ust when you thought barefoot/minimalism was the latest trend in
running footwear, Hoka One One completely turned the tables by
introducing runners to what is now called “maximal” running shoes.
The maximalism concept debuted by Hoka in 2010 appears to be gaining momentum.
But what is a “maximal” shoe?
Simply speaking, maximal shoes are extremely soft, typically seen
with oversized foam midsoles, and designed to provide more cushioning
and in theory reduce muscle fatigue.
For well-read runners, this new type of shoe flies in the face of what they’ve been reading about minimalist shoes since Born to Run was published.
After all, haven’t we been hearing that overly cushioned shoes encourage you to develop poor form?
To help answer that question and provide some answers is Hoka One One
brand president Jim Van Dine, who is going to explain the technology
and research behind the maximal shoe movement.
Among the topics that Jim and I discussed were:
The history of HokaThe new maximal trend in running shoesHoka’s recent involvement in track and shorter distancesThe future and goals of the brandIf any of Jim’s comments or thoughts speak to you, we’d love to hear
about it. We also love to hear what you all think about our podcasts.
You can leave a comment on this page or on our iTunes page. You can also leave us a voice message at (617) 356-7969. We look forward to your feedback and thanks for listening.Are Maximum Cushion Shoes the Latest Innovation in Running Footwear? An Interview with Hoka Brand President Jim Van Dine