Why Choose HOFF Trainers? Our 3 Favourite Shapes

Are HOFF trainers good? We think so, which is why they are new to the shop this autumn. We chose them for two reasons: the colour, and how comfortable they are to wear all day.

HOFF is a Spanish label, and this is our first season with it. We have three shapes in, all in suede, priced from £140 to £160.

At a glance

• HOFF started in Elche, Spain, in 2017. The name is short for Hall of Fame
• We picked them for colour and comfort
• Three shapes: Park and Bridge sit low, City has a deeper sole
• All suede, in UK sizes 4 to 8
• Brush suede once it is dry, and keep it away from direct heat

• Who HOFF are
• Park, Bridge and City: the three HOFF shapes
• Are HOFF trainers good for everyday wear?
• Wearing suede trainers through autumn
• Frequently asked questions

Who HOFF are

HOFF started in 2017 in Elche, a town in south-east Spain with a long history of shoemaking. The name is short for Hall of Fame.

What caught our eye was where they put the colour. It turns up in contrast laces, a coloured tab at the heel, and a gum or cream sole underneath. From a distance the trainers look quiet. Up close, there is always something going on.

Park, Bridge and City: the three HOFF shapes

Each shape suits a slightly different wardrobe, so it is worth knowing which is which before you choose a colour.

Park

Park is the flattest of the three. It sits on a plain gum sole, which keeps it low and neat under a wide trouser. The chocolate pair has pale yellow laces and a pale blue tab at the back. It also comes in light blue and beige.

Bridge

Bridge is the slim one. Its gum sole curls up and over the toe, which gives it a slightly old-school, sporty look. We have it in chocolate brown and in beige.

City

City sits on a deeper retro running sole, so you get a little height without anything that looks like a platform. The taupe pair goes with black, navy or camel. The burgundy mixes dark wine with dusty rose suede, and has rose laces to match.

Are HOFF trainers good for everyday wear?

For everyday wear, yes, and that is the job they do best. They are for walking about town, the school run and a long day on your feet, not for running.

Comfort was half the reason we chose them. The other half was colour, and HOFF manage both without looking like a comfort shoe.

Suede is the one thing to think about. It feels soft from the first wear, but it does not like a soaking, so on a properly wet day pick something else.

Wearing suede trainers through autumn

A suede trainer fills the gap between summer canvas and winter boots. These are the combinations we would reach for first.

• Straight or wide jeans that skim the top of the trainer, so the colour still shows
• Chocolate or taupe with a navy or camel coat, which picks up the warm tones in the suede
• Light blue or beige with cream knitwear, for a softer and lighter autumn look
• Burgundy under black trousers, where it is the only colour in the outfit

Our women's jeans are the easiest place to start, and there is more in women's footwear if you want to compare.

See the HOFF trainers

Frequently asked questions

Are HOFF trainers good?

We think they are, and that is why they are in the shop. HOFF is a Spanish label founded in Elche in 2017, and we chose it this autumn for two things: the colour and the comfort. The colour sits in the details, such as contrast laces, a coloured heel tab and a gum or cream sole. They are everyday trainers for walking about in rather than sports shoes. The best way to judge is to try a pair on, which you are welcome to do in Shaftesbury.

What sizes do you stock HOFF trainers in?

We stock HOFF in UK sizes 4 to 8. If you are between sizes or unsure how a pair will fit, give us a ring on 01747 852444 or come in and try both. Trainers vary from brand to brand, so it is always worth trying a pair on before you settle on a size. We are happy to help you compare.

Are HOFF trainers comfortable?

Comfort is one of the two reasons we chose HOFF, alongside the colour. The suede feels soft from the first wear, and the Park and Bridge styles sit low on flat gum soles. City has a deeper sole if you prefer a little more under your foot. Comfort is personal, though, and the shape of your foot matters more than any description. Come in and walk around the shop in a pair before you decide.

How do you clean suede trainers?

Let any mud dry completely, then brush it off with a suede brush, working in one direction. A suede eraser lifts most of the marks that brushing leaves behind. Never put suede trainers in the washing machine, and do not dry them on a radiator, because heat stiffens the suede. A protector spray before you first wear them helps them shrug off light rain and stains. Most marks come out with patience rather than water.

Can I try HOFF trainers on in the shop?

Please do. We are at 30 High Street in Shaftesbury, open Monday to Saturday, and you do not need to book. Trying a pair on is the quickest way to settle both the size and the colour, because suede looks different in daylight than it does on a screen. If you cannot get to us, every style is online, and you can always ring 01747 852444 with a question first.