Details
Brand
Hoka One One
Heel To Toe Drop
4mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Constant 2
Terrain
Trail
Type
Maximalist
Key Features
• A large amount of EVA & RMAT cushion• Preferred by runner’s who have pain in the foot, ankle or knee• Wrap-around tongue effectively stabilizes the foot for a comfortable fit• Forefoot has plenty of space for those with wide feet• Support and protection make this shoe more desirable in difficult terrain• Outsole has tread patterns that can grip onto most surfaces with ease
Upper
The upper of the Hoka One One Constant is meant to keep the user as comfortable and stable as possible. Starting with the tongue, the lacing is formatted asymmetrically so that there isn’t a lot of pressure in that area. A lack of pressure in the tongue area will generally make the shoe feel lighter and less restrictive. In addition, the upper is wrapped around the foot, providing exceptional support in that area. The upper doesn’t have much ventilation, which could be convenient in the winter months, but might be something one would reconsider when it comes to running long distances in the warmer weather.
Midsole
The EVA midsole from Hoka is top quality compared to other shoes in the market. The signature Hoka cushioning is soft, durable, and stable. Hoka strategically forms the midsole in the shoe for a long-lasting experience. The EVA is applied over an extremely firm RMAT that reduces flexibility but increases comfort levels. The foam used in the midsole is used to stabilize the foot while running. Having such a soft midsole will provide the ability to easily absorb impact from the road or the treadmill. These materials simply even each other out. The RMAT is a more firm, stiff material that keeps the foot stable whereas the EVA helps with comfort and shock absorption.
Outsole
The Hoka One One Constant is a unique running shoe because of its high level of comfort and superior outsole softness. Having such a soft outsole helps people with bad feet, ankles, or knees run comfortably without dealing with calf or foot pain. The outsole is made out of a completely synthetic material that emphasizes comfort and shock absorption. While this doesn’t directly support the arch of the foot, the material applied to the outsole will be able to support your foot entirely. The outsole also sports a pattern that will assist the runner is going through some of the worst conditions possible.
Breathability
The breathability of the Hoka One One Constant is about average. While these sneakers rank high in comfort, they don’t have enough ventilation to consider them highly ranked in the breathability section. It is assumed that there would be more breathability without the wrap-around tongue and lack of mesh within the shoe. The forefoot of the Constant is wide, which is good news for potential buyers who have wide feet. Subsequently, there is more room inside the shoe, which could be good or bad depending on how big/small, wide/narrow your foot is.
Comfort
Comfort is a key quality in the Hoka One One Constant. Between the high amounts of cushioning in the outsole, to the shock absorbing foam in the midsole, these shoes are very comfortable. The Hoka One One Constant sneaker tends to be worn by runners that endure foot, ankle, and knee pain when running. One quality that is for sure about these sneakers is that they contain superior comfort. The lace placement on the shoe also guarantees that the runner’s foot won’t feel very restricted in the shoe.
Style
The concept of these sneakers looks like the typical running shoe with an exaggerated sole. Hoka is clearly trying to look different, and it will work if the product is of good quality. The Hoka One One Constant has a high sole with a soft tongue and a liberal tongue. Because of the high levels of cushioning between the heel and the ground, this shoe looks similar to that of a platform shoe. The style in general screams “Hoka”, with exception to the very unique wrap-around tongue.;One downside in the style section is the lack of color options. Between a few shades of blue and neon green, the Hoka brand doesn’t seem to have a larger variety of color schemes, such as black, white, red, etc. People like to have options, so this is something to consider for the buyer and the Hoka brand.
Durability
The Constant sneakers score high for durability. Runners who wear these sneakers tend to run anywhere from one to twenty-five miles per week [or more.] In order to run frequent miles, a runner needs a shoe that can last a long period of time, despite how often it is used. These sneakers can be used for marathons, occasional running, or your typical gym workout. Hoka has applied a compound from the midfoot, all the way to the heel, which makes the shoe much more durable, especially if you run a high amount of miles per week.
Protection
The surplus of support that is provided by the Hoka One One Constant completely protects the lower body of the runner. By absorbing the shock from the ground, these sneakers prevent injuries to the knees, ankles, and other joints that can occur over time from consistent running. The reinforced material used in this shoe protects runners from obtaining injuries in the hips, knees, ankles, and feet.
Responsiveness
For a running sneaker that has a firm sole, the Hoka One One Constant is barely responsive to the shock that occurs when the foot hits the ground. In comparison to other sneakers, the Hoka One One Constant has a soft bottom opposed to one that is responsive. Granted, the RMAT material is very responsive but the EVA material, which is extremely soft, is below it so you may not get the same effect if the sole was complete of RMAT.
Support
Support is important for the Hoka One One Constant. People who are in pain while exercising typically go to this shoe in order to prevent any more running difficulty. These shoes have the ability to support the knees, foot, and ankle of the runner. This is due to the TPU external heel counter that provides support in the heel area. The concept of the Hoka One One Constant is that it is primarily meant for support and comfort, so those who are looking for these qualities should consider this shoe.
Terrain
Based off of the reasonable level of traction that this shoe provides, it is safe to say that it can hold up fairly well in high-terrain environments. The tread on the Hoka One One Constant can give one the ability to grip onto any type of rugged surface and continue running with a minimal effort. The downside to the Constant is that it is a heavier running shoe, which could bring down your overall speed. The trade-off in this situation is that you will be able to better handle tough terrain.
Price
The shoe is marginally expensive than its predecessor and rival shoes offering the same features. However, this increase in price is a consequence of an integration of advanced technology that makes the shoe a better fit for runners. Buying this shoe will ensure that the user achieves maximum output hence makes the price an inconsequential bargain for a positive outcome.
Drop
The drop of the Hoka One One Constant is measured at about 3.7mm. This measurement displays one of the longest drops currently available. The 4mm heel-to-toe drop is considered low, so it might change how you run while wearing the Constant’s but after getting used to, the runner should be able to efficiently utilize these sneakers.
Stability
A majority of the stability in this shoe starts in the heel. There is a TPU external heel counter that fully supports the foot. The foot frame is oversized in order to offer the maximum amount of stability throughout the foot. Stability is present in both the forefoot and the heel. The late-stage meta-rocker helps with this forefoot stability. The Hoka One One Constant also stabilizes the wide or flat foot, which opens the target market for Hoka. The meta-rocker engineering compensates for the lack of flexibility in this shoe, as it is shaped so that the runner uses the entire surface area of the outsole, from the heel to the forefoot.
Flexibility
Due to the large sole size and lack of breathability, flexibility is a characteristic that lacks for the Hoka One One Constant. These running sneakers are stiffer than most competitors. Because of the low flexibility, it may take a longer period of time to break in these sneakers, or they may just permanently feel stiff. Fortunately, there are other qualities of this shoe that helps with the flexibility when running.
Traction
The traction on the Hoka One One Constant is reasonable, to say the least. The print on the bottom of the foot has enough ridges on it to go through any type of dirt or even snow. The exaggerated pattern on the Constant offers good traction for the runner and will ensure that they won’t slip on flat surfaces as well. Although this is fairly positive, past runners have wanted more grip for the sneaker.
Bottom Line
The Hoka One One Constant running sneakers excel in specific shoe qualities where others lack. It offers high quality cushioning in the midsole and outsole, so the runner can go out and jog without any pain in their lower body that may occur with poor support. The wrap around tongue in this shoe properly stabilizes the foot within the sneaker so that the runner can focus on their exercise opposed to the distraction of having a loose shoe that doesn’t fit right.;In exchange for these features, the Hoka One One Constant lacks in weight, flexibility, and style. The drop is larger than average due to the high amount of protection in the outsole and midsole, therefore the sneaker looks abnormally large. When you get the Hoka Constant, you get a shoe with some great qualities and some average, but it is ultimately enjoyed by a wide variety of consumers that seek a running shoe alternative that emphasizes comfort and stability.;Overall, if you’re fine with the price and like what you see, the Hoka One One Constant can help you achieve your goals comfortably. Would definitely recommend.
