Oh, Hoka, How I Love You

There are few things in life as precious to me right now as a fresh pair of Hokas. Forget diamonds, forget luxury vacations—when you’re walking across the country, nothing compares to the pure, unfiltered joy of slipping your weary, road-worn feet into a brand-new pair of Hokas.

A Farewell to the Fallen

One trusty pair has now been retired, their soles carrying the marks of hundreds of miles, their cushioning flattened by the sheer determination of this journey. They have seen it all—hot pavement, sandy trails, questionable roadside rest stops. They have endured the full weight of Gertrude, my snacks, and my stubborn willpower. And now? They deserve their rest.

A moment of silence for Hoka Pair #1—faithful, worn down, but forever appreciated.

The Next Generation Steps Up

Enter Hoka Pair #2—stepping in (literally) to fill their place. Fresh, bouncy, full of promise. They don’t yet know the trials they will endure. They haven’t experienced the blister wars, the mud battles, or the silent late-night negotiations between my aching feet and my stubborn soul.  But soon, they will. They will carry me through more miles, states, sunrises, and struggles. They will become an extension of me, molded by the road, tested by the journey.

And waiting in the wings? Pair #3. The rookies. The ones who have yet to be broken in, who still have that “right out of the box” perfection. Their time will come, but for now, they rest, knowing that soon, they too will join the ranks of the honored and exhausted.

Oh, the Joy of a Hoka If you’ve ever walked 500+ miles, you understand. That moment when you slide your tired, battered feet into a brand-new pair, and suddenly, the world feels lighter. The road ahead looks just a little more manageable. And for a brief, beautiful moment, you believe anything is possible.

Hoka, my dear, dear friend—thank you.

Now, let’s go walk 500 more.