HOKA vs. Brooks vs. On Cloud vs. New Balance: Which Brand is Best for You?
HOKA
HOKA History and Origin
HOKA was born in France in 2009 as a high-performance footwear riposte to the then raging barefoot running craze. Its running shoes are famous for their engorged silhouette thanks to stabilizing oversized outsoles designed to suit all terrains, from road to trail routes.
HOKA was fully acquired by the Deckers Outdoor Corporation in 2013 and came under the stewardship of industry force Wendy Yang (a former professional tennis player）in 2015 and has overseen HOKA's revenues soar from $70m, to the $353m of March 2020.
At the core of the brand's rise is a 360° focus on female fanbases (multiple) . They have very conscientiously focused on women over the last five years, in a sector that was predominantly very white and very male, shifting the fanbase from 60% male to 50%+ female and into a far more racially diverse space.
HOKA Official Price: Road Running Shoes: $90-$200; Walking Shoes: $90-$200; Trail Running:$103-$250; Hiking Shoes: $125-$260; Lifestyle : $50-$225; Wide Running Shoes: $92-$170; Orthopedic: $50- $180; Fitness & Training Shoes: $90-$200; Recovery & Comfort Shoes: $50-$170; Stability Running Shoes: $130-$250; Track Spikes: $56-$160.
HOKA Design & Style
The original Clifton is legendary among Hoka fans and marked a turning point for the brand-it proved that a shoe could provide maximum cushion without being clunky. The latest version continues that tradition and is designed as an everyday training shoe. It features a new EVA midsole compound that’s tuned for low weight and increased energy return for a peppy feel, plus an extended heel to soften impact forces.
Early releases like the Mafate, Bondi, and Stinson ATR proved that the Hoka design philosophy had merit. These shoes provided enough cushioning to soften rough terrain and return energy but weren't so heavy that they weighed down runners. The shoes caught on, and Hoka has expanded rapidly ever since.
Wendy Yang married elite athleticism with back-of-the-pack effort and ultra-human narratives; and stellar timing in terms of tapping the fashion trend for 'high integrity' ugly sneakers. Their shoes are typically made in very bright colors and thus have a unique look to them.
HOKA Quality (Technology & Comfort)
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. At first, Hoka One One's sneakers caught the attention of long-distance marathon runners. Thanks to the enhanced cushioning and the improved stability that the oversized outsole provides. Very quickly, they also became popular with all types of runners, as they are quite lightweight and offer maximum cushioning.
Hokas are known for their meta rocker technology that helps your foot to roll as you take a stride, meaning that you'll put less pressure on your forefoot. The Hoka J-Frame support system provides great stability, ProFly foam for softness, and rocker-style midsole for energy return. The Meta-Rocker sole promotes a smooth stride, and the mesh upper has been tweaked for improved breathability, too.
HOKA Sizing
Hoka One One specializes in running shoes and thus tends to be more consistent with its approach to sizing. The Hoka shoes fit perfectly and are true to size. In addition, it doesn't feel too tight in the midfoot or toe box area. Some models are definitely a little more narrow than others, as with most brands.
In fact, they have been working on increasing the toebox in newer models. They also have a shoe finder quiz to help you get in to the right model.
Where to Buy HOKA for the Cheapest?
hoka.com/us (3-4% cashback)
hoka.com/gb (4-5% cashback)
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Brooks
Brooks History and Origin
Brooks is an American-based company that initially made shoes for a large variety of athletic activities. In 1914, John Brooks Goldenberg founded Brooks Sports, Inc. after he bought a manufacturer of bathing shoes and ballet slippers, the Quaker Shoe Company. They continued making ballet slippers and bathing shoes; however, they also added other footwear types to their lineup, including baseball and football cleats, orthopedic shoes for kids, and quick stops for roller skates.
While they did see a tremendous amount of success, particularly in the 1970s; however, toward the end of the decade, they faltered, and in 1981, they ended up having to file for bankruptcy. To revamp the brand, Brooks decided to cut their product line by over 50 percent and put all of their focus into running, and changed their name to Brooks Running. As such, their attention on performance technology that would increase the success of runners was boosted. Between 2011 and 2017, they had become the best-selling manufacturer in the specialty running shoe industry. Brooks has also been dubbed the "Best Running Shoe" by notable athletic publishers, such as Sports Illustrated and Runner's World.
Brooks Official Price: road running shoes: $75- $250; trail running shoes: $100 - $160; treadmill shoes: $75 -$250; racing: $65- $250; walking shoes: $97-$160.
Brooks Design & Style
Brooks's traditional running shoe with 6mm-12mm heel drop (a LOT of models at 12mm). They have exclusively designs running shoes, with a huge variety of models. Whether you're building up to 10,000 steps a day, moving through a Couch to 5k program or you're already an avid runner, there's something for you in the Brooks line of women's walking and running shoes.
Road-running shoes: Crush a run-or a workout-in shoes that were made for the concrete jungle. Trail running shoes: Cruise over rocks, roots and rolling terrain in women's trail-running shoes designed to keep up on off-road adventures. Treadmill gear: Enjoy smooth strides and a break from the elements in women's gear designed for indoor or treadmill running.Track & cross country shoes: when seconds matter, spikes for sprints, middle distance and cross country make all the difference. Walking shoes: designed to provide the stability, comfort and support you crave from a pair of walking shoes.
Brooks Quality (Technology & Comfort)
Brooks shoes have been named "Best Women's Running Shoe" and "Best Winter Running Shoe" by publications including Runner's World and Sports Illustrated.
Brooks uses its full-length BioMoGo DNA insole with an extended progressive diagonal rollbar, and saddle construction for the utmost in stability. This means that the insole adapts to your foot and running style. Brooks uses two types of cushioning in their designs, which allows for a wide variety of cushion from plush to more minimal.
DNA LOFT – Soft cushioning, that adapts to a runner's profile, stride, and speed. BioMoGo DNA – also adapts to runner's profile, stride, and speed, providing a more balanced experience with a bit of spring. In addition, the BioMoGo DNA insole biodegrades 50 times faster in landfills than traditional EVA. Brooks uses its Progressive Rollbar, labeled PDRB for greater rearfoot control if you are an overpronator and spend long periods of time on your feet.
Brooks shoes have a life expectancy ranging from 300 to 500 miles, or three to six months, depending on your monthly mileage. Determining when to replace running shoes, of course, all depends on your gait, weight, and whether you run mostly on trail or road.
Brooks Sizing
If you look at the sizing charts of Brooks and Nike shoes, 23CM length is equivalent to US4.5 men in Nike and US5 men in Brooks.
Brooks shoes have a wider toe box than other traditional models, which makes them a great choice for runners with wide feet or bunions. The brand recommends that buyers go up a half size from their everyday shoe or for long-distance running.
Where to Buy Brooks for the Cheapest?
brooksrunning.com (1-1.5% cashback)
dsw.com (5-6.5% cashback)
On Cloud
On Cloud History and Origin
On, sometimes referred to as On Running is an athletic shoe and performance sportswear company originating in Switzerland that designs and markets sports clothing and running shoes. The company was founded by former Swiss Ironman champion Olivier Bernhard in partnership with David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti in 2010. In 2012, On released the Cloudracer, a performance footwear product favoured by Swiss professional triathlete and London 2012 Olympic gold medal winner Nicola Spirig.
From meager beginnings in the quaint town of Zürich in the Swiss Alps, On was made to achieve a single goal: revolutionizing the sensation of running - and that's exactly what they have done. Based on a simple, albeit radical, idea: soft landings and hard takeoffs, or as the people behind the brand prefer to say, "running on clouds."
Over the past decade, they have become famous around the globe. More than seven million runners throughout 50 countries have embraced the On movement, and their popularity continues to soar.
On Cloud Official Price: Road Runing Shoes: $139.99 - $199.99; Trail Runing Shoes: $139.99 - $219.99; Hiking Shoes: $139.99 - $249.99.
On Cloud Design & Style
Switzerland has a very functional history when it comes to product design. They're known to be a bit over-rational sometimes. When they started, the market was quite saturated with shoes that looked a bit like sports cars. They came in and wanted to make a very reduced running shoe.
Underlining just how important the brand's technology and performance background is for their new chapter, Brunner explains that they would never make a shoe for the sole purpose of style, and that any On lifestyle sneaker would need to pack the brand's full running punch in order to stay true to its DNA.“We all know that in fashion something can have a moment but that moment can go away again. That's why I think it's really important to be functional.”
Overall it's the Cloud family that is very popular all over the world, as well as the outdoor Cloudventure family. On's brand-new and very first hiking shoe, the Cloudrock has been even better accepted on the market than they dared to dream of. The next generation of an favorite is born with the new and improved Cloud, plus the launch of the all-new performance Cloud X for runners that remix their workouts.
On Cloud Quality (Technology & Comfort)
The mechanics of most running shoe soles have a limited amount of directional movement - whereas the circular 'Cloudtec' design of their shoes means that the material can react with the complete range of a runner's motion.
Since the inception of that idea, On has stuck firmly to the concept, modifying and developing features across the range whilst holding on to the archetypal cloud outsole shape. Dozens of prototypes were developed, but the basic concept - cushioned landing, firm take-off - remained paramount throughout.
In that design is its proprietary Speedboard - a liquid-injected plate of thermoplastic polymer sitting between the midsole and the upper. The purpose is to engage every step of a run with a compressed and soft landing before it flexes for a high degree of energy return.
Recently, On added in its own proprietary foam to those outsoles, a material known as Helion foam, developed to be lightweight yet durable as well as deliver energy return and temperature resistance - i.e. it won't soften in the heat or harder in the cold, two factors that can massively change the dynamics of a run.
On recommends swapping out for new shoes every 310 to 465 miles, a bit more specific than most brands.
On Cloud Sizing
Usually, your best bet is to go with your regular size. If you jump between half-sizes often though, it’s better to go with the half-size up.
Wider feet struggle to find the perfect fit since the Cloud features a narrow toebox and a roomier heel. If your size in Nike or Asics feels slightly tight or takes some breaking in, try a half-size down in the Clouds. Some women with a wider foot find success in the men’s style as it is naturally a wider profile.
Overall, it's simple to find your size in On-Cloud running shoes. Look at your normal shoe sizes and know the basic shape and needs of your foot.
Where to Buy On Cloud for the Cheapest?
backcountry.com ( 5-6% cashback)
nordstrom.com (0.4-0.6% cashback)
New Balance
New Balance History and Origin
What started as a small arch support company - the brainchild of William J. Riley - has transformed into one of the largest shoemakers in the world. Riley was a British immigrant, and New Balance still retains British roots in some of their branding today. He established the company in Boston, Massachusetts, where the headquarters remains today in the Brighton neighborhood. For a shoe manufacturer as large as New Balance, the company didn't begin to make shoes until 30 years after its founding. Riley sold arch supports, which were designed with three support points to improve comfort and shoe fit, a mission that the business continues to carry today. It wasn't until 1960 when the company shifted focus to athletic sneakers.
As one of the largest sporting manufacturers in the world, New Balance has been in business for over 100 years, producing iconic sneakers and clothing some of the world’s most ambitious athletes along the way. New Balance has kept itself firmly in the game by producing exceptional sneakers that are hailed for their comfort and quality.
New Balance Official Price: Running Shoes: $59.99 - $219.99; Lifestyle Shoes: $54.99 - $249.99; Training Shoes: $74.99 -$149.99; Walking Shoes: $74.99 -$184.99; Baseball Shoes: $89.99 -$159.99; Skateboarding Shoes: $54.99 -$119.99; Basketball Sneakers: $109.99- $164.99; Hiking Shoes: $64.99 -$164.99; Soccer Shoes: $99.99 -$229.99; Tennis Shoes: $119.99 -$149.99; Golf Shoes: $79.99- $129.99; Lacrosse Shoes: $74.99 -$119.99; Golf Shoes: $79.99 -$129.99; Work Shoes: $94.99 -$139.99.
New Balance Design & Style
New Balance roundly perceived as the preferred trainer brand of off-duty men of a certain age. As with most successful streetwear labels right now, New Balance's unprecedented surge in popularity has much to do with the carefully considered collaborative projects Scott is referencing. New Balance claims to differentiate their products with technical features, such as blended gel inserts, heel counters and a greater selection of styles and sizes, particularly for very narrow or very wide widths.
Balance's new level of success is surely also a result of the unaltered design of its core sneakers. Beneath the glossy varnish of its collaborative projects, NB consistently puts out the same pared-back silhouettes - the basketball-inspired 550s, beefy 990s, preppy 991s, retro 574s - which slot into any wardrobe with Americana-infused ease. Beyond collaborations endless reinvention and design tinkering isn't relevant to NB's modus operandi: If it's good, don't fuck with it. New Balance does not miss because it does not change.
New Balance Quality (Technology & Comfort)
New Balance is well known for featuring its Fresh Foam midsole in many of its shoes. It's their proprietary midsole technology. This foam is known for its soft, bouncy, and lightweight feeling as it cradles your foot for greater comfort.
Another recent addition to the New Balance technologies is LAZR, or a laser-cut Fresh Foam midsole. It's only one piece, so it will give you all the benefits of Fresh Foam plus an extra precise fit.
Most New Balance styles feature an engineered upper mesh that feels more like a knit upper when you feel how it performs.
You'll get your standard 300-500 miles in New Balance shoes. Fresh Foam is not known for its durability. It all depends on how the shoe wears down in terms of how many miles you'll get. If you're hard on shoes or use them a lot, you might be looking at fewer miles.
New Balance Sizing
New Balance is proud to offer many shoe models in multiple widths, from narrow (2A) to extra-extra-wide (6E). Just like people, feet come in all shapes. A proper fit means multiple widths, not just multiple sizes.
New Balance sneakers fit true to size so take your normal size. New Balance shoes are made to fit directly out of the box, meaning that- unlike so many sneaker brands - they do not need to be broken in.
New Balance usually makes a nice and wide toe box to accommodate for wider feet. You have enough room in the toe box to wiggle your toes.
Where to Buy New Balance for the Cheapest?
newbalance.ca（7-8% cashback）
newbalance.com (1.5-2% cashback)
Conclusion
HOKA vs. Brooks vs. On Cloud vs. New Balance: which brand is best for you?
HOKA
Hoka produces both low-profile and max-cushion shoes for road, trail, and all-terrain. Thanks to the enhanced cushioning that they offer, coupled with the thoughtfully engineered midsole, Hoka shoes offer quite a unique feeling. As you run in them, they feel smooth, soft, stable and efficient. Hoka shoes is good for who has plantar fasciitis too.
Brooks
Targeted toward serious runners in the 35-to 54-year-old age bracket, Brooks designs and manufactures a full range of running and fitness footwear, maintaining a global presence in the athletic market. It's good for long runing.
Brooks will offer a super comfortable upper and a plush yet responsive midsole foam. Brooks is durable and will last for more significantly more miles than New Balance. Most of Brooks shoes are available in narrow, medium and wide widths. If you want something with a really great combination of comfort and support, then go for Brooks.
On Cloud
Stylish, durable, and bouncy, On Cloud is a daily trainer that's built to run fast on the track and the road. The basic concept of On Cloud- cushioned landing, firm take-off - remained paramount throughout.Its responsive ride goes hand-in-hand with its cloud-like cushion. So, if you want to run tempos without punishing your feet, this is your shoe. But it's not for long the long haul, but it excels in distances ranging from 5 to 10K.
New Balance
New Balance is a worldwide brand for athletes all over the world. It has become the new go-to sneaker for both the sneakerheads and the general consumer alike. It has the most styles among these for brands. It added their line of specialty sneakers made for individual sports. If you have a wider foot, New Balance is definitely worth taking a look at because they accommodate for those who need some extra room.
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