Back in January, we covered HOKA’s funky new Speed Loafers, which was like the sneaker equivalent of a tuxedo shirt. While other trendy sneaker loafers (yes, there are others) try to blur the line between everyday and dressy, HOKA’s version made a distinction between the two with the brand’s signature chunky rugged sole down below but a surprisingly fancy upper design.
The entire precept of a sneaker loafer is to be a bit discreet with your dressed-up casual footwear, and so the inaugural Speed Loafer was decked out in all black. However, HOKA is back again with a bright orange version that displays more overt irreverence compared to its predecessor.
Walking on Flames
If you read this headline without looking at the pictures, you may have assumed the new Speed Loafer would’ve been all orange. Nope! Instead, HOKA opted to double down on its stylistic dichotomy by keeping the top of the shoe in a dark color — this time brown instead of black — but then shifted the bottom half to the headlining Ember orange color, with orange suede connecting the two halves. The brown leather drops down lower at the heel, featuring the brand’s bird logo on the patch, while the tassel laces make a return here as well, in gray instead of black.
The Same Capable Speed Loafer
Despite being significantly more stylized, the new orange variant is not merely a fashion statement. Still built around the Speedgoat 5 platform, especially from the midsole down, the Speed Loafer sports a Vibram Megagrip outsole (also orange) with 3mm lugs perfect for giving you a grippy foundation for trail runs or urban exploration. Likewise, the compression-molded EVA midsole should be just as comfortable as you’d expect considering the brand’s well-earned reputation.
Not Just a Pretty Face
The aforementioned tassels aren’t just for completing the dressy pretense but actually function as speed laces for dialing in your fit. Other form-meets-function elements include a leather sockliner and the suede strip that doubles as a mudguard. The sneakers even feature reflective piping for better visibility at night. You obviously won’t find these in traditional dress shoes, which brings a justification to models like the Speed Loafer.
Spec Sheet
Model: Speed Loafer (Asphalt/Ember colorway)
Uppers: Leather with orange suede mudguard
Midsole: Compression-molded EVA
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
Lug Height: 3mm lugs
Lacing: Custom speed tassel system
Additional Features: Leather sockliner, reflective piping, heel leather patch with bird logo
Price: $185
Limited Edition?: Yes, unspecified
Pricing & Availability
Priced at $185, the Speed Loafer in the Asphalt/Ember colorway launched exclusively from retail curator Nepenthes New York today but already seems to be available from HOKA’s website as well. These aren’t limited to a specific edition size but are selling out very quickly already.
Recap
HOKA Speed Loafer in Orange
After debuting the all-black Speed Loafers in January, HOKA comes back around with an orange-base version, doubling down on the irreverence while still giving the sneakers the same trail-ready performance.
