Photo: Claire Pepper
When it comes to wearing trainers, as far as I’m concerned, it is always a question of sport. I’ve never bought into overpriced designer kicks and paying five hundred quid for sneakers. What a ripoff. And often these shoes are quite heavy when you pick them up (check the price and rapidly put them back down) in store. As someone who played competitively from a young age, I’m firmly rooted in the proper sports shoe camp. Even now, when I’m more sedentary than ever – definitely something I need to work on in my 60th year – I prefer to stick to reputable sports shoe brands. Much better to go to a company with the technical know-how, such as Adidas, New Balance, Nike, Salomon and Saucony, to opt for trainers that support and cushion the feet, rather than being won-over by a logo. Even if you’re only running to the shops.
As a longstanding Sneaker Freak, I’m always checking out who’s wearing what. Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of people striding around in Hoka’s brightly coloured, supersized sneakers. More of a statement than the ubiquitous Adidas Samba – I love a retro style as much as the next woman but normcore trainers just make me want to go bigger, bolder and bouncier. Colourful and eye-catching beats uncomfortable and conformist, any day of the week.
What is interesting is that the Royal College of Podiatry has endorsed 10 of Hoka’s running shoes (more details HERE).
This is the first time a footwear brand has been approved by the Royal College – so I spoke to the Martin O’Connor, head of communications, who told me that the product has to meet high standards to gain an endorsement. Hoka shoes have been assessed by a panel of experts and put through a podiatric merit test, ‘ We don’t actively wade into endorsements – not in a product placement way but we do it through professionally approved schemes. What is satisfying is that this is just about Hoka’s orthopaedic shoes and from a clinical perspective the college has made a judgement that this product will help people.’
Whether you’re a serious runner or an urban walker, this is good news for comfy shoe-lovers. My feet have been a bit troublesome lately so I’m tempted to give Hoka a try. Available from M&S, Sweaty Betty, Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom in the US.
Make a statement with your sneakers:
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STYLE NOTES
Summer dress loaned from M&S (last year’s collection). Knitted tank, Essentiel Antwerp (last year’s collection). My own Asics trainers (last year’s collection).
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