What Are Hoka Shoes and Sneakers: My Review

I’d never heard about Hoka shoes or sneakers until Peloton’s Matt Wilpers mentioned them. What was the context and when? I cannot remember.

However, I do recall the name sticking with me. At that time they were called Hoka One One. Soon after Matt mentioned them, I bought myself a pair.

Today, I’m on my third pair of Hoka shoes. Why do I love these sneakers? Let me count the ways. But first, let me give you some background on the Hoka brand.

What are Hoka sneakers

Hokas were originally designed and manufactured in France for marathon runners. The brand didn’t exist before 2009.

With chunky heels and bright colors, Hokas came out in a time when most running shoes were going the sleek, opposite direction.

At the start only specialty running stores stocked them. Then, marathoners in the United States discovered them. Soon enough athletes of all stripes were wearing Hokas.

Celebrities wearing Hokas

Next were the celebrities wearing Hoka shoes, and I’m not just talking about Peloton instructors, who are celebrities in their own right.

In fact, InStyle magazine did a feature in 2022 about well-known performers wearing Hokas outside the gym. This included Britney Spears, Gwenyth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon.

Where to buy Hokas

Most of the major sporting goods and outdoor fitness stores stock Hokas. I saw them listed online at Dicks Sporting Goods as well as REI.

Similarly, two of my favorite places to buy shoes are Zappos and Nordstrom. Both sell Hokas. 

In fact, they sell Hoka sneakers for both men and women. Also, Hokas are so cool that you can buy them from the Free People store.

Which Hoka style do I have

I bought the Hoka Clifton 8 road running shoe. In fact, I’ve owned three pairs of this style. One of the reasons I’ve grown to love my Hoka sneakers is the fact that they come in a wide width.

Granted they’re not extra wide, like some of my other workout shoes. However, the D width is wide enough to accommodate my double width feet.

On the other hand, Zappos does carry the extra wide width in Hokas. It is the equivalent of an EE width.

Also, the Dicks Sporting Goods website has a banner on certain Hoka styles that says they come in extended sizes. 

I took the extended notion to mean two things. One, by size. That is, on the day I visited the Dicks Sporting Goods website, I saw women’s Hoka sneakers up to size 11.

And, two, by width. Dicks also sells the D width in women’s Hoka styles.

Hokas provide cushioning and comfort

The American Podiatric Medical Association endorses Hokas as one of the best workout shoes on the market. I believe it. They are so comfortable and lightweight, and they have great shock absorption. Literally, sometimes I forget I’m wearing shoes when I’m wearing my Hokas.

One of the reasons I like Hokas, beyond fitting my wide foot, is that they have a wide toe box. Also, they offer excellent arch support.

For many years, I dealt with plantar fasciitis because I was wearing sneakers with poor arch support. In fact, I had to wear orthotics inside my shoes.

Then, I discovered the Brooks brand of sneakers. However, the style of Brooks I used to wear, well, they were discontinued. So, then after Matt Wilpers mentioned Hokas, I tried them out.

I no longer deal with plantar fasciitis nor do I have to wear orthotics. One of the reasons I believe that I have moved beyond plantar fasciitis is because I’m wearing quality shoes like Hokas. They have something called an active foot frame. It is a tech innovation that Hoka says cradles your heel and makes sure that your midsole is secure. If you’ve ever dealt with plantar fasciitis, then you know that the heel and midsole are where you feel much of your pain and discomfort.

Finally, it’s important to point out that I do not run. I use my Hokas exclusively for walking. You can see in the photo below that I wore them when I took a walking class at the Peloton studios and in the instructor pictures afterwards. Hey, Marcel Dinkins!

Hoka Clifton 8 shoes discontinued

I’m really disappointed to update this article to say that the Clifton 8 shoe that I’ve loved from Hoka has been discontinued. Hoka has “improved” the shoe with the Clifton 9. However, when I tried on the new model, it didn’t fit. This even with trying on the same size and width of my Clifton 8. Why do shoe manufacturers have to fix what ain’t broke?!

So, I will be searching all of my favorite online places to see if any Clifton 8 Hoka shoes are still in stock, in my size and width. And then I’ll probably buy them all up so I don’t run out for some time.

Hokas are having a moment

Did you see the recent CNN online story about Hoka shoes? It explained how the brand is having a surge in popularity.

Also, that article taught me that the same company that owns Uggs boots (which I also love) owns Hokas.

Finally, every place I go, people compliment me on my Hoka sneakers. And it’s not just because I have one pair in robin’s egg blue and another in bright orange. I’ll even get compliments when I wear my black and white pair.

Also, nearly everyone I know who works in athletics or the fitness field (beyond Matt Wilpers) is now wearing Hoka sneakers. For example, recently I was in physical therapy for a spinal issue. Nearly every physical therapist in the office was wearing Hoka shoes. So, if PT people are wearing Hokas, you know they have to be good for your feet.

How to clean Hoka sneakers

I always thought that you could put sneakers in the washing machine. And maybe with some brands you can. However, the folks at Hoka say that you shouldn’t put Hoka shoes in the washing machine. This applies to previous models as well as current designs.

Instead, clean them by hand. It’s not clear if submerging them in cold water when you hand wash them is a good idea. So I’m going to go with spot cleaning them with a mild detergent or soap.

Then, you’re supposed to let them air dry. In fact, Hoka recommends putting them in direct sunlight to dry out. I guess the sun has magical properties for cleaning and sanitizing Hoka shoes.

Here are additional tips for cleaning sneakers and restoring shoes.

Hoka apparel

In addition to making world-class footwear, Hoka also offers lines of apparel for athletes as well as everyday people like you and me. They make clothing for men, women and children.

What does Hoka One One mean

In reading up on the brand, it seems that the Hoka founders named it Hoka One One as a nod to the indigenous people of New Zealand. That would be the Maori.

This saying, pronounced Hoe-kah Own-ay, Own-ay, not “won won”, means “fly over the earth.” Huh, that’s similar to the meaning behind the Nike swoosh logo.