Introducing HOKA Kids with Hy Rosario

(6 min. read)

Rosario-Kids' 1

We’re thrilled to finally announce the news: HOKA now has a Kids’ line! We launched our kids’ products with three styles to start: Clifton 9, Speedgoat 5, and Ora Slide 3. Director of Outdoor and Kids’ Footwear at HOKA, Hy Rosario, walked us through the process of creating the HOKA kids’ products, how these styles aren’t just “smaller versions of the adult shoes,” and why parents and kids alike will love them.

HOKA: Where did the inspiration for developing a kids’ line come from?  

Hy Rosario: HOKA is known for creating world-class performance products which are loved around the world. Our team is obsessed with creating new ways to support athletes of all types, from beginners to elite, so they can achieve their best.

We challenged ourselves to bring powerful and inspirational products to future athletes, of younger age and smaller sizes, with equally big dreams. The mantra for these new kids’ products is “big performance, small sizes,” and we are thrilled to deliver products to propel these future flyers. 

HOKA: What was the thought behind launching with the Clifton 9, Speedgoat 5, and Ora Slide 3 as the intro models? 

Hy: For our inaugural season, it was critical to import HOKA’s most iconic and beloved products into the HOKA Kids lineup. We selected the Clifton 9 because it’s one of our top-rated road running styles, the Speedgoat 5 because it’s our most popular trail running shoe, and the ORA Slide 3 for a lounge-worthy recovery style. These were the perfect launch styles to introduce HOKA to this new audience. 

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HOKA: How long did the process take from initial idea to final product? Was consumer feedback involved in the product? 

Hy: We started the development back in 2019 with an in-depth analysis of the fit requirements for young athletes. Our engineering teams worked with world-class last makers to ensure the product would fit the foot shape of youth athletes in order to amplify their comfort and performance. Many test samples were created to ensure the fit was perfected.  

Once that phase was complete, our designers and engineers worked to design and build the key styles. The shoes went through many rounds of designs, sampling, fit tests, and wear tests. Along the way, we learned from many global consumer field wear tests and continually improved the products. What you see today is designed to take young athletes to new levels of comfort, style and performance! 

HOKA: What makes the kids’ line different from adult models?  

Hy: Our kids’ products aren’t just smaller versions of the adult shoes—they’re designed specifically for the shape and needs of kids’ feet. But we worked diligently to replicate the comfort, design language, and performance characteristics of the adult shoes.  

HOKA: What’s special about the materials?  

Hy: A massive effort was made to build these products with a considered approach. We applied bio-based sugarcane EVA midsoles and rPET meshes/laces/linings wherever possible. For example, the woven uppers apply a new way to dye yarns. The award-winning supplier applied a patented process that reduces the amount of water used when compared to standard dyeing techniques. A big thanks for the incredible dedication and synergy from the following HOKA Product Creation Team members, along with our global partners: 

Clifton 9 Kids: 
Kids Designer: Hector Rubio/Footsoldiers 
Adult Designer: Gabe Nicasio 
Kids Developer: Angie Chang 
Kids Color Design: Becky Field 
 
Speedgoat 5 Kids: 
Kids Designer: Hector Rubio/Footsoldiers 
Adult Designer: Gabe Nicasio 
Kids Developer: Angie Chang 
Kids Color Design: Becky Field 
 
Ora Slide 3 Kids: 
Kids Designer: Ryan Crouch 
Adult Designer: Ryan Crouch 
Kids Developer: Angie Chang 
Kids Color Design: Becky Field 

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HOKA: Is there a model that was your favourite to work on? 

Hy: That’s a tough question, as it would mean we’d have to pick a favourite child… LOL. The truth is that each project had its own set of challenges. I loved the way we worked together to solve those challenges while delivering a compelling and inspiring group of products. Our team was inspired to inspire these young future HOKA fans! 

HOKA: Why do you think kids will love them? 

Hy: The marketplace is lacking in performance products that truly deliver a great wearing experience. All the things that adults love about their HOKA shoes have been woven into the DNA of our kids’ footwear lineup. They are cushioned and designed to fit for optimal performance.   

Parents will also love that these shoes are engineered for increased durability. We know that kids often wear their performance shoes to, well, be kids! That means climbing structures, hanging out at the playground, riding bikes (and more) in a normal day. We added durability features such as more rubber surface on the outsole and protective toecaps to keep their shoes from wearing too quickly. Kids will love them because these new shoes bring joy to their daily activities! 

Plus, all HOKA Kids products employ a high degree of sustainability —another thing to love about them. 

HOKA: What are you most proud of with the launch of this lineup? 

Hy: Many of our HOKA teammates are also parents, so HOKA Kids was an immediate “let’s go.” We rallied to create performance-driven products engineered to propel these young flyers forward. I can’t wait to see what new personal bests, adventures, and goals these younger athletes achieve. Whether they are training for a sport, pushing themselves in physical education, or recovering from a tough workout, we know they are going to love their HOKA Kids shoes. 

HOKA: Anything else you’d like to share? 

Hy: This is the first wave of HOKA Kids and we are already working on future products to inspire many new activities and uses. Big performance in little sizes is coming to life, thanks to the inspiring work of our passionate teams! Fly (little) Human, Fly! 


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