Running and Laughing through the Garden State
As most readers know, Hoka is one of my favorite running shoe brands out there. Since 2015, I’ve had at least one Hoka shoe in my running rotation, if not more. Hoka has had clothing on their website for a while now. A couple of years ago, they partnered with both rabbit and Oiselle to make various “Hoka branded” logo clothing.
Continue reading “Hoka Clothing Review”
The Hoka One One Cavu has been one of my favorite shoes since the first version 2 years ago. When the original Hoka Cavu came out, I liked how responsive and light the Hoka Cavu is. I found it great for workouts and faster longer runs because I feel more connected to the ground.
If you’ve run in Hoka shoes before, the Hoka One One Cavu 3 is a lot lighter and a lot less shoe than other Hoka models. It’s also similar to a shoe like the New Balance 1400 or Saucony Kinvara versus the Hoka Bondi 6. My body appreciates the cushion of the Hoka Cavu 3, but also enjoys how responsive it is for workouts.
The Hoka Cavu 3 looks boring and not like a Hoka shoe. Just glancing at it, you might not even realize it’s Hoka at all. There is a lot of cushion in the Hoka Cavu 3 without it being heavy or bulky.
Hoka Cavu 3 Weight 7.2 oz
Hoka Cavu 3 Heel to Toe Drop: 4 mm
From previous versions, the Hoka Cavu 3 upper has been completely redesigned. The Hoka Cavu 3 now has a stretch knit upper with a bootie construction. The tongue of the Hoka One One Cavu 3 is attached to the shoe so it doesn’t slide around. The tongue-less construction makes it fit more like a slipper than a shoe. Hoka claims the lace less adaptive stretch knit upper provides a secure fit and I would tend to agree. It almost feels like you could run with the shoe untied and be fine.
As Hoka mentions, the Hoka Cavu 3 now uses zonal perforations within structured sections to allow increased breathability. The perforations allow more breathability in the inclement weather. We haven’t had much of that this winter, but I imagine it’s also good during the summer.
I’ve been wearing a retired Hoka Cavu 2 for living life and I already notice the tongue difference. One thing that I’ve noticed is the Hoka Cavu 3 does run slightly more narrow than previous versions. I typically wear either a women’s 10.5 or men’s 9.5 in the Hoka Cavu and I found even the men’s 9.5 was more narrow than previous versions. Is the Hoka One One Cavu 3 too narrow to run? No, but more narrow than previous versions.
The Hoka One One Cavu 3 has entirely changed from the Hoka Cavu 2. This made me both nervous and excited. I was a fan of the original Hoka Cavu the most and I also liked the Hoka Cavu 2, but still like the original the best.
The cushion is made up of a top layer of PROFLY material with a layer of EVA underneath. This blend makes the Hoka One One Cavu 3 light and soft but also responsive. The updated eva midsole provides more comfort underfoot and cushion in the Hoka Cavu 3 and a reason you can run fast in it.
The outsole of the Hoka Cavu 3 uses rubberized EVA. What does this mean? The Hoka Cavu 3 lacks blown rubber to grab the ground in inclement weather. While the Hoka Cavu 3 is not the worst shoe in icy or inclement weather, I would probably grab a different shoe if the weather is bad.
I’ve run a variety of runs in the Hoka Cavu 3 and find it best for faster long runs or workouts. I like the amount of cushion without being bulky.
I like the Hoka Cavu 3 and it will remain in my rotation. I will say, the original Hoka Cavu is my favorite but the Hoka Cavu 3 is a great addition. The lightweight comfort allows you to run fast but not bang your body up too much.
I’ve run about 50 miles in the Hoka Cavu 3 and will continue using it.
Easy/Daily Runs: Mizuno Rider Waveknit 3, New Balance 1080 v10, Diadora Mythos Blushield Blushield Hip 5, Hoka Bondi 6, Asics Cumulus 21
Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike React Infinity Run
Long Runs: Brooks Ricochet 2 Shoe Review, New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Saucony Ride ISO 2, Hoka One One Cavu 3
Races: New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Reebok Run fast Pro
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the Hoka Cavu 3?
Have you tried Hoka before?
The Hoka One One Carbon X is the most requested shoe review I’ve ever had. Keep in mind, I’m not a Hoka athlete (or “sponsored” by any running shoe brand) so just because a shoe comes out doesn’t mean I immediately get a pair. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Luckily our local running store carries them. The Hoka Carbon X came out in early May during the Project Carbon X with Jim Walmsley in Folsom, California. Ultramarathoners and elite runners debuted the shoe while chasing the 100k and 50-mile world records.
The Hoka One One Carbon X is designed to be ultra-cushioned while still be very light and a responsive ride. It’s intended to be a distance shoe for half marathons, marathons or ultras.
Quick Stats:
Drop: 5 mm
Weight: 7.2 oz
Category: Road racing or soft ground
Like the Cavu (my favorite shoe), I appreciate how the upper is light and simple. It’s just a single layer of breathable mesh. I wear anywhere between a women’s size 10-11 wide and the women’s 10.5 fits well. There is minimal structure to the upper, so your foot floats around. Your running shoe should always have space. Most “racing shoes” fit much more narrow, so this is the first racer that has plenty of room.
One thing to keep in mind is there is no heel counter. Your heel might not feel as secure as other shoes, but I’ve run just over 50 miles in the shoe and haven’t had an issue with sliding. It does take patience the first time you put the shoe on. There is still the back eyelet that you can use to secure your heel more into place if you find it to be an issue.
This is what I was most curious about. Would I feel the carbon plate like the Nike Vaporfly? The ride is smooth, and you feel the cushion but also feel the propulsion of the carbon plate.
If you’ve never run in Hoka before, Hoka uses a “Meta-Rocker”. Most Hoka models are low heel to toe drops (usually between 1mm-5mm). Think of the Meta-Rocker like a rocking chair which helps a smooth transition from heel to toe during the gait cycle. Hoka breaks down the Meta-rocker into “early stage” and “late stage”. The Carbon X is an early stage meta rocker which means it’s designed to be a fast shoe.
In the Carbon X, there is Profly foam both above the carbon fiber plate and below (think of it like a sandwich). Profly foam is Hoka’s lightest and most resilient foam. The Carbon fiber plate curls under the lateral toes to spring you forward.
If you love the Hoka Clifton, this is a very different feel. If you’ve been running in the Hoka Bondi or the Mach, it will feel more similar but faster. The transition is smooth and rolls right through the gait cycle.
I’ve run tempo runs, easy runs, and workouts. Do I feel faster in the shoe? Yes. Would I race a 5k in it? Probably not, but I would be more likely to do a longer race or approach half marathon race day in it. I am curious to see how the Carbon Rocket compares.
Finally, to reduce weight in the shoe, there is minimal traction. On a typical day with no moisture on the ground, this is fine. When it’s rainy or wet, I’m not sure how the shoe would respond without sliding (just like the 4%).
Debut shoes can be tricky. Sometimes, they are fantastic, and sometimes they miss their mark. For me, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s the best for a 5k but do believe for a half marathon or above it’s an excellent option for race day. I do feel faster when I run in the shoe. Like the Cavu, I appreciate the minimal upper with less seams to irritate the foot. I’m curious to see how the carbon plate stacks up against the Vaperfly.
Easy/Daily Runs: Hoka Bondi 6, Topo Magnifly 2, Hoka Mach 2,
Speed Work: Topo Fli-Lyte 3, Reebok Float Ride Runfast Pro, Nike Streak Lt,
Long Runs: Mizuno R2, Hoka Cavu 2
Races: Nike Fly, Reebok Run fast Pro
You can see all current shoe reviews here.
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. This week I talked about getting the most out of your running store. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. There are often giveaways as well as discount codes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the Hoka Carbon X?
What shoe do you like to race in?
Like the Clifton, the Bondi was one of Hoka’s first shoes. When you think of Hoka, you think of maximum cushion and something like the Bondi.
If you’ve never run in Hoka before, the Bondi is a lot of shoe. In fact, the Hoka Bondi is probably the most shoe in the industry. The 6th version doesn’t bring a lot of changes like previous versions. Throughout the last few versions, Hoka has made the Bondi much firmer. There is a big difference in feel of the cushioning. If you like a softer, marshmallow type of shoe: go with the Clifton, if you like a firmer cushioning go with Bondi.
I am team Bondi, as well as Mach, and Cavu, which all are much firmer. (I still like the Clifton, I would just choose the others before).
Hoka has started to fit big throughout the last year. Not big enough I would go down a size, but big enough that you will have more space. You can’t go wrong with a bigger shoe. You can have plenty of problems when the shoe is too small.
I usually wear between a 10-11 wide in running shoes, and 10.5 regular width is fine. (The Bondi does come in wides which is awesome!).
The major update in the Bondi 6 is a better upper. The mesh has been redesigned to allow more breathability as well durability. (so hopefully your toes don’t poke through the top). Plus as your feet sweat, they will be able to breathe.
Explaining how a Hoka feels before someone has tried it on is next to impossible. If you’ve never worn Hoka before, they use Meta-rocker technology which allows you to roll forward.
The Meta-Rocker is designed with a lower heel to toe drop to create a fulcrum effect. Think of it like a rocking chair.
If you’ve worn the Bondi before, the update in the ride is minimal. If you ran well in the 5, you should run well in the 6. Since the 4 to 5, was a more significant jump, Hoka kept this version very similar.
The Bondi 6 is one of my favorite shoes for recovery and easy days. Days I don’t care about pace. Since there is so much cushion to them if you are looking for an easy day, recovery day, walking shoe, these are going to keep your legs and feet happy. While the shoe isn’t a stable shoe, it’s got a wide base, so it is going to provide some stability. You feel like you are well cushioned from the start, middle, and end of the run. Sometimes after a run in the Bondi, I think…did I even run?
The Bondi is an excellent choice for recovery or easy days. It’s also a great choice if you work somewhere where you are standing all day long. I feel like out of any shoe I’ve ever reviewed (Yes, any), if I needed a shoe I could be in for hours or days, it would be this shoe. If for some reason I was running for 10 hours, I would choose this shoe. It’s not the fastest shoe out there, but not designed to be either.
Easy/Daily Runs: Hoka, Bondi 6, Hoka Mach 2, Brooks Glycerin 17,
Speed Work: Reebok Float Ride Runfast Pro, Nike Streak Lt,
Long Runs: Hoka Cavu 2
Races: Nike Fly, Reebok Run fast Pro
You can see all current shoe reviews here.
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. This week I talked about the differences between social media runners and running specialty. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. There are often giveaways as well as discount codes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried a Hoka shoe?
What is your favorite recovery shoe?
Recently I found myself just north of Philadelphia in Bucks County. Since I was already up there, I thought it would be fun to check out a new park and see what I saw. I spent about 2 hours at Tyler State Park and walked between 4-5 miles. Some of Tyler State Park is a paved trail, some is grassy, muddy, and rugged terrain. It truly has a bit of everything.
At the 1,711 acres of Tyler State Park, there are plenty of runnable paths and it would be a good spot to run if you’re in the area again. In addition ot the nature trails, there are picnic areas, and swimming area in Neshaminy Creek.
At Tyler State Park, many of the trails are paved which can be used for biking too. During my time at Tyler State Park, I saw bikers, walkers, hikers, and even horseback riders. In fact, when I stopped to let a horse pass, it licked me.
I enjoyed all of the different surfaces at Tyler State Park. I wanted to test out my Hoka Speedgoat Midis on new surfaces so opted to wear them. They were great for all-terrain including pavement, dirt, grass, and muddy water (my feet stayed dry when I sunk into a few inches of mud).
At Tyler State Park, it starts off walking across a dam. It’s all paved and people were fishing as well.
While there isn’t a lot of drastic elevation change at Tyler State Park, there is some.
At Tyler State Park, we walked through huge fields as well. I thought perhaps it could be used as a cross country course too. Maybe it has been.
Even found some “creatures” at Tyler State Park
I also thought it would be funny to try and fit into this tree that had fallen and was hallowed out. Why, I don’t know.
There is even a beautiful covered bridge in the middle of Tyler State Park as well.
In all, Tyler State Park was a quiet, fun, hike. If you are in the area and looking for something relaxing to do, I recommend it. There is so much to do even if you don’t choose hiking. I would love to go at the swimming area.
Questions for you:
What is your favorite low key park?
Have you ever been horseback riding?
I did when I was much younger.