HOKA Valor

This Hoka One One Valor model weighing 233 grams is aimed at runners with neutral footsteps who are looking for extra cushioning in their training sessions or in long-distance competitions such as marathons and half marathons.

Sock-like upper

The upper has been designed with a mix of internal mesh and lycra fabric to emulate wearing a sock. The ankle collar is well padded, with thinner padding on the sides. The upper offers good ventilation, lightness and comfort to this maximalist shoe from the French company.

The mesh has thermo-sealed parts making the upper fit very well to the foot. It is seamless except for the tongue. It has a reinforced toe cap to enhance the durability of the shoe and incorporates small reflective pieces to gain visibility and increase the safety of the runner when light conditions are poor.

Voluminous midsole

If there is one thing that makes this shoe stand out, it is the voluminous midsole, whose purpose is to reduce accumulated fatigue in the joints. It has 34 mm in the heel and 29 mm in the forefoot area, leaving a drop of only 5 mm.

Its CM02 EVA rubber compound provides extra cushioning to reduce the impacts that occur when running on hard surfaces such as asphalt.

Meta-Rocker technology is designed to offer guidance to the foot, while Active Foot Frame geometry provides added stability.

Stable outsole

The French brand wanted to enhance stability in this part of the shoe by means of a wide platform located in the central area of the sole. There are two parts differentiated by color. The white area incorporates hexagonal studs to guide the footstep, while the orange part has integrated a kind of grooves to offer greater traction.