My husband got turned on to Hokas from me, and my son is a chef, so I got him some for work. It’s been a little over a year, three pairs total are falling apart — my husband is a big dude (fitfat) and he likes to use the heel strap to pull them on. His pulling actually tore the heel piece out of the sole. On two pair!! And my son’s souls came unglued. And Hoka will only warranty if we purchased from them, but our shoes were purchased at a retailer.
Sooooo….I’m going back to Salomon. I think some models of Keen, Merrell, Clark’s, and Teva, can be ok, but it’s hit or miss, you really need to test them well and steer clear of soft mooshy kid-leather. I try to lean in toward trail boots, hiking shoes, because the support is sooooooo much better. Clarks used to be decent, but it seems like everyone is making shoes that are knit or mesh, including Clark’s. That offers zero support so I stay away from anything that doesn’t also have ample, thick leather in the design too. A trail-runner can offer excellent support too. When I was young, I would buy the best running shoe possible, which was Saucony and New Balance. I’ve heard good things about Brooks.
In 2000 I wore a brand called Tsubo that I loooved for their soft but thick rubber souls. Skechers are shit if you have flat feet. I am definitely interested in trying OnCloud. I do think the other way to go is to buy top of the line, with a brand known for treating feet well. $200 Hokas are not top of the line, sad to say because that isn’t cheap, but $200 is no longer a high-end shoe. I suspect that to get a shoe that will hold up well and not make my feet hurt, I probably need to spend $300 - 400+ per pair. I’m so desperate for no-pain, I would even consider having a custom pair made IF I knew they would feel good. A thin leather sole won’t cut it, the some must be thick and I don’t know that custom shoes with a thick sole are even out there. Anyone know a good tinker? Isn’t that what they used to call shoe-makers lol?
I’ve even looked at these atrociously ugly European shoes, I think they are made in maybe Finland. They look awful.
Oh! During hot months, my feet need to breathe, which means I wear Birkenstocks. I would never wear them year round, but I do ok in the summer. I bought one of their lace up shoes, and while my feet look like duck feet they’re so goddamn wide in the Birk design, they do feel incredible.
Now you know everything there is to know about feet and aging. This is coming for you too kids.