Hoka One One Stinson ATR 6 Review
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By Tara Summerville Editor’s Conclusion
I’ll cut to the chase: the Hoka One One Stinson ATR 6 is one beefcake of a shoe. We’re talking Frankenstein's monster-type shoes. And I love them! I will gladly be chased from my home by angry pitchfork-wielding villagers as long as I get to wear these ultra-plush trainers. This shoe is one of the plushest and cushioned trainers that Hoka has to offer, and that’s really saying something. Hoka is known for squishy and marshmallow-like foam cushioning, and the Stinson ATR 6 dials that cushion level up to an 11.
If you are looking for a great stability shoe to help ease the pain from plantar fasciitis that can also conquer almost any terrain, you have come to the right place. While the lugs are deep, they are much softer than the lugs found on your hiking boots. They cost quite a bit more than your average pair of running shoes, but the plush cushioning and high performance make it worth every penny.
Below, I wanted to dive into all of the advanced features that will make the ATR 6 your favorite pair of running shoes of all time.
If you are looking for a great stability shoe to help ease the pain from plantar fasciitis that can also conquer almost any terrain, you have come to the right place. While the lugs are deep, they are much softer than the lugs found on your hiking boots. They cost quite a bit more than your average pair of running shoes, but the plush cushioning and high performance make it worth every penny.
Below, I wanted to dive into all of the advanced features that will make the ATR 6 your favorite pair of running shoes of all time.
Hoka One One Stinson ATR 6 Review Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Great for overpronators or plantar fasciitis
Aggressive lugs are ideal for trails
Meta-Rocker even out gait cycle
Insanely durable
Stretch upper is composed of recycled materials
Cons
It has a very blocky design
Very expensive
Heavy
Muted color palate
Key Features
Key Features
MIDSOLE
In true Hoka form, this shoe offers a thick and plush midsole that cradles and comforts your feet. It is composed of an oversized CMEVA foam material that feels like you are running on marshmallows. Hoka has a reputation for soft and squishy midsoles, and the midsole on this design is one of the plushiest designs in their entire lineup.
What I also love about this trainer is that it boasts Hoka’s Meta-Rocker technology, which makes it ideal for those with plantar fasciitis or overpronators. When you overpronate, it means that you are putting too much weight on the inside of your foot, which can do lasting damage to your knees and joints. The Meta-Rock is a hard-shell frame along the outside of the shoe that naturally guides your foot to a nice and even gait cycle.
UPPER
Before I dive into the performance and fit of the upper, I first wanted to discuss the materials used. The upper is made from 100 percent recycled Unifi REPREVE® yarn that is made from recycled plastic. You can feel good about the materials used in the construction of this shoe. Hoka makes sure that they also consider the overall environmental impact when manufacturing their footwear.
One of the very first things that I noticed about the upper of this shoe is that it offers amazing stretch. The plush knit material stretches over your foot to provide a custom fit. It has a synthetic toe cap to protect your feet from tree roots and rocks, and the thicker platform protects your sock when running through mud. Many users have found that this shoe drains really well when running in not-so-ideal weather conditions.
While it boasts supportive features that protect your feet from rocks and rain, these overly protective shoes aren’t as breathable as many expected. The upper along the top of the foot is composed of a thinner knit with air vents, but it’s not quick enough to keep your feet from overheating on hot days.
OUTSOLE
The outsole is what brought you here, isn’t it? A good trail runner needs lugs that are able to really sink into the earth to prove excellent stability and control, and the outsole of the Stinson ATR 6 really delivers. What I have found in many trail runners is that many of the lugs are super-stiff, much like a hiking shoe. This shoe boasts 4 mm lugs (which is quite aggressive) but they are much softer than I expected.
The lugs on this design are stiffer in high impact areas around your forefoot and heels, and much softer in the midfoot, In fact, they are so soft that simply pressing on them with your finger makes them give a little. This design feature not only makes them incredibly comfortable but also makes them a little more flexible as well, which is something that you don’t often find in quality stability trail runners.
The outsole is composed of Durable Vibram Megagrip and integrates engineered Zonal rubber that heightens its overall durability as well as flexibility for a strong trainer that is made to move.
PERFORMANCE
So, who is the Hoka Stinson ATR 6 made for? If you love hitting up the trails, the aggressive lugs and high cushioning make this shoe built for even some pretty extreme trailheads. However, I have found that the overall softness of the lugs means that it is not just limited to the trails. It also performs quite well on the sidewalks and can even be worn in the gym.
One of the things that I noticed in my research of this shoe is that there a lot of users that wear them as their everyday shoes for running errands or working on the lawn. If you suffer from plantar fasciitis and find that most shoes send shockwaves of pain up your legs, this trainer works to eliminate all of that. You may buy them for running trails, and find them to be some overwhelming comfort that you may never take them off (and that’s ok)!
PRICE
Ok, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Overall, trail running stability trainers don’t come cheap, and the Hoka Stinson ATR 6 is no exception to that rule. Unless you have an affinity for limited edition experimental styles, this shoe is one of the most expensive shoes out there on the market. For hardcore runners working up to an ultra-marathon, this shoe is worth every penny.
Also, I have found that runners with a painful case of plantar fasciitis find this is one of the only shoes that work to completely eliminate their foot pain. Whether your need something hardcore for your lofty goals or you need extra cushioning for foot pain, just about every customer found that this shoe is well worth the initial investment.
STYLE
We already know how I feel about the styling of this shoe. Hoka’s have a very distinct style of big and blocky shoes, and this is no exception. At first glance, I thought there was no way they would be comfortable enough to wear out in public. Where there are people. Yet one step in their cushy and plush midsole made the fear of judgemental eyes melt away.
Sure, the frame is a bit and blocky and their color palette is a bit odd. But nothing beats the comfort and performance of this shoe.
FIT
The construction of the upper provides users with a snug fit that contours to the shape of their foot, and the stretchy laces move with you through your gait cycle. It also boasts a super wide toe box that allows your toes to naturally splay inside of the shoes, which is essential for stability on uneven trails.
One thing that I did notice is that many users find that this shoe runs a bit narrow in the midfoot, as well as a tad too small. I suggest you take accurate measurements of your foot to determine whether you need an average width, or if you need to opt for one of their wide models.
In true Hoka form, this shoe offers a thick and plush midsole that cradles and comforts your feet. It is composed of an oversized CMEVA foam material that feels like you are running on marshmallows. Hoka has a reputation for soft and squishy midsoles, and the midsole on this design is one of the plushiest designs in their entire lineup.
What I also love about this trainer is that it boasts Hoka’s Meta-Rocker technology, which makes it ideal for those with plantar fasciitis or overpronators. When you overpronate, it means that you are putting too much weight on the inside of your foot, which can do lasting damage to your knees and joints. The Meta-Rock is a hard-shell frame along the outside of the shoe that naturally guides your foot to a nice and even gait cycle.
UPPER
Before I dive into the performance and fit of the upper, I first wanted to discuss the materials used. The upper is made from 100 percent recycled Unifi REPREVE® yarn that is made from recycled plastic. You can feel good about the materials used in the construction of this shoe. Hoka makes sure that they also consider the overall environmental impact when manufacturing their footwear.
One of the very first things that I noticed about the upper of this shoe is that it offers amazing stretch. The plush knit material stretches over your foot to provide a custom fit. It has a synthetic toe cap to protect your feet from tree roots and rocks, and the thicker platform protects your sock when running through mud. Many users have found that this shoe drains really well when running in not-so-ideal weather conditions.
While it boasts supportive features that protect your feet from rocks and rain, these overly protective shoes aren’t as breathable as many expected. The upper along the top of the foot is composed of a thinner knit with air vents, but it’s not quick enough to keep your feet from overheating on hot days.
OUTSOLE
The outsole is what brought you here, isn’t it? A good trail runner needs lugs that are able to really sink into the earth to prove excellent stability and control, and the outsole of the Stinson ATR 6 really delivers. What I have found in many trail runners is that many of the lugs are super-stiff, much like a hiking shoe. This shoe boasts 4 mm lugs (which is quite aggressive) but they are much softer than I expected.
The lugs on this design are stiffer in high impact areas around your forefoot and heels, and much softer in the midfoot, In fact, they are so soft that simply pressing on them with your finger makes them give a little. This design feature not only makes them incredibly comfortable but also makes them a little more flexible as well, which is something that you don’t often find in quality stability trail runners.
The outsole is composed of Durable Vibram Megagrip and integrates engineered Zonal rubber that heightens its overall durability as well as flexibility for a strong trainer that is made to move.
PERFORMANCE
So, who is the Hoka Stinson ATR 6 made for? If you love hitting up the trails, the aggressive lugs and high cushioning make this shoe built for even some pretty extreme trailheads. However, I have found that the overall softness of the lugs means that it is not just limited to the trails. It also performs quite well on the sidewalks and can even be worn in the gym.
One of the things that I noticed in my research of this shoe is that there a lot of users that wear them as their everyday shoes for running errands or working on the lawn. If you suffer from plantar fasciitis and find that most shoes send shockwaves of pain up your legs, this trainer works to eliminate all of that. You may buy them for running trails, and find them to be some overwhelming comfort that you may never take them off (and that’s ok)!
PRICE
Ok, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Overall, trail running stability trainers don’t come cheap, and the Hoka Stinson ATR 6 is no exception to that rule. Unless you have an affinity for limited edition experimental styles, this shoe is one of the most expensive shoes out there on the market. For hardcore runners working up to an ultra-marathon, this shoe is worth every penny.
Also, I have found that runners with a painful case of plantar fasciitis find this is one of the only shoes that work to completely eliminate their foot pain. Whether your need something hardcore for your lofty goals or you need extra cushioning for foot pain, just about every customer found that this shoe is well worth the initial investment.
STYLE
We already know how I feel about the styling of this shoe. Hoka’s have a very distinct style of big and blocky shoes, and this is no exception. At first glance, I thought there was no way they would be comfortable enough to wear out in public. Where there are people. Yet one step in their cushy and plush midsole made the fear of judgemental eyes melt away.
Sure, the frame is a bit and blocky and their color palette is a bit odd. But nothing beats the comfort and performance of this shoe.
FIT
The construction of the upper provides users with a snug fit that contours to the shape of their foot, and the stretchy laces move with you through your gait cycle. It also boasts a super wide toe box that allows your toes to naturally splay inside of the shoes, which is essential for stability on uneven trails.
One thing that I did notice is that many users find that this shoe runs a bit narrow in the midfoot, as well as a tad too small. I suggest you take accurate measurements of your foot to determine whether you need an average width, or if you need to opt for one of their wide models.
Comparisons to Previous Versions
Comparisons to Previous Versions
There isn’t a whole that has changed between the Stinson ATR 6 and 5. Many of the comfort features remain the same, such as the Meta-Rocker and plush EVA foam cushioning. However, there are some changes that make this shoe a little better than the ones that came before it.
One of the biggest changes lies in the overall weight. While this shoe is still pretty heavy, it is slightly lighter than some of the previous versions, which allows for easier movements and less foot fatigue when running long distances. The lugs are also a bit more aggressive than previous versions, which allow better traction and control on uneven and difficult trails.
One of the biggest changes lies in the overall weight. While this shoe is still pretty heavy, it is slightly lighter than some of the previous versions, which allows for easier movements and less foot fatigue when running long distances. The lugs are also a bit more aggressive than previous versions, which allow better traction and control on uneven and difficult trails.
Verdict
Verdict
If you can be kind and look past the overall appearance of this shoe, your feet will thank you. High-stability trail running shoes can sometimes be a little too stiff and unforgiving and are equipped with stiff lugs that just don’t feel very soft. The Stinson ATR 6 works to change all that, It is slightly lighter than its predecessor, and it is made from soft and stretchy materials that provide unmatched comfort to your tired feet. I know some runners have worn this exact shoe when competing in ultra-marathons, and attribute much of their success to these trainers.
Sure, angry villagers may chase you out of your home mistaking you for Frankenstein's monster, but there is no way they will ever catch up to you in your Hoka One One Stinson ATR 6’s!
Sure, angry villagers may chase you out of your home mistaking you for Frankenstein's monster, but there is no way they will ever catch up to you in your Hoka One One Stinson ATR 6’s!
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