Something about loud, statement shoes fills me with joy. Give me a hefty midsole or interesting silhouette over the yawn-inducing minimalism of an Adidas Samba or Chuck Taylor (sorry). Which is why my latest obsession is the Hoka Ora Primo, a slipper-sneaker hybrid that fully commits to both comfort and boldness.
These shoes are certainly divisive. The internet can’t decide if they’re wildly ugly or absolutely brilliant. Someone on Reddit compared them to a pile of old tires, but I think they look like something out of the “Dune”—maybe pulled straight from the costume closet of a Fremen extra. Reactions when I wear them out have ranged from “Hannah, really?” to “Those are a vibe.”
The Ora Primo was designed as a recovery shoe to keep feet feeling good after workouts. The insole features tiny, raised modules meant to promote circulation. The plush cushioning of the midsole strikes the ideal balance of soft and bouncy, absorbing impact as you step. The wraparound design molds around your foot in a way that makes it feels oddly secure for a shoe with no real laces or straps—though they do take a second to put on.
And while they look wacky, they’re surprisingly functional—and comfortable. I’ve walked miles with them on my feet across New York and they’re still going strong. Compared to other recovery shoes, they’re actually trail-capable thanks to the thick, lugged outsole and protective toe cap—although they don’t have a Vibram outsole, the rubber is still pretty sticky. And as a qusasi recovery slide they also provide arch support instead of making me feel like I’m shuffling around in pool slides (like the classic Hoka Ora.)
I’ve fully committed to the Ora Primo as an everyday shoe: Pair them with long jeans, and no one can tell I’m essentially wearing slippers to the coffee shop. Thanks to their easy slip-on design, they’ve also become my go-to gym shoe when it’s too cold for slides. And recently, they were my airport shoe for a long day of travel—one of two pairs of shoes that I packed for a week in Joshua Tree. (The other was Hoka’s Tecton X 3 for trail runs.)
The biggest critique I’ve heard is that they run small, and the heel collar makes them tricky to slip into. When I first got my pair in the mail, I agreed. But I stuck it out because I love the wormy, alien-like design so much, and after a few wears, they’ve broke in nicely. Now, the back tab is easy to pull on, and my foot feels perfectly cocooned inside. I wouldn’t size up.
However, they do run warm. The insulated upper is cozy for cooler months, but once summer hits, I’ll probably retire them until the temperatures drop again.
What keeps me reaching for the Primos day after day is that they feel playful in a way most shoes don’t anymore. At a time when sneakers are getting sleeker and more refined, the Ora Primo is an endearingly oddball exception. Every time I look down at my feet, I smile.
Published 04-15-2025
Updated 04-23-2025
