Changes

The [http://www.zappos.com/hoka-one-one Hoka] shoes 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 shoesHoka Clifton]]is one of the most impressive shoes I've come across recently, but I think the [[Altra Olympus]]/[[Altra Paradigm]] is with remarkable levels of cushioning at a 'better Hoka'light weight. I've included some recommendations to help you evaluate if Hokas are right for you.

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. However, the sole is not as thick as it appears from the outside, as you can see from the image below. The foam in the midsole comes up the sides of the shoe much higher.{| <gallery widths=300px heights=300px class="wikitable" |- valign="topcenter">|[[File:HokaHalfs.JPG|none|thumb|400px|The Hoka Bondi cut in half, showing the outside and inside views. You can see that the midsole foam is a lot higher on the outside than the inside.]]|[[File:ShoeHalfs.JPG|none|thumb|400px|This image compares the Hokas with other shoes.]]|- valign="top"|[[File:HokaRocker.jpg|none|thumb|400px|Here the outline of the foam midsole has been highlighted in red. This helps reveal how the Hoka midsole narrows at the front and back to create a 'rocker' effect, making it easier for your foot to roll. ]]|[[File:HokaOlympusSlice.JPG|none|thumb|400px|A comparison between the Altra Olympus and Bondi. You can see the difference in the way the midsole tapers towards the front of the shoe.]]|}</gallary>

* 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 tend to have 9-14mm 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, they are comparable with a slightly heavier traditional running shoe. The [[Hoka Clifton]] is actually quite a light shoe and comparable with some [[Minimalist Running Footwear| minimalist shoeshoes]]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. (See the section on 'meta-rocker' below.)

* 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 Socks| favored sock combination]] mitigates the [[Blister Prevention| friction]].

[[File:Hoka Blisters.jpg|nonecenter|thumb|300px|An image of a runner with the distinctive Hoka blister pattern I saw at the [[2013 Umstead 100]].]]

[[File:Hoka.jpg|nonecenter|thumb|300px|Click for a larger image.]]

I'd suggest getting your shoes from somewhere with free shipping both ways, like [http://www.zappos.com/ Zappos], who also have one of the best selections of Hoka shoes I've found. (While [http://www.roadrunnersports.com/ Road Runner Sports] has the advantage of letting you run in shoes and still return them for an exchange, they don't stock Hokasbut the return shipping is not free.)

[[File:HokaOlympusSlice.JPG|nonecenter|thumb|x300px|A comparison between the Altra Olympus and Hokas.]]While Hoka was the first company to produce the Minimax Maximalist style of shoe, but Altra has started to produce comparable shoes. The Altra key selling points are zero drop (no high heel) and a shape that matches the human foot. Initially the Altra shoes were minimalist, with thin, firm midsoles, but they have introduced some thicker, softly cushioned shoes such as the [[Altra Olympus]]. At the same time, Hoka has moved to thinner, firmer shoes such as the Rapi Nui, Conquest or huaka. I've run in both Hoka and Altra shoes, even swapping between them during 100 miles races. As you can see from the picture of the dissected shoes above, the shoes are quite similar, but the Hoka has a much more abrupt taper of the midsole at the front of the shoe. By comparison the Altra tapers more gradually from further back. I find the Altra a better Minimax Maximalist shoe than the Hoka range, but things may change as each manufacturer evolves (or devolves) their product range. [[File:HokaOrAltra.png|nonecenter|thumb|500px300px|A tongue-in-cheek look at the different shapes of the Hoka and Altra shoes.]]=Comparison The Meta-Rocker=Because of their thickness, Hoka shoes have to have more of a taper towards the Shoes front of the shoe. They call this the 'meta-rocker' and place it in various different parts of the shoe depending on model. A late meta-rocker has a more abrupt taper under the toes, and early meta-rocker has a more gradual taper starting just behind the ball of the foot, and the balanced meta-rocker is in between. However, even the early meta-rocker has a far more abrupt and late taper than some of the Altra shoes. [[File:CliftonStinson.JPG|center|thumb|300px|The [[Hoka Stinson]] above, which has a late meta-rocker with the [[Hoka Clifton]] that has an early meta-rocker. If you look at the front of the midsoles, you can see the blue foam of the Stinson tapers rapidly and more extremely.]]=The Hoka Range=HereHoka have started to use a new type of foam called [[RMAT]] that lasts much longer than traditional EVA foam, but it's heavier and much firmer. The result is a short summer of shoe that looks like the usual Hoka, but is far too firm. You can find shoes weighting the same that are vastly softer, or shoes that are similar in cushioning that are vastly lighter. I avoid any Hoka that uses RMAT in the midsole, but RMAT can also be used in the outsole, where it can provide remarkable grip on pretty much any surface. (Some of the Hoka rangeare only available through specialty running stores, while others are targeted at large chains like sporting goods stores or department stores.)* '''[[Hoka CliftonClayton 2]]'''. This newer shoe has replaced The Clayton just edges out the Bondi is Clifton as my favorite of Hoka, though it's really close. Both are reasonably light, and have outstanding cushioning-to-weight ratios. They're both nicely neutral and smooth to run in, but the Hoka rangeClayton trades slightly less cushioning for slightly less weight. It feels just like However, there're more to it than simply a Bondicut down Clifton. The Clayton's outsole is RMAT, which provides better grip, especially in the wet. However, but because RMAT is significantly lighterheavier than EVA, and a little the Clayton's upper is rather more durableminimalist than the Clifton, so some runners may prefer the added comfort of the Clifton. Like all Hokas, the Bondi Clayton has a horribly small toe box, it's easily [[Shoe Modifications| modified]].* '''[[Hoka Clifton 3]]'''. The Clifton was a breakthrough shoe for Hoka, and was the bestselling running shoe at Running Warehouse in 2014. It feels just like an early Bondi, but is significantly lighter, and a little more durable. The Clifton and its variants are all have an early meta-rocker.** '''Challenger ATR'''. This is the trail version of the awesome [[Hoka Clifton]], but it doesn't have much more aggressive outsole than most road shoes, so look to the Mafate if you want a trail shoe.** ''' Until [[Hoka produced Odyssey]]. '''The Odyssey is superficially identical to the Clifton, the various Bondi shoes but with a thicker sole (Bondi B, Bondi 2, Bondi 3 35/30mm) and Bondi Speed) were my favoritesfirmer foam. The Odyssey is sold in larger chain stores. * '''[[Hoka StinsonTracer]].''' . The Stinson tracer is a little heavier and thicker firmer shoe, with a worse weight-to-cushioning ratio than the better Hoka shoes. You'd get more cushioning from the [[New Balance RC5000v2]] which weighs only 4.0oz. It's a good shoe, but it's not one of the greats. (I know this is "damned with faint praise", but this really is a good shoe.)* '''[[Hoka Bondi variants| Hoka Bondi 5]].''' Until Hoka produced the Clifton, the Bondi was my favorite Hoka. They were well cushioned and is available in road (Lite) lighter weight than you'd expect for their size, but later iterations seem to be firmer and trail (ATR) versionsthey are rather heavy when compared to the Clifton or Clayton. The Bondi has an early meta-rocker.* '''[[Hoka Mafate| Hoka Mafate Speed]].''' The Mafate is a huge shoe, and the heaviest and thickest of the Hokas. The latest iteration is great on pretty much any surface, including roads, mud, cobblestones, and slick rocks. Hoka have started to use a new type of foam called * '''[[RMATHoka Stinson]] that lasts much longer .''' The Stinson is a little heavier and thicker than traditional EVA foamthe Bondi variants, but it's heavier and much firmeris now only available in trail (ATR) versions. The result Stinson is a shoe that looks like one of the usual few Hoka, but road shoes that have a late meta-rocker. The Stinson is now on its fourth version and is far a heavy shoe (way too firmheavy for me. You can find shoes weighting ) I'd recommend using the same that are vastly softerClifton/Clayton for mild trails, or shoes that are similar in cushioning that are vastly lighter. I avoid any Hoka that uses RMAT in the midsoleChallenger for moderate trails, which includes:and the Mafate for anything needing more traction. * '''[[Hoka ConquestHupana]].''' While this . The Hupana is as big and heavy as a uses the [[Hoka BondiRMAT]]foam for the entire sole, not just the outsole like some other Hokas. This has the advantage that the Hupana lasts rather longer than shoes with EVA cushioning, but it also makes the overly firm RMAT shoe less cushioned for its weight than EVA shoes. The Hupana is fairly light, but you can get a much lighter shoe than the Hupana with the same cushioning. If you want longevity, I'd recommend looking for a TPU foam ruins shoe like the shoe[[Altra Escalante]] rather than RMAT.* '''[[Hoka Huaka]].Vanquish''' . The Huakalatest version, like the conquestVanquish 3, uses RMAT two layers of EVA foam that , with a softer layer over a firmer layer. The Vanquish is hard wearingrather heavier than I'd like, but excessively firmI may test this shoe in more detail; let me know if you're interested.* '''Hoka Rapa Nui 2.Arahi/Gaviota''' . These shoes are intended to interfere with your biomechanics, aiming to reduce pronation. The Rapa Nui 2 is lighterGaviota has more intrusive mechanisms, using an RMAT medial post, thinner and making it more of a little cheaper than "motion control" shoe, while the other Hokas, but I found it even Arahi uses firmer than the ConquestEVA foam in its medial post. The [[Adidas Energy Boost]] feels far more cushioned to meI'm not a fan of this type of approach, though it does not offer and the same level of protection from stones or uneven surfaces. typical Hoka has announced some new shoes which should be available soon, as well as updates tends to have enough passive stability without resorting to the Conquest and Bondi 3medial posts. * '''Challenger ATRSpeedgoat'''. This shoe is named after Karl Meltzer and his race, the [http://karlmeltzer.com/speedgoat-50k/ Speedgoat 50K]. It's a true trail version shoe, with 5mm lugs on a Vibram outsole. With a 30/35mm stack height it's a little shorter than the Mafate and it's lighter, but even with my obsession with weight I'd go for the Mafate because of the awesome its sticky [[Hoka CliftonRMAT]]outsole. * '''ConstantHiking Boots. '''. This looks like a Hoka is trying have started to add produce hiking boots that look impressive. They all have a medial post to prevent pronation. [[The Science of Running Shoes]] has shown these techniques are ineffectiveminimal drop, and more likely to cause problems can helpuse an eVent waterproof liner. I don't think I'd expect the shoe want to be less cushioned and heavierrun far in these, especially with the inclusion of the dreaded [[RMAT]]. This promises to but I will be picking up a truly awful shoepair for my next hiking trip. ** '''ValorTor Summit. '''. This is a Hoka that only uses EVA foam, not lowest of the harder [[RMAT]]range, with a 36/32mm sole and probably in the middle is more of a hiking shoe than a boot. It has the Hoka weight rangeRMAT outsole, so it should stick well.** '''VanquishTor Summit Mid.'''. This shoe has is a combination version of EVA foam the Summit that comes up the ankle a little further and [[RMAT]], with so provides a 34mm/30mm sole, and may be on little more protection from water coming over the heavy sidetop. * * '''[[Hoka Tor Ultra]]'''Odyssey. This is a high top hiking boot and is styled a little more like a modified Hoka running shoe than a traditional hiking boot. I'm really impressed with this boot, and it's far better than any other I've tried. =The Odyssey might be nearly as light as the Best Hokas={{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/clifton-2-1062|1062|Hoka Clifton, but with a thicker sole (352}}{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/mafate-speed-1085|1085|Hoka One One Mafate Speed}}{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/30mm). bondi-4-1083|1083|Hoka One One Bondi 4}}