New year, new Hokas. To kick this party off, the king of cushion will unexpectedly revisit the Kawana model first released in 2021 as a hybrid trainer.
That means that, unlike the more-popular Clifton and Bondi models optimized for running and walking, the unsung Kawana is an all-purpose workhorse for the gym or studio, where its firmer midsole and lower heel-to-toe drop are better suited to heavy loads and lateral side-to-side movements.
The thing is, the brand-new Kawana Mid doesn’t look much like your typical gym shoe.
There are no bright colors or flashy logos. In fact, Hoka kept it classy with two launch colorways, black and white, both of which come with tonal detailing for a cleaned up aesthetic.
With that, the new variant edges the Kawana ever closer the lifestyle category — an evolution further emphasized by the addition of a high-top, boot-like upper that helps to bridge the gap between performance and everyday wear.
