Hitting the Trails with Hoka
Okay you guys. Chrys here. This is Js first blog post… I asked for a simple paragraph to post in the blog post and he basically writes the whole thing for me! What a great dude, eh?
Let’s give him a warm Blogosphere welcome, shall we? This is part two of “We’re Hitting the Trails….Maybe”
Man sooner or later looks into mirror and he realizes the change he sees before him is not the path he wholeheartedly pursued 20 years back. He grumbles and excepts fate. Some men rebel fate, they demand and reclaim lost time and sally forth with a degree of physicality that will bring a physical and spiritual rebirth. That man more or less is relegated to a neophyte of physicality. Limitations are not in his scope of practice. Setbacks from injury and neglect of the body are the effects of over-zealousness. That perfect fantasy of looking like Henry Cavill in Superman is becoming a fleeting reality.
I too have struggled through the years to reclaim my youth, and the Hoka’s have given me the ability to do so. I’m 6’0ft and 260lbs. I cant even conceive of the forces that come into play in every step I make or when I can run in a full stride.
For too long I bought into the cult of NIKE Corp. My last purchase was the Nike Wild Horse 3 trail running shoes. Granted, they look great and no issues seem to be noticed when I’m ambulating from point A to B. However, quick step jogging and running give me an arthritic pain in the following hours.
What’s even worse is the cacophony of pounding that is emitted from my spine and traverse up to my skull. When I have my headphones on, it sounds like a low thud of a sledge hammer slamming into concrete. However, that’s my spine and skull that are acting as a tuning fork for repetitive trauma. Keep in mind, this is when I’m running on compacted dirt.
HEY NOW – the god’s have answered my prayers for the perfect shoe! I feel like Cinderella. And this is one glass slipper I have NO desire to remove. The toe box is narrow, but roomy enough. I got the dark blue and green HOKA ATR Challengers. The fit and construction is top notch. Laces stay laced. My heel is snug but not cramped. I’ve got loads of traction on ALL surfaces. Heck, I even wear these throughout the hospital with zero issues.
One word of caution: The soles have a proprietary construction that is nothing I have encountered. When I’m engaged in a full sprint, I feel like my feet can keep up with my legs – very weird, but also invigorating. I just need to ensure I don’t make a fool of myself in front of some cute co-eds. Yikes!!
The only negative that I could surmise is those who have a wide foot. You will be disappointed. Or, runners who like to have the ability to splay their toes in the toe-box, they too will be disappointed as well.
For the others, welcome to Valhalla. Get out there and enjoy what Mother Nature has given you. For $130.00 you can beat this kind of passion of shoe engineering and comfort. The HOKA ATR Challenger is the ‘game changer’.
I’ve never heard of this brand before. The shoes look very comfortable and I love the colors. I need new shoes for walking. I will check this out.
This is awesome! I’m sure my nephew would love this one.
I have about killed my shoes I have now so I should get a new pair like this. I like the idea of it helping with the shock so your knees and effected as much
Wow! These look amazing in so many respects! I love the bright colors, and they also look so comfortable! The soles of the shoes look very durable. I bet my kiddos would love these!
I have to admit I’ve not heard of Honka before, but what some awesome looking shoes!
I have never heard of Hoka brand shoes before. I definitely need to try them out because I am trying to get more serious about exercising.
I have a super wide foot. I need a lot of room and a bit of cushion for my running shoes. These sound like great shoes otherwise!
I have never tried Hoka brand shoes before, but I’d like to. I need a new pair of shoes.
These look like some great shoes! They look really comfy, and they look like some shoes I would like to have after baby arrives so I can get out there walking and exercising!
These seem interesting! I’ve never heard of them, but I’ll have to tell my dad and brother about them because this might be something they’d be interested in!
I have just started running and have been eying new shoes. I have heard great things about Hokas, I love the colors!
Comfortable footwear can totally make or break any workout. I love the look of these, and would just go a half size up since I do have a rather wide foot. Thanks for the great review!
I am always glad to hear about specialized footwear that helps us feel more comfy on our feet. As I aged my feet became much more important. So did comfort.
These sound like awesome shoes! I need a pair with good arch support and are comfy!
my last pair of sneakers I wore to death. I’m in the market for a new pair. These look awesome.
It’s awesome that these shoes made such a big difference! This shoes sounds great for athletics and everyday use.
The perfect pair of shoes can take us to places far beyond what we imagined. I’m glad you found the right pair to keep you on your toes! This is a brand that I’ll look out for in the future.
I’m a firm believer that it’s very important to have good shoes… it’s not something I’m willing to skimp on. My back and body are too important to me. These look great and I’m writing down the name to try em sometime.
I haven’t heard of Hoka, they look and sound like the perfect hiking shoe though!
I so need to get a pair of these for all of the hiking I hope to do this summer!
I love the design of the shoes and they look comfortable. I am not familiar with the Hoka brand, but I will check this out.
I always make sure I have at least two pairs of running shoes. They are very comfortable and they provide the right support for walking or hiking. I will check out this brand, Hoka. I like the colors of the one you showed in this post. Thank you for the review.
Will definitely pass this along to my husband. He’s a bigger guy and has a hard time finding shoes that fit right.
Never heard of this brand but they look awesome. Unfortunately, I have wide feet so based on your review it might not be an option for me?
I love your sense of humour! These shoes look great, and I’m glad someone is giving Nike a run for it’s money, lol!
I have never heard of this brand before but I will have to check them out! The shoes look great on and off of you! I love how you are witty and let it shine in this post! Great Job!
Wow, this is a nice shoes. I haven’t been into going to trails but someday I will and I am going to use this shoes.
Good shoes are so important no matter what your level of activity. I am very, very hard on shoes and wear them out quickly. I have a hard time finding shoes that can keep up with me. It sounds like you found a pair 🙂
I think those look like some great shoes. They would be great for running or walking. I love to walk, so those would be great for me.
Bummer on the narrow toe box. I need the width.
A good pair of shoes is so important to have. Seriously-I spent some money on some great running shoes and it made all of the difference!
It really does Angie!
Agreed! I HATE running in Nikes. I’m forever a fit-to0run girl, getting fit for new shoes every few years. Otherwise, I’m continuing to buy the model that works.
Lindsey, I have never been able to run in Nikes. I get the most traction from Puma, but lately I haven’t been able to find a good model. Seems the newer models are meant for folks with super skinny feet. I’m not sure about these, but he really likes them so that’s what matters. I’ll continue to pound the pavement in my New Balance…for now 😉
These look like great running shoes. I will have to share this with my Sister. She is the runner in the family.
A new pair of shoes is always nice. These look great. I love the colors!
I don’t do much running anymore, but I would wear the shoes just for the looks. They look great!
I have all sorts of medical problems but once I started physical therapy, I have been amazed at how exercise is helping me cope with the pains of Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid arthritis. I could use a good pair of shoes. My body wants to run eventually but I have to work my way up to that. I’m proud of how far that I have come considering I had major back surgery two days before Christmas.
I have a wide feet so this would make my feet a little uncomfortable but I love the color you chose!
Those are really nice looking shoes! I bet they are super comfy too. I’m going to have to look into them for my nephews.
These look really cool and comfortable. I appreciate your honest review and the experience during sprinting does sound odd. I’m sure you just become used to it.
Shoes can make all the difference in the world. I love the way these look!
I agree Robin!
I’m still not sure of their platform looking bottom, but hey, they work well for him!
Our local magazine just wrote a list of the best hiking trails. My husband is using it as a checklist. Those shoes look like a great way to cross them all off our list in comfort.
I have never heard of honka before! We go hiking all the time, I can’t wait to check it out!
Looks like a nice pair. Never tried hiking, but I’ve been thinking about it and once I’ve decided, I’ll surely be needing a good pair of hiking shoes.
Those look like great sneakers! I’ve been doing a ton of walking lately, and I need a better pair. Thanks for the heads up on this!
Those are great. I wish I could enjoy running but the elusive running high has yet to greet me.
Ooooo these shoes sound pretty fab!!!! I’m
Going to have to get myself a pair!
I have heard really good things about Hokas. I used to run in New Balance, but I think I may give this brand a try when I start training again.
I’ve been looking for a good pair of shoes – I desperately need one! Considering getting one now.
I love the look of these shoes and they sound like they’d be good for me! I’ll have to check them out!
I think our son needs a pair of these! Gonna have to check with the wife first though lol