I can’t decide which shoes to buy. Hoka’s are seriously ugly so the newtons would get my vote. I’m currently running in a Brooks Pureflow, but think once I up my mileage I’m going to want more cushion. I think that if I would have tried the Newton gravity on before the Brooks I would have purchased those first. The Newtons felt very springy in the store. The reason I am turned on to the Hokas is I recently had my knee scoped and I’ve heard from lots of people that Hokas have helped them with knee pain. I read this about Newtons as well. I wander if people say this because they actually changed their form to a forefoot style. I would buy both, but they are very expensive. I was thinking the HOka Cliftons would be nice once I up my mileage down the road, but I’m also wandering if the Newton’s are basically the same concept with a different type of cushion.
Have you tried both? Did you experience any issues with one over the other?
Have you tried Hokas? I just compared to all the other high cushion models, except Newton, and they were by far the best cushioning. Just ordered a pair of Rapu Nui 2 for less than $100 shipped from Backcountry. I have had both knees and back surgery and they were recommended by others with surgeries.
I think Clifton’s are going to be great shoes, but I don’t think they are going to last anywhere close to other Hokas. That seems to be the theme from all the customers we sell them too. Great shoe, but I’ve heard “everyday” shoe wont last doing it that way. So lightweight though.
Have you tried Hokas? I just compared to all the other high cushion models, except Newton, and they were by far the best cushioning. Just ordered a pair of Rapu Nui 2 for less than $100 shipped from Backcountry. I have had both knees and back surgery and they were recommended by others with surgeries.
I have not tried them yet. I’m debating on what to pick next. That’s why I’m here;)
Well I wasn’t refering to buying them, just trying them on. I was able to try them at a specialty running store. There were only two stores in my area that carries Hoka, and only one model, but worth checking around.
Kind of hard to go wrong ordering from Running Warehouse. They have free shipping in each direction, so order a few different models, try them on, and ship back what doesn’t work. You really shouldn’t care what a shoe “looks” like if it’s going to help your running health.
I switched to Newtons a couple years ago to help my heel strike. It’s done the trick. I’ve never tried Hoka’s before. I’ve ran in just about every pair of Newtons, distances up to 50 mile ultra and several 200+ mile months. I’m 225 lbs and haven’t had knee pain in them. What is upping your mileage? I think it’s all personal preference about what shoe is better for you though.
I have raced a number of IM in newton distance and really liked them they are coming to the end of their life now and I thought of trying the clifton I have done a few runs in the clifton and I am considering buying another pair of newtons. The cliftons although will be a great shoe for certain types of training just feel a bit sluggish to me. The Newtons just want to be run fast and really like their responsiveness although mine are on their way out.
I just ran in Hoka Clifton’s for the first time this weekend. I’ve been running in other Hoka’s for about a year now. I am very impressed with the Clifton. Great support and cushioning, but the weight is almost unbelievable. Lightest shoe I’ve ever run in. Did 15 miles on Sunday and felt great. I’m convinced.
I just ran in Hoka Clifton’s for the first time this weekend. I’ve been running in other Hoka’s for about a year now. I am very impressed with the Clifton. Great support and cushioning, but the weight is almost unbelievable. Lightest shoe I’ve ever run in. Did 15 miles on Sunday and felt great. I’m convinced.
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I just received my Clifton’s from Zappos. First run with them will be in the morning. Unbelievably light. I’ve been wearing Bondi’s for over a year. I’m excited about these shoes.
I just saw this thread and found it rather ironic considering I just went through this same decision over the past 2 weeks.
I have been a Newton runner for 2 years now, mostly in the distance. After running the marathon at IMTX in '13 in Newton’s and having serious leg fatigue from the lack of support in the last third of the run I decided I needed to find a new marathon race shoe with more cushioning for IMChat in 3 weeks (Late I know but being a runner adapting to shoes has never been an issue).
I’m happy to report I will be racing in the Hoka Clifton. It is very soft shoe but the “rocker” design of the sole provides enough space for toe lift off without losing momentum for a mid-foot striker. I don;t feel I lose my momentum in the cushioning. Unless you run a sub 8min/mile IM marathon it’s a shoe I would recommend at least checking out. At 7.8 oz for a sz 9 it pretty unbelievable light for such a cushioned shoe. I’ll report back after IMChat and let you know how they fair. IM run goal is 3:45
When the marathon really begins at mile 18 I know I won’t face dead legs from the pounding like my Newton’s.
sorry havent worn them enough to give that opinion. I am about to run a 5mile tempo run tomorrow in the cliftons I will let you know how I get on compared to the newtons
so just completed my 5 mile hard run using my cliftons it was a very favourable time compared to last weeks run in the newtons.
Not really comparing like with like as I am more tired this week and it felt harder but times very comparable and I am now leaning towards using the Hokas in my upcoming IM mainly because they are newer and the extra cushioning may help and as it doesnt seem to inhibit my speed
One thing I heard about the hokas was they work the ankles more. Do u have an opinion on that
This is the first I’ve heard anyone say this, but it lines up with my experience. I’ve been running in Hokas and recently stepped up my mileage and my ankles have been sore. I’ve never had that happen before. I was assuming it was just due to higher mileage. (And a lot of it probably is.)
quite a coincidence that you post this as I was about to post something similar. I have struggled with knee issues. I have had 3 surgeries, no articular cartilage left in my right knee and I’m sure my left is soon on its way. But I love to run, I have one life, and I can deal with the pain. When old enough, I’m sure replacements will be in the cards if daily life gets too painful. Right now, all pain is manageable without meds. I’m lucky I guess, just cant run fast anymore. In any event, after my microfracture surgery, I tried out Newtons and liked them. I ran well with them but still stayed on the lookout for something better to relieve pain. After 5 or so years, hundreds of dollars spent on sneakers, and Hokas being my second to last investment, I I have found Newtons work the best for me. I changed my gait drastically after surgeries and the Newtons were worn during these changes, and they seem to be the perfect fit for my funky gait now and comfort. Hokas were very cushioned but I had no feel with the ground, and there seemed to be no rebound with them, I simply couldn’t get going with them. Again, this is all N=1, but this morning’s run, after being away from running since last December (last year was Hokas from August to December), I put on my new pair of Newtons and felt semi normal. Good luck. Everyone is different
The two shoes are very different. The Newtons do tend to force the mid-foot/forefoot strike. You will feel the lugs when you run. I personally find the Newtons to be a pretty responsive shoe. I like them. I rotate them out between Saucony Kinvaras and Hoka. My primary shoe is the Kinvara though.
The Newtons are not anywhere near as cushioned. They are along the lines of a standard shoe and maybe even less so because of the lugs. A word of warning, you really do need to ease into using the shoe. I have had athletes lose entire seasons from the lower leg injuries (calf, achilles) that occurred when they jumped into using Newtons from a more traditional shoe.
The Hoka doesn’t really promote that forefoot/midfoot strike (btw I’m not advocating a running style here). The sole of the shoe is rockered which almost encourages a person to “roll” the shoe through gait cycle which is more associated with a heel strike. If you live in a hilly area they are great for bombing down hills. I’ve run in the Bondi’s for 3 years and have a pair of the Conquests now. I’m not as big a fan of the Conquest. To me it just feels like a bigger normal shoe. It is very stiff and not in a good way.
The best thing to do is find a running shop that sells them and give them a trial run. Lastly, if you are picking a shoe on how it looks and not how it performs, you are doing it wrong.