Leo Manzano signs with Hoka One One

Fvck that, is he going to race on those 6 inch high shoes?

Hoka is developing both a pair of spikes and a light-weight (presumably less cushioned, something like the Nike Streak for fast road stuff) road shoe for their pro athletes like Mike Rutt and now Manzano. Both these shoes are supposedly going to be ready later this outdoor season, until then Leo will probably still race in Nike Spikes like how Rutt races in Saucony's.

At least from what I heard with a few ultra runners, they are paying 1/2 of what you make in prize money. So if you made $10,000 at a race, they'd pay you $5000. Not that this is the exact deal that Leo got, but putting this out there if anyone is curious why athletes are signing with them (not necessarily because they have superior shoes). I think they're over-priced, too heavy, and too niche. You can get a pair of Skechers Ultras for well under $90 on the internet.

Congrats Leo and bravo HOKA!

http://bringbackthemile.com/athletes/detail/leonel_manzano

Lol...better to not be sponsored.

Interesting. I'm kinda surprised. Frankly Leo just doesn't look like he can push product. He's also the opposite of their ultramathoner staple.

Just ordered my first pair of marshmallows. Good enough for LM, good enough for me.

Seriously, this guy is the last one to need a shoe like this. 1500 meter runner weighing 90 pounds. And he runs more like a sprinter. This is just taking money for the sake of not getting a real job.

No April Fools joke here.

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2014/04/leo-manzano-finds-sponsor-agent-signs-multi-year-deal-hoka-one-one/

me too. going to throw them in the rotation. see if I can run without foot pain again.

Half Jamin wrote:

This is just taking money for the sake of not getting a real job.

Pretty sure Runner is a real job if your fast like Leo. Are you jealous of Leo because he jogs faster than you race?

He's kind of a short bloke, so it makes sense he'd sign with a moonboot company to add a few inches.

I also think Hoka should've had their spike line ready to go BEFORE they signed guys like Leo and Rutt. Right now they'll show the world how great Hoka is by running in...Nike. Hmmm.

buffalo steak runner wrote:

I also think Hoka should've had their spike line ready to go BEFORE they signed guys like Leo and Rutt. Right now they'll show the world how great Hoka is by running in...Nike. Hmmm.

Really?!? See I don't understand that logic. This way, much like Sketchers with Meb, they can work with 1 or 2 major athletes that will be established as the "face of the brand". I expect Hoka to follow a pretty similar model that Sketchers did (and it looks like that worked pretty well). Working with Leo to develop a few pairs of shoes (flats/spikes/etc) and promoting him hugely along with the brand will go a long way.

You dolts are stupid as usual. The shoe does not have a high sole platform. That is a wrap-around counter and the foot is dropped into the shoe. Give them a try, you will probably change your brand.

print it now wrote:

You dolts are stupid as usual. The shoe does not have a high sole platform. That is a wrap-around counter and the foot is dropped into the shoe. Give them a try, you will probably change your brand.

It is a little high at 37mm, but not much more than average. They are a little squishy and heavy for my taste, but they have definitely helped me run through my achilles problem

teddy_farley wrote:

buffalo steak runner wrote:

I also think Hoka should've had their spike line ready to go BEFORE they signed guys like Leo and Rutt. Right now they'll show the world how great Hoka is by running in...Nike. Hmmm.

Really?!? See I don't understand that logic. This way, much like Sketchers with Meb, they can work with 1 or 2 major athletes that will be established as the "face of the brand". I expect Hoka to follow a pretty similar model that Sketchers did (and it looks like that worked pretty well). Working with Leo to develop a few pairs of shoes (flats/spikes/etc) and promoting him hugely along with the brand will go a long way.

Except Meb never ran in Nikes when he was a Sketchers athlete. Leo has stated he will run in Nikes and Rutt has been running in Saucony spikes. Hoka says their spikes will be ready late this summer, after many major meets.

Leo may help them develop their spikes, but I still think it's a dumb move to pay an athlete to represent your product, then have him race in a competitor's product.

platforms 1 wrote:

Lol...better to not be sponsored.

WRONG

This is actually pretty common. I'm guessing you're not in a high position with a running shoe(or any) company.

I have a Masters and I am working 2 jobs, 6 days a week, and well over 75 hours a week just so I can pay off my student loans. I would love to be sponsored by this Geriatric Shoe Company to run everyday than do what I am doing right now.

Congrats Leo