HOKA ONE ONE 2021: FULL TRAIL RUNNING RANGE, WITH SEVEN SHOES.

Posted by Héctor Rubio on March 18, 2021 in trail running gear, trail running spain | 5 Comments

HOKA ONE ONE 2021: FULL TRAIL RUNNING RANGE. Our TRAIL RUNNING SHOES section today reviews the seven sisters that make up the range of the French brand of maximalist shoes.

Hoka Torrent 2; Hoka Speedgoat 4; Hoka Evo Speedgoat; Hoka Mafate Speed 3; Hoka Evo Mafate 2; Hoka Stinson ATR6 and Hoka Challenger ATR6.

HOKA ONE ONE 2021
HISTORY, EVOLUTION AND TOP3 TRAIL RUNNING SHOES

It all started by going down to La Fouly, in 2007… Nicolas Mermoud arrived leader of the UTMB’s 100 miles after running the first 100km to Switzerland. But the long descent of almost 20km at full gas along the track from the Italian Col Ferret, passed him a bill. Tired, without quadriceps, it was surpassed by the much lighter Marco Elm from Champex.

The last marathon of the four that make up the race, caused him to lose the race even if he stayed on the podium. Years later, Nicolas told us that it was then, at that time, that, in the purest 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, 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 best-selling and replica of Micah True’s 1994 Leadville chronicle inspired thousands of people to go for a run barefoot, or almost…

Injuries from wanting to get too far, soon soon came. Just three years later, Hoka One One was to be bought by a powerful U.S. group. The French brand now, together with the natives of Altra, are leading the turn to maximalism. And it’s still strong…

In the middle of 2021, it is no longer only that the platoon of The Hundred Miles of Leadville is dominated by the Altra – Hoka. It is that even in hikers who board the Appalachian Trail are today majority. The success in the USA came much earlier than in Europe, which perhaps explains that even for some runners on this side of the puddle it looks like an American brand. But the truth is, no, it all started in Switzerland and went ahead thanks to a couple of visionary Frenchmen. For this year, sales of close to $500 million are expected. And it keeps going up, with enormous force…

HOKA ONE ONE 2021. A DIFFERENT DEISGN PHILOSOPHY.

Hoka’s philosophy has been different since it was born, as is the case with his rival Altra’s Natural Running. The Hoka One Ones were born as a maximalist shoe that cradled and cushioned the runners’ feet. Mermoud and Diard started prototyping themselves.
Later, they teamed up with a chemist at a Chinese footwear company to develop a completely new type of EVA foam that was soft and surprisingly light. It was a huge step forward: Now they could put a lot of mm. rubber under the foot, to amoritute more without being a ballast. To this day, that is perhaps the main hallmark of the brand, which only in the Profly cushioning of the Torrent 2 has come out of the mold.

The first releases were the Mafate (now Evo Mafate and Mafate Speed), Bondi and Stinson ATR. Success soon came and Hoka has expanded rapidly since.

The HOKA TRAIL 2021 range features seven different shoes: You can see them all here as they are portrayed today by the official website of the brand. Complete the series an eighth passenger, in this case limited edition of the iconic Speedgoat.

HOKA ONE ONE: THE DESIGN PILLARS.

As you can see in the image above, almost all Hoka shoes (the Torrent as an exception) share basic principles: More than 25mm. cushioning, Contained weights (264-333gr), medium drop (4-5mm), rocker chassis and oversized sole in width that stabilizes ground height and better distributes weight.

Light foam: Hoka remains true to its patented EVA rubber blend. They emphasize that it is more elastic, for better support and energy return. They also argue that it is more durable than traditional EVA. . The foam has received different names, including RMAT and R-Bound, but the underlying chemistry is essentially the same.

Rocker chassis: Translated into names like Meta-Rocker and the Active Foot Frame.

• The Meta-Rocker is a combination of a low heel tip drop and a rounded sole shape that, according to the house, complements the natural stride and helps to propel forward.
  
• The Active Foot Frame cradles the foot deeper into the shoe midsole, providing more support as you run. Hoka compares the design to sitting in a low bucket seat of a race car. And true, that peculiar adjustment made it narrow for many people to narrow their last years.

HOKA ONE ONE 2021: Latest experiments.

In addition to these basic footwear design elements, Hoka has launched other new technologies in recent years. The ProFly that features the TORRENT 2 in the mountain range is a cushioning that combines double densities: Soft foam on heel and a firm foam on the fore foot. It premiered with the Hoka Tracer and Clayton in 2016. The brand points out that, as in so many other similar solutions in the sector, both foams create a balance between shock absorption and energy return. Thus, the runner feels comfortable landing and receives a more agile response when taking off.

The first Hoka caused a stir in 2009, right. Twelve years later, they still cause: The penultimate experiment was a special shoe for long, stretched descents. It was the striking HOka One One TenNine that we show you already here With its solid heel, this shoe is specifically designed to run through steep hills: The extra foam absorbs shocks 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.

HOKA ONE ONE TORRENT 2

Data Sheet

• Price: 130€. The cheapest, next to the Challenger ATR6.
• Weight: 264gr. The lightest Hoka in the mountain range.
• Ground height and drop: Height 21mm/26mm. Drop 5mm. The most glued to the ground: More tact of terrain.
• Sole: Hoka rubber. Lugs 5mm.
• Stability and damping (1-3): 1/3 – 1/3. The only one with Profly damping, double density EVA.

Preferential use

The HOKA minus Hoka of the range. And we say it in a good way, for the most good. If the pillars of the brand design seen before make it very different on the market, this would be the perfect “transition” shoe to test without any risk if you fit the brand. In my personal case, at the moment it is the only one I have spent thoroughly, in its original version. And yes, I really liked it. Now, I’d be more comfortable moving to taller ones on the ground.

The design of the Torrent 2 seeks to combine the cushioning that makes the brand different with the agility we expect from a mountain shoe. That’s why she’s the only one wearing the PROFLY midsole. It is a new development with double EVA densities that seeks a flexible tread and a start with great responsiveness.

They use a UNIFI recycled yarn cover repreve derived from plastic waste. The sole is in Hoka rubber, but at least it features 5mm multidirectional studs now re-eded to improve traction. A good solution to debut with Hoka, since they are suitable for a huge variety of terrains.

HOKA ONE ONE SPEEDGOAT 4

Data Sheet

• Price: 140€
• Weight 306gr.
• Ground height and drop: Height 28mm/32mm. Drop 4mm.
• Sole: Vibram Megagrip rubber. The one with the greatest wet traction.
• Stability and amortiugation (1-3) 1/3 – 2/3

Hoka’s shoe for mountain racing par excellence. It was born as a tribute to veteran USA bullfighter Karl Meltzer, nicknamed “Speedgoat”. Since he was born, it has undoubtedly been Hoka’s flagship shoe for mountain racing. Designed for long excursions in the mountains.

The latest version features a more breathable mesh cover and comes with a wider toe for a more comfortable fit and improved stability. Hoka is also betting on a new foam midsole, now diving more touch of terrain under his feet.

The set is topped 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, it has versions in GTX Waterproof, Fast-Hiker and EVO that we will see now in detail. The first bet to throw yourself into the HOKa world at once. If you’re looking for something less radical for your brand’s first shoe, lighter and glued to the ground, check out Torrent 2.

HOKA ONE ONE EVO SPEEDGOAT

Data Sheet

• Price: 170€. High price within the range, by the Matryx. That’s 30 degrees more than Speedgoat 4.
• Weight: 281gr. Reduces the weight of the Speedgoat 4 by 25gr.
• Ground height and drop: Height 28mm/32mm. Drop 4mm.
• Sole: Vibram Megagrip rubber. The one with the greatest wet traction. 5mm tacos.
• Stability and amortiugation (1-3) 1/3 – 2/3

The EVO Speedgoat are to the Hoka range, like the new Salomon Pulsar to its French sister. The flying shoe for your elites. In fact, both have opted for the Matryx as a way to better hold their feet, while saving weight. In return, that’s about paying more for them. They are designed for those looking to win trail races and break records.

First of all, it stands out its cover, based on MATRYX fabric. It includes high-strength synthetic fiber strands in the mid-foot for robustness and durability with minimal weight. It also carries an anti-smoke treatment that optimizes water drainage while being very breathable.

A comfortable fit has been sought with an improved flexibility fore footrest and a reinforcement tongue that prevents it from moving. The midsole and sole maintain the same cushioning and traction as the Speedgoat. CMEVA foam midsole that absorbs impact points and offers a stable pitch Vibram Megagrip high traction sole with 5 mm studs. They are multidirectional studs that offer a magnificent grip on various terrains.

HOKA ONE ONE MAFATE SPEED 3

Data Sheet

• PVPR: 170€. High price within the range, for a prestigious consolidated shoe.
• Weight: 316gr. High weight within the range, combining a lot of foam and a lot of rubber in the sole.
• Ground height and drop: Height 31mm/35mm. Drop 4mm.
• Sole: Vibram rubber. Taco 5mm.
• Stability & Damping (1-3)

Preferential use

The Mafate has been, together with Speedgoat, one of the shoes that have carved Hoka’s reputation in the mountains. The brand presents them as tough companions that offer excellent performance in technical terrain… as Americans understand “technical.” That is, reliable and safe, but far from the real technical shoes for alpine terrain created by European brands such as the Salomon XA ALpine Pro or the brand new Scarpa Ribelle Run.

The Mafate returns in their third version with a sustainable mesh cover made of recycled polyester. Designed with KPU molded overlayers for protective support, the Speed 3 Mafate is based on the same aggressive dual-density sole composed of EVA and VULCANized EVA with 5mm Vibram studs.

They debut a dynamic fabric tongue for more elastic comfort and a perforated and breathable section. It has also been reinforced with an H-mount structure on the eyelets for a custom fit.

HOKA ONE ONE EVO MAFATE 2

Data Sheet

• PVPR: 190€ The most expensive in the range.
• Weight: 292gr.
• Ground height and drop: Height 31mm/35mm. Drop 4mm.
• Sole: Vibram Megagrip rubber. The one with the greatest wet traction.
• Stability and amortiugation (1-3) 1/3 – 2/3

Preferential use

A shoe for the competition elite, for price and performance. Seek to perform to the fullest 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 debuts new cover, lighter and longer lasting. Also new last, which includes a wider toe. The rubber foam midsole provides good cushioning on the heel and fore foot, and the Vibram Megagrip sole is the top of the range, as it not only offers a lot of bite in the mud by the tackling. You’ll appreciate it, compared to other sisters, the day you run on wet rock.

HOKA ONE ONE CHALLENGER ATR6

Data Sheet

• PVPR: 130€ The cheapest in the range, next to the Torrent 2.
• Weight: 279gr.
• Ground height and drop: Height 25mm/30mm. Drop 5mm.
• Sole: Hoka. The basic sole of the brand, designed for more tanker shoots.
• Stability and amortiugation (1-3) 1/3 – 2/3

Shoes marked AS ATR (All terrain) are the brand’s most pisters, which can easily alternate even track shoots, easy trail and even asphalt. In its sixth version, the Challenger ATR 6 seeks to enhance that facet, combining mountain lightness and softness on the asphalt.

The midsole structure and suel construction have been combined to offer versatile traction. The CMEVA foam midsole seek to absorb impact and provide a stable step. Its distinctive sole has an area construction to optimize grip and weight.

They are wide heels and very close together that bring smooth transitions from one surface to another. The placement of rubber is segmented by zones, diving combining weight savings and durability This season’s version uses recycled Unifi REPREV yarn obtained from plastic waste.

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Read the article in Spanish HERE
Post by Héctor Rubio for Trailrunningspain