Hoax or Hoka? Why do Hoka Shoes Look Like This?

Hi. I love your work! You didn't mention the diamond shaped indent in the heel of the outsoul. That is a feature that I think the running shoe company Avia used to use as their signature feature/gimmick. They called it their "cantilever soul" ( or something close to that). The theory is that if you heel strike on the inside or outside of your foot you engage a gradually thicker piece of insole that will roll your foot inwards or outwards so that your foot/ankle/leg are all in alignment. Based on the construction, design, and Hoka's identity, I would call this a high top trail running shoe instead of a boot.

I tried a pair of more basic Hokas for everyday wear on the advice of a foot doctor. They were pillowy soft and cushiony, but so soft that several times they nearly rolled over in what could have been an ankle sprain on uneven ground. I went the other direction to a barefoot style and never looked back. Lems is my current favorite.

Great video! The only thing I might add is that this particular Hokas is ridiculously expensive for a 'consumable', but it really does absorb a more shock then ANY boot I've ever wore.

The company should pay me a lot of $ to wear those shoes thats for sure

Seems like the extended heel would make going downhill really hard on your shins due to the increased leverage.

I wear hiking boots that couldn't be more opposite. I'd worn Merrell boots for years, but after being told i had pretty significant arthritis in my right knee by an orthopedist who was a barefoot runner, she suggested switching to a minimalist or barefoot shoe. After developing knee pain in that knee that wouldn't go away even after 3 months, I purchased a pair of Xero shoes and after wearing them for 4 hours the pain was gone and now only returns when I wear a shoe with a heel. I have a pair of their Scrambler mid hikers that probably weigh about a quarter of the weight of those Hokas. My feet and arches are so strong compared to when I started wearing them and they're so light and comfortable I tend to forget I have them on.

So, your verdict: Hokas pocus.

Its like hoka didnt think we walk kn our heel enough and wated us to ONLY use the heel. This will literally make you weaker if you wear these.

Idk these look sick tho

I’d love to see some “regular” Hokas (Clifton, Stinson etc) cut open and compared to the knock offs at Walmart from Avia. The Avias are 1/10 the price and not everyone can afford Hokas. I recall when Avia was a pretty respectable brand also. So that would be a great comparison

My knee joint has shifted by simply looking at the image of that heel

I have dropped second metatarsal heads. Hoka One One's are the only shoe I've found where I can run and jump with no pain. Don't care that they wear out and I have to buy new ones.

tear a thay late

Wouldn't be surprised if the HOKA execs were all just 5'6" dudes with a complex

Так у них единственное предназначение: сбегать в них с горы, то есть бежать сверху вниз по склону. Они для этого и созданы

😮

are these so you can walk better on snow?

Designed to finally herniate that disc and get you a long rest after surgery. If that was efficient our feet would have that “nice rolling heel”.

Theref-tha-late it seems to be. But hey, I’m Mexican so it’s Tereftalato.

My Hoka One One’s are quite possibly th worst shoes that I’ve ever owned. Very poor craftsmanship, they literally started falling apart after only 3 months of light use. Would not recommend this brand

Hoka thick soled running and hiking footwear are rediculous. Which is why they've become so popular.
Zero drop with mid to low cushioning and foot shaped is the way to go

My feet are anatomically problematic so I 100% prefer "consumables" rather than "tools".

Sales pitch intro….bye

“Hike forever”….. Hike where? The local mall? Those shoes look like that wouldn’t last a day at some of the areas I’ve hiked.

Can confirm, don't walk down stairs with these.😅 But these are tough to beat outside. I disagree about groomed trails, as someone with ankle issues, these are so incredibly stable no matter what I step on. As someone also with bad knee issues, stretching out the time of impact with that heel is a game changer. Literally. Driving is fine, but you do have to be a bit more conscious of your foot placemen. Incredible boots for a lot of people.

I think these look goofy af but are prob comfy af too

You should try serrated razorblades for cutting through tough things. It works way way way easier.

(tear-a-thay-late) "terapthalate"

We need more of these cut in half. I have the Hoke Clifton 9 and the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 and I’d love to see what’s going on in there because they’re beasts for me while running.

Anybody got a blue left Hoka boot for sale 🤔🤣😂😁

All that cutting. You should’ve just use the table saw. I hope you got moneys worth out of this video. 😅

These types of shoes look like shit no matter the brand. I will never buy them.

Isnt it one one? Like 1,1?

Dude is seriously comparing Hokas to I dont even know what those are cmon dude the diffrenceis night and day! For hiking🤣🤣 Hokas anyday

It's called a gimmick 😂

Are all runners in the "heal strike bad" camp or is that still up for debate?

Ewwwwwwww my eyes save my eyes from the horror

I love these lol! They're so damn cool. I seriously could've used those huge heels when i was climbing mountains and across fields in my geology field camp! I'd never experienced heel pain like that... Lol!

Though not to this extreme, I actually seek out Brooks with the wider heel. I tend to turn my ankle, and these are so helpful at work where I am on my feel all day.

I have leg injuries that I sustained from my time in the army. I got out last year. Haka shoes have been the best shoe I've used to help relieve my ankle, shin, and knee pain.

They are definitely great shoes. I didn't buy this one though. I bought the hoka one one bondi 7

Itd probably be good on a steep downhill trail

I think one big market is ultralight thru - hikers. This product is definitely for them.

HOKA’s will definitely wear out much quicker than good quality hiking boots but if you’re like me with flaming arthritis in both feet, the HOKA’s are a God send!

That boot looks horrible! Of course taste is personal but to me that belongs in an anime.

I have a pair of Nike running shoes which extend out maybe a third as much as these, and you would not believe now often you clip your heels on stairs or rocks when hiking. I've wedged them several times. Maybe these are SO big that you can't do that now?

That's one of the coolest shoes I've ever seen except for all the other ones