The Hoka One One Evo Rehi is a low-slung, slipper like, rock-hard racer
Weight: 190g (M) 165g (W)
Heel-To-Toe-Drop: 4mm
Type: Road racing flat
Price: £104.99
The RW summary
‘A low-slung, slipper like, rock-hard racer.’
Low-slung sensation
Cushioning provides the minimum protective layer between you and the ground.
Kevlar mesh upper
This is a Hoka in name only, and marks a significant departure for the brand from its signature highly cushioned shoes with a large stack height. The same build quality and reliability is there, just in a model that delivers exceptional speed, responsiveness, and control.
A shoe with no outsole
What’s that? A shoe with no outsole? Yes, you read that right. The Evo Rehi doesn't have any traditional rubber underfoot. Instead the midsole is in direct contact with the ground, and has some ‘strategic coring’ too, which means there are holes carved in non-contact locations to further reduce weight. There were no signs of wear over 150 miles but we’re sceptical that the shoe would last for the full standard average of 500 miles without an outer coating to slow the breakdown of the midsole foam.
A look at the midsole
The midsole foam is little more than a stabilizing feature, wrapping up around the edges of your heel. Your foot sits lower in the midsole, giving the impression that there’s not much between your foot and the road – but the cushioning that there does a decent job taking the sting out of the pavement without compromising your speed.
A stripped-back upper
The upper has been stripped right back; there are no heel counter or heavy overlays, and the mesh is made from Kevlar threads which is very lightweight, super durable and won’t absorb water if you slash through any puddles. The downside to this is that it’s not that pliable and out testers found that while the shoe comes up normal when you first put it on, the lack of give in it means the fit gets tighter as your foot swells, which means even if you are efficient enough to use such a low-slung shoe for longer runs, it’s best to keep them for short sharp stuff before your toes start to bang against the end of the toe box.
With some performance shoes you can get away with using them for the middle ground of ‘most runs’. But not here; this is a stripped-back, thrillingly fast shoe to be kept for when you need to put the hammer down.
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