History of the Hoka brand
What is the history of one of the youngest running specials on the market? The history of the Hoka brand began in France in 2009, when former employees of the Salomon brand - Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard - agreed to found their own company. The founders had a desire to design a shoe that would enable faster downhill running and this led to the invention of the Hoka running shoe.
They created an oversized outsole model that provided more cushioning than any other running shoe on the market at the time. The name Hoka comes from the Maori language, this phrase loosely translated means "to fly above the ground" or "now is the time to fly".
Running shoes were initially popular with ultra-marathon runners due to their increased cushioning and natural stability. However, they quickly gained popularity among other runners as they offered maximum cushioning and minimal weight. The brand's original models with the most cushioning are now complemented in the Hoka range with lighter shoes that retain a large part of the characteristic cushioning, as well as light training and racing shoes with running spikes.
The company sponsors a number of professional runners - the first of them were primarily ultra-trail runners. Later, however, their list expanded to include several athletes engaged in athletics, triathlon or road running. Hoka has long-term sponsorship deals with professional training groups Northern Arizona Elite, based in Flagstaff, Arizona, and the California-based Aggies Running Club. On April 1, 2013, Hoka was purchased by Deckers Brands, the parent company of UGG, Teva and other footwear brands.
Currently, the brand is recognized by an increasing number of runners from all over the world, from professional marathoners to ordinary hobby runners who want to keep fit. The company works with the idea that a runner should feel free, whether he is running in nature or in the city. What makes Hoka shoes so different from any other running shoe brand on the market is the feel they offer. Thanks to the improved cushioning and the special geometry of the midsole, the shoes offer a completely unique feeling. The icing on the cake is their unmistakable design of innovative color combinations. This is how one of the most progressive brands of running shoes was born.
