Hoka came back around earlier this year with an updated entry into the Tor lineup with the Tor Summit, a revival of its very first hiking shoe from 2015 but with more of an intentionally fashion-forward streetwear aesthetic (after all, it got unveiled during Paris Fashion Week, so that should tell you something). And now, for its latest expansion, it seems to be doubling down on that design ethos with some vintage-inspired styling.
A New Look for Old Shoes
While Hoka has certainly embraced its prowess as a running and everyday shoe brand, with everyone from marathoners to grandpas to nurses loving how the footwear brand’s shoes feel on their feet all day, it seems clear that this is the year Hoka is making a push for the streetwear scene, much like New Balance has been doing in recent vintage.
As such, the brand’s Kaha and Anacapa models are still its flagship hiking shoes with purpose-built construction and serious capability and comfort. However, it seems to be tapping its back catalog and repurposing fallen silhouettes as lifestyle sneakers. Consider the resurfacing of the discontinued Elevon back in September, and now the resurrection of the Tor Summit.
Hoka Tor Summit Basics
While there are a quartet of colorways currently available, including all black, seed green, and black over beige, we really have our eye on this retro-looking brown “hazelnut” iteration. Unlike the GORE-TEX of previous Tor models, these 2024 sneakers are wrapped in luxe nubuck leather with zig-zag stitching on the heel and tongue webbing. There are also metal eyelets for added durability around the laces.
Sporting a low-top design, it sits atop a black rubber mudguard designed to protect your toes from incidental contact with trail hazards, while a Vibram Megagrip outsole with a classic lug pattern used on other Hoka hiking shoes. Lastly, the shoes feature a standard lacing system and come with an extra set of Taslan laces.
There’s no doubt that the new Tor Summit can perform well on the trail, however, I’d venture to guess that most people purchasing this shoe have every intention of trekking around town with them instead.
Spec Sheet
Type: Hiking shoe
Uppers: Premium nubuck leather with rubber mudguard
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
Lacing System: Standard
Pricing & Availability
Not limited in edition size, the Tor Summit hiking shoes might not have your desired colorway forever, so act fast if there’s one you like. Priced at $210, the town-to-trail sneakers are available now from Hoka’s website.
Recap
Hoka Tor Summit Hiking Shoes
Hoka made a vintage-inspired brown leather version of its Tor Summit hiking shoes, furthering its intent to market them as town-to-trail streetwear sneakers.
