Hoka - Stinson Series

Came here to comment exactly this. I'm 6'2", 190lb (188cm/87kg). Daily trail runner in Switzerland, running 70-80km/week. I have the Trabuco Max 2 and Max 3. Version 4 is the most recent launch. By far the most comfortable trail shoes I've ever owned. They just work perfectly for me. Have over 1000km in the 3's, so super durable too. Also own Hoka Stinson 6 (bit soft), Brooks Caldera 6 (too firm, never softened up), Altra Olympus 6 (midsole felt dead from the start) and Nike Wildhorse 7 (most comfortable upper of any shoe but midsole a bit thin) but none are as good for me as the Trabuco Max.

Hoka Mafate speed 4 homer, but recently moved to the Hoka Stinson 7 and they are amazing. I plan on having the Mafate’s for more mild terrain and the Stinson’s for more technical trails.

The stinsons are downright treacherous. They’re really not meant for trail running IMO, maybe hiking. My first run in them I sprained my ankle badly as well and it’s been an issue ever since. Once you get one sprain, re-spraining is so easy! I’d strongly recommend getting some different shoes. If you’re sticking with hoka, the mafate and speedgoats are great

Hello, here my feedback based on my experiences with trying on these shoes in store: Altamesa: I found it had good cushion except for where my toes were and it felt like they wouldn't soften no matter how many km's I put into them. Speedgoat 6: toe box felt weirdly roomy for a narrowish shoe and they didn't quite fit right. Hierro: I was able to try on the v7, v8 and v9 models all at one store. The v9 we're the best out of the 3 but I still didn't like the v9. It just felt oddly bulky which was a shame as I love NB shoes. The 1080's are my favourite. Stinson 7: I just bought a pair from MEC yesterday and they felt so good on my feet as soon as I put them on. I'm a little used to heavier shoes so that doesn't bother me. I really want a max cushion trail runners that doesn't need to be super technical trail focused. Salomon Ultra Glide/Ultra Flow: i really wanted to like these but they were a little narrow and just didn't have the comfy impact I was expecting. Altra Timp 5: I think these shoes are awesome except for the way the upper material bends at the toe box. It just feels weird and I can tell it will create problems for me a few km's into a run. I also have the Topo Ultraventure 4 which are great but I don't know how well I would enjoy them past 30km. I have Columbia Ecolite (the ones that look like they infused golf balls into the form) which have been great but just aren't on the same level as other trail shoes. I had the Brooks Caldera 6 which were okay and had great traction but they hurt my feet and caused blood blisters on the outside of my big toes so I was able to return them when I got the Stinson. I've tried on many other runners and I have the believe that you should go with the shoe that fells the best on your foot. E: forgot to add that I also tried on the hoka mafate speed 4 and I almost bought them as they were don't in the toe box compared to the speed goats 5 & 6 but I wanted slightly more cushioning. I think the mafate is a great comparison to the topo Ultraventure 4

I’m on my 3rd season of switching to trail runners over hiking boots. Everyone may have a different experience but for me, my feet have never been happier (Hooka, Speedgoat 5).

Hoka stinsons give you the best of both worlds for trail running shoes and walking. I would also recommend the Altra Olympus if you like zero drop.

Hoka stinson 7 are my go to trail shoes when I want to be comfortable

Hoka Stinson 7 are my trail shoes.

I love my Hoka Stinsons. They feel very similar to the Gaviota, which is my road shoe.

I’m NYC based too but I grew up having to run in the winter in Chicago where there’s obviously a lot of snow and slush. I personally find the longer nubs and more rubber incompatible with how much asphalt/cement we have here. Pumas have the best grip/traction I’ve found in road shoes by a nautical mile. I know they have a winterized version of the velocity 4 with a GoreTex upper. I know GoreTex isn’t breathable but it’s been wet and slushy enough that the benefit of keeping your feet dry at the temps we have had is worth it. This is what I’d recommend for maximum usability beyond snow seasons.  Beyond that you’re probably looking at a road to trail shoe or a gravel shoe. These would be the Hoka Stinson, Mount to Coast R1, and Salomon probably has some offerings too. I’d steer clear of more technical trail shoes because if you use them for any volume here in nyc you’re just going to wear down the nubs and cleats and make them less effective as a trail shoe while having an ineffective road shoe. 

There's a variety of 'ATX' shoes or light trail shoes which fit this well. Hoka do the Challenger and the Stinson (stability) as this kind of all terrain crossover, for example. I often use the Stinson for light trail or longer light trails that I might use a road shoe on in the summer for example.