Hoka or Altra?

lazyboi wrote:

Noskechskechers wrote:

Skechers. Meb. And now king Cheserek. Anyone have a training block on Skechers?

boi. Don't even think about wearing skechers. I'd rather have a shoe that isn't a literal piece of crap on my feet. Personally, I don't enjoy the feeling of severely rolling my ankles, or having my shoe rip apart when I take one step. Please, go learn yourself something about running shoes. Also, how could you ever forgive a company like skechers, which literally rips off other companies' designs (but executes the ripoff poorly)?

I literally think you talk a lot of literal crap.

namebrands for the win. wrote:

lazyboi wrote:

boi... Your name is literally "name brands for the win..." shut up lmao. Don't get me wrong, I love to flaunt a good name brand. Where did you get your evidence that "hokas and altras are trash?"

That’s all you got? No substance. I speak the truth. Their materials and quality control of their product is crap. Go with a brand that has money to do research and produce quality product. Adidas has the $$$. /END

Fake news!! go with shoe designers who know what they are doing. I would agree if we are talking about race spikes and flats, but for trainers you have to look at designers. 361 is a great example. They aren't a huge company, but they make quality shoes, and their cushioning the quick foam is really good. Hoka does have some quality control problems, but their tech is top of the line. The J frame for their stability and the ortho fit you can't beat. Hoka's are the best shoe on the market for easy recovery mileage and ultra training.

Also never by a shoe because it is a brand name. Nike and to a leaser extent addidas both have a lot of garage shoes they claim as running shoes. The Nike frees are a perfect example.

As a longtime big miles runner, I was extremely disappointed with the quality of Altras and Hokas. Every pair I tried had problems with it-- Manufacturing and fit issues with both brands. Cheap materials and heavy. Hokas were the worst- weird fit around the ankle and arch with every single pair I tried. I could try different colors of the same style and the sizing varied from one shoe to the next. These sort of problems may not be recognizable for hobby runners who don't run much, but for someone who's a longtime runner putting in big miles these problems are easy to spot right off the bat. The serious runners are going with the namebrands-- better quality you can trust.

Towpoh wrote:

Neither. I believe Altras new ownership will provide them with better QC on production resolving many construction/sizing issues.

However one newer shoe that has not been mentioned is TOPO. I briefly tried on the Ultrafly ( full toebox 5mm drop) and Magnifly 0mm drop 10oz everyday trainer. I'm looking at getting these to incorporate into training.

TOPO From the first try on felt so resilient and responsive with all the uppers symmetrical and enough Volume. The Torin's I had felt off on each foot and like they bottomed out...

I believe that TOPO has the best shape of any shoe out there. What Altra tries to achieve with its radical shapes, TOPO does better and in a more aesthetically pleasing way.

I am not a huge fan of their midsoles, however. I really wish they would adopt something like FlightGen or FreshFoam (or better yet, Boost or Everrun) in the midsole.

namebrands for the win. wrote:

As a longtime big miles runner, I was extremely disappointed with the quality of Altras and Hokas. Every pair I tried had problems with it-- Manufacturing and fit issues with both brands. Cheap materials and heavy. Hokas were the worst- weird fit around the ankle and arch with every single pair I tried. I could try different colors of the same style and the sizing varied from one shoe to the next. These sort of problems may not be recognizable for hobby runners who don't run much, but for someone who's a longtime runner putting in big miles these problems are easy to spot right off the bat. The serious runners are going with the namebrands-- better quality you can trust.

I am more of a 5k 10k track guy, but I do put in consistently 50 to 70 mile weeks. The updated arahi, which I am currently doing long runs and easy recovery miles in fixed some problems. I agree it does ride wear on the back of my achillis, but I got use to it. The Clifton is lighter then the Nike pegs, NB 1080 and the adidas supernova. I am not a fan of Altra, but Hoka is the fast growing branding the nation. Hoka has only been around for 10 or so years compare to adidas and Nike being around 50 years or more, of course there will be problems. they are still figuring things out and are improving with every generation they put out.

Ik your are most likely trolling, but what shoes are you referring to. You haven't mention a single shoe or brand. which pair of Hokas have you tried? you're making generalization that name brands are better then Hoka and altra's. What are we coming Hoka and Altra to, Name brand is to broad of category.

I've retired 3 pairs of GoRuns and a pair of Speed 3. Currently have the Razor and Speed 4 in my rotation. Never had one of their shoes rip apart. Even as yard work shoes they never tore. Every pair of Sauconys I have owned on the other hand has ended with torn uppers. As for the other name brands (Asics, Adidas, Brooks, Nike), not everyone like a 10+mm drops and/or narrow toe boxes.

I hope not. I've tried and hated Adidas Boost and the Saucony Freedom. Maybe if Saucony put some of that crystal rubber on the lateral side of the Kinvara I'd give them another shot. Haven't tried the Escalante and would never consider the Levitate at that drop and weight.

I’ve had one pair of Altras (One 2.5) and Hokas (Hupana). I like them both, though definitely prefer the Hokas for my daily running (wouldn’t ever use them in a race though).

Since I last posted in this thread I have been running in a few pairs of Altras that I won at a local race/ picked up for cheap from others who didn't like them.

Overall, I have grown to really like them. I really like The One, its an awesome shoe. It is light, but has enough cushion, and has an excellent heel cup. I don't like the Escalante very much, the soft fabric upper is way too loose for me when I'm running at or near 7 minute pace. I have also really liked the Torin, it has an awesome plush ride.

It did take me about a month to adjust to the zero drop, but since I adjusted I haven't had any shin splints which I have had chronically in the past. Overall I have been very impressed! This is after probably 750-1000 miles in Altra shoes. I will post again later after I race in them.

I don’t think Altras are radically shaped. I also don’t think Topo shoes are anatomically shaped. Topos have too much roundness in the toe box whereas most feet are usually almost triangular in shape. Altras do a much better job of mimicking this shape even if it looks radical. The only problem I have with Altras is inconsistency. Their thicker models are always too roomy in the midfoot and heel.

ninjarunner wrote:

theJeff wrote:

I believe that TOPO has the best shape of any shoe out there. What Altra tries to achieve with its radical shapes, TOPO does better and in a more aesthetically pleasing way.

I am not a huge fan of their midsoles, however. I really wish they would adopt something like FlightGen or FreshFoam (or better yet, Boost or Everrun) in the midsole.

I don’t think Altras are radically shaped. I also don’t think Topo shoes are anatomically shaped. Topos have too much roundness in the toe box whereas most feet are usually almost triangular in shape. Altras do a much better job of mimicking this shape even if it looks radical. The only problem I have with Altras is inconsistency. Their thicker models are always too roomy in the midfoot and heel.

The different really isn't in the toe box. I worked at a running store and we brought in the topo ultra fly and the topo trail shoe. They are all from 3 to 5mm, so not quite as low. Referring to the foot shape it is more in the heel. Altra's are wide throughout the shoe. Topo on the other hand has a narrow more natural heal shape and cup, and then widens out in the toe box. Topo was selling better then altra ever did for us. The toe box is a little rounder.

Maybe it’s the model I have that is narrower (ST-2). It certainly is not nearly as roomy as my Escalante or Vanish-R.

Neither. Both have QC issues the paying customer shouldn't have to deal with. If you are sponsored great you can just order the pair again @170miles.

For the working man the only company I see making a conscious effort at manufacturing is Topo. That's probably because they're not concerned with shareholders, parent company, and next 19' catalog...With Topo you've got two solid core shoes, Ultrafly (5mm drop) and Magnifly 2.

For mainstream New Balance having the 890 and Vazee Rush with oblique toe boxes

Closing in on 89,000 road miles over the last 42 years( soon to turn 75), I have been very fortunate to be able to run in a lot of different shoes. 1976- Nike Waffle Trainer, and way too many to list. Once I hit around 80,000 miles I began to feel the road more and needed more cushioning. Got the Hoka Clifton 1, a dream shoe for me. Sadly, each version got heavier and stiffer. Was excited when they came out with the Napali- not bad, but for my old feet I needed more cushioning.

I was brave enough to try Sketcher Ultra Run 2. Love the cushioning, decent response and just over 8 ounces. I still run 40-50 miles a week and the shoe is working out great for me. PR’s were long ago, comfort rules for me now. Keep running, it works.

Still ticking, Cushion Guy?