HOKA carved a rocker shape into the foam to make the heel-to-toe transition quicker and smoother. The big midsole isn’t just for comfort, though. But the lightweight foam compound does all that without slowing the shoe down. HOKA stuffs its shoes with foam for maximum shock absorption and silly levels of comfort. The most noticeable component of any HOKA shoe is the hefty serving of foam in the midsole. HOKA ONE ONE's advanced technology coaxed pack-leading performance out of its max-cushioned running shoes. The big midsole initially set HOKA shoes apart, but advancements in foam technology, stability and shape now make HOKA shoes ideal for any runner or walker. The late-stage Meta-Rocker is placed just in front of the metatarsal heads-nearer your toes-which helps provide more stable forefoot support.
The early-stage Meta-Rocker is placed just behind the foot's metatarsal heads-closer to the middle of the foot-to create a smoother ride and promote a faster transition to toe-off. The Meta-Rocker is a rounded shape that acts like a rocking chair to promote a runner's natural gait and create an efficient, smooth transition. Those midsoles are also carved into what HOKA calls a Meta-Rocker shape. The most-cushioned HOKA shoes, like the HOKA Bondi and HOKA Clifton, pack tons of cushy foam underfoot for a supremely soft ride. The midsole on HOKA running shoes takes many forms. But one thing makes HOKA shoes stand out from (and above) other running shoes: the midsole. Their shared quest for speed over challenging terrain had them experimenting with trail-shoe design that allowed for uninterrupted momentum - as opposed to the stop and start, high impact toll that is characteristic of trail running.The idea for HOKA’s maximalist running shoes started in the French Alps where the brand’s founders dreamed of premium cushioning and a ride that carried momentum. Trail runners by night, the pair had day jobs pursuing faster speeds in snow sports and cycling. Thankfully, living an active and healthy life and representing that in your style can also look good.įounded in France and now headquartered in Goleta, California, HOKA ONE ONE was started in 2009 by sporting innovators Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Lucĭiard. Collaborations with Engineered Garments and Outdoor Voices prove that a shoe built to withstand the toughest endurance events in the world, is very comfortable in other settings too. More than just a running shoe, HOKA ONE ONE is what good design feels like and has spread into every walk of life that values healthy living and recreation. The running world had no choice but to start paying attention. Ridiculed by running shoe establishments in their race to eliminate as many elements of a running shoe as possible, HOKA was nevertheless embraced by runners - particularly the most hardcore among them, trail ultramarathoners. It was a maximalist shoe that doubled down on comfort. The results were enough cushion to soften rough terrain and maximum energy return to boost momentum. The idea was relatively simple, but revolutionary (coming at the peak of the minimalist running shoe trend): Combine premium cushioning with a low heel-toe drop, a wider footbed, and a rocker in the midsole. Their first prototypes were made with one goal, to fly down the French Alps where they ran. In doing so, we inadvertantly reinvented the running shoe.” Our original goal was to improve endurance race times by designing a shoe to go downhill faster. “Radical change often comes about in trying to solve a simple problem. Their shared quest for speed over challenging terrain had them experimenting with trail-shoe design that allowed for uninterrupted momentum - as opposed to the stop and start, high impact toll that is characteristic of trail running. Founded in France and now headquartered in Goleta, California, HOKA ONE ONE was started in 2009 by sporting innovators Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard.