Hoka One One

It seems only appropriate that I tap my fingers on the keyboard and give a review of the running shoes that I have been exalting for the last few months. Yes, Hoka One One take a bow.

I first saw the Hoka shoes in September 2010. I was in the South of France for a weeks holiday before heading over to Provence to do Millau 100k. Ironically it turned out that a trail race was going on during at the weekend with the finish literally outside my apartment. Well, it wasn't part of my plan but how could I not run.... Luckily they had 3 distances: a 22 k, a 40k and a 54k. I was sensible and chose the shorter distance, it was only 6 days to the Millau 100k afterall.

The race start was in a valley some 22k away in a place called Sospel. Somewhere I knew well from my cycling days. To be able to run over this beautiful hilly terrain was going to be a real treat. The 54k race started earlier in the morning and deeper in the valley. As we waited at the start the front runners from the long race came through... In the lead was a guy wearing bright blue platform running shoes; Hoka One One 'Mafate' trail shoes. I made a mental note of the visual look of the shoe and I thought that at some point I would look out for them.

A few months later I noted one or two articles and a 'buzz' about them. Particularly in the USA. Some top end runners such as Karl Meltzer and Dave Mackey started to use them. Not only did they love them but they boasted about the positive effects of the shoe. In particular comfort and less fatigue. Both reckoned they had at least 30% less fatigue and running back to back days was easy! Or should I say, easier.

In March I was in Paris for the Ecotrail de Paris. An 80km trail race that starts some 50 miles out of Paris. You basically run into Paris pretty much 90% off road on wonderful hilly forest trails and pathways. It's a race I love. Not only because it is in Paris but it is on trail and has what I consider to be the best finish line of any race, the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.

At the race start I noticed the Hoka's again. This time paying much more attention. To cut a long story short, I had an enjoyable race at the Ecotrail but unfortunately suffered bad leg pain. In particular the quads and calfs. With Paris Marathon a few weeks later and then London Marathon I decided it was time to test the Hoka's. A road version had come out called the Bondi B and reviews had been superb.

I arrived in Paris two days before the marathon, went to the Vieux Campeur in St Germain and purchased the Bondi B. Note!! I recommend at least one size up from your current running shoe for the Bondi B. The toe box is a little narrow and they definitely size small. For the Mafate the shoe has a wider fitting and I found just a half size bigger to be best.

After purchase I immediately put the Bondi B on and walked in them all day. What I immediately noticed was comfort. Never had anything on my feet so cushioned. I felt like Tigger; bouncy bouncy. The next day, Saturday, I went out for a 5k pre marathon run in the Hoka and then one day later I decided to take the plunge and use the Bondi B for Paris Marathon.

Paris was not a key race, it was just training for Comrades Ultra Marathon in May so I was happy to take a risk as this was potentially going to be my Comrades shoe. When the gun went off at the race start I bounced my way down the Champs Élysées. The cobbles were irradiated and I ran smoothly to the Place de la Concorde. The shoes quite simply were a revelation. I ran the marathon in the most comfort ever and found that I didn't change my running technique at all. In fact the shoes encouraged me to mid foot strike. At the end of the race I ran an easy 3:05 and had pretty much no leg pain. I was converted!

A week later I ran London Marathon in 3:15 with the same experience. The shoes definitely reduced fatigue, by how much it is difficult to say but I would estimate the 30-40% reduction comments by other runners are not unfair.

Post London I had a good 5 weeks training to Comrades. Each weekend I was doing back to back long runs and some 4 weeks out from Comrades I did two back to back 50ks. Again super quick recover and considerably less fatigue.

At he end of May I ran Comrades (my first) in 8:39. Not really the time I wanted but I was somewhat taken aback by the difficulty of the 'up' run. Nonetheless the Hoka's performed to perfection allowing me to run up hill well and reduce the impact and fatigue on the downs. Post Comrades I had considerably less leg soreness than I have had from other ultras and found that my 'doms' were minimal.

The Bondi B shoe



The Mafate Shoe




The Good:
Excellent comfort.
Good feel despite the thick sole (your foot actually sits within the sole).
The Bondi B excels on road and I have loved running on hard, rutted and rocky trails in them. They remove pretty much all the harshness from the trail and they hold your foot stable.
They last much longer than normal run shoes. I have 800 miles in mine and I think they could go on.
Definitely less fatigue when running.
Definitely less fatigue from one day to the next allowing you to either run more or run more back to back days.

The Bad:
Sizing is on the small side but once you know your size this isn't a problem. Go a size up for the Bondi B and a half size up for the Mafate.
They are expensive at £125 a pair BUT they have a 'select' market and when you look at the longevity, at 800 miles they last twice as long as conventional shoes.
I found them a little warm. The top is not as breathable as other brands.
The heel area can rub a little. I have had two pairs of Bondi B, one I had no problems with, the other rubbed at first but now is fine.
The sole wears very quickly. You notice a big difference after 120-150 miles but then they seem to get no worse. The sole is so thick it actually causes no issues.

Bondi B after 800+ miles




Mafate and Bondi B





The Mafate sole




In summary the Hoka One One in trail or road version has been a complete revelation to me. I have been using them for approximately 9 weeks and they are now the only shoe I use. Hoka are about to release a new shoe called the 'Combo XT' which will be a cross between the Mafate trail shoe and the Bondi B road shoe. I can't wait to try them!

I think the shoe will develop over the coming year. I can't see it changing much as for me the technology, comfort and feel is sound. I see adjustments being made to the fabric on the upper and maybe a change to the outer sole.

For other reading I recommend you check on You Tube for interesting videos, I also recommend you look at Karl Meltzers blog and Dave Mackeys blog. Both guys have won some very good races in 2011 wearing Bondi b's also Karl ran the 'Pony Express' in Hoka.

Mafate (black) and the Bondi B



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