Hoka One One

[ngcaper]

I noted a number of runners with these on at SS. I queried 2 on the trail per their experiences and they both stated excellent...they look like clown shoes to me. I'm now very curious about Hoka's. I'm wondering if anyone has tried them and what their experiences are.

What I see are Pros: I'll finally be 6' tall and perhaps be able to dunk a basketball, I'll have more cushion on my feet than my bed, I'll be unique. Con: I'll bump my head into things I normally wouldn't have, I may lose my feet in the cushion, and I'll be unique in a short bus sort of way...also they cost a mortgage payment.

[Irongirl]

interesting.....seems counter to the minimalist trend/research.....

[orleansrunner1962]

Ron -- you had time to notice what people were wearing!! The only fashion statement I saw was the runner wearing flannel pj's during the night run!

[ngcaper]

Ron -- you had time to notice what people were wearing!! The only fashion statement I saw was the runner wearing flannel pj's during the night run!

Hahaha...I couldn't help but notice these massive shoes. I wish I'd seen the flannel PJ's that's awesome. I guess they don't have concerns with chafing?

Remember you also started at 6am...I was only waking up at 6am.

@IronGirl...understood, but personally I'm not a convert/believer to the minimalist trend. The research I've read all leads back to someone about to gain from the outcomes, but that goes both ways for typical and minimalist I guess. For 5-10ks sure...beyond that not a chance. It seems a personal requirement and not a one size fits all approach. You have to admit though they do look fun or is it funny

[ultraslacker]

I think they look ridiculous. But I do know a few local trail runners who wear them and say they are great. :/ Personally, I like to have a little material as possible between my feet and the earth. (Love my Trail Minimus!)

eta: much of the reward of trail running for me is feeling the earth under my feet...

[Stampie]

There is no denying it; they are an odd looking pair of shoes that is for sure. I know of five people that run with them (plus another person who a rep for them) and they all love the cushioning in them. Granted that four of the five are friends with the rep (they paid for their pair) and one is unrelated to the rep, they all love them for training. As for price, I don’t find the price to be off from what my shoes retail for (Brook Glycerin’s $169). I contemplated getting a pair for training since the rep I know could get me a pair at her cost, which is much less then retail (under $80 if I recall). I opted for another pair of brooks since I got a sweet deal on them thru eBay the other day. One of the friends mentioned above is also one of the local Merrell reps and she trained & ran the BMO half in Hoka’s, given to her by the Hoka rep. She loves them and lovers her Merrell’s for the trails.

One thing with the Hoka’s is that even though they have lots of cushioning, the heel to toe lift is nominal compared to a traditional shoe, such as the Nike Vomero or Brooks Glycerin’s. 4.5mm for the Hoka verses 9.5mm for the Brooks.

[ngcaper]

I broke down an ordered a pair of the Mafate 2's yesterday. I have to head into NY this Saturday morning for other reasons so I ordered from Running Warehouse and will pick them up Saturday.

I may regret it...then again I may love it so I figure worth a try. I need to stop buying shoes, I think I need help

I had promised to take the full week off an start running again next Tuesday, with my new pair of clown shoes coming in I may need to break that promise. Perhaps a short 5-10k test on Sunday

[kab]

I'd love to hear about personal experience with these. I have arthritis in my feet and am always looking for more cushioning.

[NMG]

All I can think of when I see those is "The Jimmy" Seinfeld episode with the special training shoes. Jimmy's down!!!!

[DonnaRigs]

All I can think of when I see those is "The Jimmy" Seinfeld episode with the special training shoes. Jimmy's down!!!!

[ngcaper]

All I can think of when I see those is "The Jimmy" Seinfeld episode with the special training shoes. Jimmy's down!!!!

Hahahaha...I will never look at them the same again. "Jimmy's Down" will be in my head all day now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apa0nG1OfUc

@Kab I'll let you know how they work out. I'm pretty interested in running with them so anxiously awaiting their arrival.

[ngcaper]

Picked up the Hokas today...mucho comfy but my I look hilarious. Just walked around the yard/house with them on so far. Schedule for Woodstock starts up on Tuesday so likely my first run will be then. With just the walking the cushioning is out of this world. They make my maximum cushioned Triumphs feel hard.

[NMG]

Cool, it will be interesting to hear what you think of them. I've done some reading online and it seems that most people who have them love them.

[Annelizabeth]

It seems I can not run a marthon due to the pounding on pavement, thus very intrested for road runs.

[kab]

I am super interested in these. Does anyone know a store that ships these to Manitoba? We don't have them yet.

[ngcaper]

I'm not aware of any place in Canada, the Hoka website lists Cdn retailers, but I suspect none are close. Nearest to Ottawa was Toronto.

Are you near the U.S. border? You could do as I did have them shipped to a UPS store from Running Warehouse or Boulder Shoe company etc.

They do run a 1/2 size small so when ordering keep that in mind, and I can verify at least for the Mafate 2's it's true.

[HCcD]

I'm not aware of any place in Canada, the Hoka website lists Cdn retailers, but I suspect none are close. Nearest to Ottawa was Toronto.

Are you near the U.S. border? You could do as I did have them shipped to a UPS store from Running Warehouse or Boulder Shoe company etc.

They do run a 1/2 size small so when ordering keep that in mind, and I can verify at least for the Mafate 2's it's true.

My Shop was suppose to start carrying these this year, not sure if the plans fell through or not, but if you like, I can ask him this week ...

[ngcaper]

It would be intersting to have access to the Hoka's in Ottawa...for me personally since I just bought a pair it wouldn't benefit me near term, but interesting to know if there are plans.

Thanks for offering to look into it HCcD

[kab]

I'm not aware of any place in Canada, the Hoka website lists Cdn retailers, but I suspect none are close. Nearest to Ottawa was Toronto.

Are you near the U.S. border? You could do as I did have them shipped to a UPS store from Running Warehouse or Boulder Shoe company etc.

They do run a 1/2 size small so when ordering keep that in mind, and I can verify at least for the Mafate 2's it's true.

My Shop was suppose to start carrying these this year, not sure if the plans fell through or not, but if you like, I can ask him this week ...

I'm going to Fargo next month, I'll look for them and it sounds like it would be better to try them on.

[Strider]

same reaction from me this weekend at KM100. Got me curious, really interested in seeing what you think of them. I'll have to try yours on.

[FishHog]

All I can think of when I see those is "The Jimmy" Seinfeld episode with the special training shoes. Jimmy's down!!!!

Hahahaha...I will never look at them the same again. "Jimmy's Down" will be in my head all day now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apa0nG1OfUc

@Kab I'll let you know how they work out. I'm pretty interested in running with them so anxiously awaiting their arrival.

way too funny, thanks for the clip.

[daddy_runner]

I'm not aware of any place in Canada, the Hoka website lists Cdn retailers, but I suspect none are close. Nearest to Ottawa was Toronto.

Are you near the U.S. border? You could do as I did have them shipped to a UPS store from Running Warehouse or Boulder Shoe company etc.

They do run a 1/2 size small so when ordering keep that in mind, and I can verify at least for the Mafate 2's it's true.

My Shop was suppose to start carrying these this year, not sure if the plans fell through or not, but if you like, I can ask him this week ...

I'm going to Fargo next month, I'll look for them and it sounds like it would be better to try them on.

I bought my pair from kint.ec/hokas. The Mafates fit pretty much like any other shoe I've got, maybe just a bit roomier in the toe box. The Stinsons are pretty tight (I had to return a pair). As for my opionion of the Hokas, I like them although they do give me blisters on my right big toe, probably because of the extra room in the toe box (they can slide around more).

They have some "old models" that are on sale for *just* below their free shipping total. So buy yourself some sports tape to make up the difference.

[jgore]

Running Free carries them, as does Sportchek. (They're only available online at Sportchek.ca)

[kab]

Thanks, good to know. I am sitting up unable to sleep with my aching feet and calves right now. I hope they help.

[daddy_runner]

Running Free carries them, as does Sportchek. (They're only available online at Sportchek.ca)

Sportchek isn't renewing their inventory, so they have some gaps in their sizes. And once they're gone, they're gone.