On Clouds/Brooks/Hokas

I am a fan of NB Fresh Foam Gore Tex trail shoes. Get about 9 months out of a pair wearing them daily to work and outdoor activities. I have tried on clouds and they were trashed in less than 3 months and haven’t found Hokas that I would wear.
 
These have about 1500 miles on them. Bought new in 11/23, worn pretty much exclusively in 24, moved to backup/around the house duty in 2/25. Replaced with another pair of the same.


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shawn said:
Because they're trendy garbage shoes.
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Over simplified half truth.

Their trend days are gone. The kids have moved on to Hokas and on from them again to something I cant pronounce that my daughter just bought.

On started as performance running/training gate correction and impact reduction shoes. For that - they are actually quite good.

However - just like a sticky rock tire doesnt last long on the street, their soles wont last long as daily walkers...but if you train, especially if you run and fit in the clydesdale category..they can be quite the shin saver...

For me - I want athletic shoes to last 6 months -> 1 year tops. After that my gait has changed enough that I need a new sole bed to break in and prevent pain.
 
shawn said:
There's no such thing. Your gait is your gait. If anything, it has been damaged overly thick, compliant shoes.
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My doctor, physical therapist and personal trainer (who has a phd in kinesiology) all disagree with you.
But I'm sure you know better.

Im probably wasting 3 hours a week doing all this occupational therapy and weight training
 
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shawn said:
There's no such thing. Your gait is your gait. If anything, it has been damaged overly thick, compliant shoes.
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It is absolutely possible to change your gate and correct poor foot placement. Did it with more soldiers than I can count over the years in the service. Proper reading of the foot bed and matching shoe styles and insoles to that will fix a lot of problems caused by off the shelf shoes (generic garbage). Shin splints, back problems, plantar fasciitis, pronation, supination are all correctable with the appropriate shoes and training with them. Is it 100%? No. Is it 99% I’d like to think so. I’ve seent it.
 
Got my OC today and they are light as all get out and they feel good. Haven't worn them for an extended period of time yet. Getting ready to go out for dinner and will wear them then, but just walkiing around the house in them, they feel 100x times better than any other shoe I have in my collection, although, I've never bought shoes based on comfort.
 
I have been looking at Lems for shoes, REI stopped carrying them it looks like though and I really wish I could see them in person first even though they have a good return policy.
 
orange150 said:
I like the Lems too. Because aesthetics
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Thanks for the rabbit hole.
Never. Heard of Lems before…
As a true flat footed and 4E wide footed Bastid….These seem interesting
 
shawn said:
There's no such thing. Your gait is your gait. If anything, it has been damaged overly thick, compliant shoes.
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LOL tell me you don't understand physiology or that there's an entire field about this very topic without saying any more.
 
skyhighZJ said:
It is absolutely possible to change your gate and correct poor foot placement. Did it with more soldiers than I can count over the years in the service. Proper reading of the foot bed and matching shoe styles and insoles to that will fix a lot of problems caused by off the shelf shoes (generic garbage). Shin splints, back problems, plantar fasciitis, pronation, supination are all correctable with the appropriate shoes and training with them. Is it 100%? No. Is it 99% I’d like to think so. I’ve seent it.
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I'm sure you're aware.... its amazing how much money the Army has invested in underatanding gait and the importance and impact of footware, and how to best engineer the ideal boot, because they kmow this very fact. Nearly as much as helmets.

(and yet it then often gets tossed out and ignored by shortsighted people in accounting, logistics etc.... grr)

In the constant balance between the logistics of providing uniforms for a million soldiers vs everything being individually tailored, if you can properly fit only 1 thing it should be the footwear.
 
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Don’t overlook Skechers.
I have wide (EEEE) flat feet and all kinds of feet, leg and hip issues that’s shown up as a result of the Long Haul Covid.
I don’t wear anything from anyone else … my dress shoes, casual shoes and athletics ( tennis shoes - but not tennis) are all Skechers.
Half the price and as good as anything.
 
RatLabGuy said:
I'm sure you're aware.... its amazing how much money the Army has invested in underatanding gait and the importance and impact of footware, and how to best engineer the ideal boot, because they kmow this very fact. Nearly as much as helmets.

(and yet it then often gets tossed out and ignored by shortsighted people in accounting, logistics etc.... grr)

In the constant balance between the logistics of providing uniforms for a million soldiers vs everything being individually tailored, if you can properly fit only 1 thing it should be the footwear.
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And the Army equipment issue system ignores quality footwear like a pro. My above comment was if you have good leadership and they get you to the right people or, get you “out in town” to a good store. Then, you have a chance. Regular Army channels, nope.
 
I’ve had 3 pairs of Hokas and I like them. They’re a bit on the expensive side but sometimes you can catch them on sale online or at REI.
The only bad thing I have to say about them is the inside of the heel seems to wear out faster than other shoes I’ve had but I do take them off/on a lot without untying them.
 
1stgenxxx said:
I’ve had 3 pairs of Hokas and I like them. They’re a bit on the expensive side but sometimes you can catch them on sale online or at REI.
The only bad thing I have to say about them is the inside of the heel seems to wear out faster than other shoes I’ve had but I do take them off/on a lot without untying them.
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I went to the fleet feet store in Raleigh last weekend and got the ole feets scanned. Dude sold me a set of Brooks and they're really comfortable. I was between those and a set of altras which i still haven't ruled out getting. Funny how this thread started when i was wanting to upgrade from my old wore out Asics that I've had through the years.
 
My new balance fresh foam 880s have been solid and held up better than the Hokas.
 
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