Hoka One One - Product Review

When I first saw the Hoka One One shoe I laughed... I scoffed... I rolled my eyes.  Then... I tried them on.  Oh my gosh they felt good.  I balked at the $150+ price tag though.  Then I started hearing stories from some experienced runners that I respected.  They raved about the shoe and how it had allowed them to run farther than they had in years with less aches and pains.  I went back to my local running store and tried them on again.  I did NOT want to like them.  I did NOT want to have to justify the high price. Dang they felt good.

(Quick background: my limiting factors have been my feet.  More precisely, my heels and my achilles tendons.  I have a bone growth called Haglund's Heel.  It is a big bony protrusion, like a bone spur, on the back of my heel that digs into my achilles tendon.  I have dealt with it as long as I have been running.  It is my weak link.  It can get very painful.  I have cleaned up my stride and wear custom orthortics.  I use a foam roller and stretch every day to keep it under control.)  

Bondi B

So... I decided to bite the bullet and invest in a pair of Hoka Bondi B shoes.  If they worked... it would be worth every penny.  Please know... I am a bargain-shopper.  When my favorite shoes go on sale I stock up.   I even get a steady supply of free shoes from various shoe companies to review.

Hoka uses a softer EVA foam in it's sole and increases its total volume by 2.5 times that of a typical trail shoe.  This allows for maximum cushioning which "dissipates up to 80% of the shock associated with heel striking when running."  It appears big and clunky.  It is actually surprisingly light and does not feel like a big clumsy shoe.  The foot does not ride high on a steep platform.  The shoe only has a 4mm heel-to-toe drop.  This is in-line with the current trend of low profile, mid-foot striking shoe design.  It took me less than a half-mile to settle into the shoes.   

Game Changer - I have had several long runs of 16, 18, 20 and 27 miles in the Hokas in the last two weeks.  I can honestly say that I might never go back to my old shoes.  My legs don't take nearly the pounding they used to take.  My quads and hips are stronger and fresher at the end of long runs.  My recovery has been greatly improved.   All of these improvements were immediate.   
Are they for every runner?  Probably not.  But what shoe is??  However, if you are a runner looking to recover quicker and reduce the pounding on your legs this shoe just might be the answer.   Expensive...strange looking?  Yes, but worth it if they salvage/ prolong your running career, right?   Still not convinced?  Just go try them on.  I dare you.

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Run Smart. Train Hard. Race Fast. 

Listen to Coach Kevin each week as he co-hosts Pace Per Mile Radio. Listen online at www.PacePerMile.com and subscribe for free at iTunes!  He also writes the "MEMPHIS FIT" blog for the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce.