Let’s talk Hoka: Here at Queen City Running, we carry six of the major running shoe brands; Asics, Brooks, Saucony, Miszuno, New Balance, and Hoka.
Each of these brands offer shoes that are strong contenders in terms of durability, comfort, and performance. However, like any product, some competitors do things a bit differently than the rest and we wanted to highlight the qualities that make Hoka so unique.
At QCR, we carry the top three shoes of Hoka’s line; the Clifton, Arahi, and Bondi. We sat down with Mike, one of our shoe fitting specialists with a background in exercise science and kinesiology and a longtime wearer of Hoka, and asked him to explain what makes Hoka shoes standout.
Mike first explained that Hoka shoes hit the market around 15 years ago and were originally designed to be a high performance utility shoe. A shoe that would be great for hiking or even everyday wear. However, the brand started to catch on and eventually they began to expand their range and developed shoes that have become more streamlined and performance based for runners.
So what makes these shoes so different? First and foremost is the cushion factor. Just by looking at these shoes, you can see the thick sole of the shoe that is designed to be able to absorb the shock from running on pavement or walking in everyday life. But don’t let that thick sole fool you, these shoes are incredibly lightweight- even noticeable lighter than some of the other competing brands. The lightness of these shoes promotes a natural feel and allows for you to have a more efficient stride because you are exerting less energy to drive your foot forward.
Mike also highlighted how the mechanics of Hoka speak for themselves. He explained that these shoes are designed to “rock” your foot into its next step. Slip on a pair, and you will feel the forward rocking motion that comes from these shoes having a shorter heel drop. The rocking motion encourages your foot to land higher up on the shoe and have you quickly bouncing off into your next stride.
Another aspect about Hokas that we like here at QCR is the fit. Because Hoka shoes are designed without hard, structuring posts, this allows for the shoe to cradle your foot, making your foot feel more comfortable and secure. We also like the depth of these shoes. Hoka shoes tend to be deeper than most which promotes that crandeling sensation and it makes these shoes a good fit for wider feet because there is more room in the shoe.
Overall, what Mike likes best about Hoka are the mechanics and how the shoes increase his stride as a result. Additionally, he’s a firm believer in the comfort factor of Hoka. As someone who has suffered from continuous hip and knee pain, Hoka shoes have been a game changer for him. Regardless if it is for competitions or daily use, Mike says because of their shock absorption, Hokas allow for him to place less stress on his joints .
Swing on by one of our stores today to try out the Hoka difference for yourself!
