Which model is for me? We all have different preferences and requirements, but here is a general guideline: A. Primarily off road on both technical (rugged, rocky, lots of ascents and descents) and non technical (packed dirt, loose gravel) trails. I look for shoes particularly well suited for longer runs with unsurpassed cushion, protection and efficiency. B. On all types of surfaces, 50/50 mix of both on and off road surfaces. I am looking for the same attributes as in A, but in a shoe that can also work well on pavement. C. On all types of surfaces, but tend to run more on road surfaces than trails. I am looking for a streamlined technical package that is more suited to agile, faster paced running, with a more resilient and responsive ride that works well on both paved and unpaved surfaces. D. Mostly on road or concrete surfaces with some trail running mixed in. I'm looking for lightweight, agile, and cushioned ride to absorb the road beneath me. I'd also like something that would work well for racing distances.
If you answered A, consider the Mafate 4, or Stinson ATR. The Mafate 4 offer an aggressive lug profile combined with a blended midsole composed of responsive and resilient RMAT with cushioned EVA. A note on the fit, runners who need a wider fitting shoe may find the Mafate Speed to fit more narrow than previous versions of the Mafate line. It is an outstanding performer on tough, technical terrain and an ideal shoe for training and competing over long distances. The Stinson ATR is more streamlined for performance in longer distance, off road events, while also great for everyday training on the trails. A slightly wider fitting upper compared to the Mafate Speed make it ideal for those who need more volume, and an off-road ready outsole is suited toward use on trails, dirt, and all off-road surfaces. It comes standard with efficient, lightweight speed laces for easy on, easy off access; however traditional laces and an alternative lightweight Ortholite sockliner are included with each pair so the fit can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of widths and foot shapes.
If you answered B, the Stinson Lite, Clifton 2, or Bondi 4 are excellent choices. The Clifton 2 is the updated version of the ultra-successful Clifton for Fall 2015, and has been kept nearly identical to the original Clifton. Slight updates include the addition of a padded, comfort tongue, with minimal mesh overlays with slightly more volume in the forefoot. Despite its low weight, the Clifton has enough guts for everyday training, although just like with any lightweight trainer, you may find it to be not nearly as durable as other Hoka models. The Stinson Lite is the sister shoe of the Stinson ATR, (formerly known as the Stinson Tarmac) and remains a streamlined, performance oriented trainer ideal for everyday training, yet light enough for longer distance racing such as half and full Ironman Triathlons. A road outsole makes the Lite ideal for runners who train primarily on concrete and asphalt. Weighing in slightly lower than the Stinson models, the all new Bondi 4 is engineered primarily for road use, yet performs surprisingly well on dirt and less technical trails (as evidenced by the numerous ultra trail races won by elite runners wearing this shoe).
Updates to the 4th edition of the Bondi include a one piece, seamless upper, with a thicker, padded tongue returning (unlike the 3rd version). Additionally, based on customer feedback, the exposed EVA outsole has been reinforced with better wearing rubber for improved outsole durability. Lastly, a slight bevel on the lateral heel smooths the heel to toe transition while providing added stability and support. With its slightly reduced midsole thickness and rocker profile, the Bondi 4 is well suited as an efficient, yet plush everyday trainer for light to medium framed runners and as a racer/fast workout trainer for bigger framed athletes. In longer training runs and races is where the Bondi 4 really excels. If you answered C, the Bondi 4 or Conquest 2 is for you. Between the two options, the Bondi 4 will feel a bit softer and more cushioned, while the Conquest will feel more responsive and springy. The Conquest 2 is an update the original Conquest with some pretty exciting enhancements to the Hoka line.
Perfect for runners who log the bulk of their miles on roads yet still venture off road as well, the Conquest is built with Hoka’s new midsole material, RMAT. RMAT, an injection molded midsole foam, provides a state of the art weight-to-resilience ratio and excellent energy return while still offering Hoka’s signature performance and cushioning. If you answered D, the Conquest 2, Clayton, or Tracer are for you. The Clayton features a blend of RMAT and EVA foam, which allows for a lightweight and responsive ride, all the while offering the same high level of cushioning that Hoka One One has become so well known for. The Clayton uses Hoka's Meta Rocker system, which helps to create a more efficient and explosive toe off. The "Avtive Foot Frame" provides added stability underneath the foot to keep a runner's gait cycle as neutral as possible, whether they supinate or over-pronate. The Tracer is Hoka One One's pure workout/racing shoe. Coming in lower to the ground than any other model, the Tracer offers PRO2Lite cushioning, which provides a softer heel to protect on impact and a firmer forefoot to give a more efficient and responsive toe off.
With a sock-like, accomodating fit in the upper, the Tracer holds the foot securely while allowing for a variety of different widths and foot-shapes. Sizing Note: It is important to note that Hoka shoes run mostly true to size - so the best place to start is with the size you typically wear in a running shoe. We have found the Bondi 4 and Clifton to run slightly more narrow than other models, so if you have wide feet considering trying a half size up to give you more volume. Posted 9/14 by Darren- "I'm 40 years old 6'2" @ 176lbs and a triathlete running 35-45 mpw with no ailments or injuries-knock on wood! These shoes are GAME CHANGERS! They took me about 150 miles into the Bondi Speeds before I REALLY noticed a difference in my footstrike and stride but now i can run 16-20 mile long runs and feel absolutley fresh 30 minutes after! You'll find similar reviews all across the web from Ultra Runners! Posted 8/27 by Coworker- "The feel and ride are definitely different and it's more work to be fast in them due to what I suspect is lost drive to the insole cushioning, but the miles of pounding are definitely dampened by it;
so I feel it to be a good trade for me in that it will help me be more fit and faster in a different shoe come race day. I've yet to switch to a Hoka for offroad/mud, but for the road my Wave Prophecies have been retired to event only." Posted 8/27 by Vigran- "After a month of enjoying the Tarmac, my fourth pair of Hokas, the superlatives that the Stinson B Evo earned can be lavished on the Tarmac as well. A noted improvement for road and concrete surface runners is evident in the traction due to the removal of the lugs found on the B Evo. It gives it a feel of even greater cushioning, a highlight of every Hoka. As your foot fits so deeply into the shoe, stability is once again beyond any other brand I've ever run in. The blue and yellow color combination has gotten a number of positive comments--works well with a pair of jeans, as I like to wear these shoes everywhere. Order two pair, one for running, one for every day!" Posted 9/7 by Bryan- "I've run in all different types of shoes from Asics, Saucony, New Balance, Brooks, Nike, Newton, Merrell, Zoot, and Karhu.
Hoka is unlike any shoe I've ever run in. I've had trouble with my knees for over ten years. Last year I switched to a mid-foot strike and that helped alleviate a lot of my knee pain and popping, but I would start hurting if I got above 30 miles per week. This shoe has done for my knees what my Adamo saddle did for my numbness issues on the bike. It has erased it. I hesitated at first because of the price, but I'm SO glad I bought them. I can now run 10-15 miles at a time on asphalt and no knee pain or popping. Previously I could not do that." Posted 7/10 by George- "I have the Bondi B so when I saw this "race" version of the shoe I had to jump on it. I ordered a half size up from the Bondi B and I was glad I did as I have more space in the toebox which I like. The shoe is every bit as good as the regular Bondi just in a little bit lighter package. I really like the new Ortholite inserts as opposed to the thicker ones in the regular Bondi. The speed laces are ok and I can get a good fit but I really wish they would have put a regular pair of laces in the box like they do with the Stinson Evo.