hoka vs altra paradigm
help me choose a shoe, i am currently running in a newton motion. I am looking to a new shoe with more cushion, I have a wide foot too.
Pro’s and con’s for each? please help
DL
The toe box is wide on the paradigm which made me happy. The cushioning on the Hoka Stinson’s (my regular running shoe) was far better for me. I have shin splint issues on every shoe except the Stinson. The shin splints returned as soon as I started running in the Paradigms, so I’m back in Stinsons for good.
Whether they are pros or cons is a bit individual but the Paradigm has an ample toe box and “Hoka” like cushioning with a 34mm stack height. The Altra are also a zero drop shoe so that is something to consider although coming from the Newton Motion which is only a 3mm drop it should be a pretty quick transition. Just don’t go and crank out a 10 mile run the first time out the door or your calves maybe angry with you for a few days.
Depends which Hoka you are comparing it to. I have been wearing Hoka for over 2 years. I have WIDE forefeet and can only wear the Bondi as the other Hokas aren’t wide enough. I tried the Paradigm and it was too firm for me. Not as cushiony. More similar cushion-wise to the Hoka Conquest. I found the Altra Olympus to have similar cushioning qualities to the Bondi.
Based on some comments from Slowman, I went for some Bondi 3s, and they work for me (10.5 EE in NB). The Bondi 2 was a tad too narrow, and the 3 is just right.
Got a couple of pairs from REI outlet pretty cheap, so I’m stocked for a while.
Great review on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qActYwTwIMc
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Have the Paradigm and ALL the Hokas (well, almost all). The Bondi 3 would be your best fit if you want the most room in the toe box from the Hoka line. If you are used to running in Hokas, EVERYTHING else will seem firm(er). Having run in the Newton, Altra, and Hoka line, I prefer Hoka.
It’s nice to see that they are offering some ‘lighter’ options too (Clifton and Huaka). I like the wider toe box, so I am hoping that they will start to build more shoes with similar volume as the new Bondi 3. The Huaka, a great shoe too, is quite narrow. I can run in it, but would like a little more room. The Clifton has more room, but isn’t really an everyday shoe for me. More of a tempo/race day shoe.
I’m the opposite the Hoka’s (including the Bondi3, Clifton, Stinson, as good as they are) dont have the toe splay room for me. Having switched over to Altra, and experienced what a shoe that’s actually shaped properly feels like I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back. I am also loving the zero drop of Altra which engages the calf more.
Totally agree with the toe splay…loved it. Really the reason I went with them. Found that the Altra Instinct 2.0 had room, but was shorter from a size 11 in the Paradigm to the Instinct. I think the Paradigm would be perfect with more cushioning. Someday someone will make it all 
Totally agree with the toe splay…loved it. Really the reason I went with them. Found that the Altra Instinct 2.0 had room, but was shorter from a size 11 in the Paradigm to the Instinct. I think the Paradigm would be perfect with more cushioning. Someday someone will make it all
could you please explain. maybe e its just me but couldnt really understand what you did. You have the instrinct in size 11 and you sized down to a 10.5 in the paradigm? I have an 11 in the Instinct, a tad bit loose. So should I stick to 11 in getting the Pradigm or should I size down to 10.5?
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I have an 11 in the Paradigm and had to go up a 1/2 side in the Instinct.
Totally agree with the toe splay…loved it. Really the reason I went with them. Found that the Altra Instinct 2.0 had room, but was shorter from a size 11 in the Paradigm to the Instinct. I think the Paradigm would be perfect with more cushioning. Someday someone will make it all
could you please explain. maybe e its just me but couldnt really understand what you did. You have the instrinct in size 11 and you sized down to a 10.5 in the paradigm? I have an 11 in the Instinct, a tad bit loose. So should I stick to 11 in getting the Pradigm or should I size down to 10.5?
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I have the Instinct and Paradigm. Both size 10. The Paradigm it tighter on my feet. Probably a half size bigger in the Paradigm may have been better, but manageable.
As for the question on the thread, I would have expected the Paradigm to be softer given the amount of padding. I do like the fact that because it is slightly firm, I feel more stable to the ground. But frankly, my only 1991 Nike Air Mariahs had more padding than the Paradigm…or it could be that I was 24 years younger and ran marathons in those shoes faster than I can run a 10K today, so everything felt better. Yet to try the Hokas. I like a combination of really firm shoes to padding shoes in my rotation. I feel there is more training benefit for the same time running in harder shoes than softer ones (the extreme view would be pavement running vs water running), but there are days that harder shoes don’t cut it.
I would take a look at the Olympus. I went from Bondi’s to Olympus cause I need a wide toebox. While not as cushy as the Bondi, the Olympis is pretty close. But toebox is awesome. I was then excited when the Paradigm was released. Though it’s a road version of the trail olympus, it’s much firmer. As far as the olympus being a trail shoe, it’s really not aggressive. Fine for the road.