Details
Brand
Hoka One One
Heel To Toe Drop
4mm
Breathability
6.7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Maximalist
Key Features
• Hoka One One Constant 2• Shoe features 2.5 times the standard midsole cushioning• Made for the trails• Good protection underfoot• Versatile shoe• Very supportive
Upper
The Hoka One One Constant 2 features a mesh upper. The lightweight mesh ensures proper ventilation without adding bulk to the shoe. The upper is also outfitted with various Lycra overlays. They’re most noticeable in the midfoot. These ensure the foot is properly locked into the shoe.;The lacing system is asymmetrical. The interior of the shoe is almost seamless and contains a good amount of padding making for a very comfortable fit.
Midsole
The Hoka One One Constant 2 features an Oversized Active Foot Frame which helps to provide stability. This feature allows a runner’s foot to sink into the shoe rather than sit atop the platformed midsole. The midsole contains EVA foam and RMAT material. The midsole cushion in the Constant 2 is softer than in the previous iteration of the shoe. The thick well-padded midsole contains ample cushioning which provides comfort and support to the wearer. The platformed midsole may take some getting used to but runners shouldn’t feel too high off the ground. The wearer is able to sink into the shoe enough so that they feel some stability.;The shoe is constructed with Early Stage Meta-Rocker Geometry in mind. This construction enhances the feel of the heel to toe transition and enhances flexibility.
Outsole
The Hoka One One Constant 2’s RMAT rubber sole is a full-contact outsole. The full ground contact allows for greater traction. The rubber also provides some additional cushioning. The outsole also features tough carbon rubber. The Constant 2’s outsole is meant to stand the test of time. The outsole can take a beating and is can perform well even on technical trails.
Breathability
The Hoka One One Constant 2’s mesh upper does a great job when it comes to ventilating. The Ortholite insole has anti-bacterial properties and prevents unwanted bacteria from proliferating and creating foul odors. Other than that, there’s little else to note about the shoe’s ability to ventilate. The mesh design is similar to that in other shoes and reviewers didn’t find much to say regarding breathability. The Constant 2 performs adequately in this regard.
Comfort
Likely owing to its chunky oversized midsole, the Hoka One One Constant 2 is very comfortable indeed. The thickly cushioned midsole contains a whole lot of padding. So much cushioning is perfect for runners who need a bit of extra protection for their joints. The midsole contains a generous amount of EVA foam which offers an extremely plush running experience.;The upper is comfortable as well and fits snugly because of its Lycra overlays. In this second version of the Constant, the cushioning has been modified a bit. The midsole cushion is softer than in the first version of the shoe. Even with softer cushioned, the Constant 2 manages to provide adequate support. The shoe also features a nice wide toe box which provides room for toes to wiggle and ensures proper ventilation.
Style
The Hoka One One Constant 2 is not your average running shoe. Compared to other similarly categorized trainers, this shoe has a much bigger footprint. It’s unlikely that you’ll choose to wear the Constant 2 outside of running. The chunky oversized midsole sets the shoe apart.;It’s not exactly a stylish shoe. The shoe is nice and stable and that’s clear just by looking at it. It looks rock solid and pretty hefty. Thankfully, the shoe is lighter than it looks, but you won’t be buying it to be fashionable. The shoe’s white midsole stands out and fails to blend seamlessly into the design. It’s clear Hoka wanted the thick cushioned midsole to be the star of the shoe, both in performance and visibility. This isn’t a shoe for runners who prefer to remain unnoticed.
Durability
The Hoka One One Constant 2 has a very tough outsole made of industry-grade carbon rubber. This rubber material should stand up to heavy use. The outsole is designed to manage technical trails and to withstand repeated impact and use. The midsole cushion should also stay feeling fresh since it’s so thick. The outsole is also pretty thick so it shouldn’t degrade too fast.
Protection
The Hoka One One Constant 2 offers excellent protection for wearers. The big thick midsole is composed of EVA foam and keeps runners from feeling the shock of each step. The EVA cushioning is nice and soft so it protects without sacrificing comfort. The Constant 2 would work well for runners who are often sidelined due to injuries. Most reviewers felt the generous cushioning helped a great deal in terms of protecting their joints from impact. On the trails, the thick midsole helps to protect runners from debris underfoot as well.
Responsiveness
The Hoka One One Constant 2 midsole cushion is comfortable and plush. With the Oversized Active Foot Frame runners sit deeper inside the shoe which allows for better ground feel and stability. Even with such a large platform, wearers didn’t feel too high off the ground and were able to feel the ground beneath them.;All this, without feeling too much of the impact and obstacles underfoot. All these features make up for the lack of energy return.
Support
Runners that choose the Hoka One One Constant will feel supported thanks to the generous EVA midsole foam. The chunky midsole acts to support the runner’s foot. Since the foot sits deep inside the shoe, runners should feel quite stable on their runs. The Oversized Active Foot Frame allows runners to sink into the shoe rather than sit atop the chunky midsole. Despite the softer cushion, this second version of the Constant provides the same great support.
Terrain
The Hoka One One Constant 2 is billed primarily as a trail shoe. Its tough rubber outsole is proof of that. Runners can still enjoy road runs with this shoe but the grippy sole is meant to perform for miles on various types of trail.;The outsole grips the ground easily and can handle long jaunts off-road or short fast runs whether on or off the trail. Reviewers were pleased with the shoe’s versatility in this regard.
Price
The big platform midsole of the Hoka One One Constant 2 may take some getting used to but it’s not necessarily a drawback. The price, on the other hand, is a negative when it comes to this model. The shoe is quite expensive. Its suggested price is around $160 US.;It’s true that the shoe can handle varied terrain, offers maximal cushioning, and is stable enough to support a variety of runner types but because of its unique design, it may not suit all runners. It’s a pricey mistake to make should you try it and not enjoy running in the shoe. Try finding a local running shop that will let you take the Constant 2 for a spin to avoid losing money should it not work for you.
Drop
The platformed Hoka One One Constant 2 has a big thick midsole filled with EVA foam. Although the shoe does look as if it’s high off the ground, the drop is only about 4mm. This makes the shoe suitable for runners with all types of footstrike patterns.
Stability
The Hoka One One Constant 2 is a maximally cushioned shoe geared towards overpronators. Runners who overpronate excessively and are prone to injury may find solace in the highly cushioned Constant 2. The has a variety of corrective components that help to decrease excessive pronation. The generously cushioned midsole provides more than 2.5 times the amount of cushioning compared to other stability shoes. The cushioning works to provide impact protection but also enhances the shoe’s overall stability. There is ample support underfoot to help runners avoid overpronation. The midsole of the Constant 2 also contains an Active Foot Frame component. This ensures that runners don’t sit too high in the shoe, instead, the foot remains low to the ground. This improves overall stability and prevents the runner from feeling wobbly on the run. The excellent traction provided by the industry grade rubber outsole also helps to provide additional stability.
Flexibility
The Hoka One One Constant 2 is fairly flexible despite its clunky looking midsole. The Meta Rocker design means that the shoe has a curved shape to provide more efficient movement throughout a runner’s gait. This design allows for more flexibility. The shoe isn’t super bendy and runners will still feel some rigidity underfoot, though.
Traction
Even with such a big footprint, the Hoka One One Constant 2 still manages to grip the ground easily. The quality carbon rubber underfoot is industry grade so it won’t degrade easily. It also offers excellent traction, even in rainy weather and on muddy surfaces. Runners will be able to move without worrying about slipping. The outsole is definitely tough and made to last since the shoe is made for trail running.
Bottom Line
Enjoy runs off-road in the thickly cushioned Hoka One One Constant 2. The shoe offers ample protection from trail debris and the shock of running. The maximally designed shoe features a thick EVA and RMAT midsole that is meant to offer comfort and protection underfoot. The shoe is meant for the trails but can easily be transitioned to the roads if need be. Reviewers found that even with such a thick midsole, they could easily discern what surface they were running on. The curved design of the shoe also provides a comfortable heel to toe transition.;Keep in mind that the shoe is in the high-end price range. If it’s your first time running in this kind of shoe model, you’ll want to be able to test it out beforehand. If the Constant 2 works for you, it’s definitely a good buy since it is both durable and comfortable.
