Hoka Rapa Nui 2 Shoe Review

In preparation for the 2nd Annual Pennsylvania Grand Canyon Trail Full Marathon I purchased a pair of Hoka One One Rapa Nui 2.  Pronounced hoe-kah oh-nay oh-nay, which is a Marori expression meaning “it’s time to fly over the Earth".  I’ve heard the shoes called everything from moon boots to marshmallow clown shoes but, I’ve never heard them referred to as uncomfortable.  

Comfort is what you can expect when you lace up a pair of Hoka’s. Hoka’s unique design allows your foot to settle into the shoe slightly below the cushioning line resulting in a stable and comfortable ride.  

The Rapa Nui 2 is the sleekest looking shoe in Hoka’s line up and its also the least expensive.  Some of Running Competitors.com testers felt the shoe was narrow but I didn’t have any issues.  

When my Rapa Nui’s arrived I couldn’t wait to hit the trail, but not before removing the speed laces and replacing them with the traditional laces provided.  The Rapa Nui 2 has a 30mm heel and 25mm forefront giving it a 5mm offset positioning you nicely to tear up the trail or asphalt.  The threads on the outsole are aggressive and they performed well over a variety of surfaces.  

When running downhill I’m usually mindful of my speed but, not in the Rapa Nui’s.  My confidence increased with every stride, it literally felt as though I was flying over the earth.  If you're in the market for a trail shoe give the Rapa Nui 2 a try or if you want an awesome recovery long distance or race day shoe you won’t be disappointed.

Happy trails

Runr4Lyfe