Hoka U TOR SUMMIT Shoe

[mcm]

Does anyone have experience with the Hoka U TOR SUMMIT shoe? Would it be overkill on the Frances in the Fall? I appreciate any thoughts!

 

[Jarrad]

I think you mean the Tor Summit (no U, fewer caps). I've been looking at that model and checking out reviews, but have not tried them on yet. While they look chunky, they apparently have great cushioning, which of course is the main selling point for Hokas. The sole is appealing to me for the (very) few rocky sections of the CdF (I'm thinking the unforgiving back end of the Alto de Perdon), but honestly I think that style of hiking shoe may be more useful on sections of the Le Puy or other routes than the vast majority of the CdF.

Looking at the reviews I've seen on-line, the main criticism has been that the "all gender" sizing seems to cause confusion and some challenges with fit. Also, I cannot find the weight for the Tor Summit, but the similar "x Bodega Tor Ultra Low" weighs in at 16.7 oz. -- not terrible but there are lighter weight options worth considering. For those reasons, I personally would not go through the trouble of ordering them on-line and would likely only consider a purchase if I could try them on in a store. I would also like to hear from a few people who have actually worn the Tor Summits on a Camino.

Because I get a great fit and they have worked well for me on many local hikes, I'm currently planning to wear a pair of Hoka Bondi 8's (which are about $50 cheaper and 45% less heavy) on the CdF in 2025. But I am also looking at options in trail runners, especially the Speed Goat 5, which is of similar weight but with a sole better fit for hiking and trail running.

 

[Jarrad]

Does anyone have experience with the Hoka U TOR SUMMIT shoe? Would it be overkill on the Frances in the Fall? I appreciate any thoughts!

Oh, yeah, I realized I've got a verbosity problem. Bottom line: I do think that shoe might be overkill for the Frances in the fall, but would not dismiss it as an option. If you have the opportunity to try it out and you get a great fit, then it may just be the shoe for you. I certainly have done the CdF in heavier shoes than that (Keen Targhee II's, which in the mid-ankle height model are almost exactly twice as heavy). It's just that I would now lean towards a much lighter shoe.

 

[chinacat]

Does anyone have experience with the Hoka U TOR SUMMIT shoe? Would it be overkill on the Frances in the Fall? I appreciate any thoughts!

These might have been discontinued in the womens’ version.

 

[mcm]

I think you mean the Tor Summit (no U, fewer caps). I've been looking at that model and checking out reviews, but have not tried them on yet. While they look chunky, they apparently have great cushioning, which of course is the main selling point for Hokas. The sole is appealing to me for the (very) few rocky sections of the CdF (I'm thinking the unforgiving back end of the Alto de Perdon), but honestly I think that style of hiking shoe may be more useful on sections of the Le Puy or other routes than the vast majority of the CdF.

Looking at the reviews I've seen on-line, the main criticism has been that the "all gender" sizing seems to cause confusion and some challenges with fit. Also, I cannot find the weight for the Tor Summit, but the similar "x Bodega Tor Ultra Low" weighs in at 16.7 oz. -- not terrible but there are lighter weight options worth considering. For those reasons, I personally would not go through the trouble of ordering them on-line and would likely only consider a purchase if I could try them on in a store. I would also like to hear from a few people who have actually worn the Tor Summits on a Camino.

Because I get a great fit and they have worked well for me on many local hikes, I'm currently planning to wear a pair of Hoka Bondi 8's (which are about $50 cheaper and 45% less heavy) on the CdF in 2025. But I am also looking at options in trail runners, especially the Speed Goat 5, which is of similar weight but with a sole better fit for hiking and trail running.

Thank you for such a thoughtful response. I am going to carefully consider everything and compare to the Speed Goat.

 

[mcm]

These might have been discontinued in the womens’ version.

Yes. They only come in Unisex.

 

[willydp]

Just for the info: The Bondi 9 will arrive on the market this year, some rumours talked about end this month...
No confirmation by Hoka so far
And shoes are personal...trying them on yourself is the way to go.

 

[Colette Z]

Just for the info: The Bondi 9 will arrive on the market this year, some rumours talked about end this month...
No confirmation by Hoka so far
And shoes are personal...trying them on yourself is the way to go.

I started in the Bondi 5, had 2 pairs of 6’s, a 7 and now the 8’s …...I hope the 9 is not even bigger vs the 8 I wish they’d stop modifying them.

 

[debigetsout]

I am wearing the Hoka Kaha on the Camino Mozarabe right now. There are sections of the trail that are rocky and I feel those rocks, to my surprise, given all of the cushioning. My partner has Han Wag boots but feel the stones as well. Both of us have A-B flexibity footwear. That said, the Kaha would be excellent choice for the CF, if they work for your feet. An A-B is more than enough for the CF.

 

[Colette Z]

I wear Hokas too (Bondi, Stinson, Speedgoat) the latter are the least thick soled. Because I insert a custom made hard shell orthotic I don’t feel rocks but the Speedgoat are the least thick soles.