After suffering from calf tightness/pain for the past year I bought a pair of Hokas based on all the positive reviews. In the short time that I’ve had them I’ve had no tightness or pain, and have really enjoyed running in them.
I’ve typically only worn one pair of shoes at a time as I don’t run on different terrains (except ocassionally the track), but I see that some people are mixing around the shoes that they wear. I see some who wear Hokas basically for recovery runs, but I’m more curious about those who started wearing Hokas specifically to alleviate issues/pain they were having while running. Do you wear other brands - if so why, what’s the benefit/reason?
I see some who wear Hokas basically for recovery runs
I read that sometimes and I’m completely puzzled. Hoka’s are designed to be long distance running shoes… that’s the intended point of them… and some people only wear them for their shortest runs. Seems ass backwards to me.
I’ve really enjoyed mine, although I find their durability lacking. I’ve been bouncing back and forth between my Hokas and my Kinvaras, but I’m considering trying out the Cortana as a full time balance between the two.
After suffering from calf tightness/pain for the past year I bought a pair of Hokas based on all the positive reviews. In the short time that I’ve had them I’ve had no tightness or pain, and have really enjoyed running in them.
I’ve typically only worn one pair of shoes at a time as I don’t run on different terrains (except ocassionally the track), but I see that some people are mixing around the shoes that they wear. I see some who wear Hokas basically for recovery runs, but I’m more curious about those who started wearing Hokas specifically to alleviate issues/pain they were having while running. Do you wear other brands - if so why, what’s the benefit/reason?
I’m saving mine for long distance runs but yeah, they are like instant morphine for all the aches adn pains. I’d love to be able to afford to use them all the time.
I started wearing Hokas this past spring. I have run in AsicsKayano for the past 15 years and still do on occasion. But the Hokas are soforgiving and springy and it is hard to go back. I will say Idon’t care for them on uneven trails. I did most of my IM Canada build on theseshoes both my short and long runs. Overall they have been great shoes. So thequestion is did I race in them? I ran the first loop in the Hokas not knowinghow they would feel or if they would get water logged. At mile 13 I put on my Asics (not sure why it was not needed) DS Racers same shoe I ran my previous IM in. Bad idea they were like wearing FredFlintstone shoes after the Hokas. Overall good shoe but they don’t last long.My first pair came apart after a few month. But if you are older or have jointissues this is a small price to pay. I do have over the counter orthotics, Inoticed the arch is high and my heal was dropping and causing issues with my Achilles.
Ok, a couple of people have said they don’t last too long. What sort of life expectancy will these have? I’m 150lbs.
I’m now on my third pair of Bondi’s. I got just under 600 miles on both previous pairs. The material just starts to breakdown. The cushioning is just fine though.
I would estimate I got about 500 miles out of mine before they started to feel dead to me. That is average mileage, to me, for a shoe that costs $150. Next time around I’m going to try the Altra Torins and see what kind of miles I get from them. They felt far less bulky and way more cushioed, but I suspect that means they won’t last very long.
Chad
I’ve been running in Stinson Tarmac’s for over a year due to consistent pain and tightness in my right anterior tibialis. Not a bit of troubles since then. Used to run in Mizuno’s primarily but made the rounds of most everything trying to find something that worked. I’ll be sticking with the Hoka’s.
I do shorter, speedier workouts in Asics Nimbus and DS Racers. The Hokas are great for anything on the long side. As long as I’m not going fast, I wear them. I disagree with the short life comments. A typical running shoe lasts abourt 300 miles for me (6’4", 200 lbs), but the Hokas get twice that. The only time they wear faster is if you wear one of their trail shoes (Stinson Evo) on pavement. The Bondi B’s keep going and going and going. As for expense, high end Asics also run $150.
I’ve got about 80 miles on my first pair of Bondi Bs. I was having some twinges of plantar fasciitis and I’m old-ish (47) so I figured I’d try them. I like them quite a lot and have gone from cycling a couple of pairs of shoes to running exclusively in the Hokas. My next race is in late Sept. and is a sprint but I’ll probably still use them. I just need to try them with out socks.
I’ve put just under 600 miles on a pair of Stinsons. I wear them on all surfaces and have noticed fewer lower leg problems and my plantar fasciitis has not bothered me. I was in REI over the weekend and saw them on sale so I picked up a replacement pair.
i did all my long runs for immt in my hokas, but used my mizuno wave precisions in the race as the hokas feel clunky to me. i bought two pair of altras recently which i will wear in my boston build up- a training pair and a racing pair. the altras seem to fit me better in the toe box and they are definitely not as clunky. use my hokas for long runs and recovery runs.
I love Hokas and train in them exclusively. The biggest issue has been that they do not run true to size. See link below for my St. George Double Big Toenail Debacle. Ugh! This was due to shoes running 1/2 size too small and me having an enormous foot (size 14). Couldn’t size up. Pushing the downhills was the culprit.
However, they seem to have figured the sizing thing out. I recently bought and raced (Sprint) in a pair of 2013 Bondi Speeds and… HEAVEN!!!
Size is perfect (even on downhills) and they are Hokas (easy on the feet/legs/body). I’ve read that some people dis the brand for feeling heavy/too soft while racing but… I don’t run 5:30’s. I’m a big guy (6’2" 180lbs) and can do a good 19ish 5k, 40ish 10k, etc., so if you are a tiny, little excuse for a man (I say that with tongue firmly implanted in cheek and lots of jealousy as I hate being dropped on climbs/runs) they might be a tad much. But I found the 2013 model to be everything I need.
There is also a trend in Hoka threads the seem to steer these shoes into the good for big/heavy/injured runners but not for the “regular guy”. I don’t agree with this. I think this is the perfect shoe for ALL runners. Especially triathletes and anyone doing more than 10 miles a week. I tried Newtons and they screwed up my ankle for more than a year. The low ramp angle and the extra cushion of the Hokas is a wonderful mix of minimal running and cushioning. I also pronate and have not had problems with the Hokas (which was my problem with the Newtons). The Speed actually seems to have more arch support than the Stinson. And the Speed actually seemed to perform better than the Stinson on a recent VERY rocky trail run. My Stinson’s are 2011 so I think the technology is advancing.
The pics above are from the Stinson Evo’s which I’ll continue to to use for long run stuff but will use the Speed’s for tempo and above.
Anyway, I’m sold. I almost exclusively ran in Kayanos for the last 18 yrs and do not think that anyone can go wrong with the Hokas. And they sent me a “free” T-shirt which is very comfortable I might add.
Damn, maybe they should send me another free T-Shirt. Hoka boys out there?!! PM me!
After suffering from calf tightness/pain for the past year I bought a pair of Hokas based on all the positive reviews. In the short time that I’ve had them I’ve had no tightness or pain, and have really enjoyed running in them.
I’ve typically only worn one pair of shoes at a time as I don’t run on different terrains (except ocassionally the track), but I see that some people are mixing around the shoes that they wear. I see some who wear Hokas basically for recovery runs, but I’m more curious about those who started wearing Hokas specifically to alleviate issues/pain they were having while running. Do you wear other brands - if so why, what’s the benefit/reason?
Been running in Hoka’s now for almost 2 years- Kayanos before that… I’m 6’2 177lbs for reference and i would say unless you are a sub 6min mile runner there is no penalty. I wear then exclusively for HIM distance and even have raceed a few Olys in them as well. I have no aliments or history of injury- knocking on wood… These shoes have been absolute game changers for me! Just finished my heavy build weeks for IMLT and had an eight day period where i logged 75 miles with two individual 24 mile days 4 days apart and the recovery is like no shoe i’ve ever worn. I’ve been getting 500-600 miles out of them which is about 200 miles more than my old kayanos. For me, the outside of the heel wears out quickly- 200 miles or so but i feel like they feel better/faster once this happens and there is plenty of life left in them. I personally LOVE the tamacs but also own bondis and evos. EVERYONE i’ve turned onto them absolutely swears by them. For reference i usually run 6:15-20 in an oly and around 1:30 in a HIM. Hoping to go 3:30ish at IMLT. The only time i run in my kinvara’s now is on the track.
Bought a pair of Hokas last year in the spring.
I’m 6’0" 'ish (shrinking with age) usually around 180.
Used them almost exclusively for the year, including for the 100 day 100 run challenge, finally bought a new pair a month ago. (Bondi B)
My estimate is that they went something in the 700 mile range ( I can still wear them but they are getting a bit funky).
For the first time in many many years I have retained toenails on both feet. I never have had much of a problem with knee or foot issues, so can’t answer for that.
My yearly mileage is fairly low, so a hundred mile month is as good as it ever gets. Things still hurt, but not so much.
Training times right now are as fast (or faster) than any I have run in the past 5 years. And I am in an age bracket that declines very fast (except for Ed Whitlock)
Running in anything else feels very uncomfortable now.
I am a fan. (but my good runner friends still laugh).
has anyone experienced any calf issues wearing Hokas gonig from a normal shoe? I have only used Ghosts and Glycerine (but prefer the Ghost) by Brooks with heel drop of 12mm and with previous history of calf tears I’'m worried about using the Hokas without a break in period. Right now i only use them once a week and am walking on eggshells afterwards worried that i’m going to tear my calf again.
Saucony Kinvaras all the way. We were born to run with a midfoot strike and the minimalist shoes help reinforce that. Run on traditional shoes with a 12mm+ heel drop if you want to injure yourself.
Is there a learning curve to these? Ran (well, jogged - still building up fitness) and they feel like clown shoes. Plus, I can’t seem to get them tight enough and I can feel the start of some blisters. Never had that with my ASICS.
Is there a learning curve to these? Ran (well, jogged - still building up fitness) and they feel like clown shoes. Plus, I can’t seem to get them tight enough and I can feel the start of some blisters. Never had that with my ASICS.
As usual YMMV, but it took me about a week to get used to the shoes. And then I bought Xtenex laces. For me, the combo of Hokas and new laces is great.
