Hoka One One Made the Perfect Running Shoe Even Better
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In late June I took my first trip back to my hometown in Colorado in a year and a half. Considering this was a 10-day trip full of mostly drinking, eating, and celebrating with friends and family, I allowed myself a much-needed break from socializing to do a quick work-out while I was there. For the entirety of the pandemic I’d been running on my favorite shoes from Hoka One One: The Clifton 7s. It seemed silly to bring my beloved running shoes on a short trip to Colorado, so I instead chose to use a pair of basic running shoes from a major athletics brand that I keep stashed in my parents’ house. I brought them over to my girlfriend’s dad’s gym and decided to take them for a spin on his treadmill.
Reader, it was the worst run I’ve had in a long time. To be fair, part of this was the altitude—my lungs were burning after maybe a half mile running at 5,280 feet above sea level. But I was more concerned with these damn shoes. It felt like I was running on a pair of ice skates. I barely made it through my regular 5k, and stopped as soon as I could. I made sure to blame my slow pace on the shoes and the altitude, and my girlfriend’s dad pointed out that my stride looked unbalanced and choppy.
He was right; everything felt wrong. My feet felt unstable. And that wasn’t because of the altitude. It was because I was missing my Hokas, the perfect running shoe, which the brand somehow just made even better with the Clifton 8.
The Stability Is Truly Unmatched
Throughout my time as a runner, I’ve struggled with occasional ankle/knee/IT band strains and injuries. What I’ve found is that the best way to avoid these types of problems—at least for me—is to make sure, first and foremost, I’m paying close attention to my footwear. I need very stable shoes that help me keep a neutral stride. For a long time I used the Brooks GTS line, but changed over to Hokas permanently the first time I tried the Clifton line. I found that the Cliftons felt more comfortable, fluid, and soft while maintaining that steady and rigid stride that I need.
The Clifton 8 brings a redesigned early-stage meta rocker, which gives a smoother toe-to-heel transition. This combined with the sturdy nature of the shoe keeps me confident while running that I’m not going to overpronate, or worse, roll my ankle. I tend to overpronate, which is what has often led to my knee and ankle pains. The Clifton doesn’t correct this overpronation, but it is a neutral shoe that makes it so I naturally run with a more even gait. I previously ran with an insole in my Clifton 7s, and I haven’t felt the need to add one to the Clifton 8s thanks to the streamlined, neutral design. It’s proven to be the perfect fit.
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It Is Extremely Comfortable
I’ve found that Hoka somehow managed to give these shoes an even smoother ride than they had before. It’s like cruising around in a luxury yacht; my feet are just enjoying the scenery as I do all the work. This is thanks to an improved, EVA-cushioned midsole that provides an even softer landing, while also providing more boost than the previous Clifton. This is important for me for a couple of key reasons: One, it’s easier on my old joints as a whole to run in these shoes, which is ideal for someone who is prone to strains and other injuries. Two, it helps keep my legs from tiring out during longer runs. Even though it’s soft, the Clifton 8 still provides a firm and responsive spring for my foot—at the very least enough for these slower runs. (If I’m trying to run fast, I enjoy the pop of my Hoka Carbon Xs.) The redesigned upper also helps. My feet are slightly wider than normal, which means I sometimes have uncomfortable chafing on the sides of my toes. I noticed a clear upgrade from the previous Cliftons, with less rubbing.
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It's Versatile in Both Form and Function
I don’t pick running shoes for their look, but I never feel embarrassed about wearing my Hokas out of the house for a run. Running shoes as a category have a dicey reputation for their aesthetics, but Hokas tend to not be distractingly bad—and even sometimes be noticeably attractive. I even felt kind of strange running in the new all-white colorway, because it looked almost too clean and too sleek for a workout after a week of consistent New York rain.
The same versatility applies to the Clifton 8 functionally. During the height of the pandemic, I did most of my running on an awful foldable treadmill, which was the only thing that could fit in our apartment. The Cliftons provided enough stability for me to get through runs on the narrow, short track without me feeling like I would stumble and bust my entire body. Now, I mostly run on the road around Prospect Park, but they work equally well when I want to take on the hills and gravel and dirt terrain through the park, too. Hoka was founded by two trail runners, after all, and that rugged sensibility still seems to exist a little bit in all of the brand’s footwear.
So next time I travel, maybe I’ll just go ahead and wear my Clifton 8s right onto the plane. That way I’ll be ready for a mid-trip workout—or anything else that comes my way.
SHOP NOW $130, hokaone0ne.com
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