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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:Hoka-Stinson-Lite-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Lite inside]]|[[File:HokaStinsonEvoLowSliceHoka-Stinson-Lite-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Lite outside]]|- valign="top"|- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Evo-Low-top.JPGjpg|none|thumb|x300px150px|Hoka Stinson Evo Lowtop]]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-stinson Low-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka StinsonEvo Low outside]]|}=Characteristics=* '''Why you'd buy it'''. My top [[Minimax]] 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. * '''Structure'''. The midsole is more aggressive than a single type of foam, so there's nothing to interfere with the natural movement of the road versionfoot.* '''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 trail version is quite happy on roadsBondi. * '''Shape'''. The lugs on Stinson has the outsole do make typical Hoka shape, with a little more noise on asphalttight, but not enough 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 be a problem[[Shoe Modifications| cut open the toe box of any Hokas]].* '''Upper'''. The Stinson upper is thin, with quite a bit of mesh for breathability, but there is slightly heavier no cushioning and thicker than there are cutouts in the reinforcement that could cause friction. The padding around the Bondiankle opening is less I'd like in a [[Minimax]] shoe, but not by muchit's adequate.* '''Tongue'''. There The Bondi has been a classic tongue rather than a tongue-less sock style of upper. The tongue is unpadded, so watch out for problems from the laces pressing on the top of the foot.* '''Lacing'''. The Stinson Evo Low' which is Lite has a thinner version "speed lacing" system that uses fine laces and a locking system, but they include traditional round laces as well. I rather likedgenerally 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 Iit's easy to cut these elastic straps off.* '''Heel counter'''ve . The Stinson Lite has a mild heel counter with no strongly defined edges, so it should not seen cause a problem. The heel counter comes as far up the back of the heel as is normal for a running shoe.{{BuyShoes|RW=T|RRS=T|AZ=T|ZP=T}}{{ShoeGraphs}}=Compared with the Hoka Clifton=The [[Hoka Clifton]] seems like it 's an evolution of earlier Hokas, and 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]]|}=Compared with Altra Olympus=The [[Altra Olympus]] is a competitor for sale the Hoka range, and I believe it represents a better shoe. The Olympus has a slightly thinner sole, but its toe box is shaped for a whilethe 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]] |}=Compared with Hoka Bondi=The Stinson can be considered part way between has become closer to the [[Hoka Bondi]] as it'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 are this close, but the outsole on the Stinson Lite is better than the Bondi, making it a slightly better shoe. {| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-4-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka MafateBondi 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]]|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Lite-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Lite bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Lite-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Lite inside]] in terms of thickness and weight|[[File:Hoka-Stinson-Lite-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Stinson Lite outside]]|}