Can I Wash My Hoka Shoes?

For those of you who are avid runners or anyone who owns a Hoka shoes there will be a point when you need to clean your shoes.

So, can I wash my Hoka shoes? The short answer is no! It would be best to just wipe them off if they get dirty but don’t put them in the washing machine or submerge them in water at all.

You can find on their official site that they recommend hand washing them using cold water and a mild soap to not damage the materials and making them last longer. To dry them just put them somewhere they can get sunlight.

They also have specific guidelines to clean the different types of Hoka shoes since they are built with different materials, the cleaning process is different too. Make sure to check out their site to avoid ruining them.

How to wash your Hoka shoes

As we mentioned before, the only 3 things you need to wash them are: your hands, cold water and mild soap.

A quick guide on how to wash your Hoka shoes is the following:

1. Take your shoes apart. Take laces, liners, insoles, etc all off.
2. Wash your laces separately, you can use the washing machine.
3. Remove most dirt from the shoe with a dry towel or paper.
4. Clean them with soap and cold water. Make sure to not brush them too hard.
5. Wipe the excess soap.
6. Put them outside to dry

Why you should wash your Hoka shoes

Well, it’s because your shoes are picking up all sorts of dirt and grime on the ground as you run. And if you’re wearing dirty or wet shoes for a long time, they can start to smell bad and make your feet sweaty. 

Another good reason to wash them is because of “runners foot” which is an infection you get in your feet from wearing running shoes for a long period of time without taking them off and washing them.

I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of this, especially if they’re just going on a short jog or are only out for a few hours. But, when you wear the same pair of shoes day after day, week after week (without giving your feet any rest) bacteria can grow on the inside lining of your shoe which can lead to athlete’s foot or other infections like MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) too.

So while washing them is a little more work than not doing so, it will pay off in better foot health in the end.

When to wash them

Some people say that it’s better to wait until they start to smell before washing them, but this is a terrible idea, dirty running shoes can cause blisters or other infections and are just downright gross. 

Experts recommend washing after three runs, every 10 miles of walking/running or every 2 weeks if you use another 2 or 3 pair of shoes within the same time. That is also considering you are using them under normal weather conditions, if you wear them during rain or snow then you should wash them immediately after being used.

What materials are in a pair of Hokas shoes

In order to properly know what materials are in a pair of Hokas, we need to take the time to break down the different components that make up this shoe. First off, there’s the midsole which is made from Hoka Boost foam and has an EVA foot frame for stability and cushioning. Next there’s the outsole which features lightweight blown rubber for traction on any surface. 

On top of these two parts are some protective measures like TPU film wraps around the heel and toe as well as a layer of carbon rubber for durability against abrasion. The upper material consists of synthetic leather with mesh panels on either side.

As for their outside materials, they come on:

• Mesh
• Leather
• Canvas and Natural Fabric
• Suede or Nubuck
• GORE-TEX® Product Technology

Remember that each type of material may require a different cleaning process.

Conclusion

The truth is, your Hokas are going to get dirty. And they’re not just any old shoes that you can toss in the back of the closet until it’s time for a deep clean—they’re running shoes with an emphasis on being durable and lightweight. If you think about it, even if you don’t go outside much or run around at work all day, there will be dirt from walking through public spaces like shopping malls and restaurants getting into those shoe creases.

So what should we do? Wash them! But when exactly? Short answer: Whenever they start feeling grimy inside. Longer answer: Depends how frequently you use them and for what purpose.

And, how should you wash them? Just hand washing with cold water and soap. We hope this article was helpful for you to keep your great Hoka shoes clean and usable for a long time.