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=The Hoka Advantages=
* 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.
* Most of the Hokas are very softly cushioned, though Hoka are using a firmer RMAT foam in some of their shoes that seems hard by comparison.
* 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 2000 which has 9mm 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 slightly heavier traditional running shoe. (Obviously they are heavier than The [[Hoka Clifton]] is actually quite a light shoe and comparable with some [[Minimalist Running Footwear| minimalist shoe]]s.)
* 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.
=Comparison of the Shoes in the Hoka Range=
Here's a short summer of the shoes in the Hoka range.
* '''[[Hoka BondiClifton]].''' Of all . This newer shoe has replaced the Bondi is my favorite of the Hoka shoes I've tried, the various range. It feels just like a Bondi shoes (Bondi B, Bondi 2but is significantly lighter, Bondi 3 and Bondi Speed) are my favoritesa little more durable. Like all Hokas, the Bondi has a horribly small toe box, it's easily [[Shoe Modifications| modified]]. * '''[[Hoka Bondi]].''' Until Hoka produced the Clifton, the various Bondi shoes (Bondi B, Bondi 2, Bondi 3 and Bondi Speed) were my favorites.
* '''[[Hoka Stinson]].''' The Stinson is a little heavier and thicker than the Bondi variants, and is available in road and trail versions.
* '''[[Hoka Mafate]].''' The Mafate is a huge shoe, and the heaviest and thickest of the Hokas.
* '''[[Hoka Conquest]].''' While this is as big and heavy as a [[Hoka Bondi]], the overly firm RMAT foam rulings ruins the shoe.* '''[[Hoka Huaka]].''' The Huaka, like the conquest, uses RMAT foam that is hard wearing, but excessively firm.* '''Hoka Rapa Nui.''' The Rapa Nui 2 is lighter, thinner and a little cheaper than the other Hokas, but I found it even firmer than the Conquest. In fact, the The [[Adidas Energy Boost ]] feels far more cushioned to me, though it does not offer the same level of protection from stones or uneven surfaces.
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}