Hoka One One – The Maximalist Shoe

by Dr. Melissa Jones

A few years ago it was all the rage to wear minimalist shoes, footwear that did not involve much cushioning or support and was supposed to make your feet, ankles and legs stronger.

The last five years have seen the rise of the Hoka One One maximalist shoes, footwear that is constructed with maximal cushioning and minimal weight incorporating a rocker midsole to further enhance your running gait.

This year Hoka became the major sponsors for the World Ironman Championship, which was held in Hawaii on the weekend, and they even created a limited edition Kona shoe for the event. Triathletes are very good for adapting to new technologies and embracing new ideas, particularly as there are 3 parts to their sport. So it is not surprising that they have embraced the maximalist shoe trend.These athletes, much like the ultramarathon and trail runners can see the benefit of these shoes as they enable them to train, perform and recover better.

I have been wearing the Hoka Clifton for around 6 months now, and have found this shoe to be amazing. The soft sole absorbs the impact and the rocker shape propels you forward with ease. They are a very smooth ride and are very versatile. Cushioned enough for recovery runs, springy enough for daily training and light enough for racing.