The HOKA Speed Loafer sold out shortly after its initial launch on January 31, 2025, but on May 23, HOKA released a new color, Asphalt/Ember, which also quickly sold out.
For fans of the unique loafer-gone-running shoes, it seems passion has turned to rage as frustrated fans unable to buy the shoes write one-star reviews on the HOKA Speed Loafer product page.
One-star reviewers, like Josh from Colorado Springs, complained that the shoes are “impossible to buy.” Although a newsletter subscriber, Josh wrote he “received zero notifications in email, (and) now only size five are in stock.”
What’s driving this obsession with a unique, some might say bizarre, running shoe-loafer hybrid? Let’s examine the design and buzz around the Speed Loafer to find out.
Meet the ‘Speed Loafer’
New Balance technically set the trend in September 2024 with the first release of a sneaker-loafer, the 1906L. The 1906L also appears to be sold out on the company’s U.S. website.
New Balance calls the 1906 a “juxtaposition of sneakers and more formal attire.” And given the appearance, we can’t argue with the assessment. An open-holed mesh upper, “curvilinear synthetic overlays,” and shape of a classic penny loafer force the brain to blur dresswear with the running track.
Enter HOKA. The Speed Loafer maintains the “iconic tooling” of the Speedgoat 5 like the Vibram Megagrip outsole but with a “custom speed tassel.” How the tassel helps with speed remains unclear. It pairs opulent leather and suede with reflective piping and a suede mudguard, hinting that this attempt at city style is also ostensibly for sports.
HOKA has yet to confirm the Speed Loafer’s suitability for running after we reached out. We’re skeptical.
The company’s website stated the HOKA Speed Loafers aim to blend “classic style with a HOKA twist.” Consumers have long craved more comfortable yet stylish athletic wear. First it was athleisure; now it’s loafers you can maybe run in.
Runner’s World called the HOKA loafer-shoe “its most unhinged shoe yet.”
In a consumer review, Magilla66 wrote, “I actually like the design.”
Consumer Buzz, Availability Backlash
The loafer-cum-sneaker seemed promising, yet HOKA Speed Loafer reviews fall into two extremes: five stars or one.
Seattle reviewer Dealz4Miles gave five stars, writing, “The other boys on the trading desk will never catch me now!”
Jhonny from San Francisco’s Castro District also wrote a five-star review: “These shoes don’t just support your feet — they enhance your circulation like you’re training for the Olympics. Then, because why not, I flew business class in these bad boys after breezing through TSA PreCheck.”
Another customer, Magilla66, wrote, “23,000-some people have viewed this shoe like I have, only to discover you carry these in a very SMALL foot size.”
Another enthusiastic would-be customer wrote, “PLAYING GAMES WITH SPEED LOAFER!!! Why do you continue to tease and play games about (a) never available product such as this? It’s never available with your claims of getting on a never ending waitlist.”
Looks like ordering the HOKA speed loafer feels less like a business-to-consumer transaction. It’s more like dating. And HOKA never calls.
A spokesperson from HOKA told GearJunkie, “While there’s no official plans to release more iterations of the Speed Loafer just yet, we can say there will be similar exciting drops from HOKA on the lifestyle side of the mainline offering that will have audiences just as surprised and delighted!”
It’s clear that the biggest hurdle for this innovative shoe to catch on as a trend is that it’s always sold out.
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