Running Mania

Trying to gather runner experiences with the Hoka shoes. I'm looking for more cushioning to protect my arthritic hip and to prolong my running life a year or two. I wear Saucony Triumph 10 shoes right now and notice that the new ISO version of the shoe has a greater stack height than some of the Hoka shoes. I'm trying to figure out if I should switch brands or just continue with the new Triumphs. The ones I'm wearing have been good to me but I think I need a little more cushioning. Speed and efficiency are not part of the equation any more these days...it's all about just being able to run. I keep hearing stories about the disappearance of pain when running in the Hokas.
Not looking for comments on how ugly they look but on how well they work.....

Nick wrote:Trying to gather runner experiences with the Hoka shoes. I'm looking for more cushioning to protect my arthritic hip and to prolong my running life a year or two. I wear Saucony Triumph 10 shoes right now and notice that the new ISO version of the shoe has a greater stack height than some of the Hoka shoes. I'm trying to figure out if I should switch brands or just continue with the new Triumphs. The ones I'm wearing have been good to me but I think I need a little more cushioning. Speed and efficiency are not part of the equation any more these days...it's all about just being able to run. I keep hearing stories about the disappearance of pain when running in the Hokas.
Not looking for comments on how ugly they look but on how well they work.....

I HATE my Hokas because the arch is in the wrong place/ too high and hurt my feet.

Everyone else loves them; except watch out for toe nail loss. The toe box is know to be too small. But I don't think you need to worry about that.

no personal experience, but i've read a few blogs of people who love them. not much to lose, i figure!

I love mine EXCEPT they are the hottest shoes I have ever worn. I wear them for winter running only for that reason.

I have a pair of Mafate trail shoes in size 9.5 that you are welcome to try out if that's your size. If they work, you can have them. I wore them for one run. Super plush, but after about 2KM's, they rubbed my toes so bad that I had to limp home, LOL. They are way too narrow for my feet.

Bought a pair a month ago, have not run outside in them yet. Stupid winter.

NMG wrote:I have a pair of Mafate trail shoes in size 9.5 that you are welcome to try out if that's your size. If they work, you can have them. I wore them for one run. Super plush, but after about 2KM's, they rubbed my toes so bad that I had to limp home, LOL. They are way too narrow for my feet.

Thanks for the offer but I would need a size 10.5. If the shoe runs small then the 9.5 would wreck my feet!

Nick wrote:

NMG wrote:I have a pair of Mafate trail shoes in size 9.5 that you are welcome to try out if that's your size. If they work, you can have them. I wore them for one run. Super plush, but after about 2KM's, they rubbed my toes so bad that I had to limp home, LOL. They are way too narrow for my feet.

Thanks for the offer but I would need a size 10.5. If the shoe runs small then the 9.5 would wreck my feet!

I'd be willing to send mine home with Ken!
men's US 11. (they run small)

PRACTICALLY NEW

This is like the official Hoka attempted giveaway thread, LOL

NMG wrote:This is like the official Hoka attempted giveaway thread, LOL

So, why am I looking at buying a pair of them???
Tried to see what size I am in this brand. Tried on a 10.5 Bondi...too big and they had no size 10. Tried on a 10 in the Rapa Nui trail shoe and it is a completely different shoe and was too short and too tight. Guess I'll have to get down to MEC to try on the newer Clifton and see how that works. Seems that a 10 or 10.5 is going to be the right size, which is what I normally wear.
Anybody have those sizes to give away???

LOL! If they were wide enough, I'd probably have them in rotation. The one thing I did find on the trails was that there was absolutely no ground feel. You would step on a rock or root and it would feel identical to stepping on packed dirt. They just soaked up terrain. I can see where that would be nice, but other times I really like having that connection with the trail.

I have two pairs of Hokas: A pair of Mafates, and a pair of Rapa Nuis. I'm ok with them both, but I find that the ankle cutout isn't low enough and it sometimes rubs.

As with everything: moderation is key. I don't run exclusively in Hokas, and simply use them in a rotation. I figure a constant change in shoe type will prevent overuse injuries due to repetitive motion caused by shoes that force a certain "running style". They're just another tool in the toolbelt.

Finally got down to MEC at noon and bought a pair of Hoka Cliftons size 10.5. Will take them for a short spin on the TM tonight and a 10K run on Saturday.

First run was a success. I didn't even notice them on my feet...until a sideways hill and I almost fell off my high heels. More cushioning than I had before but they fit my feet really well and there was no rubbing and no hotspot. We'll see if some of the old aches and pains go away as I keep running in them. I like the 4mm (or is it 5?) drop better than the 8 I had been running with in the Saucony Triumph. And those shoes (multiple pairs) only made it to 300K before wearing through to the midsole on the outside of the right heel.

OK, one week on and a follow-up report: the shoes will be going back to MEC. I have worn through the black rubber on the outside of the left heel and am eating through the soft orange layer. This was with 25K of running. I never wear my left heel down before my right heel is worn through. They are good to run in but seem to have an issue with the rubber quality. I did find it a bit strange doing speedwork on the TM in them. I felt like I was falling forwards a lot of the time.
So, picked up a pair of Saucony Ride 7 on the way home today. I'm not sure when I can get down to MEC to return the Hokas....

Wow, that's crazy! That has to be a defective pair or something.

I happen to look at the wear before ATB and after. Amazing after one 30k the breakdown. At this rate, they will be only good for a few months.

MY Hokas are in the box waiting to go back to MEC. Wore my new Saucony Ride 7s for the first time today and they felt good. I have also ordered a pair of the Triumph ISO.

Gimp wrote:MY Hokas are in the box waiting to go back to MEC. Wore my new Saucony Ride 7s for the first time today and they felt good. I have also ordered a pair of the Triumph ISO.

I have heard that the new Speedgoats are a move back to the quality Hoka was built on. EVA foam cushioning, and a Vibram outsole. It's still a few months out from being released, and may take a few months more to make its way to Canada.

fyi ... Hoka and Euro-sports have a full lot of Hoka's at the Ottawa Race Weekend Expo this weekend ...

I love my Hokas! I have a Stinson Tarmac and Mafate Speed. I like using them for longer runs.

I'm a Hoka and Newton guy. I wish there are shoes that has lots of cushions and fast at the same time.

Looking for advice on Hoka Cliftons: I've been running in Asics Hyperspeeds for many years now without problems. I've transitioned to more of a flat-footed or mid-foot foot strike. Over the last few months I've developed nagging heel pain low down below the Achilles attachment and this has now become plantar fasciitis. I know because I've had it before. After resting and stretching for about 2 weeks I did an easy 5K run yesterday resulting in serious pain at the plantar fascia insertion area at the front of the calcaneous under my foot.

My question, finally, is this. Would Hoka Clifton 2's road running shoes enable me to keep running? Gel insoles have not helped.

Try them on first because you may find that the arch is too close to the heel and presses on the plantar swelling.

Thanks for the advice. The arch is important, eg. I can't wear Nikes because the arch is just wrong for me.

The Hoka Speedgoats have been confirmed. They are an amazing shoe! The ankle cutout is just perfect, and has a vibram sole.