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The [http://gowww.fellrnrzappos.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Hoka&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhokahoka-one-one Hoka] shoes are unique in started the 'maximum cushioning, minimum drop' style of shoe with their thick, softly cushioned soles. They reduce the pounding on the soles of your feet, but they are not without their downsides. The Hokas are one of my [[Shoes| recommended running shoes]], but I think the Altra Olympus is a 'better Hoka'.
=Introduction=
Hoka One One, pronounced "Hoka O-nay O-nay", means "now it is time to fly" in [http://www.maoridictionary.co.nz/index.cfm?dictionaryKeywords=hoka&search.x=0&search.y=0&n=1&idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan= Maori]. These shoes have midsoles that are much thicker and softer than traditional shoes. The soles are also wider to prevent the higher soles making the shoes unstable, like stilts.
=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.
* 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 2000 which has 11mm 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 traditional running shoe. (Obviously they are heavier than a [[Minimalist 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.
# 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 [[Minimalist Running Footwear| these minimalist shoes]] works for you.
# Try the Hokas, starting with the [http://gowww.fellrnrzappos.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=BondiS&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhokahoka-one-one-bondi-s-red-white-yellow Bondi Speed] or the [http://gowww.fellrnrzappos.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=BondiB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhokahoka-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.
# Try the Hokas for your longer runs. Obviously test them out on shorter runs and build up, but I'd recommend using the Hokas for the long stuff and the minimalist shoes for the rest.
# Do you run on rough trails, where your feet may get sore from stone bruises?
# Try one of the trail Hokas, like the [http://gowww.fellrnrzappos.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=StinsonEvo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhokahoka-one-one-stinson-evo-grey-white-red Stinson Evo] or even the [http://gowww.fellrnrzappos.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Mafate2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fhokahoka-one-one-mafate-2-citrus-anthracite-white Mafate 2] if you want more protection.
# You're probably best staying with the minimalist footwear, though it may be worth trying out a pair of Hokas.
I'd suggest getting your shoes from somewhere with free shipping both ways, like [http://gowww.fellrnrzappos.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Zappos&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com Zappos], who also have one of the best selections of Hoka shoes I've found. (While [http://gowww.fellrnrroadrunnersports.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=RRS&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2F Road Runner Sports] has the advantage of letting you run in shoes and still return them for an exchange, they don't stock Hokas.)
=Hoka Style Comparison=
Below are my top picks for Hokas – for more details see my [[Shoes| review of the best running shoes]].
{| class="wikitable"
! Shoe
! Claimed Drop
! Measured Drop
|-
| [http://www.zapposroadrunnersports.com/hoka-one-one-bondi-s2-red-white-yellow Bondi Speed 2]| Roadrrs/Trails| 9.5oz| 12oz (size 12)| 4.5mm| | |-| [http:products/HKA114/www.zappos.com/mens-hoka-one-one-bondi-2-cyan-white-lime 3/ Bondi 23]
| Road/Trails
| 11oz
| 11.7oz1oz
| 3mm
| 5mm (35-30mm)
|-
| [http://www.zapposroadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/HKA116/mens-hoka-one-one-mafate-2-citrus-anthracite-white Mafate 2conquest/ Conquest]| Soft Road/Trails| 11.3oz8oz| 1311.6oz9oz
| 4mm
| 6mm (3634-24mm28mm)| +35%
|-
| [http://www.zapposroadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/HKA108/mens-hoka-one-one-stinson-evo-white-cyan-citrus trail/ Stinson Evo] | Road/TrailTrails| 1012.4oz2oz
| 11.8oz
| 6mm
| 6mm (38-32mm)
|-
| [http://www.zappos.com/hoka-one-one-mafate-3-lime-anthracite-white Mafate 3]
| Trails
| 14.7oz
| 15.1oz
| 4mm
| 6mm (3841-32mm35mm)| +30%
|-
| Kailua Comp [http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/HKA118/mens-hoka-one-one-rapa-nui-2-tarmac/ Rapa Nui 2 Tarmac]
| Road
| 910.5oz| | 5mm| | |-| Rapa Nui Comp| Trail| 910.6oz| 9oz
| 5mm
| | |-| [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=RrsGT2170&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2Frrs%2Fproducts%2FASC1524%2F Asics GT 2170]| Road| | 11.4oz| | 11mm (30mm-19mm)| |-| [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=RrsNike40v4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2Frrs%2Fproducts%2FNIK1444%2F Nike Free 3.0 v4]| Road| | 7.0oz| | 4mm 5mm (21mm31-17mm26mm)| |-| [[Modified Nike Free]]| Road| | | | Zero Drop|
|}