Fellow LRCers:
As some of you know, I'm a big Adidas Boost fan. I've been on this forum praising the Boost line, and particularly the Glide Boost, many times. I still love the Boost line, and my Adidas Glide Boost 6 are some of the best running shoes I've ever owned. But this post isn't about Adidas. This post is about the Hoka One One Huaka.
For the past two weeks I've been in Bogota, Colombia. While there, I was perusing the Running Warehouse internet site, and I saw that there were a number of Hoka One One shoes on sale. Before leaving for Colombia, I had visited the local REI store and tried on many different shoes, including the Hoka Clifton, Challenger ATR, and Stinson Lite. Honestly, I did not care much for them, and there was no way I was going to spend $140-170 dollars (including tax) to take a pair of Hokas home and try them out. But then I saw the Running Warehouse site. I read all the reviews of each Hoka shoe on special sale. After much consideration, I settled on the Huakas, intrigued by the 2 mm off-set, the less clunky-looking profile, the light weight, and the fact that they were described as a road AND trail shoe. The price was $69.88. I searched online for Running Warehouse coupons, and found a 15% off coupon (code FB15D--which is still a valid code if you're interested). So I took the Hoka plunge and plunked down a relatively painless $59.40, with no sales tax and free shipping, for my first pair of Hokas.
Ok, so I got back from Colombia and found my new Hoka Huakas waiting. My wife wasn't thrilled that I bought ANOTHER pair of running shoes, since I have TWO pair of Adidas Supernova Glide 6 Boost (one with 260 miles on them and the other brand new in the box), a brand new pair of Saucony Ride 6, a pair of Saucony Guide 6 with just 30 miles on them, and a pair of Adidas Spider Lites with just 24 miles on them. All great shoes, FYI, and I love every one of them, with the Adidas Supernova Glide 6 Boosts being my favorite. But my wife accepts my running shoe fetish just like I accept her moisturizer and purse fetishes, so she's ok with it.
Well, today I took my new Hoka Huakas out of the box and examined them. Just as many online reviews have described, they have some seemingly cheap materials and obvious needed improvements. The upper material feels flimsy, and I don't know how long it will last. The speed laces are pure garbage, and I cut them right off and put in the included regular laces. The insoles are the thinnest and crappiest I've ever seen in a running shoe. And of course the tongue, as on most Hokas, is just a thin piece of fabric that is the worst I've ever seen on any running shoe (just like the Cliftons, the challengers, the Stinsons, etc.) The plastic eyelets are crap as well, and I hope they don't break or fall off. While not quite as blocky and funny looking as some of the Hokas, the Huaka's midsole is still thicker than you find on any other brand of running shoe, which makes it rather unattractive, if not downright ugly. All-in-all, it's a very unimpressive running shoe straight out of the box. But what the hell--I only paid $59.40 to try my first pair of Hokas, so what's to lose, right? Read on.
I put on the Huakas and felt an inch taller. Not a bad feeling for a guy who is 5'10". And the cushion felt nice, like most brand new running shoes. I stretched and went outside. I walked about 300 meters down the paved road, and the Huakas felt nicely cushioned. I didn't do a warm-up other than the walking, but just took off running.
First impression: OMG! I bounced along effortlessly on the cement and asphalt! My legs felt incredible. My legs haven't felt like that in YEARS! I ran four miles faster and with less effort than I've ever run that four mile course, and I felt great the whole way, even on the uphill. On the paved downhill, which is usually a bit punishing on these older legs--even in the Adidas Boost--I felt like I was running on a bouncy tartan track! I finished the run feeling like I hadn't even run a mile, and I was tempted to turn right around and do the whole thing again. But since I had strained a thigh muscle on the treadmill in Bogota, a week ago and took it easy on a five mile treadmill run two days ago, I decided four was enough for today, no matter how good I felt.
I got home and felt incredible. I ran inside, changed into my Adidas Supernova Glide 6 Boost and went back outside to run another half mile just for comparison. I cringe while admitting this, but my Adidas Boost, although nice and bouncy as always, felt heavy and clunky now. Their 10 mm offset felt much too hight, and the nice roll I had felt in the Huakas was terribly absent. I felt like my legs were taking much more of a pounding, and the increased effort was obvious. Of course, the Adidas ARE a little bit heavier than the Hokas, but they aren't a heavy running shoe, and they had always felt better than any other shoe I had tried before them. But now, after the Huakas, my Adidas paled by comparison. The ride was noticeable inferior, boys and girls.
A few moments ago, I got online and went to the Running Warehouse site. I ordered ANOTHER pair of Hoka One One Huakas, with the coupon code FB15D, for $59.40, no tax and free two-day shipping. My wife won't be happy that I bought yet another pair of running shoes. The Huaka with its cheap materials might not last more than 300-400 miles--we'll see--but I just couldn't resist. The Hoka Huakas feel better than any running shoe I've ever used.
In conclusion, let me say a couple of things: First, I DO NOT represent any running shoe company. I get NOTHING for recommending any running product other than my own running book on Amazon. I just enjoy recommending winners to my fellow LRCers, and, boys and girls, the Hoka One One Huaka is a big-time winner. Second, I apologize for doubting all you Hoka lovers. You were do right, and i was so wrong. While I hope Hoka will improve the Huakas with better upper construction, for $59.40 you will NOT find a better running shoe. Grab a pair while they're on sale. The blue and white ones are sold out except for size 12, 13, and 13.5, but I like the gray ones better anyhow. Check it out, and don't forget the FB15D coupon code. You're welcome.