Good morning, John (@johnbishop), fluter (@fluter), Leonard (@jakedduck1)

Thank you all for replying to my concern about Hoka shoes. I know some say Hoka shoes don't need breaking in. I've been breaking in top-dollar running/walking/hiking footwear since the 1970's when, inspired by Frank Shorter's winning the marathon, I splurged and bought my first pair of Asics. These Hoka Clifton 9's I bought two weeks ago have been given what I would consider a "fair chance." For me and my particular brand of PN, they just don't cut it. I've decided to return them. You nailed it, John, when you said, "I feel like I'm going to tip over when I'm walking or turning quickly." Precisely! I'll return to The Search (to find a PNers "perfect" pair of shoes). Over the years, I've tried––and liked––New Balance. I've tried––and liked––Brooks, too. The lace-up Skechers I'm currently wearing are "okay," but they could be better––in one very specific way: they could have a bigger toe box. I've ten gnarly toes they spend the waking days rubbing against each other, resulting in ten irritated toes (two in particular) by day's end. What the Skechers give me, despite their cramped toe box, is lightness. For me and my idiopathic PN, it comes down to only three or four "musts" when I'm shoe-shopping: lightness, a big toe box, the insertability (there's today's homemade word 🙂 ) of my podiatrist-built orthotics, and a good, firm platform so can "feel" the ground (no cushiness). Again, gentlemen, thank you for chiming in on my Hoka question.

Cheers!
Ray