Where are Hoka Shoes Made in 2023? 5 Countries

Hoka One One trainers are considered a benchmark for trail, road, and terrain shoes. The athletic shoe company is quite well-known in the fitness community and operates in different countries worldwide.

But what helped the company come into the limelight only in a matter of years? Where are Hoka shoes made?

If you are looking for these questions, you are at the right place. Without delaying it, let’s get straight into it.

Where are Hoka Shoes made?

Hoka One One shoes are made in China and Vietnam. Apart from these countries, Hoka shoes are also made in the Philippines, Cambodia, and the Dominican Republic, but these countries have less than 20% of total Hoka shoe manufacturing combined.

During the past few years, the company has significantly reduced its production in China and focused more on its Vietnam production.

The news surfaced because China was heavily dependent on coal, making it inappropriate for the company to manufacture there.

The company is reported to play a role in preserving the natural environment. The step taken to transition from China to Vietnam helped the company to reduce its environmental footprint.

In this regard, the company issues a Corporate Responsibility Report annually. Let’s further discuss how the company excelled among its competitors.

Last but not least, the markets served by Hoka One One include North and South America, Asian-Pacific Region (APAC), Europe, Middle-East, and African Region called the (EMEA region).

Related: Where are Nike Shoes Made?

Hoka One One History:

Hoka One One, otherwise pronounced as (On-ay On-ay), was first introduced to the world in 2009.

In the same year, Hoka One One company started in Anney, France. Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, two aspiring Salomon workers, created the company.

The crazy idea of creating new shoes became a reality when they were working to make shoes that would allow people to go downhill faster.

The result was a shoe with a slightly oversized outsole compared to other shoes in the market. Hoka One One shoes were named after a phrase in the Eastern Polynesian language Maori, “Fly over the Earth.”

The extra cushion in their shoes helped athletes get better stability, which was their unique selling point. Apart from marathon runners, Hoka shoes started getting popular among other athletes.

Within three years of its first operation, Hoka shoes were available in multiple stores around the United States.

The company sponsored 2 famous and top trail runners, Dave Mackey and Karl Meltzer, to grab the customer’s attention further.

This step by the company proved to be a success, and in the coming years, the brand got very well-known among athletes. Today, Hoka is known for its enhanced cushion and minimal weight.

The company offers a variety of shoes for a wide range of athletes, including trail runners, road runners, triathlon athletes, and trail-ultra runners.

Who Makes Hoka Shoes?

With the ever-increasing competition in the market, Hoka was acquired by Deckers Outdoor Corporation in April 2013. The company is now responsible for manufacturing all of Hoka Shoes.

Deckers Outdoor Corporation, or Decker Brands, is a footwear designer and distributor based in the US. The company owns famous footwear brands such as UGG, Teva, and Hoka. Today, it is headquartered in Goleta, California.

Hoka One One footwear is famous among athletes and runners around the world. The brand, to date, continues to produce high-quality footwear for athletes worldwide. 

Manufacturing Countries for Hoka One One in 2023:

Let’s have an analysis of where their shoes are manufactured.

Are Hoka Shoes Made in China?

China has undoubtedly been the Hoka shoe manufacturing hometown from the start. The company has been since beginning used China for manufacturing its flagship shoes.

The US was never an option because of high labor and material costs. On the other hand, China was quite feasible because of its inexpensive labor and easy access to resources.

Hoka is reported to have around 28 factories in China. Out of it, 4 are footwear, and 10 are lifestyle. Apart from it, 14 suppliers manufacture Hoka products in different factories around China.

As discussed earlier, there was a conflict in the company’s vision of protecting and conserving natural ecosystems with manufacturing in China.

The mass dependency of China on coal has made a negative impact on the planet somehow.

Considering this, the company has moved some of its production from China to Vietnam. But still, many Hoka shoes are made in China.

Vietnam:

More than half of Hoka One One footwear undoubtedly comes from Vietnam. Vietnam houses 19 factories for the company. Out of them, 11 are exclusively used for Hoka footwear manufacturing.

Vietnam has been among those countries that have always emphasized the use of hydroelectricity. One reason associated with this emphasis is the reduction of environmental footprint and preservation of the environment.

With significant manufacturing companies worldwide moving to Vietnam, Hoka One One joined them along with the motto of ecosystem preservation.

This trait of the company is also appreciated by many of the company’s consumers worldwide.

Cambodia, Philippines, and the Dominican Republic:

A recent Corporate responsibility report issued by the company states that Hoka shoes are also manufactured in Cambodia, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic.

All these countries house one factory each for Hoka One One, as reported by the company. Their manufacturing contribution, as compared to China and Vietnam, is minimal.

Apart from Hoka, read the following to learn about other shoe brands:

• Where are Clarks Shoes Made in 2023? 11 Countries Revealed
• Are Timberland Boots Good?
• Where are Merrell Shoes Made in 2023? Are They Good?

How Long Do Hoka Shoes Last?

You may be skeptical about the quality and longevity of these Hoka shoes since you now know that they are mostly manufactured in China and Vietnam.

There was much debate concerning the durability of Hoka Shoes compared to other reputable American shoe brands. So, I decided to test Hoka One Shoes’ quality and durability.

The first major problem with Hoka shoes is that some of its models lose cushioning rapidly due to the sole compressing. Buying a new pair in as little as a few months may be necessary, depending on how often you use them.

Most running specialists estimate the typical lifespan of running shoes to be between 250 and 500 miles. In extreme cases, you could get 700 to 750 miles out of a pair of shoes, but that’s not the norm.

Being a running enthusiast, I bought Hoka Rincon 3 and Hoka Clifton 8 to test their durability on the running track. These 2 models are popular because they are lightweight, comfortable, durable, and easy to clean.

I used Hoka Rincon 3 for jogging daily, and after a month and a half, I felt uncomfortable with the shoes’ soles. Depending upon the results, I would say that the lifespan is Hoka Rincon 3 shoes is around 200-300 miles.

On the other hand, Hoka Clifton 8 outperformed Hoka Rincon 3 in terms of durability. I was able to use them during jogging for over 2 months. So, the lifespan of Hoka Clifton was around 350 to 500 miles.

Hoka shoes may not be as long-lasting as Nike or Adidas shoes, but they provide enough knee protection.

Where to Buy Hoka Shoes:

Hoka shoes can be purchased from various retail outlets, including sporting goods stores, outdoor retailers, and shoe stores. The most convenient and popular options include:

• Hoka Official Website
• Amazon
• Zappos
• Farfetch
• Nordstrom
• Net-a-Porter

Are Hoka Shoes Good?

Yes! Hoka Shoes are great. They are more suitable for people looking for good stability, durability, and comfort.

Hoka shoes are among the best athletic shoes available in the market. They have been particularly popular for trail running and hiking. So, it’s no surprise the Hoka One One Mach 4 won the T3 award for “Best Running Shoes.”

The shoe’s sole is made of a premium mesh and foam that provides excellent traction on various surfaces, from rocks to slippery grass.

The cushioned insole makes it easier to absorb shock and maintain balance while running or hiking, so you can run or hike for longer without getting tired.

The company is committed to sustainability, and therefore, they have adopted eco-friendly manufacturing practices. As a result, they are shifting from China to Vietnam.

Verdict: Where are Hoka Shoes Made?

Hoka Shoes have taken the Shoes Industry by storm. In less than 15 years, they have managed to become a global brand.

They are already manufacturing their shoes in 6 countries and delivering their shoes to various world regions.

The company still has a long road ahead, and the future is looking quite bright. Their concern for preserving the natural environment while manufacturing makes it among the most socially responsible manufacturing organizations.

Since its inception, the company has sponsored hundreds of athletes and international events. Hoka One One offers lightweight, enhanced cushion and comfort for its footwear.

Advanced features like Meta-Rocker, J Frames, Profly, and Carbon Fiber Plate have gained popularity and are much appreciated by consumers. As a result, the company’s signature shoes are used and loved by users worldwide.