Footwear Focus: Hilma
Welcome to the first edition of Footwear Focus! Once a month, Dr. Young will test out, discuss, and review a brand or model of shoes that can benefit her patients. Read on for more information on a new female-focused running shoe brand called Hilma!
I was intrigued when I first heard about Hilma as I was doing some research on running shoes designed specifically for women’s feet. My goal initially was to try out some shoes from Saysh, the brand started by track star Allyson Felix (stay tuned for more on that in future months), but the aesthetics of the Hilma shoes caught my eye, so I went for it!
Designed specifically for women’s feet, this brand has a unique approach to sizing. Not only do they carry standard full and half sizes, but you can further personalize your fit by choosing what kind of toe box suits you best. “The One” fits a narrower foot, while “The Two” and “The Three” have a roomier toe box with variations in the heel and midfoot. I took the “Find Your Fit” quiz on their website and was pointed toward “The Two” in a size 9, which is my standard size for running shoes.
my thoughts on hilma:
- These were definitely comfortable for walking around however this is a neutral shoe so some folks may need to add inserts/orthotics for extra support.
- I ran a total of about 40 miles in these shoes over a few weeks both with and without over-the-counter inserts. I found that for shorter runs (3 miles or less) they were ok but if I went longer, I missed the extra cushioning I usually have in my running shoes.
- The fit of the shoes was really great. Plenty of room in the toe box without a lot of shifting around in the rest of the shoe. Again, my shoes were very middle of the road on sizing but I do believe these could be really beneficial for anyone struggling to find a good fit with a bunion or other forefoot issues.
- LOVED the color (I got the blue) and the overall aesthetic. They are simple without being boring and without a large logo taking up half the shoe.
- The lugs on the outsole are nice. They give it a feel of appropriate traction without feeling super heavy duty. Hilma calls this a “road to trail hybrid shoe,” which I’d say is pretty accurate, particularly if you are not hitting any technical trails.
- At 9.7 oz these are a little on the heavier side however not a dealbreaker if using them for walking or easy running.
- The heel to toe drop of 6 mm and heel stack height of 29 mm puts them at the slightly more minimal end of standard running shoes. I personally prefer a bit more of a stack height for my running shoes but these are great for those who want to feel a little closer to the ground.
- Some people will be happy to see that Hilma claims to be sustainable, using “bio-based materials” whenever possible. They are also vegan.
SHOULD I TRY OUT HILMA RUNNING SHOES?
Overall, Hilmas are a great option for patients looking for a cute and functional walking/running shoe, particularly those who need more flexibility in how the different parts of the shoe fit.
Best for: bunions, hammertoes, narrow heels, small toes longer than big toe, wide forefoot
Not as great for: severe overpronators, high mileage
To order or read more about Hilma, visit their website:
TO SEE MORE OF DR. YOUNG’S SHOE RECOMMENDATIONS, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT HER “YOUR SHOE LIST” PAGE!
City Step Podiatry is here for you! Reach out today to schedule your visit and treat your feet to the care they deserve.
