If you have bought a pair of Hoka running shoes recently, you may have seen three sets of numbers on the inside of the midsole. Below is a list of what each one means.
| Letter | What it is |
|---|---|
| S | The ‘spring’ of the shoe – how far off the ground in millimetres the toe and heel portions are |
| V | The volume of the midsole cushion in cm² (centimetre squared) |
| W | The weight of the shoe in grams |
And below are some examples. All the shoes listed are UK size 9 (mens).
| Shoe | Spring | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton Edge | 36 x 20 | 734 | 246 |
| Torrent 2 | 33 x 16 | 395 | 270 |
| Challenger ATR 6 | 37 x 30 | 641 | 276 |
As you can see, most have a difference of about 7mm in the toe and heel. This is what gives the shoes the signature Hoka rocker feel.This is not to be confused with the heel-to-toe drop, which is usually 4mm.
Unsurprisingly, the Clifton Edge with its extended heel has a lot of volume. Despite this, it still manages to remain rather light at just 246 grams.
How is this information useful? Well the more you know, the more informed a decision you can make about which shoe is best for you.
This only really applies if you are browsing for shoes in an actual shop of course. Remember those?
