HOKA began in the French Alps in 2009 with a single idea: build a shoe that makes downhill running feel easier and more efficient. While the rest of the industry focused on minimal cushioning, HOKA moved in the opposite direction. More cushioning, less impact and a geometry that helped runners move with less effort.
The Stinson arrived early in that journey and quickly became the model that defined HOKA’s identity. Launched in 2012, it introduced a level of cushioning that was almost unheard of at the time. A thick EVA midsole, a wider platform for stability and the signature Meta Rocker geometry that helps runners roll forward with less effort. It felt different, looked different and changed what long distance footwear could be.
The Stinson became the foundation for many HOKA models that followed. Its ideas shaped the Clifton on the road and the Challenger on the trail, and much of the brand’s design language can be traced back to this shoe.
Today the Stinson remains true to its original purpose: supportive over distance, steady across mixed terrain and built for runners who want comfort without losing momentum.
