Posted by mayayo oxigeno on March 17, 2021 in Mountain running, trail running | 2 Comments
HOKA ONE ONE 2021: COMPLETE TRAIL RUNNING RANGE. Our TRAIL RUNNING SHOES section reviews today the seven sisters that make up the range of the French brand of maximalist running shoes.
They are: Hoka Torrent 2; Hoka Speedgoat 4; Hoka Evo Speedgoat; Hoka Mafate Speed 3; Hoka Evo Mafate 2; Hoka Stinson ATR6 and Hoka Challenger ATR6. We start with the #radiotrail by Jorge Sabugo and Sergio Mayayo,
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It all started going down to La Fouly, in 2007… Nicolas Mermoud was the leader of the hundred miles of the UTMB after running the first 100km to Switzerland. But the long descent of almost 20km at full speed along the track laid from the Italian Col Ferret, took its toll. Cast, without quads, he was outclassed by the much lighter Marco Olmo from Champex.
The last marathon of the four that make up the race made him lose the race even though he stayed on the podium. Years later, Nicolas told me that it was then, at that moment when, in true Scarlet O'Hara style, he swore to himself that something like this would never happen to him again. In 2009 Nicolas Mermoud founded HOKA ONE ONE, together with his friend Diard.
Interestingly, Hoka One One was born just as the wave of minimalism running became a real tsunami, when it was published in 2009 BORN TO RUN. Mc Dougall's bestseller and his replica of the 1994 Leadville Chronicle by Micah True inspired thousands of people to go running barefoot, or almost...
Injuries from wanting to go too far too soon were not long in coming. Barely 3 years later, Hoka One One was about to be bought by a powerful USA group. The French brand was now going, together with the natives of Altra, to lead the turn towards maximalism. And keep going strong...
In the middle of 2021, it's not just that the Leadville Hundred Mile peloton is dominated by the Altra – Hoka anymore. It is that even in the hikers who tackle the Appalachian Trail they are today in the majority. That success in the USA came much earlier than in Europe, which perhaps explains why even for some runners on this side of the pond it is seen as an American brand. But the truth is that no, it all started in Switzerland and got ahead thanks to a couple of French visionaries. For this year, sales of close to 500 million dollars are expected. And it continues to rise, with enormous force...,
HOKA ONE ONE 2021. A different design philosophy.
Hoka's philosophy has been different since it was born, just like its rival Altra's Natural Running. The Hoka One One was born as a maximalist shoe that cradled and cushioned runners' feet. Mermoud and Diard started by making prototypes themselves.
Later, they teamed up with a chemist at a Chinese shoe company to develop an entirely new type of EVA foam that was soft and surprisingly light. It was a huge leap forward: Now they could put a lot of mm. rubber under the foot, to cushion more without being a drag. Until today, that is perhaps the main hallmark of the brand, that only in the Torrent 2's Profly cushioning has it broken out of the mold.
The first launches were the Mafate (now Evo Mafate and Mafate Speed), Bondi and Stinson ATR. Success was not long in coming and Hoka has expanded rapidly ever since.
The HOKA TRAIL 2021 range has seven different shoes: You can see them all here as they are portrayed today on the brand's official website. The series is completed by an eighth passenger, in this case a limited edition of the iconic Speedgoat.
As you have heard on the radio, as you can see in the image above, almost all Hoka shoes ( Torrent as an exception) share basic principles: More than 25mm. cushioning, low weights (264-333gr), medium drop (4-5mm), a rocker chassis and an oversized sole in width that stabilizes the height to the ground and distributes the weight better.
Light foam: Hoka remains faithful to its patented mix of EVA rubber. They emphasize that it is more elastic, for better support and energy return. They also defend that it is more durable than traditional EVA. . The foam has gone by different names, including RMAT and R-Bound, but the underlying chemistry is essentially the same.
Rocker frame: Embodied in names like Meta-Rocker and the Active Foot Frame.
HOKA ONE ONE 2021: Latest experiments.
In addition to those basic shoe design elements, Hoka has launched other new technologies in recent years. The ProFly that the TORRENT 2 sports in the mountain range is cushioning that combines double densities: soft foam in the heel and firm foam in the forefoot. It debuted with the Hoka Tracer and Clayton in 2016. The brand points out that, like so many other similar solutions in the industry, both foams create a balance between shock absorption and energy return. Thus, the runner feels comfortable when landing and receives a more agile response when taking off.
The first Hokas caused quite a stir in 2009, right. Twelve years later, they are still provoking: The penultimate experiment was a special shoe for long descents. It was the eye-catching HOka One One TenNine that we showed you here. With its solid heel, this shoe is specifically designed for running up steep hills: the additional foam absorbs shock and the wide sole provides exceptional stability. It is a niche product with a disproportionate price, but originality is not lacking. TRUE?
HOKA ONE ONE TRAIL 2021: SEVEN SISTERS.
Technical data sheet:
Preferred use
The HOKA minus Hoka in the range. And we mean that in a good way, mind you. If the design pillars of the brand seen before make it very different in the market, this would be the perfect "transition" shoe to try with little risk if the brand suits you. In my personal case, for the moment it is the only one that I have spent thoroughly, in its original version. And yes, I really liked it. Now, I would be more comfortable with passing to others higher on the ground.
The design of the Torrent 2 seeks to combine the cushioning that makes the brand different with the agility that we expect from a mountain shoe. That is why it is the only one that has the PROFLY midsole. It is a new development with double densities EVA that seeks a flexible tread and a boot with great response capacity.
They use a UNIFI repreve recycled yarn cover derived from plastic waste. The sole is in Hoka rubber, but at least it has 5mm multidirectional studs realigned now to improve traction. A good solution to start with Hoka, since they are suitable for a huge variety of terrain.
Technical data:
Hoka's shoe for mountain races par excellence. It was born as a tribute to veteran USA ultrero Karl Meltzer, nicknamed "Speedgoat". Since it was born, it has undoubtedly been Hoka's flagship shoe for mountain races. Designed for long excursions through the mountains.
The latest version sports a more breathable mesh upper and comes with a wider toe box for a more comfortable fit and improved stability. Hoka also bets on a new foam midsole, now looking for more ground feel underfoot.
The set is rounded off by a Vibram Megagrip sole with 5mm studs that is the top of the range. The difference is not only noticeable in technical terrain, but especially when the wet rock arrives. The Speedgoat has been so successful that it has versions in waterproof GTX, Fast-Hiker and the EVO that we will now see in detail. The first bet to launch yourself into the HOKa world at once. If you are looking for something less radical for your first sneaker of the brand, lighter and close to the ground, take a look at the Torrent 2.
Special report HOKA SPEEDGOAT 4 HERE
Technical data sheet:
The EVO Speedgoat are from the Hoka range, like the new Salomon Pulsar from its French sister. The flying shoe for its elites. In fact, both have opted for the Matryx as a way to better support the foot, while saving weight. In return, that is to pay more for them. They are designed for those who seek to win trail races and break records.
First of all, its cover stands out, based on the MATRYX fabric. Includes high-strength synthetic fiber strands in the midfoot to offer strength and durability with minimal weight. It also has an anti-humidity treatment that optimizes water drainage while being very breathable.
A comfortable fit has been sought with a forefoot with improved flexibility and a gusseted tongue that prevents movement. The midsole and outsole maintain the same cushioning and traction as the Speedgoat. CMEVA foam midsole that absorbs impact points and offers a stable step Vibram Megagrip high-traction sole with 5 mm studs. They are multidirectional studs that offer magnificent grip on various terrains
Technical sheet:
Preferred use:
Technical data sheet:
Preferred use:
A shoe for the competition elite, for price and performance. Seek to perform at your best on technical and difficult trails. According to the brand, this new version of Mafate wants to keep everything good about the original, now improving comfort and fit.
To do this, it launches a new cover, lighter and more durable. Also new last, which includes a wider toe box. The foam rubber midsole provides good cushioning in the heel and forefoot, and the Vibram Megagrip outsole is top of the range, not only offering plenty of bite in the mud from studding. You will appreciate it, compared to other sisters, the day you have to run on wet rock.
Technical data sheet:
The shoes marked as ATR (All terrain) are the most pisteras of the brand, which can easily alternate even shooting on the track, easy trail and even asphalt. In its sixth version, the Challenger ATR 6 seeks to enhance this facet, combining lightness in the mountains and smoothness on the asphalt.
The structure of the midsole and the construction of the sole have been combined to offer versatile traction. The CMEVA foam midsole seeks to absorb impact and provide a stable step. Its distinctive sole has a zoned construction to optimize grip and weight.
They are wide and close together studs that provide smooth transitions from one surface to another. The placement of the rubber is segmented by zones, seeking to combine weight savings and durability. This season's version uses the recycled Unifi REPREV yarn obtained from plastic waste.
Special report HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 6 HERE.
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Technical data sheet:
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Ultre veteran Ion Azpiroz, winner of great ultras such as G2H and Canfranc Canfranc, silver in Travesera or top4 in the TDS 130k of the UTMB, he told us yesterday here through social networks, his personal experience in a whole decade with the brand, For your interest, we reproduce his full comment:
I've been riding with the Hoka One One brand for almost 10 years. I started with the Stinson, because they were the only ones we knew of. Then came the Rapanui. But the brand has evolved a lot and well. Today for my limitations and way of running, the most complete shoe for trail, for ultras and to put a lot of volume is the Mafate Evo for its lightness, grip and cushioning.
To give a few examples: With the Torrent I have managed to make a podium in the GRAN TRAIL Aneto-Posets; with the Mafate in the Mitic of Andorra and with the Speedgoat reach fourth position in the UTMB TDS or win the Canfranc-Canfranc. For asphalt, apart from the new carbon models, which are the pump, the one I use the most is the Clifton.
Ion Apziroz in full duel with Toni Blanco. Canfranc Canfranc.
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