Any athlete worth their salt knows recovery is as important as nailing your workout in the first place. For this exact reason, the folks at HOKA have announced the Ora Primo recovery shoe: blending the best of a cushy midsole with the kind of tubular lace-up system that belongs on a Balenciaga runway.
Following on from the Ora Recovery Shoe 2 which launched a couple of years ago — a hospice-worthy lace-free slip-on — HOKA has dialled up the aggression to create a shoe that we can certainly envision a few unhinged triathletes wearing. (But will, more than likely, find its way onto the soles of your average flabbily appointed gorpcore enthusiast.)
In practical terms, the Ora Primo exhibits the same thick-cut midsole we all know and love from HOKA, but instead of using a performance-focused breathable mesh upper, the design team has opted for a soft knit collar and insulated puff material instead.
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The outsole boasts 30% recycled rubber; the laces border on a decorative element; and you’ve got the choice of triple black or military green — bound to give your local barista the impression you’re a function-forward sort of operator.
All told, I’d wager 90% of the Boss Hunting office would happily wear the HOKA Ora Primo as a daily shoe, and it’s cool to see the brand pushing further into the lifestyle category that Salomon has been the undisputed champion of now for a couple of years.
Unfortunately, at present you’ll have to order from the US or UK webstores. Fingers crossed that HOKA Australia gets these into stock soon.
