They may look like something the Stay Puft marshmallow man wears when he’s on the treadmill, but the Hoka One One Conquests, part of the new trend of fat-soled running shoes, are built to help your body handle the continued stress of stomping the pavement. A direct contradiction to the minimalist running trend, the Conquest puts 29 millimeters of cushioning underneath your heel and 25mm underneath your forefoot. The high-volume, soft-density EVA midsole is lightweight (the shoes only weigh 12oz), and provides a soft, smooth ride on long runs. The fat midsoles absorb the shock that your knees would have to take with lesser shoes — especially when you hit a downhill. The curved heel and toe reduce shock further by enabling a rolling gait, and the deep footbed rolls up and cradles your foot for a stable running platform. [$170; hokaoneone.com]
Running Shoes with Serious Sole
The Hoka One One Conquest is unapologetically chunky because asphalt is unrelentingly hard. Meet the muscular city runner.