Hoka Transport Review

The Hoka Transport is a walking shoe that feels at home navigating city streets or meandering through wooded trails. The quick toggle lace makes it easy to slip on and offers speedy adjustments on the go. This durable shoe includes a Cordura upper with a water-repellent treatment to help keep out the elements. Plus, a Vibram rubber sole keeps you firmly planted on various surfaces. The stable cushioned platform proves to be a great walking shoe for someone who may encounter many types of environments.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Hoka Transport has a soft heel strike with rolling movement to the forefoot thanks to a cushioned EVA foam midsole and gentle rocker. The 39-millimeter heel stack height is among the largest in the lineup, but I didn't find this to be unsteady or uncomfortable during my tests. I noted a noticeable slight dip at the end of the stride meant to assist with pushing off with the toe. The cushion is soft enough to mitigate impacts but still firm enough to offer stability, which I appreciated for long days at work. A padded tongue prevents the laces from biting, and a padded collar encircles the ankle for a snug fit. Hoka reports these as having a five-millimeter drop height, but after cutting these in half and measuring the shoe, our lab testers found them to be closer to nine millimeters.

The Transport fits true to size in width and length and is available in wide options, should you need a little extra room. The first time wearing the shoes, I found them very comfortable and stable. The upper of the Transport is made from nylon Cordura with a 360-degree reflective tent for safety. The upper is stiffer than some of the competitors and does not stretch, and I noticed limited toe box movement because of it. With longer periods of wear, this may be concerning as the feet become more swollen; however, after my 12-hour work shift, my feet didn't feel restricted, but I wouldn't complain if they had a little more volume. A simple fix might be ordering them in wide, as my test pair were regular width. My role as a Nurse Practitioner requires me to be on my feet for extended periods. The Transport provided exceptional comfort during prolonged standing at work. I experienced no lower back, knee, or foot discomfort, and I did not encounter any hot spots throughout my testing period.

Shoe Exterior Shoe Interior

Not quite hands-free, the quick lace system with elastic stretch allows you to grab the heel loop and slide the shoe on without having to readjust. The tongue is elastic and connected to the sides, keeping it snugly in place. It is convenient to slip the shoes on and off or make quick adjustments to snug them up. Hoka does include traditional style laces if you prefer to tie your shoes, though I stuck with the favorable quick toggle option.

Support

The Transport is a balanced cushion shoe and offers notable support on long walks. The firm midsole and 4.7-inch width mean this shoe has a stable base. Plus, the Vibram sole definitely adds confidence. During the flexion test, the shoe flexed at the toes but remained stable in the remainder of the sole, which is a sign of good support.

There is good overall arch support, and the footbed at the front of the foot also feels comfortable. Since these are neutral shoes, they may not be a great option for those who tend to supinate. A person who pronates or has arch problems would benefit from the stability and cushioning of this shoe. The 17.5-degree rocker angle is a smooth transition from heel to toe with a slight feeling of rocker motion, but not too much where it is uncomfortable.

The elastic lacing system offers quick adjustment and keeps the shoe fitting consistently snug over time. I rarely felt the need to change the tension and like that you can slip them on and not need to adjust before heading out. The five reinforced eyelets keep the upper formed around the foot and an additional sixth eyelet can be used for more heel lock, which we did not need. The laces keep the shoe tight to the padded ankle with no gaps and we always felt secure heel lock.

During the twist test, the sole had minimal movement and resisted torsion. This means it provides good support and is ideal for a good walking shoe. There is good overall arch support and the footbed at the front of the foot also has a comfortable feel. Since these are a neutral stability shoe, they may not be a great option for those who tend to supinate. If you have pronation issues or arch problems, this is a stable shoe worth checking out.

Traction

Vibram soles are known for durability and traction and the Ecostep Natural is no different. The rubber sole has a more aggressive lug pattern than the other walking shoes tested and performed admirably on dirt, trails, and concrete. Should you often find yourself on various ground types, these shoes are worth your consideration.

They also gripped carpet quite well, but it had slightly less traction on the tile. That is to be expected, though, with a more aggressive tread because bigger lugs are great for digging into soft terrain, but it means a lack of rubber contacting smooth surfaces like tile. When ascending and descending slopes, it held the terrain well, and no slipping or sliding occurred.

Weight

The Transport weighs in at about 11.96 ounces per 10.5, which was roughly average for our testing group. During use, the weight of the shoe was not noticeable and did not cause any additional stress or fatigue.

Typically, when people think of Hoka, large and bulky shoes with a very large profile come to mind. The footprint of this shoe does not feel exaggerated, and they seem a lot less clunky than some of Hoka's other options. The weight is hardly noticed when walking, and after many hours of use, they didn't cause me fatigue or discomfort.

Durability

Advertised as a mix of lifestyle and performance shoe, the Transport is built to withstand some use and abuse. As I mentioned before, the upper is made of nylon Cordura, which offers abrasion resistance and is treated with a PFC-free water repellency treatment. They are not waterproof but still handle occasional wet environments. The upper has abrasion-resistant panels added to the toe box and lace area for additional protection, so you can expect these to withstand harsher conditions better than a mesh upper. Though the Cordura is more durable, it doesn't breathe as well, but I didn't notice any overheating or sweating while wearing them.

The 30% sugarcane EVA foam midsole did not show signs of wear or breakdown through my testing and maintained comfort and stability. As expected, the Vibram outsole showed no signs of wear, and I have no doubt these soles will handle many miles with ease. If the shoes require a good cleaning, they should be hand washed with cold water and a mild soap and allowed to dry naturally away from direct heat or sunlight.

Should You Buy the Hoka Transport?

The Hoka Transport is ideal for someone looking for a versatile shoe for walking or commuting with the occasional off-road adventure or inclement weather. The cushion and stability with a slight rocker sole make this a solid option for someone with a narrow or standard-width foot who has a natural or pronating gait.

What Other Walking Shoe Should You Consider?

If you are looking for a walking shoe that is quite comfortable and accommodates a natural toe splay, the Altra Experience Flow is sure to make your feet happy. The On Cloud 5 is another shoe that seems to do it all and utilize a unique lacing system as well. The Adidas Race TR23 offers durability and comfort at an affordable price.