Hoka (brand)
Hoka is a sportswear company that designs and markets running shoes. It was founded in 2009 in Annecy, France and had been based in Richmond, California, United States before it was acquired by Deckers Brands in 2013. Hoka first gained attention in the running industry by producing shoes with oversized midsoles, dubbed "maximalist" shoes, in contrast to the minimalist shoe trend that was gaining popularity at the time.
History
The company was founded in 2009 by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, former Salomon employees. They sought to design a shoe that allowed for faster downhill running, and created a model with an oversized outsole that had more cushion than other running shoes at the time. The shoes are named after the Māori language phrase meaning "to fly".The shoes were initially embraced by ultramarathon runners due to their enhanced cushion and inherent stability; however, they quickly gained popularity among other runners for offering maximum cushion and minimal weight. The brand's original, highest-cushion models are now accompanied in the Hoka lineup by lighter-weight shoes that retain much of the brand's cushion, include lightweight training and racing shoes, and track spikes.
Hoka was purchased on April 1, 2013, by Deckers Brands, the parent company for UGG, Teva and other footwear brands.
On December 22, 2021, Hoka announced that they were rebranding, with their business name changing from Hoka One One to simply Hoka.