Hoka Trail Shoes advice

WadeCutter

Pretty much the only shoe I can run in right now is the bondi 4 and was curious which trail shoe in Hoka line is most similar to bondi? I tried the Challenger ATR and it didn't work for me. I'm not too concerned with weight, just would like to duplicate the ride of the Bondi.

Ryan Heisler

Closest thing would be the Stinson ATR's at this point.

WadeCutter

Several years ago I started running in Newton's- they had only three styles so it was easy to find a shoe to try, and in my case really like. Fast forward a couple years and the number of styles had multiplied like rabbits and my style was no longer made. Seems like the same thing is happening with Hoka. I would hate to be a shoe store and try to keep up with that madness.

Jason Lentzke

@WadeCutter Have you tried the Bondi's on the trail? My Challenger ATRs break down equally as fast as my Clifton's on the trail--they just don't hold up that well on rock terrain here in AZ. I've gone back to the Cliftons for all terrain as well as road. They aren't bad at all off road because the Challenger ATR's lugs were so damn soft.

Ryan Heisler

WadeCutter said:

Several years ago I started running in Newton's- they had only three styles so it was easy to find a shoe to try, and in my case really like. Fast forward a couple years and the number of styles had multiplied like rabbits and my style was no longer made. Seems like the same thing is happening with Hoka. I would hate to be a shoe store and try to keep up with that madness.

The infusion of capital from Deckers was all to really expand the line-up as far as they could. In that, some of the core models became expendable. Particularly, the shoe that started it all (the Mafate) has disappeared.

Deckers does help out in that there are certain models that are vendor-online-only / run specialty channel only, as compared to everything available to any store that wants them. It helps limit which shoes owners are likely to bring in. Deckers also has a pretty friendly revisions policy on futures orders AND a great end-of-season stock swap availability (so if you order something, and it doesn't shake out...you can get credit towards next season's shipments).

In the instance of Newton...well, best not to talk about Newton.

WadeCutter

@Jason Lentzke my primary reason for trail shoes is for running this winter on snow. Sadly even the treadmill has been an injury aggravator so looking for a slightly more aggressive tread as all my winter mileage will be outside. Secondarily, I thought my tread was wearing much quicker than expected with the Bondi so not really sure what to do but more off road miles can't hurt.

Jason Lentzke

@WadeCutter ah. got it, that makes sense. Have you tried winterizing the shoes with screws or Yaktrax?

WadeCutter

I had owned something similar to Yaktrax once, could never get it to fit right- in fact it might still be in my bone yard somewhere might be worth reinvestigating