When talking about thick-soled carbon plate racing shoes, chances are that many running enthusiasts will blurt out “Nike” , “Adidas”, or any prestigious brands that they’ve heard of. Nonetheless, when it comes to a brand that trumps its thick-soled design, the answer among running shoe enthusiasts is consistent: HOKA ONE ONE. HOKA ONE ONE is recognizable among running shoes because of its iconic, super-thick midsole design, and it’s the same iconic, super-thick midsole design that brings unique and unforgettable experiences to runners. In this article, we are going to take a look at the various running shoes of HOKA ONE ONE and figure out what type of runners they are suitable for.
1.Carbon plate racing shoes
HOKA ONE ONE Curbon X 2
The Carbon X series is an iteration of HOKA’s Carbon plate racing shoe, which has already been released in 2021. On the basis of the original version, the vamp and the midsole rubber of Curbon X 2 have been fine-tuned to enhance the vamp wrapping and optimize the resilience of the midsole. In terms of the outsole, Carbon X 2 is the same as the first edition, and still adopts the rubber outsole.
The launch of the Carbon X series coincides with two of the brand’s prestigious 100 km World Record challenges. The athlete, Jim Walmsley, who has covenanted with the brand succeeded in bringing on buzzes in the matches, which in turn succeeded in putting the Carbon X series on the map.
HOKA ONE ONE Rocket X 1
HOKA’s carbon-plate running shoes released in 2020 debuted in the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon, worn by HOKA’s contracted runners.
The main difference between Curbon X and Rocket X lies in the thickness of their midsole. The Rocket X series has thinner midsoles and their overall wrapping and supporting have become all the more excellent. As a matter of fact, Rocket X 1 is not quite as HOKA’s other shoes. Given the weight of racing shoes, the brand trades in its signature midsole thickness for lighter weight, which leads to a faster and more direct feedback.
HOKA ONE ONE Evo Carbon Rocket
Because of relatively little publicity, few runners know about this HOKA ONE ONE Evo Carbon Rocket. It is HOKA’s first carbon plate racing shoe, and has a 2mm midsole difference, unlike the 4-6mm midsole difference that most HOKA shoes have today.
A smaller midsole height difference is closer to our natural running state and requires more of the runners. Actually, this Carbon Rocket, compared with the previous carbon-plate racing shoes, is harder to harness, but it also reduces runners’ dependence on the cushioning and support and helps exercises their abilities.
2. For daily training
HOKA ONE ONE Mach 4
The Mach shoe combines three of the HOKA ONE’s strengths: superior cushioning, flexibility and lightness. The fourth edition of Mach features a brand-new loop design and an improved vamp woven from hot-pressed TPU. At the same time, the use of new midsole material will offer a much better and nicer experience for wearers. Therefore, it is in conclusion a good choice for both daily training and competitions.
Clifton 8, based on the its predecessors, has adopted a more lightweight vamp and its newly developed lightweight midsole. The combination of the two setups makes the experience all the more enjoyable.
HOKA DNE ONE Rincon 3
HOKA’s lightweight training shoes combine extraordinary cushioning with an super-light shoe design, aiming to bring an extremely soft and feathery experience to wearers.
In addition, the improved vamp, instead of adopting a single layer of mesh fabric, uses refined engineering mesh. The modified mesh is especially refined for the areas that wears out easily and to ensures excellent air permeability as well as wrapping.
3. Those with excellent cushioning and supporting for protection
HOKA ONE ONE KAWANA
The versatile KAWANA released in 2022 is specially designed for runners and fitness enthusiasts. While ensuring cushioning and comfortness, it also provides runners with a more pleasant exercise experience with its bold, innovative and fashionable designs.
KAWANA took inspiration from the much-sought-after MACH 4, featuring SwallowTailTM, a geometrical design at the heel, to provide flexible protection when runners are landing. Besides, the 5mm height difference between the front and rear part is combined with the grooves in the outsole to ensure stability.
HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 7
This HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 7 is the one with the most excellent cushioning among HOKA running shoes. It uses the same all-EVA midsole, breathable mesh vamp and iconic rolling balance technology as its predecessors. The upper rim is made of sponge to ensure comfort at the heel.
HOKA ONE ONE Bondi X
It inherits the essence of HOKA’s classic BONDI designs and makes breakthrough use of carbon plate technology, which ensures that runners of different abilities receive the same efficient, stable and powerful support at every step. Its super nice cushioning also generates an opportunity for runners with heavy weight.
HOKA ONE DNE Elevon 2
This is a pair of excellent shoes for daily training. Its appearance is innovative and eye-catching. Apart from this, the supporting in the front and the arch is enhanced.
HOKA ONE ONE Clifton Edge
This is HOKA’s new series, extended from Clifton, equipped with new super-elastic foam material and trend-setting geometric shapes here and there.
HOKA ONE ONE Gaviotu 3
This HOKA ONE ONE Gaviotu 3 is available in US and some areas of Europe now. It is cushioned with a thicker midsole foam to provide all-around protection. In terms of innovation, compared with the previous versions, Gaviota 3 has been updated and adjusted the thickness of midsole and vamp to optimize the wearing experience.
HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 5
Arahi 5, on the basis of Arahi 4, altered the heel, part of the vamp and midsole so as to reduce the pressure on the instep and ankle. Lighter weight is an advantage of the Arahi series over Gaviota. In conclusion, Arahi 5 is a super lightweight shoe with good cushioning and support.
4.HOKA ONE ONE Dra Recovery Shoes
HOKA’s recovery shoes combine excellent cushioning and breathability, and can be suitable for dailsy wearing, matches and exercises.
HOKA ONE ONE Dra Recovery Slide2
The recovery slippers of HOKA are quite distinct. Combining oversized midsole and rolling balance technology, the slippers can help relieve our fatigue underfeet and offer us extraordinary comfort and strong supprt.
HOKA ONE ONE Dra Recovery Flip 2
The same as the last slippers, this HOKA ONE ONE Dra Recovery Flip 2 is not only fashionable, but also offers comfortness and superior support.
Overall:
From the racing shoes to the daily training shoes and jogging recovery ones, HOKA ONE ONE has gradually developed into a versatile shoe brand and its shoes are suitable for runners of different abilities. Time has witnessed the brand’s growth and it will see it gets better in the future.
