As a lover of the Hoka One One Conquest, I was extremely eager to get a pair of Constants on my feet as soon as I heard about them. The Constant is Hoka One One’s first ever stability shoe and features both EVA and Hoka’s Signature RMAT midsole material. These are blended together to produce supportive, high rebound cushioning that feels amazing out on the road. Some stability shoes have a rigid, higher durometer posting on the medial side of the midsole to increase stability, but the Constant features RMAT rubber under the entire foot with a gentle wave on the medial side that provides smooth support throughout the gait cycle. I’ve never ran in such a comfortable shoe, especially in the stability category.
When I first saw that Hoka had gone with a ‘burrito style’ tongue that is connected on the medial side and wraps around the foot, I was a little worried about not liking the fit. However, as soon as I slipped them on and laced them up, all of my apprehensions melted away in sheer comfort. The tongue itself is lightly padded and securely wraps my foot from the medial side for increased support. The padded heel collar and TPU heel counter hug and support my heel without slipping for a smooth heel strike to get me through my gait efficiently. I also really liked the toe box. It is nice and roomy with plenty of space for my toes to splay, but I never feel like it is loose or like I am ‘swimming’ in them.
Like the Conquest, the Constant features a 4mm heel-to-toe drop and Hoka’s Active Foot Frame design, so my foot really sits down inside the midsole for an incredibly stable and responsive feel. That, combined with the RMAT wave on the medial side, provides the perfect amount of stability for me. In the past, some stability shoes have been a little uncomfortable because I could really feel that medial post pushing against me every step of the way. With the Constant my foot feels supported and balanced throughout my gait cycle. The support is subtle and comfortable, but it is there. After heel strike, the late stage Meta-Rocker provides stability in the forefoot and helps propel me to the next step. Not very noticeable to me when just walking, the late stage Meta-Rocker really activates and makes each stride more efficient when running. I’m still definitely doing the work, but I can feel the guided propulsion into the next step and it helps me go further than ever before.
One thing that shocked me was how light the Constant was. It is over a full ounce lighter than the Conquest. Weighing in at a mere 10.3 ounces (men’s size 9) and 9.0 ounces (women’s size 7), the Constant is significantly lighter than some of the top-selling stability shoes on the market today - and it offers the most cushioning.
The Hoka One One Constant is a great choice for runners who are looking for moderate stability with maximum cushioning and an amazingly plush ride. Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing about this shoe. A drop in weight on the next iteration would be okay, but I would not want Hoka to sacrifice the support and comfort this shoe provides. The Constant has been my shoe of choice from the first time I laced them up and took them out for a run. They set me up for a great run with the comfort and support I need to go the extra mile.
Check out the images of the Hoka One One Constant below:
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