[pct-l] Hoka Trail Runners Experience?

[Dan McKean]

I intend to use Hoka One One Stinsons, which are both my regular trail
running and hiking shoes, for my walk from Campo to Canada.   I've used the
Lite version (flat soles) for the first sections to Kennedy Meadows, then
use the ATR version (with nubbins) into the Sierra, and then see what
happens for the next pair after that.   The Lite versions last quite a long
time running and hiking and backpacking on the cobbly/rocky/sandy trails
here in San Diego county--roughly 600 to 800 miles--and I like the mesh
uppers, which are so well ventilated you can see through them.

The one thing that's odd is that your foot sits very deep in the shoe, so
the outsides of your ankle bones might rub on the front of the padding.
After messing around with various flavors of inserts (Dr Scholls,
Superfeet), I've come back to the standard inserts that come with the
shoe--putting the sock liner in first, then the foam insert on top.

I've tried some other shoes over the past few months, notably the Brooks
Cascadia 9's (I know a lot of people love them!) but I found them too
flexible and uncushioned for my feet, and they felt somewhat heavier.  I
prefer the Hokas which are both stiffer yet more cushioned--admittedly an
odd pairing of attributes--and I felt like I hiked faster with them.  Since
I've been very happy and uninjured as a not-quite-50 runner, I'll stick
with the Hokas.  Your mileage may vary, of course :-)

They're on sale on various places now; Sierra Trading Post sent me a 35%
off anything coupon last week so my latest pair (the Stinson ATR) ended up
costing $75 out the door.

Dan

On Thu, Jan 29, 2015 at 4:57 PM, Frederick Baier <frederickbaier at hotmail.com
> wrote:

> Aloha Everyone,
>
> Just wondering if anyone has any extended trail experiences with Hoka
> trail runners? As a more mature (age, not attitude) section hiker and long
> distance runner, I love their road versions for road running, but haven't
> tried their trail versions. I'm considering buying some for my upcoming
> Section D&E hike in May. If anyone has thoughts or insights, I'd love to
> hear them. Mahalo!
>
> Aloha, Fritz
>
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