Hoka Kailua Tarmac running shoes

[AWaspOnAWindowReturns]

Can anybody please tell me which shoes are a similar alternative to the Hoka OneOne Kailua Tarmac trainers?

I've got a big race coming up and have been training in the Kailua. I doubt my current pair will still be fit to wear come race day, as I've really laid down some miles in them. It seems they've been discontinued though and I'm at a loss which others will feel the same or at least similar.

I've trained in my Clifton 5s today (usually my recovery shoes due to the massive squashy soles and really soft toe box) - they were comfy enough but rather unresponsive and "foamy" by comparison - felt a bit like running 8km on a mattress! My time wasn't affected but they just felt odd and I wouldn't like to try and run a fast 10k in them.

Also I much prefer the self-tensioning laces on the Kailua Tarmac to the traditional laces on the Clifton, but the Hoka site doesn't appear to have any alternative models with these.

Someone please point me in the direction of something neutral, lightweight, with a moderately firm but bouncy sole, a solid-ish toe box and preferably with self-tensioning laces - or please tell me which model Hoka have replaced the Kailua Tarmac with?

Thanks in advance.

Bump!

I'm currently in Hoka, and suggest you try their new model, the Carbon X.

What distance is the race? Nike Zoom Fly is are shoe, which feels rather firmer then a Hoka but which also encourages a fore foot strike

Thank you for replying @AuntieStella - it's a half marathon. I'll have a look at the Hoka and the Nike. It's taken a long time to find a shoe I'm happy in, so I'm keen to stay with Hoka. I'm just really peeved they've discontinued the Kailua!

There's a Clifton 6 just out as well - I thought it felt firmer than the 5. I replaced trainers about a month ago, and got the Carbon X (previously in Clifton 5)

The shoe I liked best before I went Hoka was the Mizuno Wave Rider - a shoe that's been around for yonks, so must be doing something right. It's quite firm/solid though, so perhaps more one for you to try just as something to compare to?

Thank you! I'll look at the Mizuno too. I've just had a look at the Carbon and the sole seems a little smooth compared to the Kailua and the Clifton - how have you found it for traction on wet tarmac?

I don't know yet! Not been much rain here since I got them

I was wondering what you went for in the end?

Because I did a wet 10k on tarmac last night in the CarbonX and they were fine, and felt perfectly secure

@AuntieStella nothing yet I'm afraid! I did 21k two weeks ago, and I've had a break due to a holiday and a bit of a niggly hip. I'm cutting it close to the wire, breaking a new pair in, but at the same time I've not long to recover before the race if my hip gets any worse... Good to know about the Carbon though, thank you - the Kailua are a bit rubbish on wet surfaces (nearly injured myself stepping onto the elliptical machine this morning ). I'll let you know when I do buy a pair.

Just seen this thread, so a bit late, but did you check Ebay, Amazon and discount shops like SportsShoes.com? You can often pick up discontinued shoes or previous year's designs there.

I did @oysterfound , sadly nothing there.