HOKA Transport 2 Review: A Sustainable Daily Trainer for Triathletes

What to Look For in a Sustainable Training Shoe

The HOKA Transport 2 takes HOKA’s trusted maximal cushioning philosophy and wraps it in the brand’s most sustainable design to date. Built for triathletes who train in all conditions and care about the environmental impact of their gear, it uses 30% sugarcane-derived EVA in the midsole and a Vibram EcoStep outsole made with 90% oil-free materials. For brick sessions, long training runs, and post-ride easy miles, the Transport 2 offers a plush, protective ride that holds up through heavy training weeks.

Key Features to Consider

  • 30% Sugarcane EVA Midsole — A bio-based alternative to petroleum-derived foam, the sugarcane EVA delivers HOKA’s signature cushioned ride with a reduced carbon footprint. The cushioning feel is comparable to the standard Transport, with no meaningful compromise in performance.
  • Vibram EcoStep Outsole — Uses 90% oil-free compound and recycled materials, offering excellent durability and grip across road and light trail surfaces. Ideal for the mixed-terrain running that many triathlon training blocks involve.
  • PFAS-Free Water Repellent Upper — The upper uses Cordura RE/CORE fabric (100% rPET) with a fluorocarbon-free DWR treatment, keeping the shoe dry in wet conditions without harmful chemical coatings.
  • 360-Degree Reflectivity — Practical for early-morning or evening training sessions, particularly through winter and spring months when daylight is limited.

Our Top Picks

Best Eco-Conscious Training Shoe: HOKA Transport 2

The Transport 2 is best suited as a daily training shoe for triathletes who log high mileage and want a cushioned, protective option for easy and recovery runs. It’s not a race shoe — the weight and stack height make it better suited to training miles than speed sessions. Think of it as your go-to for long zone 2 runs, recovery jogs after hard bike sessions, and brick adaptations. The sustainable construction doesn’t require any performance sacrifice, and the PFAS-free water repellency is a genuinely useful feature for year-round British training conditions.

View HOKA Transport 2 on HOKA UK

Best Budget Alternative: HOKA Clifton 11

If the Transport 2’s premium pricing gives you pause, the HOKA Clifton 11 offers comparable everyday cushioning at a lower price point. It’s slightly less aggressive in its sustainable credentials but remains an excellent all-round training shoe for triathletes building base mileage.

Buying Tips

  • Size true to your standard HOKA size. The Transport 2 fits similarly to the Clifton range — if you’re new to HOKA, order your normal running shoe size and go half a size up if you have a wider foot.
  • The Transport 2 is a training shoe, not a race shoe. Use it for base building and recovery runs, and switch to a lighter option for sessions and race day.
  • The water-repellent upper is effective for light rain but not waterproof — for extended wet weather sessions, trail shoes with a Gore-Tex lining may be more appropriate.

Care and Maintenance

The Transport 2’s sustainable materials are durable but benefit from sensible care. Spot clean with a damp cloth rather than machine washing, which can compromise the DWR coating and upper construction. Rotate the shoe with another pair during heavy training periods to extend midsole life, and replace when cushioning feels noticeably compressed — typically after 600–800km of use.

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