Hoka was loaded with innovation and worthy updates. They are on a roll! The star of the show so far a new line from Hoka called Pro2Lite “PROtection, PROpulsion".
The three new shoes the Carbon Rocket, Tracer, and Clayton all share superlight weights, a PRO2LITE midsole - softer in the heel for cushioning, firmer in the forefoot for propulsion, and no sew uppers. The softer and firmer sections of foam are joined by a tongue and groove construction so not a totally sudden shift in firmness across the entire interface between the two.
Hoka in the last year has branched out from its traditional trail and ultra running base, signing top track and road race athletes. The Pro2Lite line is the “a bit less Hoka” I have been looking for since my first Hoka in 2009. The three Pro2Lite shoes will be available around April 1st.
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| Hoka One One Carbon Rocket |
I put one on and ran a bit in the aisles. A very unique feel and a good one. The softer heel over the carbon plate transitions very nicely to the firm forefoot. The combination of rocker, cushioning, and plate did not have me feeling they were overly stiff to be my 5K and maybe 10K shoe. They felt fast! I I believe the retail is $180.
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| Hoka One One Carbon Rocket Outsole |
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| Clayton (left) Tracer (right) |
The Clayton (yellow) is built on the same last as the Clifton 2 and is the shoe Michael Wardian set the world 50K treadmill record in, I was told practically straight out of the box running them only one mile before his record attempt. Coming in at 7.3 oz, so lighter than the Clifton Clayton has a 4mm drop with a 24 mm heel and 20mm forefoot stack. $150. The yellow layer at the bottom of the shoe is RMAT, same midsole as the entire Huaka which had a few rubber patches, with above the yellow and white midsole the PRO2LITE midsole. Some may be concerned about wear and while essentially a high wear midsole material and not rubber, the RMAT should be decently durable. There are tradeoffs in achieving such cushioning and responsiveness at such a light weight.
The Tracer (blue and white) comes in at 7oz and has a 22mm heel, 18mm forefoot so 4mm drop. $130. See our November 2015 review of the Tracer here
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| Hoka One One Clayton (left) Tracer (right) |
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| Hoka One One Clayton Upper |
The Clayton has a full RMAT outsole, no blown rubber patches. The Tracer has a blown rubber outsole pattern, blue and black below.
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| Clayton (left) Tracer (right) |
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| Hoka One One Tracer |
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| Hoka One One Tracer |
I can't wait to train in the Clayton and race in the Tracer. I tried on the Clayton and Tracer and jogged the aisles a bit and loved the firm forefoot contrasting to softer heel. The Clayton could be my next daily trainer, the Tracer my half and marathon shoe.
Update: See our March 2016 review of the Clayton here. It did not disappoint!
The Infinite is can be called Hoka's low priced point shoe at $120. Similar to the Clifton but with a "medium" level of stability. It weighs 9.7 oz with a 5mm drop and stack of 29mm heel and 24mm forefoot. It has a full surface outsole for durability and an air mesh upper with mid foot structure. really liked this shoe. I suspect they will sell very well. Will ask as to availability date and update.
Update: See our March 2016 review of the Clayton here. It did not disappoint!
The Infinite is can be called Hoka's low priced point shoe at $120. Similar to the Clifton but with a "medium" level of stability. It weighs 9.7 oz with a 5mm drop and stack of 29mm heel and 24mm forefoot. It has a full surface outsole for durability and an air mesh upper with mid foot structure. really liked this shoe. I suspect they will sell very well. Will ask as to availability date and update.
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| Hoka Infinite |
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| Hoka Infinite |
The Bondi will now come in widths. October for men and April 2016 for women.
The Challenger ATR 2 arrives January 1 with a new closed air mesh upper, more supportive support through the mid foot, an extended heel counter, and a more substantial toe bumper.
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| Hoka One One Challenger ATR 2 |
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| Hoka One One Challenger ATR 2 |
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| Hoka One One Challenger ATR 2 |
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| Hoka One One Challenger ATR 2 |
The Stinson 3, with signature cushion and support, has an ultra size maximum cushioned ride and is revised with a new no sew speed frame upper. It comes in at 10.9oz, 6mm drop 34mm heel 28mm forefoot stack. I was told it sits "a bit taller"than other 34mm heel/ 34mm forefoot Hokas as your feet sit in a deep active foot frame for support. The Stinson 3 ATR has similar construction with 3mm lugs and comes in at 11.3oz. Will ask as to availability date and update.
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| Hoka One One Stinson 3 |
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| Hoka One One Stinson 3 |
Update:
See our March 2016 review of the Clayton here. It did not disappoint!
See our November 2015 review of the Tracer here. Firm and fast road racer!
Interested in other shoe brands, packs, illumination introductions at Outdoor Retailer? All our coverage at RoadTrailRun's summary page here
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16 comments:
Thanks for the update Sam. Some exciting additions from Hoka for sure!!
Any chance the width offerings will include narrow as well?
Good question about narrow widths. I will inquire. Thanks for reading!
Thanks! I hope so! I love my Hokas but especially in the heels they're too wide for me. It would be great to be able to get them in a narrow.
Is the tongue on the Challenger ATR 2 more substantial than the first model? Wondering if it got the same treatment as the Clifton 2 update. I would definitely welcome a bit more cushion in the tongue if it did.
Yes from what I recall and looking at catalog the tongue on Challenger ATR will be a more substantial, a good move.
The Bondi will not come in narrow widths for either men or women. My contact at Hoka, who also has a narrow heel, suggests trying a lace lock or dog eared tie. Through both holes on each side then across to tie.http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/locklacing.htm
I appreciate you looking into it for me and for the quick response. I can't do the heel lock tie, as I have quite high arches too and tightly tied shoes cause pain on top of my feet, so it just doesn't work for me. Guess I'll just have to stick with the really thick socks and slopping heels.
Thanks for the quick response. Looks like a solid update to an already great shoe.
Thanks for the quick response. Looks like a solid update to an already great shoe.
Thanks for this. When you mentioned about the Bondi widths do you mean the current Bondi 4 would have width options or the next Bondi?
Mr.Fish. Current Bondi4. Thanks for reading!
Since Hoka is now offering road shoes with less stack height will that cross over to the trail shoe line? Or are they hanging their hat on the Speedgoat and Challenger?
Tom, the Stinson ATR continues for spring with #3 as does Mafate 4. The TOR line of very light hi top hikers gets a low cut version. As far as anything more "minimal" than the Speedgoat or Challenger I did not see or hear about at Outdoor Retailer. I am betting fast trail runners will substitute the Tracer and Clayton for the Huaka.
Hi, I found the Clifton 1 narrow in the toe box, do you know whether the Clayton is wider in the toe box? Thanks.
Big foot.
Clayton I think will have similar width to Clfton 1 but also more minimal lighter overlays. So might fit a touch wider, but not much.
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