New shoes: Hooka One:One Clifton 2

[caito]

Pretty much all of the Hoka models are neutral (meaning they do not have a medial post, which is how traditional shoes generally provide arch support) except for the Constant.

However, it seems that because of the wide midsole and excessive cushioning, "neutral" Hoka models seem to provide plenty of support for many overpronators.

When the Clifton first came out, I was certain it would be too neutral for me since I usually use a light-moderate stability shoe. But a video gait analysis showed very good alignment in the Clifton, plus I logged more miles than I ever had before without injury. Several of my former coworkers notice similar things.

[CheryG]

https://youtu.be/zJF5nKIk7co

[radial]

I wear their trail shoes.  They do put you higher off the ground with all that loft, and that theoretically cranks up the leverage in an ankle roll situation, making it more likely that you would suffer damage if you make a misstep.  But in practice, I find that after you get used to running on top of all that cushion, the shoes  tend to do fine on uneven surfaces.  Obstacles that would throw you off balance in shoes with a harder ride are just enveloped and neutralized.  I like 'em. 

[CheryG]

I wear their trail shoes.  They do put you higher off the ground with all that loft, and that theoretically cranks up the leverage in an ankle roll situation, making it more likely that you would suffer damage if you make a misstep.  But in practice, I find that after you get used to running on top of all that cushion, the shoes  tend to do fine on uneven surfaces.  Obstacles that would throw you off balance in shoes with a harder ride are just enveloped and neutralized.  I like 'em.

I'm not just talking an exposed roots uneven and tons of trail camber, I'm talking rocky trails where I stride from the top of one rock to another.  It's why I don't run in the harder soled trail runners, I like to feel like my forefoot is wrapping around the rock a bit.

I have my doubts is all.

I have no idea who this guy is, it seems he's in hokas, but this is my goal run next year.  The first trail he runs up, the Valley Way, there's a sign, is one I ran down a week or so ago.
https://youtu.be/ISbLVrvkN0I

[radial]

I have no idea who this guy is, it seems he's in hokas

He seems like the real deal.  Doesn't mean Hokas will work for you, but probably worth a try. 

[CheryG]

He seems like the real deal.  Doesn't mean Hokas will work for you, but probably worth a try.

He's Sage Canaday, I googled.  Five hours for a Presi traverse, the day after racing the auto road, is quite impressive.

[radial]

He's Sage Canaday, I googled.  Five hours for a Presi traverse, the day after racing the auto road, is quite impressive.

Yep, but Sage is sponsored by Hoka, so you have to consider the possibility that he's just selling his soul and that the Hokas are actually a terrible choice.  That's where people like me and others here who have no commercial interest in the question come in handy.  Buy a pair and see what you think. 

[caito]

Sage Canaday is a legit trail/ultra champion.

Yes he's sponsored by Hoka and like most runners of his caliber, could run in Keds and kick major ass. But Hoka started gaining popularity among the trail/ultra crowd out west because the cushion is so protective on your feet on those rocky, technical downhills. I understand the concern about being a bit higher up though, but many trail/ultra people are loving the Hokas.

[CheryG]

I'll check to see if the 30 day guarantee is available through retailers and not just Hoka online.  I'd love to give them a try to see what all the fuss is about.  I'll never know until I do!

[Fionn mac Cumhail]

I'll check to see if the 30 day guarantee is available through retailers and not just Hoka online.  I'd love to give them a try to see what all the fuss is about.  I'll never know until I do!

They're not magic or anything, but they've saved me a ton of pebble bruises and allowed my PF AND torn calf to heal in record time while maintaining mileage (when EVERYTHING else said rest for 6 weeks)...

For a dude like me who'll run a lot more marathons but never win one, I don't know what more I could expect from a shoe...and, I typically can find last year's model for less than half of the current models, so price isn't prohibitive, even to a jobroni like me...

[merigayle]

I never had an issue with them on trails.

[Virginia Plain]

I'm terrified to try a new shoe but I'm interested in everyone's review. 
I need a stability shoe and now have severe plantar fascitiis (I recall Fionn claiming that Hokas cured his PF) and possibly nerve damage (MRI to follow). 

[merigayle]

I wear Earth negative heel shoes outside of running. My heel sits lower than the forefoot and this keeps the achilles stretched and really helps tremendously in preventing PF for me. And massage.

[Fionn mac Cumhail]

I wear Earth negative heel shoes outside of running. My heel sits lower than the forefoot and this keeps the achilles stretched and really helps tremendously in preventing PF for me. And massage.

That's cool...I have to work on my calves a lot...I never want to hear a muscle pop again...

[merigayle]

If I do not wear them to work, I get PF pain. I love them. They prob are not the cure for everyone, but for me it worked.