The gift of HOKA’s monumental growth in the running and walking shoe category? The ability to explore new categories. We didn’t think they’d jump right into this, though.
The sneaker loafer entered the fray last year when New Balance’s spin on the model went viral. Junya Watanabe’s white and black execution caught the attention of footwear fashionistas, while the general public couldn’t catch the vibe and took it as a meme. It ended up reinvigorating the dress shoe/sneaker hybrid category, but nobody expected HOKA to dive head first.
Unlike the New Balance 1906L, which adds a sports-style element to their upperdesign, HOKA kept it purist friendly with a leather and suede upper and custom tassel. From the top down, the shoes look like an elder deacon’s shoe game for church. Beneath that is the thick, plush sole that gave HOKA its trademark look in the first place. It’s actually the same sole as the Speed Goat 5, a trail shoe that is among the brand’s most popular models.
These are dropping on January 31st, 2025 for $180 here.
