My search for the comfiest shoes
I received earth-shattering news at Hoka in SM Aura. Earth-shattering to me, at least.
“Your right foot is semi-wide,” the sales associate, who had just done a scan of my feet, said.
I looked at him in surprise. But at the same time it made sense. That’s why the sneakers, not Hoka by the way, that I bought on a whim in Japan, the same ones I had been abusing for over a year, sometimes felt like murder on my little toe—but just my right little toe.
I’ve been on a quest to find the comfiest shoes so I can tell you about them, so our feet can live in bliss.
I’ve always been a proponent of comfy footwear. Tiis ganda or suffering for beauty isn’t part of my vocabulary—unless we count tattoos. Forever a klutz, I gave up on heels in my late 20s, choosing flats even when attending weddings.
For decades, I’ve lived in my many pairs of Doc Martens (which can seriously be super comfy once you’ve broken them in—and new models no longer require breaking in, like the ones that use Nappa and Ambassador leather). But the older I get, the more I’ve found myself also wanting to add sneakers to my wardrobe—and not just any sneakers, the comfiest sneakers.
For runners—and others
I first learned about Hoka from SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, who raved about them.
Founded in France and now based in California, Hoka was originally created for runners. And while it continues to be a favorite of runners of all kinds, it’s also been embraced by people who need to be on their feet all day—from service industry folks to healthcare professionals. Filipino nurses in the US have been sharing their love for the brand with their relatives in the Philippines, sending home pairs or bringing them as pasalubong so they too can experience the comfort it offers.
But if you don’t have generous nurses in your family, do not fret. You can always get your own pairs at Hoka stores here—at SM Aura, Greenhills, One Ayala, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay. One benefit of going to a Hoka store: You can have your feet scanned.
“We recommend that you take advantage of the scanner. We want to give you the right size and the right fit,” said Sharon Salvacion, marketing manager for MAF Philippines, distributor of Hoka.
The process is quick and easy. Just remove your shoes, get on a scanner, stay still for a second, and let the sales associate do the rest. And that’s how I found out my right foot is semi-wide.
Not only that, according to Francis, the guy scanning my feet, I have a low arch. “But you still have an arch and your feet aren’t pronated.” Thanks, I guess.
That meant I can go for what he calls “neutral shoes.” He said that my feet are 6.5, 6.6 semi-wide so I should wear wide shoes–a 7 wide. If wide shoes aren’t available, I should size up to a 7.5, he said.
After analyzing your feet, they’ll recommend pairs for you. “You can go with the bestsellers—the Clifton, Bondi, or the Mach 6,” I was told.
Those with flat feet will require more support, more stability—maybe a Gaviota or an Arahi.
The recommended shoes will also change depending on what you intend to use them for. They have shoes for trail-running, triathlons, pairs that offer additional push and propulsion, ones really designed for performance. But that’s not what I was there for. I just wanted shoes for walking and standing around. And so Bondi or Clifton it was.
Once they’ve identified shoes that are right for you, you can try them on and even test them on the treadmill to see how you feel when you walk and run in them. I didn’t need to get on a treadmill to make my choice—the Clifton 9 in the Gull/Sea Ice colorway (there’s a Clifton 10 now). And I was going to put them to the test when I do the most amount of walking—when I’m traveling outside the country.
A lot of travelers like using Hoka, saying it enables them to walk a ton without getting tired.
Also fans of Hoka? Military people.
Salvacion isn’t surprised that people of different industries and backgrounds have fallen in love with the brand. She said, “If you feel you need something that can keep you on your feet, we have a solution for you in the store.”
She herself can attest to the comfort the shoes offer. “I always use comfortable shoes. But with Hoka, what I’ve noticed is kahit buong araw akong mag-event, wala ‘yung cramps. I can stand all day, and in the evening ‘pag bumaba na ‘yung energy mo, pagod ka pero hindi siya masakit.”
Stability and cushion
Doctors have been known to recommend Hoka to their patients. Some models have even earned the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance. Francis said, “Models like Clifton 9 and Bondi have technology for foot problems like plantar fasciitis and supination.”
You know who else you’ll spot wearing them? Senior citizens.
“When I tried Hoka, hindi napapagod ang paa ko,” said Mrs. B, whose cousin bought her pair in Canada.
Mrs. Shing had the opposite of my experience during her foot scan at Hoka. “I always thought my feet were wide. They said, ‘Ma’am, no, your feet are narrow.’ They gave me the exact size, tamang-tama. It’s very light.”
She’s right—the Clifton 9s are very light, despite the cushioned soles designed to absorb impact. It has a compression molded EVA foam midsole and early stage MetaRocker, providing a smooth transition from heel to forefoot for efficient stride and to improve the running experience.
I’ve put them to the test—in Manila, Japan, and Germany where I had to go on a surprise hike, and they’ve passed with flying colors. These shoes are super comfy, so comfy that I’ve been trying to find black ones so I could wear them every day.
I’ve also been wanting to get my grandpa a pair but he has been refusing, saying he’s happy with his slip-on Skechers. He’s not the only one. I’ve met people young and old who love their Skechers for the comfort and also the ease of slipping them on and off—no lacing up needed!
On, New Balance, and more
You cannot talk about comfortable shoes without talking about On. In fact, I’ve witnessed many people have the same debate: Hoka vs. On, with the two sides equally passionate about their favorite pairs. My boss Cheche swears by her On shoes—particularly the Cloudmonster. She also loves her New Balance 327 which she says are really comfortable.
Ask my cousin Joseph—who, unlike me, actually runs—what the comfiest shoes are and he’ll tell you they’re the New Balance Fresh Foam X More V5.
Miguel Celdran, managing director of Green Tee Inc., the official Nike Store partner in the Philippines, said, “My favorite comfy shoe is the Nike Vomero 18.”
My cousin Fifi, who’s always on her feet running her bar, said, “Comfiest for me is Adidas Ultraboost. Though I haven’t tried Hoka or On. I wear it almost every day because I have to stand for long hours. My feet don’t hurt after.”
Our friend Giff chimed in, “+100 dito. Ultraboost gives me both support and comfort. Fave travel shoes.”
Our friend Jason agrees. He loves his Ultraboost. But for running, for him, it has to be Asics Gel Nimbus. “Best ever, zero pain.”
My cousin Chrissie is also an Asics fan. “Asics Gel Kayano. Buy buy buy,” she said.
I’ve also recently fallen in love with Salomon. I own the XT-Whisper and the XT-6, trail shoes that are both great for the city and for traveling. I wore the XT-Whisper in Disneyland and it passed the theme park test. I couldn’t stop wearing both pairs and I am very tempted to buy more. I also love the Quicklace system—no need to tie my shoes, just one pull and I’m done.
Radio personality and host Tin Gamboa is also a Salomon fan. “I’m quite addicted to their shoes. The XT-6 is my favorite travel shoe. Nakaka-20k steps ako dito, no problem. For people who like traveling, I highly recommend the XT-6.”
What I’ve realized during this search (which I think will continue for as long as I need shoes), is that everyone’s feet are different. One person’s favorite comfy shoes may not be another’s. Use this as a starting point and head out.
When it comes to shopping for shoes, it’s still best to go offline. Hit the different stores, try them on, and let your feet do the choosing.
