Hype for Hokas
By Nicole Lara
Cover image by Charlie Deichman-Caswell
If you walk outside, chances are you will stumble across several people wearing these colorful sneakers known as Hoka. Shoes like Hoka, OnCloud, Salomon, Merrells, Keens etc. are all athletic shoes that seem to be some of the most popular shoes on campus. They serve multifunctional purposes outside of basic running and athletic shoes. I would have never guessed that these hiking or “nerdy” shoes would be in, but they are.
From left to right: Gaviota ($175), Mach ($140), and Mach ($140)
For those of you who do not know, Hokas can range anywhere between $100-$280, usually averaging most shoes at about $150. They are not the cheapest pair of sneakers but they sure do look nice.
Which brings me to the questions of:
Are Hokas’ worth the price?
Is it only Hype?
What is it about these shoes that has people in a chokehold?
Are they only for running?
Photography by Charlie Deichman-Caswell.
Hoka, in particular, tend to be very colorful and eye-catching. Although they do have some pairs in neutral colors they are not known for their subtlety. Hoka sneakers are a great way of adding a pop of color to a workout fit or any outfit really.
If you are someone who likes the athleisure wear aesthetic then maybe Hoka are (or could be) one of the staples to your wardrobe.
They can be styled with a workout fit, a casual outfit, or even with some baggy jeans and a graphic t-shirt. Here are some examples of what I mean, because I too am a visual person.
Images sourced from Pinterest.
To be quite honest, I myself own 2 pairs of Hoka (Clifton 8) and from my experience they are some of the most comfortable shoes I own. I am no runner whatsoever and usually use them for the airport, to get to and from workout classes, hiking, and occasionally at the gym. My experience cannot speak for everyone but I will say don't knock it till you try it. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up finding your new favorite pair of shoes at a Hoka store.
Here is a short pro and con list I have compiled to help you navigate whether or not you might want to try out Hoka. It is also important to note that Hoka is not the only brand out there, and as mentioned before they have competitors such as OnCloud, Salomon, Merrells, New Balance, and Keens. Regardless, all of these brands have a good focus on aestheticising practical items such as running shoes to make them fit into day-to-day lifestyles.
Pros:
Comfortable
Versatile
Colorful
Cute
Good return policy
Lightweight
Cons:
A bit pricey
Get dirty quickly
Soles wear out rapidly
Especially if you're a runner
Take forever to dry if they get wet
Bulky Appearance
I wonder how the recent surge in the “Clean-girl aesthetic” and athleisure-wear apparel came to be connected and how Hoka has played a part in the increasing hype of running in general. I think Tik Tok and social media also play a huge role in setting trends, but the true testament of the popularity of Hoka will be tested once the “Hoka Hype” fades away.
Who knows maybe Hoka is here to stay but for now I will say the “Hype for Hoka” is real and could be worth the price, it’s just up to the person to decide whether or not they think the same.