Athletic shoes can be excellent in the performance category, but not all of them are versatile enough to also slay the lifestyle category. And when I’m forced to make a choice between performance and pretty, I’m going to pick performance every time.
But you don’t have to choose when you have shoes like the Hoka Transport, which will hold up all day as you explore the city or country, and they’ll still look good when you chase more refined pursuits.
The shoes also have some sustainability features, like a compression-molded EVA midsole with 30% sugarcane, a Vibram EcoStep Natural outsole (which uses 90% oil-free components and natural pigments), and a Cordura abrasion-resistant textile made with rPET (recycled plastic bottles.
The Transport provides a symmetrical bed of protective cushion for your feet, resulting in a sleek shoe that’s solidly stable for city sidewalks, cobblestones, garden paths, and all nature of city living that isn’t 100% polished. And that protective cushion doesn’t make you feel like you’re walking on pillows.
The quick-toggle lace is designed for easy on-and-off—especially helpful when you’re traveling with them and have to take them off for airport security. But for those old-school folks who prefer traditional laces, they’re included. When you’re out at night, the 360-degree reflectivity provides higher visibility.
A fit note if you’re like me and have a wide front foot: The shoes fit a little more snug up front than your regular Hoka shoe, but I hardly noticed the difference after the first couple wears.
The women’s Hoka Transport comes in eggnog, black, raisin/wistful mauve, or trellis/mercury, and lists for $140. The men’s Transport lists for the same amount and comes in black, castlerock/black, and avocado/harbor mist. There’s also an all-gender version in white for the same amount.