Greetings! Have you ever cut an Adidas Gazelle in half? It’s probably my favourite trainer, and always think they’re of decent quality, so am therefore curious as to the material content and construction. I couldn’t find a video on your page so was wondering if you’d ever consider assessing the Gazelle having already done the Samba? Best regards, have a good one and thanks for the great videos 🤗
Why do you mix metric and US customary lengths in the same clip? The inch being based on the length of 3 barleycorns and the metre the distance light travels in a vacuum over a set time interval!
You have to add some Italian, German and Scandinavian brands to your outdoor boots comparison. (La Sportiva, Scarpa, Salewa, Lowa, Hanwag, Lundhags etc)
I work in a hospital and operating room, and Hoka’s are probably the most popular shoe I see people wearing. Maybe one reason why they still saw growth during Covid.
they make a dedicated nurse shoe that's like fluid/blood proof, and non slip soles, and build on the same foundation as their neutral max cushion model. My other half is a nurse. I got her one when she graduated. great shoe but not cheap, comes in wide sizes. extra wide too I think. It's legit. But most of the nurses just wear the regular versions because they look cuter and have more colors and stuff. also more breathable. They just spray them with like ceramic coating so they don't absorb liquids, in theory.
There's nothing save for using a fairly soft blown mid-sole material and, pretty much, just doubling the mm thickness that makes a HOKA a HOKA. Other brands have answered this as it's easy to implement with zero added technology ,so as we go forward HOKA's thick mid-sole difference will be less unique. I say try a less thick version of Skecher's Hyper Burst technology running shoes...It doesn't get the respect I feel it deserves, and it is being copied to a similar result by even the current three top athletic shoe brands by changing a few manufacturing parameters to circumvent any intellectual property. The Hyper Burst combines the right mix of enhanced cushioning with retention of compression resilience (i.e. it keeps it's thickness much longer which enhances a good degree of control agains supination and pronation - which even many modern EVA based foams can't achieve). I like New Balance's Fresh Foam too, but it will compress quicker with heavy use so by itself it's not perfect. That said New Balance uses in in several guises some offering more resistance to compression with added motion control. I'm using several Skecher's Hyper Burst based running shoes for the last two-years and finding them excellent, and a better value, compared to HOKA. That brings up the other elephant in the room that during Covid exploded. On Running's cloud shoes. What they've done is to remove material instead of innovate material-wise or otherwise. By creating negative spaces in the midsole it made them feel softer yet it has its problems. It will compress with age faster, it will get objects and dirt hung up in the negative spaces, and it is a one-trick pony without much else. There's a reason you don't see many larger men, or men period, wearing these OR shoes as they just are really great in the support area. This brand fairs best for average weight women users. It will be interesting how they go forward as the trick of negative space will wear off and they'll have to innovate using something more substantial. I'm am a third generation shoe retailer who maintains a separate shoe repair and orthopedic modification facility. I don't speak from a point of no experience.
I have to agree with you. I also work in a hospital and Hoka's are the most warn shoe in our facility. They are comfortable for 12 hr. days on a hard surface and seem to last long enough to justify the price.
The split heel + diamond cutout = your foot's heel is feeling like it's making better connection with the ground so the transition is less jarring, it separates to guide it down nicely and it's got enough to cushion it while the diamond cutout cradles, flexing, cupping, and allowing midsole expansion on strikes, while better transmitting ground feel data to your own heel.
I am not sure why I watch these to be honest, but I really like the content.. Straight forward information, backed with some great metrics/tools etc. I never knew how interesting shoe construction is. Great job!
3 videos. Maybe 70 comments I've gone through. No one had a good funny or interesting comment But yes I'm with you, dunno why im here but it's good shit.
I've been using a pair of the low top GTX for my mailman shoes and they've put up with a few months of 50+ miles a week on mixed surfaces with a lot of concrete and asphalt. They've been ... actually pretty great. No issues with them and they've been pretty darn comfy. I have very well tested the waterproofing on them and unless I accidentally go too deep into a puddle, my feet have been nice and dry. I'm glad that they performed well for you too!
I used the Hoka Kaha on my trek to Everest Base Camp last October. It felt great even if I've only used it a couple of months earlier. Good support and my feet did not hurt after 7-10 miles of daily hiking for 2 weeks. Only problem is that the trims that look sewed in are only glued and started to separate good thing I had superglue with me. Other than that I would recommend this book for light to moderate hiking. Even though I did use it for base camp.
Great review. Loved that you literally took the boot apart and used scientific assessments whilst keeping the delivery funky. Thanks dude, really helpful.👍
Hi Weston, I used to sell Hokas and the rep told us that the swallow tail Is designed to displace energy more efficiently, that if you are going downhill or uneven surfaces it helps keep you sure footed. The rocker in it is designed to move your foot easier heel to toe so your foot isn’t doing all the work they kind of move your feet with you. I’ve asked about the vibram soles and I was told it isn’t fully covered to save on weight and cost, I don’t know how true that is. I would recommend this boot for long hiking mileage or backpacking as it really keeps your feet feeling fresh even after hiking all day. I use mine for backpacking only and they have been a game changer for me. Someone else mentioned they don’t last long and they are right: The EVA foams with constant use will only last about 6 months. That is for all shoes that use a lot of EVA. My suggestion don’t use them all the time and rotate different pairs to make them last
@@thartwig in simplistic terms yes, but footwear is like a tool. You want to use the right tool for the right job. A hiking boot is not an everyday boot, much like a screwdriver is not a hammer. Use it for it’s intended purpose and you’ll be fine.
@@DeMart501 but thats a given which makes it a non-statement. The less you use anything the longer it will last, but if you cant use it very long even for its intended purpose what good is it? I usually wear thursday chelseas every day, and for physical work or hiking I have hiking boots. What youre suggesting is common if not normal, I personally dont know anyone who wears hiking boots every day like sneakers, but 6months for any shoe, worn every day, thats not a great investment at 240$
As someone who hiked in Hokas for 3 years. They only last 1 season if you go regularly. I still paid for them because nothing was as comfortable especially on the 10 mile trips
@@Frizzlefry7 If you like the feel of Hoka's you will proably hate On Cloud. Even the most cushioned model, the Cloud Monster feels rock hard in comparison to Hoka's
@@tommysshih I’ve been reading some reviews saying the clouds are OKAY but the mesh uppers are tearing after minimal wear. So I’m pretty hesitant now. Thanks for the feedback.
It's amazing how fast Hoka has grown. I started wearing them after my training coach started using them after being a support runner for an ultra runner (~ 2010). That said for trail hiking or running, I think Solomon and La Sportiva, two of the top brands, but it is very model dependent.
Everything depends on what you are using it for. If I want to have fun running down a dry rocky trail, La Sportiva has several good shoes. Base plate, relatively flat lugs, and sticky rubber outsole. Solomons have more specific offerings for mud and other stuff. For zone 2 spam in the mountains, hokas are probably comfortable enough to be a good choice. Then there are those areas with incredibly slick tree roots near cliffs... was so bad I was wondering if microspikes or spiked logging boots would have been appropriate.
I haven’t tried Hoka yet. I do have a pair of Brooks Ghost Max that I love. I’m standing on concrete at work for 50 to over 60 hours per week. The Brooks are four months old and still feel new.
I absolutely loved mine. Hands down the best hikers I've worn for comfort. Durability, on the other hand, is a different story. Mine have only lasted 9 months. That being said, I contacted Hoka and because this has happened within a year, they are sending me some out as we speak, so I'm impressed on that side. I wore mine a lot. However, I obviously expected more than I got from them in nine months (I really looked after them as well). When I receive my new pair I am going to wear them less and see if I can squeeze more life out of them.
I just bought these! thank you for explaining the features. I feel better spending money on shoes I wont be able to walk in until next year. Im week 14 post achilles surgery and this brand has changed my life. I wear the tennis shoes and its stable and supporting me during PT.
I have the Kaha One and they were my first Hoka and I fell in love with them. I work in trades and am on my feet moving around all day and these are my go-to’s over a lot of brands that I own.
My BIL just hiked the Appalachian trail in Hoka sneakers. I've sort of ignored the brand until then, but that definitely sparked my curiosity. Thanks for this topic!
So… I own this exact pair of boots. My biggest problem is finding boots in a size 15. and then finding them in a B width. For me personally this boot is nothing short of amazing! It’s extremely comfortable. I can put my prescription plastic arch supports in and the narrow toe box for me is a perfect fit. Are they worth $240? For me personally yes, but that’s because I wear a size 15. If you didn’t wear a size 15, They are over priced @ $240. They are definitely worth trying if you’ve got the money or if you find them on sale. Thanks so much for the video. Makes me feel good about my purchase.
Your videos are really cool, I personally feel like you do a really awesome job breaking down the longevity, history , and other qualities of the shoes
agree completely, taken a couple of those boots trekking across several continents and they've never let me down, can't wait to see how they stack up against the others on the list!
I've owned these for a year, lots of miles hiked. The waterproof definitely fails in slushy snow and heavy rain. They last for an hour or so and the toe is the first to always go. The lugs on the bottom wear out quicker than I would have wanted. Otherwise these boots have been great. The stride it puts you is really nice and cushion is great as well. I got them for their cushion and they hold up with a heavy ruck sack. Grip is pretty good on terrible rocks and angles. I'd buy again if I could find them on sale. Kaha Gtx > UA HOVR Dawn boot
When you walk or run, if you have a relatively normal gait, you don't hit the ground with the centre back of the heel but instead hit it towards the outside corner. Then you roll diagonally towards "toe off" which is the big toe. If you examine heel wear on your shoes you'll see the wear pattern is towards the lateral (outside) part of the heel. I assume the "swallow tail" heel groove controls over-pronation and reduces the amount of inward roll of the foot for the large percentage of the population who roll too far inwards after the heel strike. The dual density EVA along the medial (inside) of the heel will also be used for this purpose.
@@Red_Twizzler The USA has a bigger percentage than any other nation on earth who use orthotics in their footwear. Remarks like yours makes me think that perhaps some people might prefer everybody to use expensive podiatrists and custom orthotics when much of the time simple solutions can work well.
I do trail running & long distance thru hiking, Hokas are my favorite.. but yes, they are not necessarily built to last forever, but their comfort & lightweight is why I keep going back. Usually, about 1 year and then replace. I do find Solomons are best for their tred which lasts forever & has a great grip.
I have one kislux bag I got in 2019, it's the LV white catogram speedy. It's counter quality and it has a nice honey patina now, so the leather is real. I think whatever makes you happy go for it. I've seen LV with plastic leather and blood red glaze...
Hey Weston! Any chance you could do some Zamberlan boots one of these days? I used the Zamberlan 309 Trail Lite Gore-Tex Hiking Boots for Tree Planting in BC/Alberta Canada and they worked out pretty well for me. Curious to see how these and their other products stack up. Thanks for doing what you do! :D
I have a pair I’ve owned now for 8 years (first pair actually) and still wear them for hiking and camping trips. They were perfect right out the box and broke them in Hiking around Lake Tahoe.
Great video! Would love to see you do some mens vs women's boot comparisons to see if they actually make them the same (I feel mine often wear out much quicker than men's of the same brands etc)
I would love to see you cut apart the Danner Mountain 600 leaf. I’ve had a pair for a few months now and really like them so far- would be curious to see how they stack up to other foam hikers.
Bought a pair of these a few days ago. They're $60 off right now on HOKAs site. Pleasantly surprised to see them take the #1 spot! Maybe I'll buy another pair while the sale lasts???
I'm a tech vendor that works in hospitals and clinical staff seem to LOVE Hokas for their comfort. I also stand and walk 8-10 hours nonstop but unfortunately I have 6E wide feet so there aren't any Hoka options for me lol.
Actually I have the low and mid version. I started by buying the low version for hikes in sping and summer and when fall started I started using the mid version (mainly because of wet grass etc.). I'm 56 years old and my joints aren't the best anymore. For that reason, these shoes are the go to boots for me. I can walk insane distances without any problem. I use to wear Meindl boots but I had some issues with my joints (knees in particular). Don't have these problems now and I used the low version for around 5000km's, the mid version for about 2000km. The sole is til in pretty good shape! I do prefer the low ones but to be honnest, I don't know why. These boots are perfect for me!
I have a Pair of the low top Kahas and have been wearing them almost daily for 7 months. They are the most comfortable shoe I have ever wore and have stopped the usual aches and pains I get from being on my feet at work all day. I will agree with your opinion that the soles will wear down quick as mine are now starting to go through the Vibram parts and onto the foam underneath. I will however buy another pair. Can't beat the supreme comfort.
Easy..real easy to fix the wear problem on Vibram parts....been doing it for years. Find local shoe repair person who'll sell you a piece of relatively resistant rubber compound (determine correct thickness)..buy a tube of quality rubber cement (follow gluing instructions)..file/sand worn parts of Vibram until flat. Cut/glue and contour... Problem solved...saves money.
Many decades ago when I was a serious runner, I was given a pair of Nike Long Distance Five, aka the LDV. They had very wide heels which greatly increased the stability. Which also worked really well at launching sand and small rocks into the opposite shoe as you ran. So if I wore them running the power line roads outside Boulder City, Nevada, I had to stop every mile or mile and a half to dump out the sand. To add to my dislike, to get the weight down they had hollow areas under the ball of the foot. I was rock hopping and had the point of a rock come up through and break my foot. Last pair of Nikes I have worn. If I got given a pair, I gave them away. I have been extremely wary of anything with a very wide heel tread, and low angle returns ever since.
As a 2 time 46er with bad knees these and the speedgoat5's have absolutely saved me. I have tried so many boots and these keep me on the trails. They do wear out faster than others I've tried but that's a trade off I'm willing to take.
For a moment there, i thought surely you were going to trash Hoka. I was surprised you went tippy toe to place them at #1. I own three different pairs of Hokas. They aren't the boots but the trail runners ( Bondi and Speedgoat) and i use them casually as i can't run. They are fantastic for my Plantar Fascitis with only the Speegoats needing an orthotic insert. My foot specialist at the VA suggested them. Awesome. I ended up getting a pair of their flips and the cushion in all three is like cloud walking. The relief on my injured foot is terrific. As an aside, I believe that in addition to the 'marketing' aspect of the ButterFly heel, it allows the width of the heel to be wider all the while saving on materials/cost. The wider heel helps in preguiding the heel strike towards the centering/loading of the weighted contact and pre loads the landing to help offset the impact. That's using SWAGS. Thanks for yet another terrific review!
Different foot injury here! But for me, as well, I can wear them without my orthopedic insoles and they still do not cause foot pain. Another good sign is that the insole has exactly the same outline as my custom orthopedic insoles. I was really impressed with how well these boots feel on my feet!!!
They have a quite narrow toebox however. For wider toe boxes, the La Sportiva TX Hike is a lot better. I have quite particular feet and toe width in which all the ‘favourites’ don’t fit because of the narrow toeboxes. I found the TX Hike to be a lot better than the Raptor, even factoring out the toebox issue.
I owned these exact boots and some Hoka running/casual shoes. For me, they fail in casual use, hiking and backpacking. I've never had blisters backpacking and the only way I could wear these Hokas backpacking was to put leukotape on 1/3-1/2 of my feet to eliminate the hot spots. I just could not get my foot to stop moving inside the boots enough to stop the friction. So I demoted them to hiking only and had the same issue (without a pack on my back), so I returned them. The casual Hokas I had provided so little feedback on any type of surface other than a flat man made surface that they're dangerous because I can't feel underneath me and adjust for surface changes, eventually resulting in me twisting my ankle. I never wore them again nor will I. For reference, I just finished a 43 mile, 7 day, 15k feet of climbing backpacking trip in Scarpa Zodiac boots with no problem. I do a trip like this once or twice a year with Asolo and Scarpas and have never had a single blister. I have also spent 18 hours on my feet mountaineering in La Sportiva Nepal Cubes, with no blisters and no problems. I can imagine Hokas might be the right shoes if you never venture off of flat man made surfaces, or maybe they just work for you personally but for me and a load of other REI customers they get returned.
I have extremely sensitive feet because I have autism which raises my sensitivity to textures, and bunions which where made way way worse from being in the military. Hoka's are a godsend. They have so much cushioning and are so unrestrictive that my feet can stretch-out and my bunions have very very slowly actually started to reverse on their own without the surgery the military said I would have needed to stay in. I'm completely bought into Hoka's now.
These look like they'd be really comfy for someone who only hikes occasionally but is looking for rougher terrain where a more solid boot would be a little clunky. Good for rock scrambles or log hopping.
I'm always curious about how women's shoes fare in comparison to men's. I'd like to know if the shoes I get my wife and daughter are up to par. I've noticed that women's products can have a lesser quality than men's, and I'm wondering if the same is true for shoes. I would appreciate it if you could add the same model in women's when cutting them in half. Thanks, bro.
New to the channel. Great review, I love your videos! I'm curious what you think of the Solomon X Ultra 4 GTX (I have the 3), and where you think they'd fit on the "all-around hiker" list? Apologies if you've reviewed/ranked them before, I couldn't find it among your videos when I searched.
These shoes seem like the solution for me, after looking for eight years for good boots so I'm willing to say Hoka's Pocus! As it's magic they work so well. I've been looking for hiking boots that don't cause pain in my feet and I just picked these up for around 229 dollar (205 euro). To be honest, I couldn't care less about the sole not lasting two years. If I can walk without pain for even one year, it's worth the money. Of course, I don't know how long they'll last and for how long they will remain comfortable, but these are the first hiking boots that make my feet feel normal. Nothing I tried comes close. For example, Meindl is too rigid and forces my feet into an unhealthy shape, Lowa is too narrow, Hanwag feels like it cost me 250% more energy to walk with, the brand "Keen" just feels like I'm not really wearing shoes and they feel clunky. I've tried on so many different models and could list many more. The only doubt I'm having about the Hoka's is that they feel a little big and it feels as if I should tighten the laces a little extra so I'm going to see if I can add in a tiny thin layer of cork insole to raise the bottom sole a bit as my feet are wide but low so usually adding 1mm of cork inlay helps raise my feet up a bit to help with that last final step to make a shoe fit perfectly.
One of the big issues with such a thick sole when backpacking is it makes it easier to roll an ankle, and that's compounded in a very light boot that has less ankle support.
I have that same Hoka Hiking boot and I really like it,,,, I bought them new but only paid 199!!! Still pricy but I really enjoy mine,!!!!! It’s very comfortable!!!
Got a pair for $170. Love my Cliftons, but needed something for winter. I would’ve gone with something warmer, but hoping these are more comfortable than a traditional boot.
I´ve got the Kaha´s and Keen´s Zionic waterproof boot... I´ve got a minor Plantar on the right foot, and the Keen Zionic is clearly the most comfy for me.
I work in an outdoor store. One thing people get wrong about gear is that you pay for lightweight. It's complex to make light stuff good. Hoka is not the most durable. But they are the ones where you get the most comfort to weight ratio
Have a pair of Hoka 2's just over a year, hiking/walking, 40-50 km a week on average. Love them, amazingly comfortable but the tongue is a bit on the small side if you lace all the way to the top. the foam sole has held up remarkably well, however the lugs of the front of the sole-specifically the section to the front of the Vibram logo-are almost fully worn down. Will probable replace them with another pair.
Check out my response to repair worn Vibram. (Comment by Dann317)...Easy to repair...Sand/file worn Vibram..buy some rubber compound available from local shoe repair/..some good quality rubber cement. Saves money and keeps you running. Been doing it for years.
My brother wore these hiking snow in New Mexico. Suffice to say they are NOT waterproof above the midline lol. He was soaked while the other two of us in normal ass oboz bridgers were comfy and splendid.
For durability, I will say I had the Tennines as a running shoe, and those wore out disappointingly quick. The rubber completely tore away from the foam, so I only got like 150 miles of trail running up mountains in George Washing National Forrest with those. But they are unmatched as a trail running shoe, and great with rocky hills.
I walk about 7 miles a day as a construction supervisor on a big jobsite. These are nice, but they only lasted me about 6 months of daily use. Maybe a year or 2 for the average person.
I bought these yesterday. I have flintstone feet. They’re shaped like a brick. Only shoe that was wide enough and fit my foot. I plan to use them to ruck with a 40lb pack for cardio. The 240 is worth it for me because I’ll pay for the comfort.
Hey, you’re mistaking/conflating CMEVA midsoles with direct injection EVA midsoles. Direct injection soles are where a liquid foam is injected into a mold attached to the bottom of a lasted upper (search Desma machines for videos of the process), which in turn bonds it with that upper without the need for additional glues (Lowa and Ecco are good examples of this in hiking). This process is good for reducing production costs and allows for design details on side walls not achievable with traditional moulds, such as cuts outs (again see Lowa) but is tougher to tune the foams for more high performance needs and tends to be heavier. CMEVA, or compression mold EVA, is a 2 stage process where an oversized EVA foam shape is compressed down into the final designed form. These will traditionally be lighter, offer a much wider variety of foam densities/characteristics and from a design perspective, allow for much finer detail on the sidewalls for textures etc. There’s of corse a lot more to this than outlined above, but trying to keep it simple. Glad to see you enjoyed the KAHA 2 enough to put it in the top spot above some great competition. It was a project I designed and developed with the HOKA team back during lock down.
Have worn out 8-9 pairs of Hokas for the last decade. Love them! The soles are so grippy that they can be used as water shoes for canyoneering when the tread is nearly gone. However, these new Kaha 2 GTX treads are not as grippy, so slip more on rock, especially when wet. Not the end of the world, but a surprise disappointment. On the plus side, they are actually more comfortable than the previous Kahas.
I tried a pair of Hokas on the advice of a podiatrist. Almost turned an ankle a few times. The tall, soft foam sole just collapses if I did anything in them. Very unstable. Firmly into barefoot style shoes now. Hiking, I still use my Keenes.
I’ve been wearing hoka boots for work for 5 years now. One thing that annoys me is the upper boot long outlasts the sole. Granted they aren’t designed to be worn quite a few days a week but that’s a choice I’ve made for the comfort. If the sole was fully covered with the vibram rubber I’m pretty sure they would last a lot longer. Once the sole wears down I replace them as I need the grip but it’s such a shame when the upper still has lots of life left. Oh and the boot I use is the tor ultra high.
Galibier Super Guide by Richard Pontvert is the standard by which all hiking boots are judged. Old school thick one piece leather, Norwegian welt construction, durable rubber soles, tough hardware and the famous red laces. For the price, the best boots in the world and with the Super Rando below it, I’ve had only to replace a worn heel! Still going strong - that’s how well made they are.
The full-length steel shaft often snapped near the arch with lots of hiking. Really more of a mountaineering boot intended to pair with the semi-rigid crampons of the day. But yes, an amazingly well built boot that was the highest standard of the era!
32 years on my feet for 9.5-10 hours a day carrying boxes around on concrete and first asics was the only shoe I could wear to not aggregate the plantar tendons or heal bruscitus . Then Hoka came along as a godsend. Unfortunately, I'm limited to leather like covering due to company regulations, and Hoka is the only wedge sole should "Bondi" that works for me. Recently, the newer models do NOT breathe well anymore. 😬🙄
Topo Trailventure 2 WP. I haven't tried these but I think they fit your brief. I moved from Altra to Topo about 3 years ago and have 4 pairs now, road runners and non WP trail runners. Topo toebox is as roomy as the old Altras, before it was narrowed to grab more of the mainstream market. My Topos have done some proper mileage and durability is unquestionably better than Altras
Rose Anvil please do a video about LALO shoes/boots! They are a great company! I wear their rapid assault boots for work, they are very comfortable and are so grippy, and drain water very well. Cheers!
I honestly couldn’t tell the model of my Hoka boots but they don’t have that weird booty. Had them about 4 years and use them only a few times a year. Decently comfortable, water proof and unbelievably grippy on ice and slick rock. Hokas wear very quickly as a compromise for the comfort but I’ve had countless pairs but only one of the boots and the $200 price range for the boots is pretty cheap.
Toward the end there about wide shoes. I can not even think of a shoe or boot that is too wide. I have not found one yet. Even the splay still need to be wider for my foot but mainly to accommodate the tuberosity of fifth metatarsal which sticks out on the side of the foot making that part the widest part of the foot.
I bought a pair of Hooka hiking boots from Winners. Super comfortable but can't seem to handle walking on asphalt. I noticed the soles wearing out almost immediately! Now only wear them on actual hikes.
Have you done Salomon Ultra 4 GTX mid? I feel like they fall into this more hiking shoe/boot category and are generally one of the most recommended. Would love to see how they stack up.
Lots of hikers on TH-cam a swearing by the topo pursuit (trail running) or traverse (hiking). So that can be an interesting boot to look at. They often compare it to the altra's but say it is more durable
I took the Kaha 2 GTX out on an 10 mile Appalachian Approach Trail recently with eager anticipation. Unfortunately it was not as good as my Hoka Speegoat 2 Mid GTX. My feet were sliding inside the shoe though it was the same size as the Speedgoat. Nor was the cushioning as comfortable as with the Speedgoat. Not sure if it has anything to do with how I lace. I am not sold on this so far.
Please do the Vans Crosspath mids - been stoked on them the past few months hiking and golfing actually. Heel is too big too skate ironically, but curious how they really stack up for only $140
I want to love Hoka, but two issues for me that make me choose Altra, Too Narrow, and lateral stability. All that squish not great on sidehill off camber. Also, a minor issue is that cactus spines go right through the sole.
Get a Rose Anvil Travel Wallet here - bit.ly/4aEN7D2
For the next video u should try Merrell that’s one of the biggest opponents of hoka in Europe
Greetings!
Have you ever cut an Adidas Gazelle in half? It’s probably my favourite trainer, and always think they’re of decent quality, so am therefore curious as to the material content and construction.
I couldn’t find a video on your page so was wondering if you’d ever consider assessing the Gazelle having already done the Samba?
Best regards, have a good one and thanks for the great videos 🤗
Why do you mix metric and US customary lengths in the same clip? The inch being based on the length of 3 barleycorns and the metre the distance light travels in a vacuum over a set time interval!
hoka bondis?
You have to add some Italian, German and Scandinavian brands to your outdoor boots comparison. (La Sportiva, Scarpa, Salewa, Lowa, Hanwag, Lundhags etc)
La Sportiva is the best imho
Seriously, I've been waiting years for him to review some actual hiking boots
Meindl too
Roa
Limmer boots as well
I work in a hospital and operating room, and Hoka’s are probably the most popular shoe I see people wearing. Maybe one reason why they still saw growth during Covid.
I see a lot of boomers and middle aged people using it
they make a dedicated nurse shoe that's like fluid/blood proof, and non slip soles, and build on the same foundation as their neutral max cushion model. My other half is a nurse. I got her one when she graduated. great shoe but not cheap, comes in wide sizes. extra wide too I think. It's legit. But most of the nurses just wear the regular versions because they look cuter and have more colors and stuff. also more breathable. They just spray them with like ceramic coating so they don't absorb liquids, in theory.
Yep, my mum is a lab technician in a hospital and Hoka Bondi's are some of the most popular shoes there.
There's nothing save for using a fairly soft blown mid-sole material and, pretty much, just doubling the mm thickness that makes a HOKA a HOKA. Other brands have answered this as it's easy to implement with zero added technology ,so as we go forward HOKA's thick mid-sole difference will be less unique. I say try a less thick version of Skecher's Hyper Burst technology running shoes...It doesn't get the respect I feel it deserves, and it is being copied to a similar result by even the current three top athletic shoe brands by changing a few manufacturing parameters to circumvent any intellectual property. The Hyper Burst combines the right mix of enhanced cushioning with retention of compression resilience (i.e. it keeps it's thickness much longer which enhances a good degree of control agains supination and pronation - which even many modern EVA based foams can't achieve). I like New Balance's Fresh Foam too, but it will compress quicker with heavy use so by itself it's not perfect. That said New Balance uses in in several guises some offering more resistance to compression with added motion control. I'm using several Skecher's Hyper Burst based running shoes for the last two-years and finding them excellent, and a better value, compared to HOKA. That brings up the other elephant in the room that during Covid exploded. On Running's cloud shoes. What they've done is to remove material instead of innovate material-wise or otherwise. By creating negative spaces in the midsole it made them feel softer yet it has its problems. It will compress with age faster, it will get objects and dirt hung up in the negative spaces, and it is a one-trick pony without much else. There's a reason you don't see many larger men, or men period, wearing these OR shoes as they just are really great in the support area. This brand fairs best for average weight women users. It will be interesting how they go forward as the trick of negative space will wear off and they'll have to innovate using something more substantial. I'm am a third generation shoe retailer who maintains a separate shoe repair and orthopedic modification facility. I don't speak from a point of no experience.
I have to agree with you. I also work in a hospital and Hoka's are the most warn shoe in our facility. They are comfortable for 12 hr. days on a hard surface and seem to last long enough to justify the price.
The split heel + diamond cutout = your foot's heel is feeling like it's making better connection with the ground so the transition is less jarring, it separates to guide it down nicely and it's got enough to cushion it while the diamond cutout cradles, flexing, cupping, and allowing midsole expansion on strikes, while better transmitting ground feel data to your own heel.
It probably helps with the impact not going straight up the legs into the spine.
Could it also be that it spreads your weight between two points of contact as the heel lands?
I am not sure why I watch these to be honest, but I really like the content.. Straight forward information, backed with some great metrics/tools etc. I never knew how interesting shoe construction is. Great job!
3 videos. Maybe 70 comments I've gone through. No one had a good funny or interesting comment But yes I'm with you, dunno why im here but it's good shit.
I've been using a pair of the low top GTX for my mailman shoes and they've put up with a few months of 50+ miles a week on mixed surfaces with a lot of concrete and asphalt. They've been ... actually pretty great. No issues with them and they've been pretty darn comfy. I have very well tested the waterproofing on them and unless I accidentally go too deep into a puddle, my feet have been nice and dry. I'm glad that they performed well for you too!
How does the GTX work in warm weather?
Just bought a pair for this reason as my feet were hurting on the post round! Hope they hold up.
I used the Hoka Kaha on my trek to Everest Base Camp last October. It felt great even if I've only used it a couple of months earlier. Good support and my feet did not hurt after 7-10 miles of daily hiking for 2 weeks. Only problem is that the trims that look sewed in are only glued and started to separate good thing I had superglue with me. Other than that I would recommend this book for light to moderate hiking. Even though I did use it for base camp.
Great review. Loved that you literally took the boot apart and used scientific assessments whilst keeping the delivery funky. Thanks dude, really helpful.👍
Hi Weston, I used to sell Hokas and the rep told us that the swallow tail Is designed to displace energy more efficiently, that if you are going downhill or uneven surfaces it helps keep you sure footed. The rocker in it is designed to move your foot easier heel to toe so your foot isn’t doing all the work they kind of move your feet with you. I’ve asked about the vibram soles and I was told it isn’t fully covered to save on weight and cost, I don’t know how true that is.
I would recommend this boot for long hiking mileage or backpacking as it really keeps your feet feeling fresh even after hiking all day. I use mine for backpacking only and they have been a game changer for me.
Someone else mentioned they don’t last long and they are right: The EVA foams with constant use will only last about 6 months. That is for all shoes that use a lot of EVA. My suggestion don’t use them all the time and rotate different pairs to make them last
I love my hoka hiking boots I know my footing will be secure every step
“These boots will last longer if you dont wear them!” 😝😒
@@thartwig in simplistic terms yes, but footwear is like a tool. You want to use the right tool for the right job. A hiking boot is not an everyday boot, much like a screwdriver is not a hammer. Use it for it’s intended purpose and you’ll be fine.
@@DeMart501 I don't want 5 screwdrivers that do the exact same thing.
@@DeMart501 but thats a given which makes it a non-statement. The less you use anything the longer it will last, but if you cant use it very long even for its intended purpose what good is it? I usually wear thursday chelseas every day, and for physical work or hiking I have hiking boots. What youre suggesting is common if not normal, I personally dont know anyone who wears hiking boots every day like sneakers, but 6months for any shoe, worn every day, thats not a great investment at 240$
As someone who hiked in Hokas for 3 years. They only last 1 season if you go regularly. I still paid for them because nothing was as comfortable especially on the 10 mile trips
Have you tried out the on cloud brand yet? I’ve been seeing a lot of those lately. I’m seeing some on sale for around 100 USD.
@@Frizzlefry7 If you like the feel of Hoka's you will proably hate On Cloud. Even the most cushioned model, the Cloud Monster feels rock hard in comparison to Hoka's
@@tommysshih I’ve been reading some reviews saying the clouds are OKAY but the mesh uppers are tearing after minimal wear. So I’m pretty hesitant now. Thanks for the feedback.
😂😅 You are the sucker they are targeting. Their business plan worked on you!!
@@rvierra7235 I mean I am putting 600 miles a season on them in Arizona desert while having immense cushion. It’s a trade off
It's amazing how fast Hoka has grown. I started wearing them after my training coach started using them after being a support runner for an ultra runner (~ 2010). That said for trail hiking or running, I think Solomon and La Sportiva, two of the top brands, but it is very model dependent.
Everything depends on what you are using it for.
If I want to have fun running down a dry rocky trail, La Sportiva has several good shoes. Base plate, relatively flat lugs, and sticky rubber outsole. Solomons have more specific offerings for mud and other stuff. For zone 2 spam in the mountains, hokas are probably comfortable enough to be a good choice.
Then there are those areas with incredibly slick tree roots near cliffs... was so bad I was wondering if microspikes or spiked logging boots would have been appropriate.
50+ year old here, I wore Brooks, still like them, but did buy a pair of hoka , and absolutely love the comfort
Ditto. I was a diehard Brooks loyalist. My physical therapist recommended Hokas and I'm hooked.
I just bought a pair of Brooks Glycerin GTS’s. Haven’t had a chance to try them out yet. Hokas look very nice too. Might get a pair
52 years old with abused worn feet. I have never worn a more comfortable and better fitting shoe than Hoka.
I haven’t tried Hoka yet. I do have a pair of Brooks Ghost Max that I love. I’m standing on concrete at work for 50 to over 60 hours per week. The Brooks are four months old and still feel new.
@@MichaelH-ck4hg ghost max are Great, however the hoka are awesome. I do alternate them , from day to day, with New balance 990 v4
I absolutely loved mine. Hands down the best hikers I've worn for comfort. Durability, on the other hand, is a different story. Mine have only lasted 9 months. That being said, I contacted Hoka and because this has happened within a year, they are sending me some out as we speak, so I'm impressed on that side. I wore mine a lot. However, I obviously expected more than I got from them in nine months (I really looked after them as well). When I receive my new pair I am going to wear them less and see if I can squeeze more life out of them.
I just bought these! thank you for explaining the features. I feel better spending money on shoes I wont be able to walk in until next year. Im week 14 post achilles surgery and this brand has changed my life. I wear the tennis shoes and its stable and supporting me during PT.
I have the Kaha One and they were my first Hoka and I fell in love with them. I work in trades and am on my feet moving around all day and these are my go-to’s over a lot of brands that I own.
My BIL just hiked the Appalachian trail in Hoka sneakers. I've sort of ignored the brand until then, but that definitely sparked my curiosity. Thanks for this topic!
So… I own this exact pair of boots. My biggest problem is finding boots in a size 15. and then finding them in a B width. For me personally this boot is nothing short of amazing! It’s extremely comfortable. I can put my prescription plastic arch supports in and the narrow toe box for me is a perfect fit. Are they worth $240? For me personally yes, but that’s because I wear a size 15. If you didn’t wear a size 15, They are over priced @ $240. They are definitely worth trying if you’ve got the money or if you find them on sale.
Thanks so much for the video. Makes me feel good about my purchase.
Your videos are really cool, I personally feel like you do a really awesome job breaking down the longevity, history , and other qualities of the shoes
My Salomon GTX 4d boots are my most comfortable shoe I’ve ever owned, and while I will buy them again, these hokas are next on my list to try out.
agree completely, taken a couple of those boots trekking across several continents and they've never let me down, can't wait to see how they stack up against the others on the list!
Salomon is my favorite for many years and I just returned a hoka the other day. Too wide toe box and felt unstable. Salewa is next I'm going to try.
I've owned these for a year, lots of miles hiked. The waterproof definitely fails in slushy snow and heavy rain. They last for an hour or so and the toe is the first to always go. The lugs on the bottom wear out quicker than I would have wanted. Otherwise these boots have been great. The stride it puts you is really nice and cushion is great as well. I got them for their cushion and they hold up with a heavy ruck sack. Grip is pretty good on terrible rocks and angles. I'd buy again if I could find them on sale. Kaha Gtx > UA HOVR Dawn boot
When you walk or run, if you have a relatively normal gait, you don't hit the ground with the centre back of the heel but instead hit it towards the outside corner. Then you roll diagonally towards "toe off" which is the big toe. If you examine heel wear on your shoes you'll see the wear pattern is towards the lateral (outside) part of the heel.
I assume the "swallow tail" heel groove controls over-pronation and reduces the amount of inward roll of the foot for the large percentage of the population who roll too far inwards after the heel strike. The dual density EVA along the medial (inside) of the heel will also be used for this purpose.
Seriously. People will believe ANYTHING. Such a gimmick.
@@Red_Twizzler The USA has a bigger percentage than any other nation on earth who use orthotics in their footwear. Remarks like yours makes me think that perhaps some people might prefer everybody to use expensive podiatrists and custom orthotics when much of the time simple solutions can work well.
I do trail running & long distance thru hiking, Hokas are my favorite.. but yes, they are not necessarily built to last forever, but their comfort & lightweight is why I keep going back. Usually, about 1 year and then replace. I do find Solomons are best for their tred which lasts forever & has a great grip.
So grateful for this review bro! I tried it in REI and loved it! But they didn’t have the color i wanted in stock. Waiting for the Kaha GTX 3 now ❤
My mom bought one kislux and she loves it. It had been there for over 10 years when she went out with it.
Had two pairs of the Anacapa. Loved those boots. Will have to try these out. Thanks
Love the hiking series!
I’d like to see Lowa and Solomon boots cut open!
I have one kislux bag I got in 2019, it's the LV white catogram speedy. It's counter quality and it has a nice honey patina now, so the leather is real. I think whatever makes you happy go for it. I've seen LV with plastic leather and blood red glaze...
Hey Weston! Any chance you could do some Zamberlan boots one of these days? I used the Zamberlan 309 Trail Lite Gore-Tex Hiking Boots for Tree Planting in BC/Alberta Canada and they worked out pretty well for me. Curious to see how these and their other products stack up.
Thanks for doing what you do! :D
Would love to see you cut and review the Merrell MOAB.
I have a pair I’ve owned now for 8 years (first pair actually) and still wear them for hiking and camping trips. They were perfect right out the box and broke them in Hiking around Lake Tahoe.
Lowa Renegades have been my hiking boot of choice for around 20 years. Got my 3rd pair about 5 years ago.
Great video! Would love to see you do some mens vs women's boot comparisons to see if they actually make them the same (I feel mine often wear out much quicker than men's of the same brands etc)
Yeh good call. I betcha they cut even more on the women's range. I know I would...damn women wanting more
I would love to see you cut apart the Danner Mountain 600 leaf. I’ve had a pair for a few months now and really like them so far- would be curious to see how they stack up to other foam hikers.
Bought a pair of these a few days ago. They're $60 off right now on HOKAs site. Pleasantly surprised to see them take the #1 spot! Maybe I'll buy another pair while the sale lasts???
I'm a tech vendor that works in hospitals and clinical staff seem to LOVE Hokas for their comfort. I also stand and walk 8-10 hours nonstop but unfortunately I have 6E wide feet so there aren't any Hoka options for me lol.
Man, I haven't even tried them on yet, but I'm really liking the look of these
Actually I have the low and mid version. I started by buying the low version for hikes in sping and summer and when fall started I started using the mid version (mainly because of wet grass etc.). I'm 56 years old and my joints aren't the best anymore. For that reason, these shoes are the go to boots for me. I can walk insane distances without any problem. I use to wear Meindl boots but I had some issues with my joints (knees in particular). Don't have these problems now and I used the low version for around 5000km's, the mid version for about 2000km. The sole is til in pretty good shape! I do prefer the low ones but to be honnest, I don't know why. These boots are perfect for me!
I have a Pair of the low top Kahas and have been wearing them almost daily for 7 months. They are the most comfortable shoe I have ever wore and have stopped the usual aches and pains I get from being on my feet at work all day. I will agree with your opinion that the soles will wear down quick as mine are now starting to go through the Vibram parts and onto the foam underneath. I will however buy another pair. Can't beat the supreme comfort.
Easy..real easy to fix the wear problem on Vibram parts....been doing it for years. Find local shoe repair person who'll sell you a piece of relatively resistant rubber compound (determine correct thickness)..buy a tube of quality rubber cement (follow gluing instructions)..file/sand worn parts of Vibram until flat. Cut/glue and contour... Problem solved...saves money.
Many decades ago when I was a serious runner, I was given a pair of Nike Long Distance Five, aka the LDV. They had very wide heels which greatly increased the stability. Which also worked really well at launching sand and small rocks into the opposite shoe as you ran. So if I wore them running the power line roads outside Boulder City, Nevada, I had to stop every mile or mile and a half to dump out the sand. To add to my dislike, to get the weight down they had hollow areas under the ball of the foot. I was rock hopping and had the point of a rock come up through and break my foot. Last pair of Nikes I have worn. If I got given a pair, I gave them away. I have been extremely wary of anything with a very wide heel tread, and low angle returns ever since.
I have an OG pair before they got bought. 7 yrs and countless hiking miles and so happy with them.
As a 2 time 46er with bad knees these and the speedgoat5's have absolutely saved me. I have tried so many boots and these keep me on the trails. They do wear out faster than others I've tried but that's a trade off I'm willing to take.
For a moment there, i thought surely you were going to trash Hoka. I was surprised you went tippy toe to place them at #1.
I own three different pairs of Hokas. They aren't the boots but the trail runners ( Bondi and Speedgoat) and i use them casually as i can't run. They are fantastic for my Plantar Fascitis with only the Speegoats needing an orthotic insert. My foot specialist at the VA suggested them. Awesome.
I ended up getting a pair of their flips and the cushion in all three is like cloud walking. The relief on my injured foot is terrific.
As an aside, I believe that in addition to the 'marketing' aspect of the ButterFly heel, it allows the width of the heel to be wider all the while saving on materials/cost. The wider heel helps in preguiding the heel strike towards the centering/loading of the weighted contact and pre loads the landing to help offset the impact. That's using SWAGS.
Thanks for yet another terrific review!
Different foot injury here! But for me, as well, I can wear them without my orthopedic insoles and they still do not cause foot pain. Another good sign is that the insole has exactly the same outline as my custom orthopedic insoles. I was really impressed with how well these boots feel on my feet!!!
Review the Ultra Raptor Mid II GTX by La Sportiva. They are very popular in Norway, and personally I think they are very good.
I just picked up a pair of those for $120 on closeout at rei but don't really hike. I was planning on using them on rainy days.
They have a quite narrow toebox however. For wider toe boxes, the La Sportiva TX Hike is a lot better.
I have quite particular feet and toe width in which all the ‘favourites’ don’t fit because of the narrow toeboxes.
I found the TX Hike to be a lot better than the Raptor, even factoring out the toebox issue.
I owned these exact boots and some Hoka running/casual shoes. For me, they fail in casual use, hiking and backpacking. I've never had blisters backpacking and the only way I could wear these Hokas backpacking was to put leukotape on 1/3-1/2 of my feet to eliminate the hot spots. I just could not get my foot to stop moving inside the boots enough to stop the friction. So I demoted them to hiking only and had the same issue (without a pack on my back), so I returned them. The casual Hokas I had provided so little feedback on any type of surface other than a flat man made surface that they're dangerous because I can't feel underneath me and adjust for surface changes, eventually resulting in me twisting my ankle. I never wore them again nor will I. For reference, I just finished a 43 mile, 7 day, 15k feet of climbing backpacking trip in Scarpa Zodiac boots with no problem. I do a trip like this once or twice a year with Asolo and Scarpas and have never had a single blister. I have also spent 18 hours on my feet mountaineering in La Sportiva Nepal Cubes, with no blisters and no problems. I can imagine Hokas might be the right shoes if you never venture off of flat man made surfaces, or maybe they just work for you personally but for me and a load of other REI customers they get returned.
I got a pair of hoka walking shoes for going on vacation. Really glad I did. There light and have great support.
Agreed, I love my Hokas, but they’re pretty fragile. La Sportiva would be my request- the TX4 mid is a really interesting shoe
Yeah, love my la sportiva's
Would love to see a review on the Oboz Bridger boots, love your videos, thank you for all that you do sir, cheers!
Yo Weston. Love the channel! Can you please get into running so that we can get these types of reviews for running shoes? TYVM
I have extremely sensitive feet because I have autism which raises my sensitivity to textures, and bunions which where made way way worse from being in the military. Hoka's are a godsend. They have so much cushioning and are so unrestrictive that my feet can stretch-out and my bunions have very very slowly actually started to reverse on their own without the surgery the military said I would have needed to stay in. I'm completely bought into Hoka's now.
These look like they'd be really comfy for someone who only hikes occasionally but is looking for rougher terrain where a more solid boot would be a little clunky. Good for rock scrambles or log hopping.
I'm always curious about how women's shoes fare in comparison to men's. I'd like to know if the shoes I get my wife and daughter are up to par. I've noticed that women's products can have a lesser quality than men's, and I'm wondering if the same is true for shoes. I would appreciate it if you could add the same model in women's when cutting them in half. Thanks, bro.
New to the channel. Great review, I love your videos! I'm curious what you think of the Solomon X Ultra 4 GTX (I have the 3), and where you think they'd fit on the "all-around hiker" list? Apologies if you've reviewed/ranked them before, I couldn't find it among your videos when I searched.
These shoes seem like the solution for me, after looking for eight years for good boots so I'm willing to say Hoka's Pocus! As it's magic they work so well.
I've been looking for hiking boots that don't cause pain in my feet and I just picked these up for around 229 dollar (205 euro). To be honest, I couldn't care less about the sole not lasting two years. If I can walk without pain for even one year, it's worth the money. Of course, I don't know how long they'll last and for how long they will remain comfortable, but these are the first hiking boots that make my feet feel normal. Nothing I tried comes close. For example, Meindl is too rigid and forces my feet into an unhealthy shape, Lowa is too narrow, Hanwag feels like it cost me 250% more energy to walk with, the brand "Keen" just feels like I'm not really wearing shoes and they feel clunky. I've tried on so many different models and could list many more. The only doubt I'm having about the Hoka's is that they feel a little big and it feels as if I should tighten the laces a little extra so I'm going to see if I can add in a tiny thin layer of cork insole to raise the bottom sole a bit as my feet are wide but low so usually adding 1mm of cork inlay helps raise my feet up a bit to help with that last final step to make a shoe fit perfectly.
I've got a pair of the Hoka Zinals that are for trail running and I don't trail run much but I love the traction. Very comfortable.
Thanks for doing this video, can't wait to see quest 4 and how it compares to this
You should make a video on the Merrell shoes dat’s the biggest opponent of hoka and Salomon in Europe 🙏🙏🙏
One of the big issues with such a thick sole when backpacking is it makes it easier to roll an ankle, and that's compounded in a very light boot that has less ankle support.
I have that same Hoka Hiking boot and I really like it,,,, I bought them new but only paid 199!!! Still pricy but I really enjoy mine,!!!!! It’s very comfortable!!!
Got a pair for $170. Love my Cliftons, but needed something for winter. I would’ve gone with something warmer, but hoping these are more comfortable than a traditional boot.
I´ve got the Kaha´s and Keen´s Zionic waterproof boot... I´ve got a minor Plantar on the right foot, and the Keen Zionic is clearly the most comfy for me.
Love your content! Please review the Nike Vomero 5 next 🙏
I work in an outdoor store. One thing people get wrong about gear is that you pay for lightweight. It's complex to make light stuff good. Hoka is not the most durable. But they are the ones where you get the most comfort to weight ratio
Have a pair of Hoka 2's just over a year, hiking/walking, 40-50 km a week on average. Love them, amazingly comfortable but the tongue is a bit on the small side if you lace all the way to the top. the foam sole has held up remarkably well, however the lugs of the front of the sole-specifically the section to the front of the Vibram logo-are almost fully worn down. Will probable replace them with another pair.
Check out my response to repair worn Vibram. (Comment by Dann317)...Easy to repair...Sand/file worn Vibram..buy some rubber compound available from local shoe repair/..some good quality rubber cement. Saves money and keeps you running. Been doing it for years.
My brother wore these hiking snow in New Mexico. Suffice to say they are NOT waterproof above the midline lol. He was soaked while the other two of us in normal ass oboz bridgers were comfy and splendid.
Hey, you should try the Saucony ultra ridge GTX next! It would fit perfectly in this category
I was just wondering where can we see those charts you’re referring to please? Many thanks
Hoka does make good running shoes. Would like to see a comparison of the higher end, modern hunting boots like Crispi, Kenetrek, and Han Wag.
cool review. i like your channel and honesty.
For durability, I will say I had the Tennines as a running shoe, and those wore out disappointingly quick. The rubber completely tore away from the foam, so I only got like 150 miles of trail running up mountains in George Washing National Forrest with those. But they are unmatched as a trail running shoe, and great with rocky hills.
The Hoka Speedgoat is my go to hiking trail boot.
The toebox was way too narrow for me when I tried it.
I have one pair of Hokas, Clifton 9s. I'm not a runner, but find them to be a very comfortable walking and general wear shoe.
I walk about 7 miles a day as a construction supervisor on a big jobsite. These are nice, but they only lasted me about 6 months of daily use.
Maybe a year or 2 for the average person.
Ik it's far away but for Moctober this year you should do a moccasin comparison. It's a surprisingly deep rabbit hole for slippers
I bought these yesterday. I have flintstone feet. They’re shaped like a brick. Only shoe that was wide enough and fit my foot. I plan to use them to ruck with a 40lb pack for cardio. The 240 is worth it for me because I’ll pay for the comfort.
Hey, you’re mistaking/conflating CMEVA midsoles with direct injection EVA midsoles.
Direct injection soles are where a liquid foam is injected into a mold attached to the bottom of a lasted upper (search Desma machines for videos of the process), which in turn bonds it with that upper without the need for additional glues (Lowa and Ecco are good examples of this in hiking). This process is good for reducing production costs and allows for design details on side walls not achievable with traditional moulds, such as cuts outs (again see Lowa) but is tougher to tune the foams for more high performance needs and tends to be heavier.
CMEVA, or compression mold EVA, is a 2 stage process where an oversized EVA foam shape is compressed down into the final designed form. These will traditionally be lighter, offer a much wider variety of foam densities/characteristics and from a design perspective, allow for much finer detail on the sidewalls for textures etc.
There’s of corse a lot more to this than outlined above, but trying to keep it simple.
Glad to see you enjoyed the KAHA 2 enough to put it in the top spot above some great competition. It was a project I designed and developed with the HOKA team back during lock down.
Have you ever looked into limmer boots? They seem like something that would be worth you looking into and checking out.
Have worn out 8-9 pairs of Hokas for the last decade. Love them! The soles are so grippy that they can be used as water shoes for canyoneering when the tread is nearly gone. However, these new Kaha 2 GTX treads are not as grippy, so slip more on rock, especially when wet. Not the end of the world, but a surprise disappointment. On the plus side, they are actually more comfortable than the previous Kahas.
I tried a pair of Hokas on the advice of a podiatrist. Almost turned an ankle a few times. The tall, soft foam sole just collapses if I did anything in them. Very unstable. Firmly into barefoot style shoes now. Hiking, I still use my Keenes.
I’ve been wearing hoka boots for work for 5 years now. One thing that annoys me is the upper boot long outlasts the sole. Granted they aren’t designed to be worn quite a few days a week but that’s a choice I’ve made for the comfort. If the sole was fully covered with the vibram rubber I’m pretty sure they would last a lot longer. Once the sole wears down I replace them as I need the grip but it’s such a shame when the upper still has lots of life left. Oh and the boot I use is the tor ultra high.
Galibier Super Guide by Richard Pontvert is the standard by which all hiking boots are judged. Old school thick one piece leather, Norwegian welt construction, durable rubber soles, tough hardware and the famous red laces. For the price, the best boots in the world and with the Super Rando below it, I’ve had only to replace a worn heel! Still going strong - that’s how well made they are.
The full-length steel shaft often snapped near the arch with lots of hiking. Really more of a mountaineering boot intended to pair with the semi-rigid crampons of the day. But yes, an amazingly well built boot that was the highest standard of the era!
Would love to see an ON hiking boot. Feel like they make better hiking shoes than running
On the channel or in the stores? In the latter I need to inform you that they have plenty of hiking shoes available; also boots.
@@jeroen1989 ON Cloud lol the brand
32 years on my feet for 9.5-10 hours a day carrying boxes around on concrete and first asics was the only shoe I could wear to not aggregate the plantar tendons or heal bruscitus . Then Hoka came along as a godsend. Unfortunately, I'm limited to leather like covering due to company regulations, and Hoka is the only wedge sole should "Bondi" that works for me. Recently, the newer models do NOT breathe well anymore. 😬🙄
Just got done hiking around all week in the hoka bubble hiking boots it’s great
Topo Trailventure 2 WP.
I haven't tried these but I think they fit your brief.
I moved from Altra to Topo about 3 years ago and have 4 pairs now, road runners and non WP trail runners.
Topo toebox is as roomy as the old Altras, before it was narrowed to grab more of the mainstream market.
My Topos have done some proper mileage and durability is unquestionably better than Altras
Rose Anvil please do a video about LALO shoes/boots! They are a great company! I wear their rapid assault boots for work, they are very comfortable and are so grippy, and drain water very well. Cheers!
I honestly couldn’t tell the model of my Hoka boots but they don’t have that weird booty. Had them about 4 years and use them only a few times a year. Decently comfortable, water proof and unbelievably grippy on ice and slick rock. Hokas wear very quickly as a compromise for the comfort but I’ve had countless pairs but only one of the boots and the $200 price range for the boots is pretty cheap.
Toward the end there about wide shoes. I can not even think of a shoe or boot that is too wide. I have not found one yet. Even the splay still need to be wider for my foot but mainly to accommodate the tuberosity of fifth metatarsal which sticks out on the side of the foot making that part the widest part of the foot.
No Solomons in the hiking boot show down?
That boot caused me to develop Achilles tendinitis. Have the original one one. Love those. And two runnings which are great.
I bought a pair of Hooka hiking boots from Winners. Super comfortable but can't seem to handle walking on asphalt. I noticed the soles wearing out almost immediately! Now only wear them on actual hikes.
Have you done Salomon Ultra 4 GTX mid?
I feel like they fall into this more hiking shoe/boot category and are generally one of the most recommended.
Would love to see how they stack up.
Lots of hikers on TH-cam a swearing by the topo pursuit (trail running) or traverse (hiking). So that can be an interesting boot to look at. They often compare it to the altra's but say it is more durable
Oakley boots? They are amazing
try some soloman boots next. I'm glad you did the hoka kaha I love my pair so much I bought a pair for my girlfriend.
I took the Kaha 2 GTX out on an 10 mile Appalachian Approach Trail recently with eager anticipation. Unfortunately it was not as good as my Hoka Speegoat 2 Mid GTX. My feet were sliding inside the shoe though it was the same size as the Speedgoat. Nor was the cushioning as comfortable as with the Speedgoat. Not sure if it has anything to do with how I lace. I am not sold on this so far.
Review the Goruck MacV-1 boots. They are great for hiking, amongst other things.
I would love to see a review on "La sportiva " hiking boots , they seem like good boots for the untrained eye.
Please do the Vans Crosspath mids - been stoked on them the past few months hiking and golfing actually. Heel is too big too skate ironically, but curious how they really stack up for only $140
would love to see some checking of some of the claims Oboz makes.
I want to love Hoka, but two issues for me that make me choose Altra, Too Narrow, and lateral stability. All that squish not great on sidehill off camber. Also, a minor issue is that cactus spines go right through the sole.
I owned a pair of the original one ones back in 2004. I've never owned another Hoka product since, though I hear they are very popular now.
It’s worth trying them again