Hiking shoes - HOKA ???

[C.C.]

Looking at HOKA, any comments on them. Wearing Scarpa at the moment, and they worked fine on my first Camino, just looking for a 2nd pair.

 

[Waka]

If Scarpa were ok on the previous camino why not get another pair?
There are so many makes of walking footwear out there it can be quite a nightmare getting the right ones. Keen were my favourite until they stopped making that particular shoe, after a lot of searching I changed to Meindl and they really work well, time to get another pair before they change the design.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

LOOOOOOVE Hokas. Missed them dearly on my last Camino, so much so that I teied to find some on line to be shiipd to me while on the Camino.

Two things about Hokas:

1) models are made narrow, so keep trying different models until you find one that fits. I have worn Bondi 3s on the Camino, but would never take the Mafate Speeds I am wearing as I type on a Camino. But HOO has seen the light and is now manking a number of its models in a Wide version!

2) the sole/tread is made in different material depending on the model. My Bondi 3 were made of a super soft, spongy material. Walking from Porto to Santiago only, the heal and ball of the shoes were super smooth. There is a reason I took Salomons for my VDLP walk... The Mafates on the other hand have a tread very similar to a Vibram tread. Much sturdier, longer lasting.

I have terrible pain on the bottom of my feet when walking, so I want all the cushioning I can get. Never again will I take Salomons again, even if they served me well in the past. I should have shopped for a HOO with a sturdy tread for VDLP.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Looking at HOKA, any comments on them. Wearing Scarpa at the moment, and they worked fine on my first Camino, just looking for a 2nd pair.

Hoka makes a good shoe, but I cannot stand how they feel on my feet. Important Note: Do not depend on fit-n-feel reviews, if they fit-n-feel good on your feet that is all that matters. Take your backpack loaded with the weight you'll be carrying, wear the same type of socks (and multiple socks if that is your bag) that you will be wearing on Camino, and stand while you are being measured. Once you have a pair that give you plenty of width and toe room, walk around the store with them on for a good long time. If you still think they feel good, take them home and wear them around the house over the next few days.

Be sure that you do not wear them outside during your trial assessment phase, as most stores will not accept returns or exchanges if you do so. Some stores will allow you to wear them outside, like REI, but be sure to confirm that policy.

 

[MTtoCamino]

@Anemone del Camino My wife loves her Hokas as well, & they make men's versions my only concern is will they last 800-1000km? I have been told they have hiking models w/ ankle support but have not seen them.

I finally found some Vasque boots with no waterproofing that worked great the other day on a 18 mile walk yet the Hoka still have me curious.

 

[trecile]

I have been told they have hiking models w/ ankle support but have not seen them.

Here you go: https://www.hokaoneone.com/men-hiking/

 

[Kernandi]

I tried them because I love their running shoes, but the hiking boots came a bit too high on my ankles. It felt like it had the potential to irritate and cause blisters rather than just support.

 

[MatteJa]

It depends on personal preference. I loooove Hokas, but I have always hiked with running/trail shoes. To walk the camino I always recommend my friends to do it with running or trail shoes, your feet and overall stamina will benefit from them. Boots are totally unnecessary for the camino in my opinion, but other more "old school" hikers would disagree. Again: personal preference, but I think they are a solid choice. Just keep in mind Hokas won't last as much as other more reinforced shoes.

 

[MichaelC]

My Hoka are still going strong after 1000+ km! But which Camino are you walking? I absolutely needed boots on the Le Puy route. Francès so far is mostly hard surfaces, so you have a wider variety of options

 

[shefollowsshells]

I LOVED Hokas three years ago, I have Hokas that look great having done the Norte and the Inglais in them.
Ordered 6 pair last year for myself and five of my children when we did Le Puy, SJJP to Hendaye, Norte and then Finesterre and Muxia, sadly they were falling apart in week two. Hubby sent out my sons Keenes and Solomons (at $400) to be picked up in Pilgrim office in SJPP. I still think I might HOKA it for next years Camino ...but the shoe has clearly changed, same model different year was a HUGE difference in look and quality.

 

[Walking Lover]

If Scarpa were ok on the previous camino why not get another pair?
There are so many makes of walking footwear out there it can be quite a nightmare getting the right ones. Keen were my favourite until they stopped making that particular shoe, after a lot of searching I changed to Meindl and they really work well, time to get another pair before they change the design.

Wore Hokas in '16 and '17. Hokas were great in '16, but not in '17, but I think the surfaces on the Camino Portuguese was the difference; rarely a country path.

 

[MTtoCamino]

I LOVED Hokas three years ago, I have Hokas that look great having done the Norte and the Inglais in them.
Ordered 6 pair last year for myself and five of my children when we did Le Puy, SJJP to Hendaye, Norte and then Finesterre and Muxia, sadly they were falling apart in week two. Hubby sent out my sons Keenes and Solomons (at $400) to be picked up in Pilgrim office in SJPP. I still think I might HOKA it for next years Camino ...but the shoe has clearly changed, same model different year was a HUGE difference in look and quality.

Yes my keens started falling apart about 1.5 weeks before arriving in Finnesterre from SJPDP so I am reluctant to try what I refer to as a soft boot, unless the weight would permit me to carry a second pair. My next walk, first choice would be Madrid to Ovidio then over to Muxia & Finnesterre. Second will be Lisbon to Muxia/Finnesterre
Thanks for the info

 

[Anemone del Camino]

The ones with the Vibram like tread or real Vibram will last a full Frances in my opinion, but not if the tread is like old Bondi 3.

I have also seen the « trekking » styles on line but never in a shop. I am not one to use taller shoes that cover the ankle as by limiting the moving of the ankle the whole body goes out of walk, starting with the knees, thwn the hips and then the back.

This is the porous Bondi tread: https://www.hokaoneone.com/women/bo..._color=MBBRD#start=24&cgid=womens-bestsellers

 

[Melensdad]

@Anemone del Camino My wife loves her Hokas as well, & they make men's versions my only concern is will they last 800-1000km? I have been told they have hiking models w/ ankle support but have not seen them...

I currently have three pairs of Hokas.

One is a hiking shoe style. I would easily consider it to a Camino. Bought it after my Camino and love it. No reason to suspect it would not make 800+ km. I've probably got 500 on them now and they look pretty much new. Sole has plenty of tread and its aggressive enough to keep stable on wet rock.