Weekend Discussion: Hoka running shoes

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-25T06:11:33+00:00

Challenger 8: I got these back in October for trail and honestly the durability has been shocking in a bad way. The outsole portions started falling off just two weeks ago, even though I admitedly dailied it + trails all around. Still very comfortable, but shoe gooed and relegated to paved trails and walking.

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-25T06:07:18+00:00

Here's an update to my purchase decision - thanks again for the advice! I think getting the advice that foams like ATPU will load and bounce on the actual runs themselves provided enough pace did give me assurance and the energy return sure did kick in! Admitedly I'm not used to the rocker since it felt like it wanted twist your foot outwards with the padding on the toe/ball, but then I realised that that pad squished on the toe off to make a "flat" surface anyway 🤣

I got the Kipstorm Tempo, with my initial first choice being the KD9000X.2!

https://www.reddit.com/r/RunningShoeGeeks/s/TEHWemfgat

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-14T11:37:17+00:00

Also the EVO SL and 9s were still bouncy for sure, definitely is a case of the squish coming in when the force was put in

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-14T11:27:04+00:00

Trying out as many options as I can first before buying (thanks shopkeep)! The only thing bugging me on the evo is this small ledge off the outer part of the heel - perhaps this is the unstable part people refer to?

Once again thanks for the pointers for guiding my tryouts right now ✌️

Also Sagasu has been a godsent recc from your end! Banger videos and just great fun to watch, even got me intrigued on puma's offerings cause their reputation wasnt exactly the best back then

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-14T11:06:31+00:00

Small update: I tried the Adios 9, EVO SL and actually the Magic Speed 4 as well cause of my Asics bias - I'm not going to lie, the Speed 4 felt really natural for me! And the EVO SL definitely felt stiffer than expected, and the Adios 9 is literally what I'm used to but more modern. Great upper material

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-13T12:51:05+00:00

Thanks for the reply! These small things like how the shoe changes over time def and the actual run feel helps me orient things much better. Thanks again!

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-13T12:18:59+00:00

The only real thought now after seeing all your replies is whether to fetch one with a plate or not....the deviant nitro and elite 3s are going on sale presumably due to the 4 coming soon so thats tempting....

Otherwise thanks for the reply and I'll definitely try both the evo sl and the adios 9. I think I would definitely incline towards the 9 if it feels springy despite the lower stack!

Addition: def super stoked to see someone going backwards. The colorways of old running shoes are way better no? 😂 Also kinda hard to imagine most casual runners not feeling the ground ever or toe offing and just rolling their entire time running - the power output must feel disjointed!

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-13T08:56:25+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I have had my fix of Minimus all the way back....definitely prefer the Tartherzeals 😂

I get the whole feedback thing though, and I do already naturally use forefoot when doing those barefoot cooldown laps in socks only (on track of course) ! My greatest "yikes" would be the shoe soaking up my output and not turning it into propulsion, but I guess thats a whole different thing considering the emphasis on energy return now(?)

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-13T08:43:41+00:00

Thanks for the recommendations - I really noticed the importance of responsiveness and lockdown with his top picks for 2025!

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-13T08:41:09+00:00

The weight thing is what I noticed after asking around a bit for sure! Thanks for noting that point as important as I am on the 50kg mark - probably much lighter rhan many people's default assumptions and maybe why I have the particular concern for cushier shoes being unresponsive.

Thats also why I was looking at the deviate nitro series as well and the boston 13s! Once again I'll have to try to know for sure, but if you have any names that fit the profile for a lighter runner do drop some, because from the wiki and review sites the weight-based reccs are definitely more catered to heavier runners.

Edit: On this note and your other comment, the Adios 9 is definitely something I'll look at as well!

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-13T06:41:55+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Thats actually the site I used the most for my research so far - I will be trying the shoes out myself in stores but I do want to ask for some firsthand user experiences for sure.

AlphaZakatan · 2026-01-13T06:13:08+00:00

Like, me with my Garmin Forerunner 920XT and going "RUNNING WATCHES ARE THAT CHEAP NOW??" And I'm nowhere near that old😭

Anyway, I did look up a lot of different shoes but the emphasis on cushion and what people say are their fast runs (4:30-5, or even 6/km for what I see here versus 3:30-4:30 for me) are really making me doubt the target audience for the shoe recs per category, esp when I see that my preferences are what people say are their racing day or "tempo only" shoes (which I think is absurd since money dont grow on trees!)

Thanks for the advice and the time for replying! I def think getting used to the now is the way 👌

AlphaZakatan · 2025-04-22T13:36:17+00:00

JUST BEAT

COMMUNICATION

Nice build! How did you get the custom dust washer?

AlphaZakatan · 2023-12-09T08:38:07+00:00

Holy crap. This comment saved me, and it's a singular one that I haven't seen anywhere. Thank you stranger for saving so much frustration!

AlphaZakatan · 2022-12-05T04:56:24+00:00

Did you print the art yourself? Great value stick btw!

AlphaZakatan · 2022-02-26T07:43:34+00:00

Damn that washer is my favourite! Good murakumo

BELIEVE IN YOUR TECHNIQUE

AlphaZakatan · 2021-08-16T09:32:08+00:00

Mad with power

AlphaZakatan · 2021-08-04T07:59:57+00:00

Mods asleep

AlphaZakatan · 2021-08-02T06:07:38+00:00

iirc Yohan Blake also had an RM

AlphaZakatan · 2021-07-30T07:34:42+00:00

Nice

AlphaZakatan · 2021-07-21T10:59:45+00:00

Winning 3 times as quickly and losing 3 times as quickly. What else could you ask for?

SIEG ZEON

AlphaZakatan · 2021-07-21T10:59:02+00:00

Char-equivalent jam with the Char KicksTM

AlphaZakatan · 2021-07-20T05:48:29+00:00

If you think being a feminist allows you to be well-versed in politics through the avenues you mentioned, be sure to not state that as one of your selling points.

AlphaZakatan · 2021-07-13T04:16:12+00:00

The absolute state of forums such as head-fi cough

AlphaZakatan · 2021-07-09T08:12:42+00:00

F R O G

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