It's about time that HOKA ONE ONE ditched the laces on its ultra-comfortable running shoes. As a borderline Orthopedic Sneaker Enjoyer myself, I'm speaking from experience when I say that the only problem I ever had with HOKA sneakers was that they weren't even easier to get on your foot.
HOKA's Restore TC slip-on solves that issue but quick.
Essentially a classic HOKA running shoe sans laces, the HOKA ONE ONE Restore TC is likely to be about as marmite as any of the French company's other beefily cushioned sneakers but, if you're like me and already enjoy the taste of HOKA, the Restore TC is no less a treat.
Part of the appeal is the price: compared to the HOKA TC 1.0, its sneaker forebear, the Restore TC comes in about $90 cheaper. (Did you know that the "TC" stands for "Thoughtful Creation?" Now you do).
We're talking $110 to $200 so it ain't a bargain either way but, then again, that's not terribly out of line for most HOKA shoes. Bonus: you know you're getting an extremely comfortable and comparably thoughtful shoe.
Initially sold only at specialist HOKA retailers in late, the Restore TC dropped worldwide via HOKA's website on August 15 for $110 apiece.
Anyways, speaking of appeal, the HOKA Restore TC's inherent stretchy ease isn't the only salient factor.
Two additional things working in the Restore TC's favor: its debut colorways are fairly handsome neutrals — HOKA makes the only all-black sneakers I can fully get behind — rather than gaudy neon designs and the shoe is fitted with HOKA's quintessential Hubble sole unit, a hefty, treaded number that guarantees a return on expended energy with each step (read: all-day comfort).
It's also a step up (ha) from HOKA's conventional recovery footwear line, which typically only includes molded rubber sandals and a few pairs of squishy, packable mules.
At the end of the day, in my book, comfort is all that really matters, and that's the exact box that the Restore TC seems intended to tick. All they need is GORE-TEX lining and they'll be all-season-friendly.
Expect to see Adam Sandler rocking them shortly.
