Gear Review: Hilma Women’s Shoes

I take my gear seriously.  I have my favorite socks, my favorite water bottle, and favorite clothing pieces for every kind of weather.  But when it comes to shoes, that’s when I get really serious.

Finding the perfect shoes is no small feat (pun totally intended)—especially when you consider the limitations that shoe companies face.  Each runner, walker, and casual wearer has different needs—not to mention different biology.  You might need more arch support, while the person next to you has extra narrow feet.  And that doesn’t even consider the fact that most shoes are designed for men—so women are often stuck fitting into smaller versions of men’s shoes.  Unless you’re able to have your shoes custom made, you’ve got to work within the confines of what constitutes “normal” feet.

But women’s running shoe company Hilma has come up with a way to work through these issues.  Before the company launched last year, they spent three years trying to figure out how to offer a better fit for every wearer—from ultramarathoners like founder Brooke Torres to weekend warriors to the mom who’s just trying to survive a day on her feet at Disney World.  To do so, they made their shoe available in 45 different fits, looking beyond just foot length to things like shape and width and toe-box shape and more. 

But you won’t find your new custom-sized Hilmas at your favorite running store.  You’ll find them online.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who cringed at the thought of taking a chance on ordering shoes online without trying them on first.  I definitely have my share of horror stories about online shoe purchases.  But Hilma doesn’t make you guess which size will work.  They help you figure it out through an in-depth survey process.

THE SURVEY

When you click over to Hilma’s website in search of shoes, you end up launching a survey to help you find the right fit.  The survey may take around five minutes to complete, but it’s incredibly comprehensive, examining not just the size of your foot but your needs as well.

Each wearer’s needs are different, so the survey asks how you intend to use your new shoes.  It also asks you about your favorite (and least favorite shoes) shoes, how they fit, and what you love about them.  And then it gets into more detailed questions about your feet and even their shape.   

Yep—it’s that detailed. 

The whole process feels a bit like an online personality quiz.  But after you complete other surveys, they’ll sort you into a Hogwarts house or tell you which Ted Lasso character you are.  This one, meanwhile, will pair you with your ideal shoe (mine is The One in 8).  The final page introduces you to your match and tells you a little bit about your shoe.  And all that’s left is to choose from one of colorways, and your BFFF (Best Footwear Friends Forever) will be heading your way soon.  (Mine shipped out the same day!)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Just days after filling out my survey, my new shoes were at my front door, begging to be broken in.  The timing wasn’t the best, since a run-in with a loose dog the day before had left me with a twisted ankle and a bruised tailbone, but I couldn’t resist the call of new shoes, so I sat myself down (very, very carefully) and laced them up.

As soon as I did, I was struck by how they hugged my foot.  The website mentioned that they’d feel comfortably snug in the heel, and that was definitely the case.  Everything about them felt like they just…fit.  And even my sore right ankle felt comfortable in them. 

After hobbling around the house for a while, I decided to get outside for an easy walk on the neighborhood track, and I was incredibly happy with what I found.  These aren’t squishy shoes; I didn’t feel like my feet would get lost in the cushioning—but they did feel cushioned.  These are a solid, all-around shoe without feeling heavy.  The traction makes them feel like they could easily take on trips to Target or your favorite track—or even venture off the beaten path.  The uppers are also incredibly breathable—to the point that whenever the wind picked up, I could feel it in my well-ventilated toes.  And did I mention that they just hug your foot?   I just couldn’t believe how these really felt like they were made for me.

HOW MUCH DID I LOVE THESE SHOES?

I’m often a little wary about new shoes.  No matter how much I like them, I give them time.  I break them in a little bit before I make a real commitment.  But some shoes just click right away—and my Hilmas took such good care of that injured ankle that I was sold almost instantly.  I was so sold, in fact, that when I showed up for my quarter marathon just over a week later, I’d called up my only slightly broken-in Hilmas for the big day—and they did not disappoint.  I felt great through the whole course, cushioned and supported by my new favorite shoes. 

THE VERDICT

I’ll admit that I was slightly skeptical about the idea of ordering my shoes online—but the survey worked, and my shoes turned out to be just right.  I’ve been impressed by the fit and the comfort of my Hilmas, no matter how many miles I’ve got planned for the day.

So while you may not have heard of Hilma before, I have a feeling that you’ll be hearing more about these wonder shoes in the future.  You can find out more (and start the survey) at join-hilma.com . 

Pros:
– Survey helps find the right fit for you
– Good for most terrains
– Comfortable, cushioned
– Designed for women’s feet

Cons:
– Limited colors/styles available
– Available online only