Another month, another super shoe. Hoka has been on the forefront when it comes to running shoe innovation. They have been pushing the market like no other brand in the last few years. Hokas uprising is closely connected to their maximum cushion approach balancing with the weightlessness of their product. Their latest release features the utter pinnacle of their recent collection – the long anticipated Rocket X2. The Rocket in its second edition is the brands leading road-racing shoe. Plainly aimed for marathon racing, the X2 has everything that all carbon super shoes these days obtain – a springy oversized midsole combined with a firm carbon plate – the magic combination for speed. Although weight typically is one of the strongholds for Hoka shoes, I was quite surprised to find out that the update to the Rocket X does also include a weight gain of 234 grams. One of the explanations could be that the stack height has been raised from 30 mm/25 mm to 36 mm/31 mm. Although running in the Rocket X2 did not feel clumsy and heavy though. While Hoka seems to rule the running shoe market, their top racing shoes have been lacking the magic somehow. One of the explanations for this is, that Hokas compression molded EVA foam, that is widespread with their training shoes, lacks the energy return that is needed for quicker running. The Rocket x2 is the first Hoka shoe to use the PEBA foam that most of the other shoe brands take for their top range carbon race shoes. Hoka listened and changed quite everything to the initial Rocket X model. With the arrangement of the new foam material and a remodeled carbon plate, this shoe has an amazing springboard feel. I was super thrilled to feel that amazing bounce that this shoe overs. A very powerful and race-oriented feeling of pure bounciness. Entertaining! Quite weirdly, the Rocket X2 doesn’t feel as “high” as some of the other carbon plated high stacked super shoes. It feels more like you’re in the shoe, other than on top of it. An experience some of the other shoes give to me and something that is very noticeable with this model. Consequently, this shoe feels exceptionally stable for its style. I sneaked some dry trails in during one of my jogs with this shoe and it felt positively bizarre to do that in such ease with such a road racing shoe. Although I used this shoe on trails, it is clearly a road racing shoe and should be used just for this. The outsole is very solid, offers a great grip on dry and wet roads and runs smooth on the track. The design is pretty much flat and that creates a smooth and comfortable ride. Its feels very stable and durable, also something that is not the norm for high end shoes nowadays. For some runners the missing padding on the heel section might be a problem. I’m used to it especially in the light high end racing shoes, but it is missing in this model. After some runs I figured out how to lace the shoe and it didn’t cause me any trouble at all, but It surely is a feature that can be improved in the next version. Although there are some downsides, the latest version of the Rocket X is an amazing and fast racing shoe. It’s a proper and well-constructed update to its predecessor. The shoe has an amazing support for speed and that makes this shoe a lot of fun and easy to run fast in. While additional weight might be a problem, it gets outweigh by the pure springiness that is exceptionally special and to me one of the best on the market right now. It is no surprise that all Hoka Elite athletes instantly switched to this model as soon as it was accessible. A shoe that now moves that distinct Hoka character into a real road racing Rocket ship.
What to say about Hokas Speedgoat series really? If you haven’t been hiding under a rock since mid-2015 I’m sure you have heard about this one. Its one of Hokas utter stalwarts. Deeply rooted in the rich trail culture this company has. The name comes from the fabled Speedgoat 50k in Little Cottonwood Canyon (Utah), organized by Ultra Running Legend and one of the first Hoka sponsored athletes, Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer. The newest version marks the 5th update of this highly popular series. The first thing that is undoubtedly drawing the attention is the well-made upper, a dynamic sandwich mesh that feels astonishing but still dense for proper off-road satisfaction. After a couple of strides, it’s pretty deceptive where another major development update comes into play – weight decrease. For the first time a Speedgoat shoe comes in under 300 grams. And that results in a lot of fun while taking this agile workhorse for a spin. Comparing it to the older versions, this is a noteworthy update. Hoka kept the comfort but cut down on overlays to slim the construction. In case you wonder – Spring Measurement: 35×21 mmA nice new feature is the protected toe rand in the forefoot zone. Especially during rocky outings this is a pretty nice add-on that keeps the foot secure. I was raving about the weight drop earlier, but another new feature shouldn’t be underestimated – the new CMEVA midsole. This is a lighter and more responsive material as before (although found in the EVO Speedgoats). This material adds nicely to a shoe that now has become significant more springy in its presentation. Why do runners choose to run in trail running shoes, of course – it’s the traction! The Speedgoat was never a shoe for super technical and rocky trails but it always was a super dependable partner for your wide-ranging door to trail runs. Whereas the preceding models had some issues, especially on wet rocky trails, this version comes with a new outsole design that certainly has improved. A close up of the Vibram Megarip outsole. Another year, another Speedgoat. Hoka managed to keep a great shoe great and managed to integrate some proper thought-out updates. With the 5th version of this shoe, they keep raising the bar and will please the fans of this model even more.
You are well used to profound appraisals of Hoka One One foodstuffs over at this neck of the woods. When I firstly experienced the distinctive and debated marque it was all about all-out sole-pillow. Today it appears that Hoka One One reduces the sole tallness and transports even more dynamic into their collection of running shoes. The Tracer, Hokas elected Road Running Flat, emerges to be the turn to a very exiting expansion. Alongside the release of cross and track spikes, Hoka One One now tries satisfie even more Runners. Once I received the state-of-the-art Modell, the Hoka One One – Speed Instinct, I couldn’t wait to take it out. Not only the appearance, moreover the primary impression of this Trail Running shoe is somewhat else.
The Hoka One One – Speed Instinct is meant to be an agile shoe for steadfast off-road trips. Still growing, the busy trail running market is the target of this model. With a mere of 225 grams the Speed Instinct approaches interested runners with the Hoka trademark weightlessness.
Visually the web upper sticks out instantaneously. The smooth Air mesh upper is welded in a synthetic web and covers most of the shoe. For myself I like the design as it gives the shoe a distinctive and individual note. But there is not only a style factor inside the formation of this shoe. Though it looks noble it is also built to hold the hard-working feet in place whilst running. I liked the meek and enjoyable firmness that grips the feet in place whilst roaming past technical sections on the run. Still the toe shield does not really work as it should be and I experienced some slams whilst hitting rocks or woods.
The heel counter is very flexible and the collar is well padded. Despite it’s flexibility, it offers great hold/support and is quite comfortable.
Alike the Tracer and the Clayton, Hoka uses their latest Pro2Lite midsole also within this shoe. I liked this sole in the other models and likewise with the Speed Instinct. The forgiving tail and the steadier front part of the sole is great with me. I like to run mid or forefoot so I like the straight sensation of this sole a lot. Still it is weird to have so much cushion with a shoe that bids so much dynamic and impulse to run fast.
A comparably widespread nonetheless shallow toe-box could be a potential difficulty for certain runners.
Though being a shoe that is meant to be used on un-paved undergrounds the performance on the road is great. The outsole is not too destructive on the legs, which delivers cosiness while wandering to or amongst off-road sections.
Quite the soul of each trail shoe – the outsole. For the Speed Instinct Hoka used a low profile, multi-directional tugs based design that do provides brilliant sense for the ground and faultless control. Most trail or off-trail units I ran with the shoe where great and joint with the soft sole the Speed Instinct performed to be a great and reliable companion. Although this altered when the underground got misty or very technical. As the lugs of the outsole are not very long the sole showed to loose grip here and there. A forceful sole design has its pros and cons. Not using lengthy lugs means that once the underground gets softer it ultimately loose grip. For me it was not a major problem during my daily running outings. The positive side is that the trip to the trail is smooth and without any hustle as sometimes spikey soles can be tough on the legs.
The so-called Pro2Lite +10 EVA cushioning is used for the sole of the latest Speed Instinct. Eventually it supports fast and hasty off-road running.
The official product despricton states that this shoe comes with a rock-plate. I did not really experience a lot of protection while on rocky undergrounds. Some stones seem to find their way past the little red triangles.
At the end – Some hard facts: Heel-to-Toe Offset: 3mm; 22mm (heel), 19mm (forefoot)
Hoka pooled the advantageous characters of their lightweight assortment into a top-class and exciting trail racing shoe. The Speed Instinct understands how to grip off-road streams with all obtainable types of speeds. The last couple of weeks I had tons of fun with this one as it combines the valuable Hoka qualities with a more prompter style. The low sole makes a lot of fun and the low to the ground gives you a lot of confidence when you hit the trails.
Hoka is back with its second version of the neutral Vanquish. More cushioning does not mean more weight. So the new form of the Vanquish happens to be even lighter and offers this characteristic and remarkable sensation of sensitivity combined with an incredibly light performance. With a total weight of 276 grams (size 42) this shoe is considered to be a partner for a smooth gallop.
Gossip has it that Hoka is well known to be pretty narrow. Width-wise I never experienced any difficulties. The Vanquish 2 adds to that impression and offers enough space for my ordinary sized feet.
As usual, the framework design is very distinctive. Not a surprise when it comes to Hoka. A robust two-layer foam shell saves the legs with its dense core construction. It benefits the feet to stay in place without being too inflexible. A foam layer close to the foot delivers cushioning. Foam on the outer assists a robust and agile stride.
Frenchman’s Jean-Luc Diard and Nicolas Mermoud formed Hoka One One with the intention to offer more cushioning paired with a wide and firm stand based on light and durable fabrics. When they searched for a name they came by the Maori expression of “flying over the earth” which means Hoka One One.
A robust, well-muffled sole is the key factor to transport firm support in an active and responsive ride.
A Dual-Layer Midsole Construction that fuses rebound EVA in the body with a cushioned EVA on top, offers customary HOKA ONE ONE Ultrasize cushioning with a bit of extra springy ‘zing’ in the stride.
The images display the Vanquish 2 in the “Grey / Orange Flash” colour theme.
Properly there is not a spookier midsole out there then the one you witness here. Hoka uses the midsole to intensify lateral structure to their produces. This works tremendously well with this exemplary. A feature that makes the brand stands out from the competition. As far as I’m concerned there is not a comparable technique around with the competition.
This shoe is considered for road running and the “Full Ground Contact design” bids a secure feel. In the past the Hoka outsoles caused some light issues as the wear and tear was an problem. Not with this one.
Several geometrical details: Offset: 5 mm, Forefoot: 27 mm, Heel: 32 mm
The Vanquish 2 makes for a great long-distance training shoe – bouncy and reactive. A joy for training crushed up jogging limbs.
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