Rocker Running Shoes-Hoka One One
Rocker running shoes have many great features, and are maximalist shoes. A great first rocker running shoe is The Hoka One One.
The rocker running shoes rocker sole feature acts like a rocking chair. Some models have no flex of the sole at the ball of the foot (stiff sole) and some do. With the stiff sole rocker there is less engagement of the muscles of the foot and leg. The purpose is to give protection to the foot, ankle, knee and hip. The rocker decreases pressure especially on the heel and the bottom of the ball of the foot. The sole of the shoe is wide, giving more balance.
Another important feature of rocker running shoes is the extra cushioning of the sole. Depending on the model the soles have as much as 2.5x more cushioning than regular jogging shoes. The shoes are lightweight, weighing approximately 9 ounces (female version) or 10 ounces (male version). The cushioning is lightweight and made of compression-molded EVA (“ethyl vinyl acetate,” a common cushioning material).
The drop of the shoe, the difference in thickness of the sole between the heel and the forefoot, is roughly 4-6 mm. This is where minimalism meets maximalism.
There are many different indications for rocker running shoes;
Hallux Rigidus/Limitus
Metatarsalgia
Sesamoiditis
Neuroma
Capsulitis
Decreased metatarsal fat pad
Arthritis foot or ankle
Plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
Achilles/Calf
Knee, Hip, Quads
Contraindications
Rocker running shoes are not for everyone. They are not recommended for people with balance issues. Orthotics fit may be a problem due to high sidewalls where one’s foot is positioned into the shoe instead on top of the midsole. Width of the shoes has helped with this problem. There is less muscle use with these shoes.
Conclusion
Extra cushion rocker shoes have multiple indications especially for ball of foot issues and plantar fasciitis. Rocker shoes are another tool in our toolbox in treating Podiatric patients.
Other companies which have come out with rocker shoe models are; New Balance More, Asics Meta Ride and Glide Ride, Saucony Endorphin Shift, and Gravity DfyereXLR8. I have not reviewed these shoes for this blog, but they have both similar and different features to the Hoka One One.
