The age-old question: What makes the perfect everyday shoe?
Well, first and foremost, it’s got to be comfy – properly comfy. Lots of cushioning, a nice soft upper and plenty of support around the ankle. The next most important thing is robustness – if you’re wearing these more than any other shoe, they can’t be made of tissue paper. And finally, they can’t be too mental looking – these shoes should seamlessly slip into any outfit, and any occasion.
At first, that might not seem like a big ask, but combining all three criteria in equal measure is tougher than you may think. Most brands only have one true everyday shoe in their line-up, and in the case of HOKA, we’d argue it’s their new Stinson One7.
When HOKA started out back in 2009, comfort was the number one priority. And the Stinson One7’s super cushioned midsole & toggle lacing system proves that priorities haven’t shifted. As for robustness, a certain trail heritage has been oozed into the Stinson, meaning it’s not going to fall apart on you in a hurry. And aesthetically… well, look at it. Understated, but still exciting – it’s the kind of shoe that you could get away with wearing out for a big lunch, spend all night in a bar, and then walk up a hill the next day to burn off the excess calories you accrued the day before.
And barring the eating and drinking part – that’s exactly what SEVENSTORE has done…
The Liverpool-based retailers understand that to properly test an everyday shoe, you’ve got to put it into everyday situations – and then push that bit further. So they’ve taken the Stinson One7 out of the city and into the heart of the Lake District, an area where mornings start slowly, paths end without warning, and ale tastes that bit sweeter.
Anyone who has been to the Lake District will be familiar with the particular calm that settles over the area at first light: mist rolling over the hills bringing with it an overwhelming sense of calmness. SEVENSTORE found that Lake District mornings brought out the best in the Stinson One7. The excess of cushioning took the sting out of long stretches on hard ground, while HOKA’s signature rocker kept everything rolling smoothly forward. Miles pass almost without noticing in these shoes – a pretty important feature for England’s most mountainous region.
Underfoot, the durable outsole of the Stinson One7 inspired confidence when surfaces shifted from wet stone to loose gravel, while the upper secured toes without totally locking them down. The silhouette has been stamped all over with that trail-ready robustness we spoke of earlier, but refined enough to feel completely at home back on the pavement.
And that balance is what HOKA has always excelled at. Born as a rebellion against minimalism, the brand built its reputation on doing the opposite of the competition at the time: more cushioning, broader platforms, and a commitment to reducing fatigue over long days. The Stinson line has always bridged trail and street, and the One7 is its most versatile expression yet.
For SEVENSTORE, field-testing the Stinson One7 wasn’t about going to the maddest place on the planet – it was centred around real movement. Walking, wandering, stopping, starting, and heading off on the occasional unplanned detour.
Generally, the less you have to think about a shoe, the better. And there’s only one tough decision with the Stinson One7…
Which colourway are you grabbing?
Shop HOKA Stinson One7 at SEVENSTORE
