They were in the January sale so I thought I would see if they help my ongoing knee problem. I’ve also ordered the Hoka Challenger ATR 5 trail shoes and am waiting for them to arrive.
So from minimalist On shoes to maximalist Hokas. These shoes are actually FASTER than my Ons. I love the rocker propulsion thingy they have going, that keeps me upright. They are so comfortable that I’m simply not aware of the shoe at all, it disappears. I can’t get them in my usual size locally so took a chance and ordered from Ultramarathon Running. I wish I’d had a chance to try before buying as I have a full thumbs width between big toe and end of shoe and they seem very roomy at the front of the toe box, but using heel lock lacing (which gives me Achilles pain in my Ons) seems to keep them firmly in place.
And omigods they are so FAST! They live up to their brand name meaning and literally take flight! Although the short 2.5k run averaged out to 6.24min/km, frequently when I looked at my watch, I was moving at just over 5.
And my knee? So far so good, no pain at all. Even short runs in the Ons were making me know it was there.
So I’m seriously impressed. I shall keep my Ons in the rotation mix, but I can see myself choosing the Hokas more often.
So glad that your knee is OK with no pain, you do have a great collection of shoes, even when you have finished with a pair you put them away somewhere for nostalgia, not the bin while you run in new shoes.
Thank you Alan. I want to wear the old ones for walking, but my first pair of Ons came away and developed a large hole by the front lacing, so they are destined for the bin I’m afraid!
What makes you think I keep them for nostalgia. If theyre no use, they’re out 😂
I would describe my new Hoka Cliftons in much the same way - bounce and propulsion to the point of flying (to a 5k PB no less)! I'm a bit scared of mine as the drop is comparatively small and Cliftons have no support either (I may try the gaviota 2's at some point when I can justify another pair, birthday maybe), so I'm currently rotating mine too. I did wonder if they were making my ankles feel stiff after the run, but need more than three runs to be sure. Enjoy yours!
That’s interesting. If you need support, maybe your ankles are getting stiff trying to keep you stable!????
I think money on shoes is well spent if you have any sort of ongoing injury. I can’t afford holidays or to out very often, but I’m stringent about having the right shoes when I can.
Yes but it really is a full thumbs width. I thought they were too roomy at the end, but having just taken receipt of their trail shoes in the same size, I realise the Rincons feel loose because the upper isn’t massively stiff or reinforced, to save weight. The Challengers (the trail ones) fit exactly the same but are stiffer and have reinforcement at the ends of the toes so fit yet same as my other shoes.
They seem to be, at least they fit pretty much the same as my Ons, maybe slightly roomier due to being slightly wider. Best to try anyway. I’m 7-7.5 in ordinary shoes and these are 8.5
Thank you. I came across other shoe brands I’d never heard of when I was researching these. In my teens it was baseball boots or bare feet (and blisters and stubbed toes!) but I didn’t care xx
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Short run testing Hoka Challenger atr 5 trail shoes:
Blatant Shoe Porn No Apologies
Shoe Porn
