Hoka Transport Review: The Sustainable Urban Commuter Shoe
By Content Manager Bach Pham
The Hoka Transport represents the brands first foray into a shoe entirely dedicated to the commute. It's got all the bells and whistles of a Hoka product from the maximal stack height, sidewalls, shaping, and more in a package meant not for running, but rather for daily errands, working, and some mild hiking - its intended versatility bringing the new tagline "Adventure Anywhere." This is not just a commuter shoe though; it's a package that sets up Hoka's venture towards sustainability. The shoe features a new a EVA with 30% sugarcane, a new Vibram EcoStep outsole that is 90% oil-free, and tons of sustainably-sourced features throughout the upper. The Transport is probably the most diverse entry into Hoka's new lifestyle brain of the company (alongside Project Clifton).
Hoka TransportPrice: $140 at Hoka
Weight: 11.2 oz, 317.5 g (men's size 9), 9.1 oz, 257 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: N/A
Drop: 5mm
Classification: Commuter Shoe, Hiking, Walking
SUMMARY OF THE HOKA TRANSPORT
The Hoka Transport is best described as a lifestyle hiking/walking shoe for those who wants an athletic casual look and versatility to go off-road for mild hiking or mixed terrain when needed. It features a Vibram outsole that makes going on grass and trail a breeze when needed, yet is relaxed enough for walking on regular surfaces and in store. The shoe also is a showcase of many sustainable elements that Hoka will no doubt be integrating into the rest of its line soon.
In this review, we'll be going over the comfort of the Transport and talking a bit about Hoka's direction towards lifestyle along with an exploration of the commuter shoe boom.
FIT
The Hoka Transport may fit true to size if you have narrow to standard feet with lower volume. I would consider sizing up if you have wider feet to see if that helps, but it may run long. Women who have wider volume feet may want to consider the men's version if sizing is available.
The fit in general is classic Hoka. If you have no issues with any prior models like the Clifton, this should be a great fit for you. The shoe narrows in the toebox slightly and the shoe in general fits a touch snug on first wear. It does open up a little over time. I found it to work fine for my standard sized feet and feel comfortable for everyday walking, especially with thin socks. I noticed it to be a little snug when sitting though, especially wearing the pair to drive long distances. I'd love to see a little more volume throughout for a commuter shoe where snug running performance is not needed.
The upper handled rain well. It's not weather-resistant entirely, but it did handle rain fine and dried quickly. The material is cordura, a synthetic fabric that is extremely durable and tough to the touch. Hikers grazing the trail should feel decently confident. It also has decent warmth while still being breathable. I wore this through several cold days with warm socks and felt decently fine. Those facing constant sub freezing temperatures though will likely want a warmer piece of footwear.
The shoe comes with two lacing styles, a traditional lace if you prefer, or a quick-toggle lace that I chose to keep on during testing. It worked well and was nice for not needing to fuss with lacing the shoe.
Just a minor thing people may notice when slipping the Transport on for the first time. The Vibram outsole on day one feels very sticky on commercial and wood flooring. That does go away very quickly. It was a little unsettling at first, but I was glad to see the loud, tacky outsole relaxed after one day of use.
PERFORMANCE AND STABILITY
The Transport's midsole (a compression-molded 30% sugarcane EVA) sits on the firmer side of the Hoka line, closer to an Arahi than say a Bondi. That's not to say it isn't cushioned, but it is a firmer, denser feeling on the go rather than marshmallow soft. The shoe is a touch flatter than typical Hoka, but still retaining it's early rocker design which helps provide a very smooth walking experience. The shoe being a bit firmer and decently wide makes it fairly stable, along with the Vibram outsole providing good traction. There is some decent forefoot sole flaring which also helps contribute to a confident stride along with the firmer midsole. The outsole with all the Vibram is plenty durable for the purpose of walking.
I took the shoe on every terrain I could find in the city, including through wet weather, and it did fine all-around. I would still avoid very wet mud when possible as the lugs are not that aggressive, but there was more than enough grip for wet roads and sidewalks. For all-day walking and being on your feet, I felt for the most part the Transport performed well and had enough support. As my feet swelled through the day, I did wish it had a little bit more volume for comfort. Thinner socks did help, but for those particularly cold days I'd love to have the volume for thicker socks so that I could keep on trucking.
Durability has been excellent over four months. I've used the shoe for just about everything on a weekly basis and it's been consistent comfortable. I still wish there was a bit more width, but with thin socks it's performed fine and been a good choice for most of my non-running/sporting activities.
Culture Corner: The Rise of the Athletic Commuter Shoe
By Bach Pham
The commuter shoe is a love language that has come in many flavors. For runners, it's that shoe you finished miles on and relegated to lawn mowing and everyday walking. For others, it may be a pair of loafers or a pair of flats that you wear to work and swap out in the office. For major city dwellers, it might be a pair of classy basketball trainers or leather sneakers.
This is a genre of shoe made for the big city, where folks drop their cars in favor of walking and commuting through various alternative modes of transportation along the way, most often biking or subway. In less urban cities, it might be just the shoe that gets you from the parking lot to the office, or for the student a shoe that gets you from one side of campus to the other within fifteen minutes with as much comfort as possible.
The unique thing about commuter shoes is that brands are starting to bridge comfort and styling together in this niche of footwear. Instead of swapping it out for something nicer in the office, these new shoes are aimed to bring all day performance whether you are moving through the city on the go or sitting in a meeting with peers.
It doesn't come as a surprise to see Hoka take a stab at this emerging genre. With shoes like the Bondi and Clifton already taking up much retail in retail spaces (through store employees), hospitals (nurses and doctors), restaurants (cooks, waiters) and everywhere in-between, it only made sense that they start to take a stab at creating footwear specifically for the audience that the Bondi and Clifton has garnered over the years, along with riding the athleisure wave that's taken over the clothing industry.
As runners, we focus on emerging technology that helps us perform faster and have more fun on the road. Hoka has clearly noticed that it's audience isn't just in the running space as it once was, but is now a diverse field of everyday people in a huge variety of fields that are looking for both function and style all at once - and are willing to pay for it. I anticipate Hoka's all-new Transport is just the beginning of a new commuter boom in running as brands merge foams with stylistic offerings to try and take a portion of the market (if shoes like Deckers x Lab's carbon plated walking shoe is any indication).
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Transport is an interesting example of a multi-terrain commuter shoe. I particularly like that Hoka is experimenting with some sustainable/recycled products. The biggest recommendation has to go back to fit. The shoe could stand to have some more volume and width, which may mean sacrificing some aesthetic to do so. A nice alternative would be to offer a wide, hi-volume option which would also accommodate those looking for a shoe to also fit a mild orthotic in for everyday walking.
Additionally as an athleisure commuter shoe, I think the styling could veer either more dramatic or more clean depending on the direction Hoka would like to go. Either integrating more color to make it vibrant, or refining the look to be even more streamlined and less bulky would be interesting.
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR
The Hoka Transport is a commuter shoe for those looking for footwear that wears well with athleisure clothing and has a relatively narrow to standard, tapered fit. If you are a person who has a walk commute to work and especially a variety of terrain you'd like to traverse daily, this could be an option to take a look at. This will also suit those who prefer more of a hiking aesthetic over running, but wants something more akin to the comfort of a Hoka running shoe. It does sit somewhat high at the price tag of $140. For what it's worth, you do get a highly durable package with the strong cordura upper and vibram outsole protecting the shoe.
Personally, I have find the Transport to overall be a comfortable shoe for everyday use. I appreciate being able to grab the Transport without thought for just about any activity outside of sports. From daily walking in the neighborhood, which also consists of some grassy, hilly parks, to errands like shopping or just work in the yard and garden, it's been an easy go-to. The more I've used it over the past several months, the more I've been appreciative of it's versatility for any kind of walk/errand I need to take on.
The one thing I struggled with as a runner was if I needed the Transport in my life when I had a lot of running shoes already in the mix - especially at the $140 price point. If you don't mind a running sneaker appearance, you probably don't need the Transport in your life and can grab a stable neutral or possibly stability option (our walking shoe guide here) depending on your needs and likely do just fine - especially if you do need to seek a higher volume fit. Some shoes like the On Cloudace, Saucony Endorphin Shift, and Nike Pegasus are just a few in my collection that stands out. If you do really want something that was more tapered and streamlined for an urban commute though, with the comfort of a Hoka midsole and you don't need a running shoe, that is where the Transport's niche fits best.
GRADING
Bach
Fit: B/B+ (Just wanted a bit more volume to be an all-day option for comfort. Narrow feet will do fine)
Performance: A- (Handles multi-terrain well and flows nicely)
Footwear Science: B+ (Blend of sustainable ingredients is exciting to start seeing in the Hoka line)
Personal: B+/A- (While I found it more than comfortable and a fine shoe in general, it was hard to really feel like it had a place in my quiver of footwear. That said, I do appreciate having it available and have enjoyed being able to grab it without thought for any activity)
Overall: B+ (For it's specific niche community of urban commuters with narrower feet, worth a look. It is a high cost, but a durable shoe in every way)
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