Hoka One One Stinson Evo

Originally published May 1, 2012. Now with updates.

I got some new kickers to replace the Mafate shoes that I ran on over the fall and winter.  In a sense, I upgraded from the trail running Mafate to their new Stinson Evo shoe - but one could counter that it was Hoka that indeed upgraded because this new shoe really outshines the Mafate.  My initial Mafate review is located here.  I later reviewed the Stinson Evo Tarmac version and it is located here.

I took the usual run: up Skyline, full Raiders Ridge and around Ft. Lewis College and back to Skyridge and immediately I was reminded that new shoes always fit really good.  I beat down the Mafates so bad that I had a lot of float in the heel, but these felt so snug.  These new shoes came with both traditional laces and these speed laces, which really are not speedy at all, given that you still have to tuck them away in the elastic bands.

The tread on these are much better than the Mafates which have been worn down to almost nothing, so of course I noticed immediate improvement.  Raiders Ridge running requires significant technical running skill given all of the boulder obstacles, and this solid tread allowed me to plant my feet on inclined boulders, something I had been mostly avoiding lately with the lack of tread on my older shoes.

The other thing I really like about these shoes is that the toe box is much smaller and it just felt easier to move through the terrain.  I'm not sold on the white shoe, and wanted the black and red ones, but those did not last long.  You really have to tip your hat to Vasque shoes for making their shoes in dull and unappealing-on-the-shelf gray - but those shoes don't as dirty after use.  My Mafates look disgusting and I've washed them a few times.

I was able to pick these up at Backcountry Experience right here in Durango, with a nice $20 off coupon I got from them via the mail.  The Hoka Mafates were significantly cheaper since a friend won those in a raffle, and she sold them to me at a very generous price. Hoka One One has these retail at $170 a pair, and since the Mafates tread didn't last but ~6-months, $340/year for running shoes is a pretty steep order if the Stinson EVOs wear out as fast.

In all fairness to Hoka, the Mafate shoes did see some pavement time this winter and that perhaps exacerbated the wear.  Perhaps someone like Nike will steal the wider base and massive cushioning concept and drive this price point down to a reasonable level.  However, if the tread of these Stinson Evo shoes last significantly longer than the Mafates then there will not be an issue.  I'd like a year out of these for sure.  So there you have it ~ that is how I will be evaluating this shoe, as I am sold on the wider base and cushioning concept, but I just want longer durability.

I'm also hoping to buy a set of their road running shoes later on so I can save on that wear and tear of the bottom tread.

I've got a few weeks now to try these out and prepare them for the Burner 50k which is the day after the Growler 64-mile MTB race in Gunnison at the end of the month.  Big times ahead!
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UPDATE:  7/19/2012  I did race in the Burner 50K, and the shoes really did help out.  There is no question the wider base and extra cushioning concept can help out someone like me with mountain bike fitness, but needing running joint strength.  I've cut down on the running over the summer, but still do try to get out and do the regular 10-mile loop up on Raiders Ridge 1-2 times a week, and sometimes it's just the 1000-ft climb up Skyline and back.  Here are some pictures of the soles:

 I've washed the shoes 3 times and as you can see there was paint on the sides that has come off.  Someone shoot the designer, no need for paint that will eventually come off.  The other thing is the incomplete sole - it's a mixture of rubber (yellow and gray) over the foam (blue).  See that little blue foam section trying to act like a rubber sole?  It has no lasted and seems to be a poor idea.

 I have no idea why this is not rubber.  Not much left of it after nearly 3 months.

And I am wearing down some of the rubber up at the front, which I'm sure someone who runs more than I will tell me something about changing my stride.  I would disagree just given the amount of running over boulders I do up on Raiders Ridge.

All in all it's a great shoe, I like it - it is just costly and could improve on durability.  I will start running again come fall and have some races planned.  Until then it, I'll continue get in the runs in but keep on pedaling my bike!
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UPDATE 10/26/2012 - End of the Line.  It finally came time to retire the Hoka One One Stinson Evo shoes.  I got one more race out of them - a 50k trail race right here in Durango as part of a "double" but I did not run the road marathon the next day.  The shoes certainly did their part early on as I just flew down some sections of trail.  However the next couple of runs after the race, I did begin to notice the shoes were not absorbing the shock as much as before.  They felt loose, and just looking at the tread told me it was time to try another pair.

 As you can see after nearly 6 months of use the shoe has taken a pounding.  If I had to estimate, I'd say ~ 2-3 times a week, between 20-30 miles total.  So at 6-months that would be ~600-miles for an estimate, which is apparently the average life of a shoe based on a quick internet search.  I have not been running long enough to know for sure, but this gives me a good idea on what to expect.  I did not get the year use out of this shoe as I originally wanted, I instead got half of that.  Apparently I now am a runner.

I bought another pair of the Stinson Evo shoes here in town from Backcountry Experience.  The photo shows the dirt collected on the "new" shoe after just one run.  I like the darker color, but the "white" portion is a suede type of leather so it just sucks up the dirt.  But much improved over the white ones I had above, although the look reminds me of the outfits the bad guys wore in the Karate Kid.

To break these in, I ran the usual route from the casa - up Skyline, full Raiders, around the College.  Immediately I noticed that wonderful new shoe feeling that I commented on back in May.  Wow, I really beat the heck out of those things - the shoes list to the side a bit.  I love this shoe however, and even if it can't make it past 6 months, I'll still continue to buy them.  I could never go back to the Mafates.  I would prefer to perhaps buy 3 pairs a year or even 4 but that would be excessive for this  mountain biker who still has a hard time believing that I am more than a part-time runner.

All things considering, the Stinson Evo performed as it should and it's durability is apparently right in line with other shoes.  The cost is high, but foot surgery is even more so I'm at peace with the price.  

I'll test these new shoes next weekend at the Moab Trail Marathon Race - and try to redeem my self from the year prior.