The first thing is, what type of nurse are you? Are you a critical care nurse? A labor and delivery nurse? A pediatric nurse? Are you a teacher, a counter worker, walk the sales floor, etc.?
Each career requires different shoes to provide the best level of comfort and support.
This blog post will discuss the different types of HOKA shoes available and help you choose the best pair for your specific needs!
These shoes were not made specifically for nursing, but due to their design, they have been accepted in the nursing community as excellent shoes to pamper your feet on those long days tending to patients. Not only are the shoes made from recycled materials, but the packaging, apparel, and accessories are also made from recycled, renewable, regenerated, or natural materials.
HOKA's Commitment to our Planet!
Have you ever heard of a shoe company that is committed to being better for our planet? You have now! HOKA's commitment:
- recycled packaging: over 96% of their packaging is FSC certified from recycled and responsibly managed forests
- 46.98% of all materials used in HOKA apparel and accessories were made of recycled, renewable, regenerated, or natural materials in 2021
- 90% of footwear SKUs will be comprised of at least one recycled, renewable, regenerated, or natural material in 2021
- all of the leather is sourced from LWG-certified tanneries that operate under environmentally safe and sustainable practices.
Amazing! How can you not like that?
Background on HOKA Shoes
First, a little background on HOKA shoes. They were founded in 2009 by Jean-Luc Diard and Nicolas Mermoud. Their HOKA One One company was an athletic shoe company in France. They originally designed and marketed running shoes.
At the time of their founding, the HOKA shoe was the direct opposite of the trending shoe design at the time, the minimalist. The HOKA was referred to as the "maximalist" shoe because of the extra cushion and oversized soles.
The founders designed the HOKA shoe with an oversized sole and extra cushioning to allow the runners to run faster downhill. The wider sole gave the runners more stability. The extra cushion provided added comfort for long runs.
Who Wears HOKA Shoes?
Due to the extra cushion and stability, ultramarathon runners were the first to welcome the HOKA line.
Now, due to the same extra cushion and stability, the most comfortable HOKA shoes in the healthcare arena are worn not only by nurses but also by individuals in any career that requires standing on their feet all day! Teachers, counterwork like food services, bank tellers, and tour guides - to name a few - appreciate the comfort and stability a pair of HOKA shoes offers them.
I found the following video that explains a little further about the design and uses of the HOKA shoes.
HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8
HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 7
HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 6
The HOKA Shoe Line-up Continues to Expand
The HOKA line has expanded over the years to include not only their thick cushion lines but also lightweight shoes for racing and training. They have even added a bar with spikes. Nurses also wear HOKA shoes to keep their feet comfortable.
In March 2020 (at the beginning of the pandemic), Deckers Brands - the owner of the footwear label, launched its first apparel line. The colors of the apparel are beautifully coordinated and complementary to the shoe line.
The apparel ranges in price from $14 socks to $295 jackets. The jackets are stylish and waterproof or wind-resistant. The colors and designs are unlike anything I have ever seen in shoes and apparel.
How Did I "Run" Across the HOKA Brand of Shoes?
While spending time in the hospital with my mother as she recovered from a broken hip, I noticed the shoes that the medical team was wearing. Quite a few of them were wearing HOKA shoes. They loved the comfiness of the shoes and how their feet felt at the end of a long shift and after standing all day! How can you go wrong with recommendations from individuals in the tranches where life is on the line?
There were so many different HOKA shoes being worn that it is difficult to say which one is the Best for Nurses.
Some even had more than one pair! The colors were uplifting and brightened their day!
HOKA has a variety of shoe styles: walking shoes, shoes for flat feet, shoes with soft cushioning, arch support, plantar fasciitis
You Have Nothing to Loose!
HOKA's "FLY For 30 Guarantee"
HOKA's 30-Day No Matter What Guarantee allows you to give them a test run without risk. Well, maybe one risk, the risk of falling in love with them and wanting to buy more and more!
HOKA shoes and apparel are designed to make you feel like you’re flying, so take them for a test flight. If you aren’t satisfied, send them back within 30 days of the original purchase for a full refund or product exchange. No questions asked.
IF YOU DO NOT PURCHASE DIRECTLY FROM HOKA, MAKE SURE AND CHECK OUT THE RETURN POLICY FOR YOUR SUPPLIER
Conclusion:
As you can see, there are several suggestions, each with pros and cons. Selecting which shoes are the best advice is a personal decision. You may start with one type and then switch to another as you progress. And the COLORS are spectacular!
Remember, this is not medical advice or diagnosis - just words for thought!
Good luck with your search for the Best HOKA Shoes for YOU!
Annie, Founder of AnniesAnswers.com
Shoes, boots, and sandals for casual, active, work, fun, and bling!
I recently wrote a couple of articles about shoes, including HOKA shoes. I hope you find them informative:
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