Hoka One One

Hoka One One (stylized as HOKA) is an athletic shoe company originating in Annecy, France that designs and markets running shoes. The brand first gained attention in the running industry by producing shoes with oversized outsoles, dubbed "maximalist" shoes due to extra cushion; this was in contrast to the minimalist shoes trend that was gaining popularity at the time of the company's founding in 2009.

Hoka One One
IndustrySportswear
Sports equipment
Founded2009 (2009)
FounderNicolas Mermoud
Jean-Luc Diard
HeadquartersGoleta, California
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Wendy Yang, Chris Cohen, Gretchen Weimer, Lee Cox
ProductsAthletic shoes
ParentDeckers Outdoor Corporation
Websitehoka.com

Hoka produces both low-profile and max-cushion shoes for road, trail, and all-terrain; throughout its product line, Hoka shoes retain features like a low weight-to-cushion ratio and midsole and outsole geometry designed to promote inherent stability and an efficient stride.[1]

The company was founded in 2009 in Annecy, France; it has been based in Richmond, California and its corporate headquarters are currently in Goleta, California. The company operates as subsidiary of Deckers Brands. The Brand President is Wendy Yang, who serves as President of the Deckers Performance Lifestyle Group, which includes the brands Teva and Sanuk.[2]

History
Hoka One One Tennine

The company was founded by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard,[3] former Salomon employees, in 2009, when they sought to design a shoe that allowed them to run downhill faster, and created a model with an oversized outsole that had more cushion than other running shoes at the time.[4] The shoes are named after the Māori language phrase loosely meaning "fly over the earth".[4]

The shoes were initially embraced by ultramarathon runners due to their enhanced cushion and inherent stability; however, they quickly gained popularity among other runners for offering maximum cushion and minimal weight. The brand's original, highest-cushion models [5] are now accompanied in the Hoka lineup by lighter-weight shoes that retain much of the brand's signature cushion,[6][7] and even lightweight training[8] and racing shoes [9] and track spikes.[10]

Hoka was purchased on April 1, 2013 by Deckers Brands, the parent company for UGG, Teva and other footwear brands.[11]

The company sponsors a variety of professional runners; its first athletes were primarily trail-ultra runners, but their roster has expanded to include several track & field, triathlon, and road-running athletes. Hoka also has long-term sponsorship deals with the professional training groups Northern Arizona Elite, based in Flagstaff, Arizona;[12] and the California-based Aggies Running Club.[13] Hoka is also the former sponsor of the New Jersey New York Track Club.[14]

In 2023, it was stated in Men's Health Magazine that the main reason why runners and other peoples like Hoka's so much is for their "combination of high comfort and lightweight materials".[15] The magazine also stated that Hoka, as a shoemaker, is "in a league of their own".[15]

Variations

Hoka variations are as follows;[16]

  • Hoka Clifton 9[16]
  • Trial Code GTX
  • Challenger 7 GTX
  • Challenger ATR 6 [16]
  • Hoka Rocket X 2 (all gender) - released 2023[17]
  • Anacapa Breeze Low
  • Anacapa Breeze Mid
  • Speedgoat 5 GTX
  • Speedgoat 5 Mid GTX
  • Tecton X 2
  • Speedgoat 5 GTX Spike
  • HOKA x Bodega Tor Ultra Lo (all gender)
  • Transport X (all gender)
  • Tor Ultra Hi
  • Bondi 8[16]
  • Ora Recovery Slide 3 (all gender)[16]
  • Mach 5[16]
  • ORA Recovery Flip
  • Speedgoat 5
  • Arahi 6[16]
  • Solimar
  • Gaviota 4[16]
  • Rincon 3[16]

See also

References
  1. "The HOKA Difference". Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  2. Verry, Peter (May 24, 2016). "How HOKA ONE ONE is Finding Its Stride". Footwear News. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  3. "Sole Man: The Story Behind Hoka Shoes". Competitor.com. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 2014-12-30.
  4. Megroz, Gordy (December 3, 2013). "The Clown Shoe That's Changing Minimalist Running". Outside. Retrieved 2014-12-31.
  5. Van Geelen, Jeroen (December 16, 2013). "Stinson versus Bondi". Slowtwitch. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  6. Metzler, Brian (August 5, 2014). "Shoe Of The Week: HOKA ONE ONE Clifton". Competitor. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  7. Metzler, Brian (February 24, 2015). "2015 Trail Shoe of the Year: HOKA ONE ONE Challenger ATR". Competitor. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  8. Helms, Hayley (2022-04-15). "Trail Runners, Rejoice: Hoka Just Updated Its Most Popular Trail Shoe". Gear Patrol. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  9. Walker, Daniel (May 3, 2017). "HOKA ONE ONE Tracer Reviewed". Triathlon. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  10. Beverly, Jonathan (February 15, 2017). "HOKA Is Trying to Reinvent the Track Spike". Outside. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  11. Metzler, Brian (April 2, 2013). "Sole Man: The Story Behind Hoka Shoes". Running Competitor. Retrieved April 9, 2016 – via Competitor.com.
  12. "HOKA ONE ONE NAZ Elite". Retrieved 2017-05-17.
  13. "HOKA ONE ONE Athletes". Archived from the original on 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  14. "New Jersey-New York Track Club in Flux As HOKA's Sponsorship Ends". Runner's World. 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  15. "10 of the Best HOKA Running Shoes for Every Runner". Men's Health. 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  16. "HOKA Shoes". Fleet Feet. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  17. Emminger, Ben (2023-05-05). "Hoka's All-New Rocket X 2 Racing Shoe Is Ready for Liftoff". Gear Patrol. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
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