwear| minimalist shoe]].)
* The thick sole tapers from the forefoot to the front of the shoe, creating an effect that encourages a good forward lean and toe off. I've been surprised how much this has helped my biomechanics.
* There are many reports that the Hokas reduce muscle fatigue, but I found no obvious difference in muscular soreness between the Hokas and the [[Modified Nike Free]]. Opinions of other runners going to Hokas from minimalist shoes varies, with some seeing a benefit and others not.
* While the Hokas are expensive ($170 in the US), but most runners find they last longer than a traditional running shoe, so the overall costs are lower. Of course, they don't last as long as some minimalist shoes; I get 2,000+ miles out of my [[Modified Nike FreeFrees]] shoes, but I only get I around 600 miles out of my Hokas.
=The Hoka Problems=
* The thick sole of the Hokas produces a greater ankle stress on uneven surfaces. The wider sole reduces this problem a little, but when trail running this is still an issue. In the past I have never had trouble with twisting my ankles, but the Hokas did cause me some ankle stress and pain. However, other runners have no problems even on rough trails.
* The added cushioning protects the soles of the feet, but I've found I've had joint stress with the Hokas that I've never had with my [[Modified Nike Free]]. This is in line with the research that has shown [[Are your running shoes injuring you| greater joint stress with greater cushioning]].
* Even though the cushioning of the Hokas is far softer than other shoes, the thickness makes them quite stiff. This reduces the natural flexing of the foot, but it also puts extra stress on some areas of your foot. The skin on the back of the heel has more friction and the tendons under where the laces are tied have more pressure. I've found that lacing the Hokas loosely limits the tendon stress, and my [[Blister_Prevention_and_SocksBlister Prevention and Socks| favored sock combination]] mitigates the [[Blister_PreventionBlister Prevention| friction]].
* I've found my running form tends to degrade while running in the Hokas rather than my [[Modified Nike Free]]. When I swap back, it takes a few miles for my form to recover. I've also noticed that my [[Cadence]] is lower in the Hokas, but this might be due to the extra weight.
* The toe box of the Hokas is rather tight for many people, myself included. This is not a major problem, as it is easy to cut the toe box open.
# Are your current shoes traditional or minimalist?
# Are you willing to try out minimalist shoes? I'm a big proponent of minimalist footwear, but I realize not everyone wants to try it out.
# See how one of [[ShoesMinimalist Running Footwear| these minimalist shoes]] works for you.
# Try the Hokas, starting with the [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=BondiS&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhoka-one-one-bondi-s-red-white-yellow Bondi Speed] or the [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=BondiB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhoka-one-one-bondi-b-white-grey-citrus Bondi B]
# How far do you run? Hokas may have some advantages over minimalist shoes for longer ultramarathons.
=Hoka Style Comparison=
{| class="wikitable"
!Shoe!!Use!!Claimed Weight!!Measured Weight (Mens size 9 US)!!Claimed Drop!!Measured Drop!!Outsole width
|-
|[http://gowww.fellrnrzappos.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=BondiS&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhokahoka-one-one-bondi-ss2-red-white-yellow Bondi Speed2]|Road|9.5oz|12oz (size 12)|4.5mm||
|-
|[http://gowww.fellrnrzappos.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=BondiB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhokahoka-one-one-bondi-b2-cyan-white-grey-citrus lime Bondi B2]|Road|11oz|10.6oz|3mm|6mm (35-29mm)|+35% oversized
|-
|[http://gowww.fellrnrzappos.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=StinsonEvoDT&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhokahoka-one-one-stinsonmafate-evo2-dtcitrus-blueanthracite-white-silver Stinson Evo Tarmac (DT)Mafate 2]|RoadSoft Trails|1011.4oz3oz|1113.7oz6oz|4mm|7mm 6mm (3736-30mm24mm)|30+35% oversized
|-
|[http://gowww.fellrnrzappos.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Mafate2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhokahoka-one-one-mafatestinson-2evo-citruswhite-anthracitecyan-white Mafate 2citrus Stinson Evo]|Road/Trail|1110.3oz4oz|1311.6oz8oz|4mm|6mm (3638-24mm32mm)|35+30% oversized
|-
|[http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=StinsonEvoRrsGT2170&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zapposroadrunnersports.com%2Fhoka-one-one-stinson-evo-grey-white-red Stinson Evo2Frrs%2Fproducts%2FASC1524%2F Asics GT 2170] |Road/Trail|10.4oz|11.8oz4oz|4mm|6mm 11mm (3830mm-32mm19mm)|30% oversized
|-
|[http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=RrsGT2170RrsNike40v4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2Frrs%2Fproducts%2FASC15242FNIK1444%2F Asics GT 2170Nike Free 3.0 v4]|Road||117.4oz0oz||11mm 4mm (30mm21mm-19mm17mm)|
|-
|}