Hoka_One_One

Hoka One One

Hoka One One

Athletic shoe company from France

Hoka One One (stylized as HOKA) is a sportswear company that designs and markets running shoes. It was founded in 2009 in Annecy, France, and had been based in Richmond, California before it was acquired by Deckers Brands in 2013. Hoka first gained attention in the running industry by producing shoes with oversized midsoles, dubbed "maximalist" shoes, in contrast to the minimalist shoe trend that was gaining popularity at the time.

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History

Hoka One One Tennine

The company was founded in 2009 by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, former Salomon employees. They sought to design a shoe that allowed for faster downhill running, and created a model with an oversized outsole that had more cushion than other running shoes at the time.[2] The shoes are named after the Māori language phrase meaning "to fly".[3]

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[4] are now accompanied in the Hoka lineup by lighter-weight shoes that retain much of the brand's cushion,[5][6] lightweight training[7] and racing shoes,[8] and track spikes.[9]

Hoka was purchased on April 1, 2013 by Deckers Brands, the parent company for UGG, Teva and other footwear brands.[2][10]

In 2023, an article in Men's Health magazine claimed that "when it comes to the combination of high comfort and lightweight materials, the shoemaker is in a league of its own".[11]

Products and sponsorships

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.[12][13]

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;[14] and the California-based Aggies Running Club.[15] Hoka is also the former sponsor of the New Jersey New York Track Club.[16] In 2023, Hoka partnered with Runna, a running coach app.[17] Hoka partnered with The Mesa Marathon for the 2024 marathon.[18]


See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results". Deckers Brands. May 25, 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  2. [2]
    Metzler, Brian (2013-04-02). "Sole Man: The Story Behind Hoka Shoes". PodiumRunner. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  3. [3]
    Megroz, Gordy (December 3, 2013). "The Clown Shoe That's Changing Minimalist Running". Outside. Retrieved 2014-12-31.
  4. [4]
    Van Geelen, Jeroen (December 16, 2013). "Stinson versus Bondi". Slowtwitch. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  5. [5]
    Metzler, Brian (August 5, 2014). "Shoe Of The Week: HOKA ONE ONE Clifton". Competitor. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  6. [6]
    Metzler, Brian (February 24, 2015). "2015 Trail Shoe of the Year: HOKA ONE ONE Challenger ATR". Competitor. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  7. [7]
    Helms, Hayley (2022-04-15). "Trail Runners, Rejoice: Hoka Just Updated Its Most Popular Trail Shoe". Gear Patrol. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  8. [8]
    Walker, Daniel (May 3, 2017). "HOKA ONE ONE Tracer Reviewed". Triathlon. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  9. [9]
    Beverly, Jonathan (February 15, 2017). "HOKA Is Trying to Reinvent the Track Spike". Outside. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  10. [10]
    Verry, Peter (May 24, 2016). "How HOKA ONE ONE is Finding Its Stride". Footwear News. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  11. [11]
    "10 of the Best HOKA Running Shoes for Every Runner". Men's Health. 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  12. [12]
    "The HOKA Difference". Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  13. [13]
    "Hokas Are Everywhere. But Are They the Right Running Shoe for You?". The New York Times. 2023-04-14. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  14. [14]
    "HOKA ONE ONE NAZ Elite". Retrieved 2017-05-17.
  15. [15]
    "HOKA ONE ONE Athletes". Archived from the original on 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  16. [16]
    "New Jersey-New York Track Club in Flux As HOKA's Sponsorship Ends". Runner's World. 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  17. [17]
    Gary (2023-04-11). "HOKA and Runna in three-year partnership". endurance.biz. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  18. [18]
    Biddinger, Austri (2023-11-01). "The Mesa Marathon Announces New Partnership with HOKA". Endurance Sportswire. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
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