The rise of Hoka from new kid on the block to ubiquitous footwear brand is the stuff of legend. Debuting 15 years ago in France, the company has not only become a household name in such a short amount of time but it’s also happened to dominate so many different categories. You can hardly ever hit the trail without seeing somebody wearing the latest Anacapa or Kaha models, while the Bondi has become one of the most revered everyday walking shoes for its ability to optimize support and comfort. Then you have the Clifton and Speedgoat models, which have become favorites for gymgoers and runners alike. And because comfort is the new cool, Hoka has even started to follow the likes of New Balance and Salomon when crossing over to the streetwear scene.
Despite only having 15 years of back catalog, Hoka has managed to revive a fan favorite and a shoe that marked a pivotal period in the brand’s evolution. Here is the return of the Stinson Evo trail runner.
Introduced in 2012, the Stinson Evo was the brand’s most dedicated trail running shoe compared to their Mafate, which had come out two years before. The Mafate was a versatile running shoe that did very well on tough terrain but the Stinson Evo felt more purpose built.
Whichever Hoka shoe you picked for trail running, they would be bold alternatives to everything else the market had to offer with their maximalist cushioning without compromising the support and traction needed for moving quickly in the outdoors.
Soon after, the Stinson Evo was discontinued, slowly being supplanted in popularity by the Speedgoat, which debuted in 2015 and has now become their flagship trail runner. The Stinson range is still very much alive, however, with the Stinson 7 being the latest generation of the trail runner. But still, the Speedgoat has been the trail runner to beat in recent years. Perhaps Hoka has brought some parity to the category with this new Stinson Evo and a reminder that the line still exists.
Compared to the Hoka shoes of today, the “retro” Stinson Evo OG has no branding on the side, making these indistinguishable from other trail runners at first glance. That is, until you notice the Hoka logo on the strip above the laces or down the heel in the back. Available in Habanero or Black/Cosmic Gray, the mesh uppers with TPU overlays and microfiber toe caps are quite faithful to the original from 2012 and also boast the same speed-lacing system.
Also returning is the rockered geometry for energy conservation and the “Zero Gravity” EVA midsole which added tons of cushioning without adding much weight. Certainly chunkier than most trail runners today, the Stinson Evo OG might not look like your average Hoka but will still be much different than anything else you’ll find on the market. You’ll also get a sturdy rubber outsole for dominating unpredictable terrains underfoot. While the originals had about a 5mm heel drop, Hoka hasn’t specified if this will be the case for the 2024 model.
Model: Stinson Evo OG
Uppers: Mesh with TPU overlays
Midsole: Zero Gravity EVA
Outsole: Rubber
Laces: Speed lacing system
Heel Drop: Unspecified
Priced at $175 (these were priced at about $170 back in 2012, so not much inflation there), the Stinson Evo OG is currently available from Hoka’s website.
Hoka revives the Stinson Evo, its first purpose-built trail runner, with minimal branding just like the originals from 2012.
