Hoka One One Stinson 7 Introduction
The Stinson 7 is HOKA’s maximum-cushioned path runner with a heel stack of 40mm and 35mm forefoot and the “all-terrain” sibling to the Hoka Bondi 8.
It’s designed to offer stability and luxury whenever you’re operating, mountain climbing, or strolling on diverse surfaces, together with roads, grass, gravel, or singletrack dust. At $170 per pair, the worth is akin to different maximalist path runners, just like the Recent Foam X Extra Path v3, Altra Olympus, and Brooks Caldera 6.
At 10.8 oz (Girls’s) and 12.9 oz. (Males’s), the Stinson 7 is barely heavier than its predecessor by a few full ounce. The up to date model additionally has a stack peak about 2mm increased.
Whereas it’s on the heavier aspect for comparable maximalist path footwear, it additionally has the very best stack in comparison with its opponents. The result’s elevated plushness and luxury over mileage with out stability compromised.
The Stinson 7’s stability is optimized by means of the usage of new H-frame™ and Lively Foot Body™ know-how. H-frame™ is new know-how from Hoka that was launched on Hoka’s on a regular basis stability highway runner, the Gaviota 5. Utility of this know-how right into a most cushioning highway to path shoe creates the power to journey additional with confidence.
Hoka One One Stinson 7 Impressions
As talked about in my first impression, the footwear have been extraordinarily excessive (and vast) stack, however nonetheless trendy and light-weight for the way cumbersome they appeared. In my first run on them, I used to be impressed by the soundness on highway and non-technical terrain.
I attempted these out as on a regular basis footwear on an extended flight to Europe and I felt strain within the toebox after a number of hours carrying them.
On trails within the Dolomites, the Stinson 7s have been enough for mountain climbing and operating on arduous packed dust; however they have been clunky in tight, rockier sections.
There have been uncommon however alarming ankle rolls. On heat, dry Colorado front-range trails, the traction wasn’t as sticky as I’d have preferred when climbing on dusty rocks. The shortage of Vibram outsole (or a sticky substitute) was a deficiency in each the Stinson 6 and this mannequin, regardless of the multidirectional lugs.
On easy path and highway, the Stinson 7 was unbeatable by way of reliability and luxury. The excessive stack didn’t gradual you down very a lot. Whereas these wouldn’t be my first alternative for speedwork or a quick race, these can be appropriate for longer races or as a each day coach for longer distances or those that want extra cushion and stability.
Hoka One One Stinson 7 Safety
The just about absurdly excessive stack of the Stinson 7 offers wonderful safety from underfoot hazards and shallow puddles (and creeks and streams), as you’re actually a couple of inches off the bottom. There is no such thing as a rock plate, as it will be utterly pointless.
The sturdy rubber toe cap offers further safety from path hazards to make these much more bomb-proof. {A partially} gusseted tongue offers an enough barrier from particles getting into the shoe.
Hoka One One Stinson 7 Sturdiness
After over 100 miles within the Stinson 7, essentially the most important put on is on the outsides of the outsole and midsole. They’ve been a bit torn up from contact with abrasive, rocky terrain. Nonetheless, this put on doesn’t compromise the shoe in any manner, as there’s simply a lot midsole and outsole to chip away at.
The underside line is that the Hoka Stinson 7 is a sturdy workhorse that may stand as much as lengthy wears and lots of miles. As long as you need to put on these, they’ll take you there; so I might really feel absolutely assured carrying them for an extended, extremely distance race.
Hoka One One Stinson 7 Responsiveness & pace
The Stinson 7 is exceptionally dependable on the highway and non-technical terrain. Whereas I wouldn’t advocate this shoe for speedwork, they don’t really feel too cumbersome to log highway miles.
The cushioning and H-Body stabilizing know-how create an unmatched feeling of safety on even terrain; however the vitality return is proscribed in comparison with different path runners. This can be a shoe that I might put on for lengthy coaching days the place pace is just not the objective or an extended race with variable terrain that doesn’t get too technical.
The multi-directional lugs are designed to reinforce traction. The outsole is sufficiently grippy if the terrain is just not too steep or rocky, for instance on dust or gravel paths. Nonetheless, the only composition does make the outsole slippery in chilly, moist circumstances.
Hoka One One Stinson 7 Consolation and match
The Hoka Stinson 7 match is true to measurement. Whereas roomy, it was straightforward to lock down. The engineered jacquard mesh higher is sufficiently mild and breathable in sizzling climate, but plush sufficient to offer assist and heat when wanted..
Whereas the toe field is ample, after lengthy efforts or carrying the footwear for prolonged intervals, there was some strain and rubbing on my huge toe. This was extra problematic within the first few occasions trialing these footwear and have become extra snug after a break-in interval.
The plush heel cup offers smooth cushioning and assist all the best way across the ankle. The again of the heel cup extends up alongside the achilles, which felt barely awkward to me and created sizzling spots when carrying brief socks.
Hoka One One Stinson 7 Conclusions
The Hoka Stinson 7 is essentially the most maximalist operating shoe in the marketplace and thrives in that area of interest.
Whereas the bulkiness of those out of the field (and after placing them on) could appear extreme, the secure, plush expertise of operating in them is really distinctive.
The safety, sturdiness, and stability on highway to path terrain are unmatched by every other operating shoe that I’ve ever tried. For logging miles from the home to the path and again once more in all seasons, they encourage confidence.
I’m wanting ahead to attempting these out in snowy, wintry circumstances, as I anticipate the massive footprint to offer stability and a few peak above the snow.
The Stinson 7 does have its limitations on the kinds of terrain that it really works properly on. As talked about, slender, rocky, and doubtlessly slick terrain, trigger points with agility and responsiveness. The excessive stack can change into a legal responsibility if the terrain is just too uneven, and the outsole materials isn’t as grippy as its opponents or different Hoka path footwear.
A break-in interval could also be required earlier than these footwear really feel as snug as they are often. Whereas adequately spacious, the toe field initially created strain factors after carrying the Stinson 7s for an extended time period. Thankfully, the match step by step improved and may now be worn for so long as wanted.
Whereas I wouldn’t advocate these for a highway race or technical path operating, the Stinson 7’s versatility runs the gamut of makes use of from dependable ultra-distance coaching and racing, mountain climbing, to being comfortably and casually on-trend.
