Garmin gave me a badge a couple of weeks ago for wearing out my old shoes 😂. Given I want to protect my 'stressed metatarsal', it seemed wise to replace them ASAP.
I was talked into a pair of Hokas (which people seem to either love or hate .. with no half measures). For anyone who doesn't know, they have a sort of 'rocker' sole and are well cushioned which the chap in the shop assured me would take pressure off my toes.
This same chap suggested it may be the rigidity of the support shoes I've been wearing that has been causing the blisters on the inside of my feet (in the past, everyone has said I pronate so I have always been sold a support shoe). Hokas don't have this rigidity and are not sold as a support shoe,but the girl assured me I wasn't pronating when I tried them on the treadmill, so I nervously took the plunge and parted with my cash.
They said I could only take them back if I tried them for a short (clean) run. So what did I do? yup, ran my muddy Boxing Day 5K trails race in them🙄. I could definitely feel a difference in my contact with the ground (particularly in the push-off stage) and didn't notice anything I didn't like (over that short distance). I also managed a 5K PB and they don't look as dirty as I expected, so maybe Hokas actually made me fly 😍😍😍.
Seriously though, even though I've always gone to proper, independent, well-reputed running shops for shoes ... I'm still not convinced they don't just tell you what you want to hear that gets them a sale! I guess time will tell whether this chap was giving me good advice or not 🤔🤞🤞🤞
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linda9389
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Absolutely love my Hokas! I have a support shoe in hoka - Gaviota. And I bought the speedgoat for trails. So comfy! Not sure why they said they don’t do support shoes. Just look on the website. They’ve cured my knee issues with the low drop. Hope they’re not causing my heavy legs though - I do think that’s probably the fact I’ve not been able to recover from a marathon and brutal trail half though. Well I hope so. Good luck!
I'm not sure he said they don't do support shoes, but that the ones he gave me weren't support shoes - he was giving me a wide fit shoe and also trying to avoid the blister issue. I think mine are Hoka Cliftons. I'll take a look at the website and have a read of what they do for interest.
Well they look lovely! And a PB. 👏🏼 Sounds a good start. Even with good advice, I do think feet are highly individualistic. Even my two don’t agree with each other! 🤣 I have reluctantly concluded that you have to do the best you can in the shop and then only time and miles/km will really tell. I do hope these turn out to be perfect. 🤔 Let us know. Every bit of knowledge helps.... Happy running.
That made me laugh! My two feet are very different too 😂. My next run is supposed to be a long slow 14k so will be a very different try out - that would take me into blister territory with my last two pairs!
😄 Good test time come, then. Hope the new shoes turn out to be perfect. That would cheer me on in my own quest. And btw I have found toe socks by Injinji to be very good for helping ward off blisters, tho’ they may not be much help if it’s not a toe blister.
They are very pretty - even when muddy. I did buy Hokas last year - I was convinced by the sale pitch. I retired them very early on to become walking shoes. I couldn't get used to the rolling movement. I am probably too used to rigid support shoes. Well wear and many more PBs in them.
I really wasn't aware of 'rolling' on Saturday, but I was aware of feeling as if I was pushing off from the ball of my foot without really trying. A long slow run will give me more time to think about it.
I run in a Hoka 'trail' shoe - the Challenger. They are described as a hybrid actually and I wear them on road and trail and just love them! Another pb for you too Linda - you are definitely flying at the moment! 👍🙂🏃♀️
They sound like a great shoe. If I get on with these Cliftons I'll definitely take a look at their trail options. Up til now, I've avoided trail shoes because they tend to be neutral but maybe I shouldn't worry. Will see how it goes 🙂
I have the Clifton too (I am a Hoka convert!) but haven't really worn them much as the Challenger is so good and plenty supportive enough for me (I used to run in support shoes too). Might dig them out if my runs get longer again at some point. Happy Hoka running!🙂
Good luck with the shoes. I do wonder whether all support shoes are equal and whether we need the full level of support that a shoe gives! Maybe your feet are borderline hence the difference of opinion!
My local running shop told me to bring my shoes back if I had problems, no mention of number of runs or type of runs! Obviously done running shoes are also different.
I am currently trying to get some orthotics fitted for my shoes and think that this could make the shoe type irrelevant again!
The other running shop I've used seemed to be more flexible on returns. This one was closer, so more convenient but seemingly less accomodating. There's another closer still, but they seem to stock a lot of 'narrow' brands which don't suit me. Good luck with your orthotics
I'm curious - did they actually say "pronate" or "overpronate"? Pronation is a natural part of the running gait cycle which shouldn't be restricted. Overpronation may cause problems - or not!
Oops, I got that wrong roseabi , you're right it was over-pronating! They didn't say anything this time other than that my gait was good in these Hokas (by the time I'd finished telling them my tales of woe anout black toe nails, blisters and stressed metatarsal I don't think they wanted to add anything else to the list of problems to be resolved 😍).
I didn't mean to split hairs, I was just wondering because like you I am a little sceptical of the shoe-buying process - and additionally am very doubtful about the benefits of shop gait analyses 😊😊😊
I agree😍. Not sure what the solution is though. It's fine once you've found something to suit, but hard to know how to get to that point quickly without excessive cost and injury 🙄
The wear pattern on your old shoes will tell you how you run in the real world instead of a treadmill. Multi terrain or trail shoes are made with a neutral gait support.
My road running shoes show tread worn on the heels (I heel strike when walking), even wear across the ball of the foot on my left, and heavy pronation wear on the right.
Just checked both my old pairs. Pretty even wear across the ball of my foot. Very light wear across the heels. So I guess that suggests I'm landing mid-foot with no over-pronation. But given that both shoes are support shoes, isn't that what I should expect (insofar as they should correct any over-pronation)?
It will be interesting to see how these Hokas wear.
Forgot to say that on a treadmill gait analysis I land midfoot and supernate going to neutral on foot lift. We watched the video together so it did happen!
I'm sure I run very differently on a treadmill compared to even the flattest of roads, whether that affects my landing or not I'm not sure. If anything these felt even better outdoors than they had on the treadmill. I should have a much better idea if I manage my scheduled 14k tomorrow 😀
Nice shoes Linda! 😍😍😍 If they help you fly I think they sound like winners. 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
My shoes are apparently near the end of their allotted mileage, but there are no signs of wear and they’re still really comfy. I do have a spare pair though (kept for wearing with jeans!) so I might try those on a dry day and see if there’s a difference. 😀
I may have ignored the warning, but it came at the same time as the tenderness in the fracture site so it really seemed to make sense to replace them. My others can go cycling 😍
I went to a shoe shop in Carlisle, who did a gait analysis, and then refused to sell me the very expensive shoes I wanted. I ended up with the much cheaper ones he (about 60 I guess, not a youngster) recommended. And then at checkout, he gave me a 10% discount card, AND a 10% discount.
It convinced me to go back there when I wanted some trail shoes. And when I did I got a different person, much younger, who did much the same thing. At checkout the old guy came over to say thanks for coming back.
I have been tempted by on-line shoes, but in the end I think I'll go back.
Great looking Hokas, by the way, and I hope they continue to help.
I went to Apex Sports in Farnham Common today - they were really helpful and patient. I'm now trying out another pair of Brooks Adrenaline (because Brooks will refund even after wear) but today's run has caused another blister alongside the two blisters the Hokas gave me on my 14k run (which added to the mud layer quite significantly)! A solution is yet to be found 🙄🤬
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The Hoka saga continues
