'I tried the new Hoka x Reformation collaboration and these were my honest thoughts'
As the fashion features editor of Women's Health, I am very fortunate to try a lot of shoes. And look, when it comes to shoes yes the priority should be do they feel good and do they improve my runs/training. But I can't help it! I want them to look good too!
So when the press release for Reformation's collaboration with trainer label Hoka came across my emails, my heart practically skipped a beat.
How we tested
Now I'm certainly not what you would call a runner... I love to walk (15k steps a day is my average, yes that is a brag and I'm not sorry) and will occasionally push myself to jog cause I know the benefits are endless. Which made this lifestyle and performance blend in a shoe the perfect fit for me.
I decided to push myself for the sake of fashion and fitness and try various types of workouts to get a true feel.
Reformation x Hoka review
The shoes are designed to suit any and all exercise you're drawn to. Be it casual walks around the park, a game of pickleball or even a touch of Prancercise, you'll spot the legendary founder of the sport Joanna Rohrback in the campaign for the collab, these shoes are made for it all.
The two brands have taken Hoka's iconic Mach 6 silhouette and Reformation-ed it, which means neutral tones juxtaposed with elegant pops of colour so that they actually look as good as they feel.
So as I laced up my new trainers and took to the wet streets of South West London I had a definite spring in my step. The shoes offer considerable cushioning, which is a non-negotiable for me when it comes to running shoes (girly gets sore feet), without feeling too plushy they're still responsive on the road so you can feel the way your feet are working.
I was a bit nervous about the temperamental weather, worried that their light colour would make them dirty easily. But I stuck to the footpaths, and leapt over puddles, so by the time I got home, they were pretty much spotless.
On a casual walk around the park, I found myself bouncing from foot to foot like a schoolgirl, enjoying the push it gave me even as I slowed from a run and took it easy. At the gym, they were perfect for my treadmill sprints and I even found them pretty decent for weight training as I could still feel my feet on the floor, unlike some running shoes with far more cushioning. I even sported them on a trip to the shops paired with some suit pants and didn't feel like a total dork - major.
If you're a casual runner who values a good-looking shoe, look no further. I can easily see myself reaching for these time and time again, no matter what speed I'm at. In fact, if you value comfort but don't want to wear your perhaps not-so-glamorous everyday trainers on your commute to work, I think these are the shoes for you.
Final verdict
Yes, they're comfortable—tick. Yes, they're supportive—double tick. Plus, the sleek, streamlined silhouette and versatile colourways not only fit into your activewear lineup but also complement your everyday wardrobe, making these a worthy investment, in my opinion. My only concern would be because of the lighter colours I wouldn't wear them out if there are puddles around or rain clouds on the horizon.
Both brands value sustainability which is clear throughout the designs, with the shoes made from recycled polyester and organic cotton, featuring leather sourced from LWG gold and silver audited tanneries—tick, tick, tick.
Overall, you can colour me impressed, they supported my feet where I needed them to, provided push and responsivity with the ground, and if you ask me these may just be the chicest running shoes on the market!
The limited edition Reformation x Hoka collaboration is available to shop at thereformation.com for £150 from September 26.
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