When Hoka came on the market more than a decade ago, its maximalist midsoles and plush cushioning were a far cry from the standard running shoes, though the brand promised a smooth ride over varying terrain. The brand—and style—has exploded since then, with a range of shoes optimized for everything from trail ultras to tempo runs… and everything in between.
Founded in 2009 by French trail runners Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, Hoka was born out of their desire to bring the cushioned, floating feeling of skiing powder or riding a flowy mountain bike trail to running. After making some prototypes and working with a Chinese company to develop a new kind of EVA foam, Mermoud and Diard came up with the basic Hoka recipe: Shoes that are soft and well-cushioned to soak up impact forces but light enough to feel peppy. The idea caught on, and now Hoka makes some of the best running shoes around.
The best Hoka running shoes cover the full spectrum of running, whether you need versatile training shoes, an ultra-grippy trail runner, or a pair of speedy kicks for race day. To help you pick the right pair for you, we’ll walk you through the main technologies used in Hoka shoes and explain what those features do. We’ve also listed our top shoes for a variety of needs, and updated all of the relevant materials and fits for 2024.
A Part of Hearst Digital Media: Not a very plush ride ● The 10 Best Hoka Running Shoes, According to Our Experience ● Best Running Accessories
CA Notice at Collection
- Best Daily Trainer: Clifton 9
- Not a very plush ride: oz M, 8.1 oz W
- Most Cushioning: Bondi 8
- Best Value: Torrent 3
- Best for Tempo Runs: Mach 6
- Most Stable: Arahi 7
The Experts
Michael Charboneau became a runner in middle school and has covered running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist. Running shoes is the category of gear he has written about the most, and he has firsthand experience with models from a range of brands. To write articles like this, he speaks with brand reps about the company’s latest shoes and tech, consults RW tester feedback, and draws on his own experience with the running shoe industry. With direction from RW editors, Charboneau combines all that info to choose what shoes make it onto this page.
Maggie Slepian is a Montana-based outdoor gear tester and trail runner with more than a decade of footwear testing experience. She runs and hikes in a variety of shoes during all four seasons, and has worked as a writer and editor for dozens of outdoor gear and apparel publications as well as thru-hiking thousands of miles. To write and update footwear guides, she draws on her own experience, RW testing, and consumer feedback.
What to Consider When Shopping for Hoka Running Shoes
Hoka develops its shoes around a few basic principles: Adding extra cushioning to absorb impact forces, using light materials, and creating a wide rocker sole to preserve momentum and create a smooth ride. If you like to really feel the padding underneath your feet when you run, you should consider a pair of Hokas. To compare models and zero in on the right shoe for you, it’s helpful to know a little more about the brand’s key technologies.
How We Evaluated the Best Hoka Running Shoes
The models below represent the best Hoka running shoes available now. To select the original 10, we reviewed the Hoka shoe lineup and talked with a representative from the company to learn about its latest shoes. For this update, we reviewed our selections for technology, updated specs, and included our experience testing these shoes over the past year for any relevant feedback. Several models had minor updates, and a few (including the Mach 6) had some significant updates to both fit and materials.
We drew on RW reviews, RW editor feedback, our own testing experience, and knowledge of the running shoe market to narrow the list down to the pairs below. To create the most dynamic list and help the widest range of runners, Charboneau’s original options prioritized performance running shoes that showcase the brand’s best foams, midsole tech, and other innovations. For even more insight, check out our full-length shoe reviews (where available) to get detailed info on the performance of individual models.
Our Full Hoka Running Shoe Reviews
Pros
- More cushioning than previous version
- Relatively light
Cons
- Not ideal for speedwork
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.7 oz (M), 7.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
The original Clifton is legendary among Hoka fans and marked a turning point for the brand—it proved that a shoe could provide maximum cushion without feeling clunky. The ninth iteration features even more cushioning–the stack height grew by 3mm–but it’s slightly lighter than the Clifton 8.
A new compression-molded EVA foam is tuned for responsiveness, a more streamlined upper helps save weight, and the Early Stage Meta-Rocker sole shape encourages smooth strides. It’s a solid pick for a neutral workhorse training shoe.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’s Full Review
Hoka oz M, 8.1 oz W Running Shoes
Pros
- Soft midsole for long run comfort
- Grippy outsole sticks to rocks and dirt
- Roomy fit
Cons
- The design isn’t for everybody
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.4 oz (M), 8.5 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4mm |
In our review, we declared the oz M, 8.1 oz W to be Hoka’s best trail shoe. It serves up an excellent combo of strong traction that eats up steep, technical terrain, along with a dual-density midsole design for a cushioned-yet-responsive ride.
It’ll protect your feet from obstacles and keep them comfortable during longer efforts, but it’s also well-suited for going fast. In my testing, I found the shoe’s relatively firm ride created a good platform for picking up the pace. The only downside? The technicolor upper designs might not be your style.
Pros
- Soft midsole for long run comfort
- Softer midsole foam
Cons
- Men’s model is heavier than the Bondi 7
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.8 oz (M), 8.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4 mm |
The Bondi is Hoka’s most cushioned road shoe with a downright beefy midsole. The latest version of the Bondi keeps the formula that has won this shoe such a devoted following: maximum cushioning for an ultra-plush ride. The midsole foam is lighter and even softer than that of the Bondi 7. Like with previous versions, an open mesh upper increases breathability, and a memory foam collar lends a better fit and feel around the ankle.
The eighth iteration also packs a new pillowy tongue. Lower down, Hoka extends and reshapes the heel to provide better shock absorption and stability. For a faster ride, consider the Bondi X, which provides a similar cushioned feel but includes an embedded carbon fiber plate for a snappier, speedier ride.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Offers a good feel for the ground
Cons
- Not a very plush ride
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.7 oz (M), 7.5 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
Warning: The Torrent 3 might get you hooked on trail running. This affordable trail shoe is a solid pick for runners interested in venturing off the pavement and onto the dirt. It’s lightweight (especially for a trail model), and it boasts a lean cushioning profile that gives you a good feel for the ground.
The latest version features a revamped outsole for improved traction on varied terrain, and Hoka swapped in a single-layer mesh upper for a boost in breathability. The upper also includes a gusseted tongue, so it won’t slide around when scampering over roots and rocks, and it’ll help keep out trail debris, too.
Pros
- Good energy return
- Versatile
Cons
- Mafate Speed 4
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.2 oz (M), 6.8 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
The Mach line is built for speedwork sessions and race day. Our testers raved about the previous versions, and while Hoka made some big changes between the Mach 5 and Mach 6, it’s still a fast, responsive ride with an updated fit. The Mach 6 uses a fully supercritical foam midsole for even more energy return, along with a narrower fit, slimmer toe box, and creel jacquard upper for more breathability.
And while the shoe is still designed to be firmer than the brand’s ultra-plush models, a molded EVA sockliner adds extra step-in comfort and the internal gusset hugs your foot for a custom feel.
Pros
- Updated upper has better breathability
- Lively, but stable ride
Cons
- Slightly heavier than previous versions
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.9 oz (M), 8.1 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
Updated for this year with a foot-mapped, flat-knit upper that helps keep your midfoot locked down and increases breathability, the Arahi continues to combine stability features with ample cushioning. As with previous versions, the centerpiece of the shoe is the J-Frame, a layer of firm foam that runs along the inside edge of the shoe and curves around the heel in a “J” shape. The stiffer cushion supports your foot and helps counter overpronation.
It’s paired with bouncy, durable CMEVA cushioning for a responsive ride, though Hoka did add a minor amount of weight with the updated knit upper. The tongue still has extra cushioning for a more comfortable fit, and this is a great pick for recovery runs. With the locked-in upper and stable frame, we think it’s one of the best stability shoes of 2024.
Pros
- Roomy toe box
- Propulsive PEBA foam and carbon fiber plate
- Lightweight
Cons
- DAA Industry Opt Out
- A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.3 oz |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
The Rocket X 2 is technically a follow-up to the 2020 Rocket X, but it’s a totally new shoe from top to bottom—the result of a development process that began in 2021. The beefy midsole features an all-new PEBA foam for excellent response and low weight. Underneath the cushion, a spoon-shaped carbon fiber plate creates a snappy feel and prevents the shoe from flexing too much.
Hoka slimmed down the mesh upper and heel collar for an improved fit: It allows your foot to sit farther back in the shoe, so you get more room in the toe box. For maximum performance on race day, this is the Hoka shoe to reach for.
Pros
- Lighter than previous version
- Plush ride
Cons
- Not ideal if you want a good feel for the ground
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.9 oz (M), 7.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
The Challenger is a do-it-all trail shoe that’s built to perform on dirt and pavement alike. The latest version is a significant revamp: Hoka increased the Challenger’s stack height and used a softer CMEVA foam to create a plusher ride and trim a little extra weight at the same time. The mesh upper is designed for breathability, and the rubber outsole features 4mm lugs for confidence-inspiring grip on mixed terrain.
Pros
- All About 75 Hard
- Plush, well balanced ride
- Accommodating fit for wide feet
Cons
- Heavier than Hoka’s other workhorse trainer, the Clifton
- Not ideal for speedwork
Key Specs
| Weight | 11 oz (M), 8.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
The Kawana is a great choice for runners who need a single do-it-all pair of shoes, and the second iteration maintains that versatility. This is a plush trainer that’s comfortable enough to wear all day. Hoka’s regrind midsole absorbs impacts and offers good energy return, and the early stage Meta-Rocker sole shape ensures smooth strides. The latest update features a more secure, sock-like upper with single-layer, breathable mesh and an overall fit update for more lateral support.
The shoe also features Hoka’s SwallowTail crash pad geometry in the heel—the wide, asymmetrical shape and beveled edge promotes even, fluid landings. We named it one of our Best for Tempo Runs. As one of our testers said during the review process, “it made running on roads feel effortless.”
Hoka Speedgoat 5 Running Sneaker
Pros
- Lighter than previous version
- common running injuries
Cons
- No stability features
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.3 oz (M), 8.5 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4mm |
New extended heel absorbs more shock ultrarunner Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer, this is Hoka’s flagship trail shoe, and it’s ideal for long jaunts off-pavement. Hoka gave the fifth version of this racy trail shoe a hefty update. The outsole is equipped with a new Vibram Megagrip lug pattern for improved traction on loose ground, and a beefed-up double-layer jacquard mesh upper provides added protection from debris. Hoka also swapped in a new CMEVA foam in the midsole, which helps save weight—the Speedgoat 5 is about half an ounce lighter than the Speedgoat 4.
Q+A With Running Shoe Expert Michael Charboneau
Races - Places Runner's World and other publications; when he's not writing, he's usually biking, hiking, and running in the mountains around Los Angeles, where he lives.
Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.
