Editor's Desk 
To say I have not traditionally been a Hoka shoe fan is an understatement, but the Stinson 8’s plush cushioning and “road-to-trail” design may have finally changed my mind.
When I’ve tried them in the past, they’ve always either been too clunky or too squishy soft and not supportive enough. So when I had the opportunity to test drive the Hoka Stinson 8 trail shoe….well, let’s just say I was skeptical.
But! I’m a good sport and always open to trying something new, and as it turns out, I’m also in the market for a new trail shoe.
Preferably one with more cushioning than my last pair, as my 45-year-old legs and 1-year-old partial knee replacement require a bit more impact reduction these days. Did these make the cut? Let’s find out.
Our Verdict
The Hoka Stinson 8 is a great shoe for transitioning from pavement to lighter trails. The cushion and stability will keep your feet and legs feeling smooth for miles. It’s a particularly good option for runners who don’t have the luxury of running exclusively on trails and want one shoe that can handle a variety of surfaces. And it’s especially appealing for runners who want a comfortable, protective shoe without feeling like they’re wearing a bulky trail shoe on the road.
Who Is It Good For?
Who is the Hoka Stinson 8 a good fit for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Wide Feet: Not available in wide widths, but does have a wider fit that will appeal to anyone except those with particularly narrow feet.
- Heavier Runners: Very stable with plenty of cushioning for runners of all sizes.
- Long Runs: Plenty of cushion and support for longer runs.
- Front of the Pack: A little heavy and cushioned for it to be a super speedy shoe; best for moderate-paced trail miles.
This shoe is a great option for those looking for more cushion and stability for moderate-paced runs on a variety of surfaces.
Hoka Stinson 8 Overview
These are not the most attractive shoes in the Hoka lineup, most especially in the bland colorway I received (Barley Flour/Barley).
Definitely talking function over form here, which is perfectly ok for a trail shoe that’s likely to get dirty quickly. Hoka says these are a “versatile road-to-trail runner” and that’s what I was most excited about.
I don’t often get to run trails exclusively, but my usual daily running routes include a variety of terrain including dirt road, gravel, tabby shell concrete, regular concrete, brick pavers and asphalt in various states of disrepair.
For that, the Stinson 8 is well suited. The Stinson has a stack height of 44mm of extra-soft midsole cushioning that was soft enough for the harder surfaces, with a refined 3.5mm lug pattern that was just aggressive enough for dirt roads and gravel without being too stiff and clunky for asphalt and concrete.
Hoka also managed to shave off a little weight from the previous Stinson 7, making these the lightest Stinson yet.
Hoka Stinson 8 Specifications
- Brand: Hoka
- Usage: Trail Running
- Previous Model: Stinson 7
- Weight: 11.3 oz Men’s, 9.6 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 44 mm
- Heel Drop: 5 mm
- Available in 6 Colors
- Available in regular widths
- Available hoka.com for $180
Quick Take
Pros
- Lighter than previous model
- Versatile
- Roomy toe box
Cons
- Not the most attractive
- Low heel collar
- Short laces
Hoka Stinson 8 Fit
Length: True-to-size
Width: Roomy
Toe Box: Roomy
Arch: Medium
Volume: Medium-to-high
The Stinson 8 follows the traditional Hoka shape, which is plenty roomy but also easy to adjust the lacing to allow for a snugger fit if desired.
The upper has a cage overlay which provides additional support to the midfoot, and the gusseted tongue further helped my narrow feet feel locked in. There was also plenty of room for my toes, which prefer to spread out a bit.
The heel collar is a little lower than that of many other trail runners, which some may find a little uncomfortable.
However, my narrow heels still felt well supported without any rubbing or slipping.
Depending on the volume of your feet, you may not have enough shoelace length to do any creative lacing, but they were plenty long enough for me even lacing up to the topmost eyelet.
Hoka Stinson 8 Feel
What I liked most about the Stinson 8 (besides its utility in going from pavement to dirt to gravel and back again with ease) was the goldilocks feel.
Not too soft, not too firm, not too flexible, not too stable – just right. With 44mm of cushioning under the heel and 39mm of cushioning under the forefoot, there was just enough of a plush feel to make the miles feel – almost – effortless.
Meanwhile, the H-frame ® technology in the midsole provided just a hint of stability and overpronation prevention without overcorrecting the gait.
I found the Stinson 8 transitioned well not only from road to trail but also throughout the gait cycle. I appreciated the extra cushioning and traction and didn’t feel these shoes slowed me down or felt too clunky even on pavement.
They were comfortable right out of the box and felt even better as I put some miles on them. While I’m not 100% a Hoka convert, these nonetheless will be my shoe of choice for some trail races I have coming up later this fall and winter.
Similar Shoes to the Hoka Stinson 8
Our team has tested a wide variety of trail running shoes, here are ones we find most similar in this category:
- Brooks Caldera – Lower stack height but more aggressive lug outsole.
- Altra Olympus – Zero drop with maximum cushioning.
- New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro – Max cushioning with a Vibram Megagrip outsole.
What to read next?
- Keen Seek Review | A Strong Trail Running Debut From a Hiking Veteran
- Hoka Tecton X 4 Review: Two Carbon Plates, Big Speed and One Catch
- New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 Review | Bouncy, Lightweight, and Race Ready
The post Hoka Stinson 8 Review | A Cushioned Road-to-Trail Running Shoe appeared first on RunToTheFinish.
from RunToTheFinish https://ift.tt/345WpVT
News reported through various sources and compiled with AI. This is automatically generated news content from known, popular, and reliable sources available at the time of publication.
We do not take any responsibility for, nor make any representations regarding, the accuracy, completeness, credibility, or
reliability of the content.
In case of any discrepancy, error, or copyright claim, we will promptly review and remove the content in question where appropriate.
We do not claim ownership of third-party content and assume no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any information contained herein. The credit, links and images are kept intact as an honest gesture, are property of its respective owners.
