I Love Hoka

I have been toying with the idea of writing a blog about Hoka shoes for months.  However, because my blog is about all things Birkenstock, I felt like it might not be well received.  ​Then I came to the conclusion that this is MY webpage and I can write about anything that I want.  No one is paying me to write about Birkenstocks, no one is sending me free stuff to showcase on this webpage.  Everything I write about are my own opinions based on products that I have purchased with my own hard earned money.   Since Hoka shoes changed my life, I decided that they deserved to be highlighted on my webpage.   Afterall, don't other Birkenstock wearers want a kick ass pair of running shoes?

I spent over a year in pain with insertional tendonitis in both heels and Hoka was the only shoe brand that I could wear without discomfort.  All my Birkenstocks caused me tremendous agony, Blundstones exacerbated the problem, Dr. Martens were out of the question, and my Brooks made me cry because they were not cradling my feet properly during inflammation.  Thank god one of my readers suggested I try Hoka.  They forever changed my life.  From Fall 2023 to Winter 2024 all I could wear were various Hoka styles.  I alternated between the Bondi, Ora, and one pair of Clifton (not my favorite) Gortex for rainy days. 

My favorite Bondi on a walk with my beautiful boy.

Hoka Ora Slides. My recovery sandals for around the house.

Hoka family photo at Disneyland (2024) waiting for the Star Wars ride during a rainstorm. My Hoka Clifton GTX are the ones in dazzling blue / evening sky.

For those of you unfamiliar with the brand, ​Hoka are maximalist cushioned shoes.  The thick soles and soft cushioning of Hoka helped absorb impact while I walked or worked out.  Plus, Hoka offered my feet the support and stability that I was use to from a Birkenstock without the rigid stiffness of a cork footbed. 
 
When you have heel pain, your body craves soft cushiony soles.  None of my Birkenstocks fit that need.  Not even soft footbed Birkenstocks.  Believe me, I tried.  At one point during my journey to recovery, I thought I might never be able to wear my Birkenstocks again.  Spoiler alert...I was wrong!  
 
As you know from reading my blog, I have a teeny, tiny bit of a shoe problem.  When I find a shoe that is comfortable, I want it in every color imaginable.  Between 2023 and early 2025 I was able to establish quite the collection of colorful Hoka Bondi. 

My Hoka Bondi 8 "collection". All of them thoroughly worn and loved and still going strong

​While many people might find the bright, flashy Hoka clownish, I absolutely adore their vibrant color options.  Hokas are fugly and I frickin’ love the look of the orthopedic chunky soled shoe.  But, then again, I do love Birkenstocks 🫣.
 
As a Birkenstock devotee, I was delighted to learn that most Hoka shoes in “regular” sizes are wide enough for my Birkenstock-regular-width wearing foot!  It’s like a miracle being able to order a shoe, in any color, in my normal size, without being limited to wide widths in only boring black, white, or grey colors (I am looking at you Brooks). 
 
Are you sitting down?  Because it gets better for people with a wider foot….some Hoka come in wide and even extra wide widths.  Hoka for the wide width win!  There are not many running shoe brands that accommodate people with wide feet and provide such a beautiful rainbow of colors from which to choose.  Let’s hope Hoka doesn’t sell out like Birkenstock and only offer the cool, seasonal, limited-edition releases in narrow width 🙄🤨. 
 
While Hoka has not sold out, they have recently updated their Bondi model (Bondi 8 to Bondi 9).  I am not a fan of the Bondi 9.  In fact, I wrote an honest, lengthy, and very critical review about the Bondi 9 on Hoka’s webpage and they actually published it.

I don't usually leave reviews, but I felt deeply disappointed with the Bondi 9

​I tried a number of other Hoka models when the Bondi 9 did not fit my needs.  I am so grateful to have stumbled upon the Hoka Gaviota.  Believe it or not, the Gaviota is even better than the Bondi!  I did not think that was possible. The Gaviota is wider, has an incredible amount of cushion and offers more stability than the Bondi.  It is my Goldielocks of running shoes.

Hoka Gaviota are the perfect running shoe for my Birkenstock shaped foot ❤️

​The Gaviota has taken the best things about a Birkenstock (width/stability/support) and married it with Hoka’s thick, soft, and cushiony soles.  The Hoka Gaviota is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  I highly recommend that any Birkenstock wearer who is looking for a running/recovery/workout/walking shoe give the Hoka Gaviota a try.  If you wear regular width Birkenstocks, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the comfort and width of the Hoka Gaviota toe box.
 
In April 2025, I traveled to Italy.  I packed carry on only.  My small backpack weighed less than 8 kg.  My shoe selection for this trip was extremely limited.  The two pairs of shoes that made the overseas journey with me were my Hoka Gaviota and Birkenstock Bostons. 

Hoka Gaviota & Birkenstock Boston selected for Italy adventure

​I wore my Hoka Gaviota for 2 weeks straight and walked 20,000-30,000 steps a day.  I never experienced any foot pain.  NOT ONCE!!!  No blisters, no discomfort, no swollen feet after long days of exploring on cobblestone streets, nothing but comfort.   My blue oiled leather Bostons came along for the trip and I wore them on travel days and for recovery.  

I hope that Hoka never redesigns their Gaviota model because for this Birkenstock wearing addict, the Hoka Gaviota is the most perfect running shoe that ever existed.  I love Hoka!