Cushioning: Many Hoka shoes are made with EVA and PEBA foam. Different types of foam can have various responses to the temperature, impact, and weight of the runner. Every step you take will compress the foam, so you want a shoe that will recover with you, says Coviello.
She recommends getting two pairs of shoes, so they can bounce back between runs and all of your miles aren’t put on one pair continuously.
Stability: Shoe styles range from neutral to max stability. If someone overpronates, their foot may roll inwards too much, requiring a shoe with more stability.
However, if you don’t overpronate, you’d want to avoid these kinds of sneakers. “You’re not allowing your foot to move naturally, and it can negatively affect your gait,” says Coviello. If you have access, try to get a gait analysis to determine what kind of shoe matches your personal stride.
Heel drop: Hokas have ample cushion, but they aren’t known to have a high heel drop, which is basically the difference between the heel and forefoot of the shoe. Medina notes that this can provide a more natural running gate.
Weight: Take one look through your options, and you’ll notice some shoes are heavier than others. A heavier shoe might provide more stability, but those extra ounces might not be the best option for speed training or to hit a PR in a race.
“Within the stages of running, you’ll have to lift your foot off the ground, and it takes more work to do that with a heavier shoe,” says Medina. “In competition, you’d want to have a lightweight shoe.”
Surface: All Hoka running sneakers are developed for specific purposes, so think about what shoe would be best for the surface you like to train on to avoid injury and have the best traction and durability for your surface. What works for gravel or rocky trails isn’t ideal for the track or a paved road, for example.
Overall fit: At the end of the day, you know what works best for you. If you have a wide foot that requires more room in the toe box, look for a style that can accommodate that based on other reviews and trying on your feet. On the flip side, if you have more narrow feet, something too wide might make you feel less secure in your running.
“Typically you don’t want a very snug shoe,” says Medina. “The general rule of thumb is that you want about half an inch between your longest toe and the front of the shoe.” He adds that this is especially important for long-distance runners because your foot expands due to continuous impact from the ground.
Price: Running shoes and Hokas are an investment running shoes with most prices well above $100 and. Still, Medina notes that it’s possible to find sales and discounts on popular models from previous years.
