Hoka's hate page

Luis Grijalva.

Yeah, well despite our individual preferences and brand loyalty, Hoka has, in fact, contributed to current shoe designs across the board: max cushion was introduced by Hoka and initially thought to be a ludicrous design; sculpted and flared midsoles were on most Hoka models; elf-heel flairs; pro-fly type midsoles - I just saw a rear shot of the new ASICS GT - looks similar to the Mach 5, as does the new Topo cyclone 2. “Imitation..”

Gave me shin splints for a few months before I switched to Brooks Glycerin ;-;

I tried on the Tecton X and also the Zinal, which is like a trail version of the Mach that misses the mark. Wasn't impressed by either one. The uppers are the weak point. Supposedly, the upper on the Tectonic X2 is much improved from the original but I haven't tried it. I ended up with the Catamount 2 which Brooks recently released. The Brooks shoe has a better midsole and upper than either the original Tecton or Zinal.

And if it were a Hoka love page, it would have turned into a Hoka hate page.

People love to make contrary posts.

If you disagree with me, then you'd only prove my point.

Bunions are hereditary. It wasn't the shoes.

I don't like Hokas, but it wasn't their fault.

The only good Hoka models were the Evo Jawz (though durability sucked) and the Speed Instinct 2. Hokas cause terrible hip issues and make your feet and calves super weak over time if you don't rotate with other brands. I'll resort to them at the end of 100 milers, but no one needs to be running in them on a daily basis.

I never said anything about Olympic medals. You claimed that no serious runner would wear Hoka for a race, and I provet that you were wrong.

If you read shoe reviews today, its always the same: companies are increasing the stack height even on their standard models that have been around for ages.

Even Saucony Kinvara is thicker this year.

I noticed that. Saucony is also releasing a new plated Pebax model they're calling the Kinvara Pro. The stack on the Pro will actually exceed the World Athletics 40mm rule.

I'm not sure I said exactly that. My point was that I haven't seen any HOKA sponsored athlete win a major Marathon or medal at the Olympics. I don't think HOKA even cares about athletes or the sport of running in general. They target casuals.

I'm on my 2nd pair of Carbon X's and really still dig them.

I finally had an opportunity to try the popular Mach 4 yesterday. I have to say it's a nice shoe and breath of fresh air from the heavier clunkier Bondi, Stinson, and Gaviota. The ride and fit of the Mach 4 is also better than the Clifton. Fortunately, the Mach series doesn't have prominent intrusive arch. Those other 4 models and HOKA shoes in general are too aggressive in that area.

I've read nothing but great things about the Hoka Rincon 3 too. Seems like a good option for anyone looking for a faster workout shoe that does not have a plate. Assuming my Tecton X are a hit (I try them tomorrow), I'll probably get the Rincon 3.

hokas are for no-style honkies like flagpole.

they are truly, truly an abomination in form and function.

100% agree!

Yesterday, I ran in the Mach 4 because it's part of my rotation. The Mach is simply not as fun as a Endo Speed or FC Rebel. The Mach is supposedly HOKA's go-to trainer for runners but it doesn't compare well with the competition that is out there from other brands.

I currently have a store credit for hoka.com in excess of $150. Been 6 months since HOKA gave me the store credit as a resolution of a warranty claim. Over these past several months I repeatedly used the store credit to purchase and ultimately return, one after another, several HOKA shoe models. Trail shoes like the Zinal. The Challenger. The Bondi. They all suck in one manner or another. It's perplexing that once dormant brands like Asics and Dad shoe brand NB are bringing more innovation to the table. Even Brooks is executing better than HOKA.

If you're a HOKA fanboy it's past time that reevaluate your misplaced loyalty to the brand. HOKA doesn't care about runners. They market to casuals, healthcare workers and weekend joggers. There's no R&D. No product vision. The HOKA brand embraces the corny "ugly is beautiful" aesthetic and prioritizes step in comfort over athletic performance. The end result is a gaudy brick of a shoe with a bloated slab of dull EVA and an upper that looks like it came out of a box of Lucky Charms.

The toe box in my Cliftons is weird so I always get blisters between my toes. The shoe pushes the toes together. Very irritating! I have had different pairs in the past and never had this issue.

You might want to try some Injinji toe socks to prevent blisters