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Gear Sneakers - moving on from the old favourites? Hokas?

Sal

Veteran

For many years I have been loyal to Asics Gel Kayano sneakers - which I have used for everything from walking to running to gym workouts.

I have stopped running now, but walk more, gym more and have taken up pickleball and I am trying to swim more (and cycle).

At the moment I have the following sneakers

1) Asics Pickleball shoes - new and liking so far
2) Adidas Boost - using for circuits and walking
3) Asics Gel Kayano - different colour to find - using for circuits and walking
4) Merrells - using for trail walks and hikes

My Kayanos are not lasting as they used to - and giving me a callous on my inner heel. They are comfortable, but it might be time to look at a change. People seem to enjoy the Hoka sneakers - any reviews.

I will purchase in store from someone to get advice from too - my feet are normal width, I am a slight pronater but not extreme.

I would average 30km a week walking in them most weeks of the year on city pavements - if I went onto trails I would change to the Merrels.

Thanks in advance!

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26 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

ASICS work soooooo well - until they don't. Sorry Sal

I know nothing about running shoes, and hope you find a suitable pair.

Pretty colour on those pickleball shoes!

Sal

Veteran

Yes I feel the quality of the shoe has declined - my friend and I have both had issues with the shoes not lasting. I purchased the Adidas to give them more change to air out between wears - as they do get a really hard time (pavements, rain, mud, sweat etc)

The local shoe shops can be helpful but I also want to go in with some ideas myself.

unfrumped

Veteran

I discovered Brooks just a few years ago and thought they fit my foot better than Nike, NB. Still getting a lot of wear from them in several styles.

Then I came across some Ryka’s at TJMAXX-it was the colors caught my eye, but then trying on, they were very comfortable. I need a wide forefoot but closer fit in the midsection & heel. Very cushiony also, though I guess many people customize their insoles.

Anyway, not a plug for a specific brand, but a note that it’s good to try on new ( to you) brands, or models within brand, and sizes— size up, width) plus they change them up from time to time.

VintageDawn

I'm more of a fast walker than a runner but have really liked my brooks ghosts this past year, i think I had Asics gels before. But at the beginning of June I was walking quite a bit with my dad in his neighborhood and I just felt like I could use more cushioning there (vs. on trails/track where I do a lot back home) and since he was wearing *ancient* new balances we both went to the running store and ended up buying Hokas. Then we went on vacation and so I'm just now breaking them in. Both my dad and I are having mixed responses to them, I need to ask him how his are doing a month in. I got a style that doesn't have quite as much of a cushion as the thickest cushion one, I just did not like how that looked on my foot. Sometimes when I put them on I feel a little like the cushion is getting in the way of my foot being on the ground firmly. But I've only done 2 walks with them and 2 workouts. Yesterday I didn't mind them as much so it might just be that they need to break in a bit.

I didn't realized until we went shopping that Hokas have been around for a while but about 2 or so years ago were purchased by Ugg - which explained to me why they were suddenly ...everywhere.

DonnaF

Veteran

I need to buy Wide shoes due to the thick Thorlo socks I wear. I have the Bondis and Arahis and returned a pair of Gaviotas because they run 1/2 size small. Wide shoes are hard to come by, and I used to buy Brooks Addictions but the quality has gone downhill.

The Bondi used to be advertised for pronators, but I think they are now sold as neutral shoes. Or maybe it's that they used to be advertised for high stability and now they're not. I'm a pronator and need stability. The Bondi should be fine for you but they wear out fairly quickly on the soles -- but that may be due to my particular issues.

The Arahis are (slightly) noticably more stable -- but that's not really what you need.

The Gaviotas are more stable still -- but if you don't need that I can imagine that they would be annoying. Also, their price is pretty steep.

I just bought a pair of Rykas. They were on sale but not the NAS sale. I've never purchased this brand and don't know if they are robust enough to stand up to nearly two hours a day of steep hill walking.

Hoka One One Bondi 7 Running Shoe

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Hoka Arahi 6 Running Wide Shoe (Women)

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Ryka Devotion X Walking Shoe (Women)

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cat2

Veteran

I used to buy Brooks Adrenaline, then switched to the same ASICs you have currently when Adrenaline dropped their old support system for rails. However, I wasn’t wild about the ASICs so I switched to Brooks Addiction. They have support and handle a bit of pronation.

slim cat

Veteran

I had Brooks but my ex and daughter love Hoka ( the brand was purchased in 2013 by Deckers Brands, the parent company for UGG, Teva and other footwear brands.[1] [9] ).
Some celebrities embraced Hoka - I remember Cameron Dias coming to some daytime show wearing red pant suit and red Hoka - looking fab

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

My husband, who has joint and back issues, recently got Hokas before our trip to Copenhagen. We walked a lot more than he normally does in a day, and rented bikes one day, and he feels the Hokas really saved him.

tam

I have HOKA, Brooks, New Balance, ASICS and On Cloud. Current HOKAs are my least comfortable and worn. This is my second pair of HOKA with the first ones about 5 years ago when I was in a boot for a broken foot. Those were amazing shoes. This pair, not so much. Honestly seems to be a roll of the dice these days - I've had amazing NB shoes and purchase the exact same style, size etc. to duplicate and the second pair is not close to the same comfort. Good luck!

LaPed

Veteran

I don’t know what their availability is like outside of the US, but I love my Topo Athletics running shoes. Lots of room in the toes with a snug heel cup. All their models are low or zero drop. Enough stack height for long days but nothing outrageous. I’m Hoka curious because I think they have some very cool looking styles, but I’ll probably just stick with what works for my feet.

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LJP

Veteran

Hokas are popular among younger people at the gym I work at . I’ve tried them on but the curved / rocker sole wasn’t for me . They do have some cool colour combos tho !

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I have a pair of Saucony trail running sneakers that I love. They are also great for short hikes where surfaces might be slippery, such as near waterfalls.

For longer hikes I love my Eddie Bauer Women’s Mountain Ops hiking boots. They have a regular version and an insulated winter version. Both versions are waterproof, extremely comfortable, and have decent ankle support. These boots have gone the distance - up and down mountains, rock scrambles, and on long hikes - and the tread is still looking good.

For superior ankle support, I have a pair of Vasque Mid GTX Gortex Waterproof hiking boots. I’m still breaking these in, but I like them so far.

I also have two pairs of Sketchers hiking sneakers. One is low top, good for dog walking, the other is high top, good for short hikes on flat terrain.

I hope that helps!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have a ton of friends of all ages in Hokas, including my 70-something sister-in-law, who is a big runner and swimmer (not that she wears them in the pool, LOL). ALL love them. But I haven't yet tried them.

I wear Solomons for the trail (and I also have a light hiking boot from them.) And usually one of Eccos sportier styles for walking. (See below). But the charcoal pair are actually a lousy fit (one of the heels cannot be secured, no way no how). So I'm in the market myself for a new walking shoe.

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Sal

Veteran

Interesting - mixed feedback - and also interesting other people find that different versions of the same shoe vary!! It is super useful to get a variety of opinions because we are all built differently.

I have been so loyal I haven't really looked at any other shoes for 6-7 years....I know Hoka are here (as with Brooks, NB, Adidas etc) but not sure about some of the other ones.

I am very happy with my Merrels for off road/trails - I don't run.

I walk four days a week (6-14km each walk) most weeks, plus two gym classes. The walks are on city pavements mostly in the early morning - of cobblestones, or occasionally the beach or grassy fields etc..

I am probably wise to try out some new ones whilst my Asics still have wear in them..

I am too nervous to try zero drop - just not sure if they would work on me or not.....

Bijou

Veteran

I can commiserate with having shoes that were previously comfortable suddenly not working. My floral Doc Marten boots now give me blisters on my heels, when previously I could walk for 20,000 steps comfortably in them. I would try a new style of sneaker - my personal favourite is Nike Air Max 96's it is a good city walking and going to the gym shoe. I have different running shoes which have a more flexible sole.

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Sal

Veteran

It’s weird how things change isn’t it Bijou
- how disappointing re the floral Docs!

I haven’t had much luck with Nike footwear in the past but I need to try a few in store I think.

At the moment the three things at the top of the shopping list are
- gear sneakers
- new swimsuit - for lane swimming
- jeans!

The more exciting things just aren’t as essential. Sneakers are the most non negotiable thing I wear- I suspect most of us would be similar!

kkards

Veteran

I’ve not tried Hoka’s yet…but I know a lot of people who love them….what i do know, like a lot of gear shoes, they have different models with different fits and end uses, so its important to try different models. Right now, after being a Nike wearer for as long as I can remember I’m wearing New Balance. My last pair of Nikes no matter what I did, I could not get the tongue to lie flat, soooo uncomfortable.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I wear Adidas boost for walking and gym often, though this US summer I have preferred Chacos sandals.

April

Veteran

LMA recently showed up in his first pair of Hokas, so I promise you the fashion-forward kids of NYC are wearing them. That's all I know, except that he takes foot comfort extremely seriously, like all New York pedestrians.

LJP

Veteran

on is another brand that's all-of-a-sudden everywhere here. Might be worth a try . A couple of our fitness staff wear them and say they are quite incredible .

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Actually, our running friend in Los Angeles is all abut ON running shoes. She has 4 different pairs!

notsaf

Veteran

Really, with these things, there's no comparison to shopping in person and trying things on. You will tell what is low quality right away and what feels great, and then you will be thrilled about wearing them!

I run and day hike regularly. I have Merrills, Hokas, and New Balance in current rotation. All the shoes I love most I've bought in person. Brands have good and bad shoes, and good and bad shoes for me. Go to a running or outdoor shop, tell the college athlete working there what you're looking for in terms of use and feel, and get trying!

Roberta

Veteran

I don't play any court sports, so can't comment there. I have wide-ish feet with slightly narrow heels, and for years wore only New Balance for walking on pavement. They got very expensive, though, so I looked elsewhere.

My sneakers became everyday shoes after I hurt my knee, so I looked for something more fashionable; Ecco, Riekers, etc.

My current trail shoes (for flat and incline) are both Skechers! I am still surprised at how great they are. I pronate, and they are very supportive, have good cushioning, and don't slip off my heels. For less than $50! I have one pair of Ryka slip-ons that I just love for pavement, but I haven't tried them in the woods

Ryka Echo Knit Slip-On Sneaker

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kellygirl

Veteran

I was a repeat Saucony runner for years until the fit changed and I switched to Brooks Ghost. There were a couple of Ghost revisions that didn't work for me but the last few have so I usually buy one back up pair. My neighbors swear by Hokas - we call them the Hoka family - walk in them every day. I know a lot of nurses that like them too. The models I've seen look very robust. Both DDs like Nike (the more minimal styles) but they seem to wear out fast. I'd exercise some caution before switching to zero drop - definitely ease into it especially if you're used to wearing cushioned sneakers. I only use zero drop for weightlifting and short walks. Wishing you sneaker success!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Echoing Kellygirl -- I got my first case of plantar fasciitis from running in zero drop shoes. Admittedly, on a slightly longer than usual run on incredibly hard pavement, but...YMMV, LOL. I had run in these shoes for months without trouble -- but I am not wearing zero drop anything any more.

It really does depend on so many factors. And it is so frustrating that one can't just depend on an even-otherwise-pretty-dependable-for-one brand. As I said above, Ecco (usually with a Superfeet insert) usually works well for me, both in the more "fashiony" sneakers and the sportier styles. But some are too wide on the heels, no matter what. And I can't predict which will be which and sometimes even two shoes of the exact same style differ in that regard! My pewter Soft 7s are wider at the heel than my white ones. <Shrug>.

I agree it would be good to shop in person. But it can help to have a sense of the brands you might like to try before you head to the store. You may go home with something completely different but at least you have a place to start.

Commiseration with Bijou -- every one of my old sandals this year gave me blisters -- when I'd never got them from those sandals before.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all - yes on shoes are here too (quite pricey though).

It's really for gym workouts/circuits and walking only. I have the pickleball and trail shoes shorted for the meantime, and yoga and swimming are barefoot. Biking I just wear what I in the mood for including sometimes fashion sneakers.

I will go and try some on - I would normally take in my old shoes so they can see my wear pattern.

Will report back once I make some progress!