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{{DISPLAYTITLE:A review and comparison of Hoka One One running shoes}}
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.
=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. 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.
* 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 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 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. (See the section on 'meta-rocker' below.)
* 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 Free]]s, but I only get I around 600 miles out of my Hokas.
While Hoka was the first company to produce the Minimax 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. I find the Altra a better Minimax shoe than the Hoka range, but things may change as each manufacturer evolves (or devolves) their product range.
[[File:HokaOrAltra.png|none|thumb|500px|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 front of the shoe. They call this the 'meta-rocker' and place it in various different parts of the Shoes 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. =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 Clifton]]'''. This newer shoe has replaced the Bondi is my favorite of the Hoka range, and was the bestselling running shoe at Running Warehouse in 2014. It feels just like a Bondi, but is significantly lighter, and a little more durable. Like all Hokas, the Bondi has a horribly small toe box, it's easily [[Shoe Modifications| modified]]. 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. ** '''[[Hoka Odyssey]]. '''The Odyssey is superficially identical to the Clifton, but with a thicker sole (35/30mm) and firmer foam. The Odyssey is sold in larger chain stores. ** '''[[Hoka Clifton| Clifton 2]]'''. The update to the Clifton adds a bit more padding, but it also gets a little fatter, so the original is slightly better.* '''[[Hoka Bondi]].''' Until Hoka produced the Clifton, the various Bondi shoes (was my favorite. They're well cushioned and lighter weight than you'd expect for their size. The Bondi Bhas an early meta-rocker. ** '''Valor'''. This is a Hoka that only uses EVA foam, Bondi 2not the harder [[RMAT]], Bondi 3 with a 36/32mm sole and probably in the middle of the Hoka weight range. The Valor appears to be the large chain store variant of the Bondi Speed) were my favorites. * '''[[Hoka Stinson]].''' The Stinson is a little heavier and thicker than the Bondi variants, and is available in road (Lite) and trail (ATR) versions. The Stinson is one of the few Hoka road shoes that have a late meta-rocker. ** '''Stinson 3'''. The latest update to the Stinson is claimed to be a complete redesign, but the only significant change appears to be a balanced rather than late 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 [[RMAT]] that lasts much longer than traditional EVA foamI don't normally review trail shoes, but the Mafate is so impressive I had to include it's heavier and much firmer. The result is a 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 lighterMafate has an early meta-rocker. I avoid any Hoka that uses RMAT in the midsole, which includes:* '''[[Hoka Conquest]].''' While this is as big and heavy as a [[Hoka Bondi]], the overly firm RMAT foam ruins the shoe. The Conquest has an early meta-rocker. ** '''Vanquish'''. This shoe has a combination of EVA foam and [[RMAT]], with a 34mm/30mm sole, and may be on the heavy side. The Vanquish appears to be the large chain variant of the Conquest.* '''[[Hoka Huaka]].''' The Huaka, like the conquest, uses RMAT foam that is hard wearing, but excessively firm.* '''Hoka Rapa Nui 2.''' The Rapa Nui 2 is lighter, thinner and a little cheaper than the other Hokas, but I found it even firmer than the Conquest. 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. Hoka Huaka has announced some new shoes which should be available soon, as well as updates to the Conquest and Bondi 3. * '''Challenger ATR'''. This is the trail version of the awesome [[Hoka Clifton]]an early meta rocker. * '''Constant'''. This looks like a Hoka is trying to add a medial post to prevent pronation. [[The Science of Running Shoes]] has shown these techniques are ineffective, and more likely to cause problems can help. I'd expect the shoe to be less cushioned and heavier, especially with the inclusion of the dreaded [[RMAT]]. (The Constant has a late meta-rocker.)This promises to be a truly awful shoe. * '''Valor'''. This is a Hoka that only uses EVA foam, not the harder [[RMAT]], with a 36/32mm sole and probably in the middle of the Hoka weight range.* '''Vanquish'''. This shoe has a combination of EVA foam and [[RMAT]], with a 34mm/30mm sole, and may be on the heavy side. * '''Odyssey. '''The Odyssey might be nearly as light as the Clifton, but with a thicker sole (35/30mm).
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}
