I just bought my second pair of Hokas (conquest) to use for next running season,I've used them only a couple of times and right now I'm having the same thoughts I had last year with my old pair,that they seem too stiff and since they're so big they're bothering me a bit around the ankle,apparently they take a little time to break in and get loose but if they're anything like my other pair from last year (Stinson tarmacs)I'll be very happy with them.They're not the lightest or most flexible shoe brand but what they do well they do very well,and that's reduce the pounding from running a lot of miles.They are literally the most heavily cushioned shoe brand you can find and if you get used to running in them you really miss the cushioning when you don't run in them.Another thing I noticed from the Stinson Tarmacs is that they are seriously durable with very little wear for the amount of miles I put in them.The best thing about my new ones is that I got them for $110 off their original sale price,they are last year's model but I'm fine with that.