[A self-paying review without any consideration] HOKA ONE ONE TENNINE HIKE GORE-TEX Unconventional Decathor has overturned the common sense of hiking shoes

HOKA ONE ONE 's momentum is unstoppable.

HOKA ONE ONE which revolutionized trail running shoes with its unique thick soles, has expanded its lineup in recent years to include not only trail running shoes but also road running shoes, and finally hiking shoes, and continues to gain more and more followers of its unique shoe philosophy in many sports and outdoor fields.

the ever-popular HOKA® the TENNINE HIKE GORE-TEX which was developed to make the hiking experience more comfortable and enjoyable. Just by looking at it, you can tell that the concept, appearance, and contents are innovative, avant-garde, bold, and unique, just like the brand's unique and original spirit.

I HOKA® shoes for trail running and road running, but this is my first pair of hiking boots. So, I was excited to buy these brand-new hiking shoes with my own money and try them out on a hike with a heavy load and light clothing. What sets them apart from regular shoes? And was this ambitious endeavor a success? As always, I'd like to take a look at these things without any reservations.

Key Features of the HOKA ONE ONE TENNINE HIKE GORE-TEX

The HOKA ONE ONE TENNINE HIKE GTX is a mid-cut hiking boot designed for long-distance hikes on technical terrain. The midsole, featuring a hovercraft-inspired design, features a rearward-extending Hubble® heel profile and compression-molded EVA foam for superior stability and cushioning on descents, reducing ankle strain upon landing. The rockered sole also supports smooth weight transfer. The Vibram® Megagrip outsole, renowned for its superior grip, provides reliable traction and braking on a variety of terrain. The durable, breathable, and waterproof flexible mesh upper provides sustained comfort from the moment you put it on, making it an attractive choice for hikers dissatisfied with stiff or heavy boots, as well as beginners who are not yet fully equipped for mountaineering.

Recommended points

• Shock absorption that makes you feel like you're walking on clouds
• High stability on flat and gentle terrain
• Rocker-design midsole that supports smooth, rolling foot movement
• Lightweight for ample support and comfort
• Grip power that allows you to land and step on stable steep slopes and wet terrain
• Lace system that stays put once tightened
• High waterproof (breathable) performance thanks to GORE-TEX and boot shape

Points that interest me

• While very stable on flat terrain and gentle descents, the extremely wide sole makes it difficult to handle on steep slopes or in technical, rocky mountain terrain
• When going downhill, you have to be careful not to catch your heels on tree roots or stairs
• The soft, thick cushioning makes it easier for the boots to shake when landing under heavy loads than regular boots
• Expensive price

Main Specifications and ratings

Detailed review

Firmly tightens the entire foot, providing a comfortable fit and luxurious feel

This model is a mid-cut hiking boot, but when I put my feet in, I felt that they were soft and comfortable, almost like I was wearing trail running shoes

The last shape is generally roomy, with plenty of room in the toe box, but the shoelaces extend all the way down to the toes, so when you tighten the laces, you can get a tight fit around the entire instep

The protection around the shoe and toes is not particularly robust, but it provides the bare minimum for hiking shoes and is reassuring. Even more importantly, the front part from the toes to the ankles is mesh-like, so despite being a GORE-TEX waterproof shoe, it doesn't get stuffy (see photo below). This is a big plus for comfort when walking for long periods of time

The metal hooks at the ankle of the shoelaces provided excellent grip, and the shoes hardly ever loosened during testing. Furthermore, the high, supportive, and cushioned ankle area, which is unusual for a mid-cut shoe, helps prevent gravel and debris from getting in while walking (see photo below)

The GORE-TEX membrane wraps around the foot up to the high point of the tongue, providing excellent waterproofing (see photo below)

A revolutionary midsole that delivers unprecedented stability and shock absorption

Now, leaving the comfort aspect behind, let's move on to the biggest issue with these boots: the sole. The most distinctive feature of these boots is the HUBBLE® heel shape, which extends significantly to the back (see photo below)

Why did the heel need to be so large? Simply put, it's to improve stability when walking (especially downhill)

Most people would agree that one of the biggest stresses on a hiker's legs is going downhill. It often comes after a long climb, and you have to tackle it with tired body, legs (and energy) despite the impact and stress on your knees and feet

Therefore, HOKA® decided that even greater "stability" was necessary to walk safely and comfortably on such dangerous descents. After rebuilding the sole from scratch, the answer they found was this extremely wide sole and extended heel. This is the TENNINE HIKE (photo below, left). The sole is wide overall, but you can see that the back half of the foot is wide, almost like a geta (wooden clog).

The theory is simple: when going downhill, most hikers land primarily on their heels to absorb the impact, but if that cushioning can be absorbed over as wide an area as possible, the risk of slippage or twisting will be reduced. It should also reduce the load on your feet. This seems very logical, and the effect is clearly noticeable when you actually walk

The wide sole reduces wobble the moment you land, and the entire wide sole absorbs the impact, giving me a sense of security going downhill like never before

The notch in the heel makes it easier to instantly adjust for any slight left-right deviations when landing. These fine adjustments demonstrate that this new mechanism was achieved through repeated, thorough testing (see photo below)

Of course , the thick, cushioned midsole, a HOKA®

It's worth noting that despite providing such ample support and cushioning, it's not too heavy (measured at 479 grams for the size 27cm model) (see photo below)

The rocker shape is designed to make walking more enjoyable, allowing your feet to move forward naturally

The shoes are designed to be comfortable not only for downhill walking, but also for walking on flat ground and uphill. One of these features is the rocker-shaped sole, which gently curves from the heel to the toe, making it easier to naturally propel your foot forward from landing to pushing off (see photo below)

If the soles of these boots had been simply flat and unimaginative, the wide sole would have felt unnecessarily bulky and burdensome, and people might have ended up walking in an exaggerated way, lifting their feet and then moving them forward, like in snowshoes or kanjiki

When I first stood upright, the shoes felt flat and unremarkable, but as I started walking, my heels touched the ground a little earlier than usual, but instead of hitting the ground, the sole naturally rotated and gradually touched the ground towards my toes. To exaggerate a little, it felt like my toes were already pushing off. This rocker shape maintained a completely new yet natural walking sensation, and not only that, but the light and easy walking made hiking even more enjoyable (see photo below)

The outsole is made with Vibram® Megagrip, which is known for its incredibly reliable grip and prevents slipping even on wet rocks or mud, and the advanced Litebase structure (see photo below, left) reduces the sole thickness and weight without compromising durability. Although the lug depth is somewhat shallow, the lug pattern allows for good mud evacuation, so the high grip is as expected

Although I don't really want to do it, I was able to get through a trail of snow that suddenly appeared without any difficulty (see photo below. If it had been frozen, it would have been a problem)

Still, the fatal drawback of the innovative heel shape is a concern

So far, we have only talked about the successful aspects of the innovations that HOKA®

This is none other than it is easy to catch your heel when going down stairs or tree roots, (see photo below).

Certainly, on normal downhill slopes or flat trails, the huge wide sole is extremely comfortable, and it really enhances the enjoyment of hiking

However, the impression changes completely when you come across routes with many protruding tree roots, rocky areas, rugged mountain paths with large boulders, and well-maintained stairs. If you walk without paying attention, you could accidentally catch your heel on the edge and cause an unexpected fall. It may be possible to get used to walking carefully, but isn't that putting the cart before the horse? I can't help but feel that. Japanese trails are often more varied than the wide, long trails in Europe and the United States, so I personally can't help but think that this is a very troublesome disadvantage for Japanese hikers

Another thing, which has been said about HOKA® shoes in general for a long time, is that the soft cushioning has a negative side; the heavier the load, the more noticeable the slight wobble when landing (see photo below). This isn't a big deal when running lightly with just your body, but when it comes to mountain climbing, you're often walking with a large load on your back. This can cause excessive stress for people who are heavy, or who carry heavy loads, in other words, people who are heavy themselves, so it's something you should consider before purchasing

Summary: Enjoy a whole new, comfortable and enjoyable hiking experience on well-maintained long-distance trails

"The innovation we brought to running shoes in 2009, this time for hiking," said a HOKA® developer in an interview. Indeed, this shoe is revolutionary as a shoe with a completely new structure and shape that combines unprecedented stability, comfort, and cushioning, and there is no doubt that it will provide users with a great hiking experience. This extensive cushioning will always provide a comfortable step for long-distance, long-term treks and multi-day hikes

However, it should be noted that their comfort may be limited in Japan's mountains. The wide platform can easily get caught on narrow rocky areas, and can make it difficult to walk on uneven stairs or over rocks and roots. To decide whether or not you should wear these shoes, we recommend weighing the pros and cons, taking into account your strength and experience, as well as the area and pace you will be walking at, and determining whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks

However, the concept behind the TENNINE HIKE is very rational, and despite its appearance, it is undoubtedly an extremely sophisticated and smart product. Time will tell how hiking boots will evolve from this launch, but it will be exciting to see how designers will overcome the various challenges in the future

   

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