Best Hoka Running Shoes (2024)

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Best Hoka Running Shoes (1)

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Best Hoka Running Shoes (2)

Written on 29th August by Brandon Law Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
170 other reviews

Best Hoka Running Shoes (3)

Hoka is a sportswear company that designs and markets running shoes. It was founded in 2009 in Annecy, France by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, former Salomon employees. They sought to design a shoe that allowed for faster downhill running, and created a model with an oversized outsole that had more cushion than other running shoes at the time. The shoes are named after the Māori language phrase meaning "to fly".

There are many Hoka running shoes in their range. Here, we’ve picked the best Hoka running shoes in each category to make it easier for you to make a choice when it comes to buying a Hoka shoe.

Our selection of best Hoka running shoes

Keep scrolling or click on a shoe to find out why we chose it and what other shoes you should consider.

Best for Daily Training

Hoka One One Clifton 9

See deal

Read why

Best for Support

Hoka One One HOKA Gaviota 5

See deal

Read why

Best Max Cushioned

Hoka One One Hoka Bondi 8

See deal

Read why

Best Lightweight Trainer

Hoka One One Mach X

See deal

Read why

Best Trail Running Shoes

Hoka One One Stinson 7

See deal

Read why

Best Racing Shoes

Hoka One One Rocket X 2

See deal

Read why

Table of content

Our Top 6 picks for all categories

What to consider

Best for Daily Training

Best for Support

Best Max Cushioned

Best Lightweight Trainer

Best Trail Running Shoes

Best Racing Shoes

Quick questions you might have

Comments

An overview of Hoka technologies

These are the most important Hoka technologies which you need to know about:

PROFLYX
Hoka’s lightest and most propulsive midsole foam made from PEBA.
PROFLY
A dual-density midsole consisting of a soft top layer with a firmer, more responsive layer underneath it.
SWALLOWTAIL
A forked heel design which encourages smoother heel-to-toe transitions.
H-FRAME
Designed to enhance stability, the H-Frame interlocks with the midsole foam to create a secure base.
J-FRAME
Provides extra support with a firm J-shaped foam that extends on the medial side where the foot typically rolls inward.
METAROCKER
A curved sole design which delivers smooth and efficient transitions.

Best for Daily Training

Hoka One One Clifton 9

$145.00
$0.00

See deal >

In short

The Hoka Clifton 9 is a narrow-fitting maximalist daily trainer with a Meta-Rocker midsole for energy-saving transitions. It has a highly cushioned ride which is on the soft side and it’s best suited to slow, easy paced runs. The 9th version of the Clifton has a 3 mm more midsole foam so it feels more cushioned. It also has a reformulated CMEVA midsole which provides a softer ride than previous versions.

Pros
  • No more bucket seat arch
  • Weight reduction
  • More cushioning
  • Softer ride
Cons
  • Normal width is still too narrow
  • Not much energy return
  • Price increase
Who should buy it

If you’re a runner looking for a highly cushioned daily trainer with a rockered ride, the Clifton 9 will deliver. The Clifton 9 has a high level of stability and feels efficient over long distances.

Who should not buy it

If you have really wide feet, the Clifton 9 won’t work for you because even the wide version feels narrower than most trainers. If you enjoy a flexible daily trainer with lots of ground feel, the Clifton 9 also won’t work for you because of its high stack height.

Main Specs

Type

Cushioning

Weight

8.7 oz

Heel

mm

Carbon plate

No plate

Heel drop

5 mm

Toe

mm

Rating breakdown

Comfort

7.0

Build quality

8.0

Upper

7.0

Sole unit

8.0

Landing

8.0

Transition

8.0

Toe-off

8.0

Traction

8.0

Durability

8.0

Value / Price

6.0

Team review

Read full review

Best for Support

Hoka One One HOKA Gaviota 5

$175.00
$0.00

See deal >

In short

The HOKA ONE ONE Gaviota 5 offers top comfort and support, with an ultra-wide base and one of the brand’s highest stack heights, yet has dropped almost an ounce from previous models. This latest Gaviota offers an enhanced stability, accommodating fit, comfort, lower weight, and a more smooth transition through the footplant over the past two models.

Pros
  • Wide, plush base
  • Comfortable, secure fit
  • Large heel loop
  • More accommodating toe box
  • Lighter than previous
Cons
  • Moderate outsole durability
  • Price
Who should buy it

Gaviota’s updated midsole supports runners who supinate (run on the outside of the foot) as well as overpronate (roll excessively in) and is especially suited for long and recovery runs; it is also a great shoe for walkers and those on their feet all day who need supportive shoes.

Who should not buy it

Though Gaviota is lighter than in the past, it is not best for speed-focused runs or runners who prefer a light, quick feel underfoot. The midsole support is helpful for non-neutral runners, this outsole is not the most durable option for those with heavy wear patterns.

Main Specs

Type

Stability

Weight

10.9 oz

Heel

999 mm

Carbon plate

No plate

Heel drop

6 mm

Toe

999 mm

Rating breakdown

Comfort

10

Build quality

8.0

Upper

8.0

Sole unit

9.0

Landing

10

Transition

9.0

Toe-off

7.0

Traction

8.0

Durability

7.0

Value / Price

8.0

Team review

Read full review

Best Max Cushioned

Hoka One One Hoka Bondi 8

$165.00
$0.00

See deal >

In short

The Bondi 8 is a cushy daily trainer that performs well on easy days and even better for recovery sessions. The Wider base and extended heel help runners glide through the gait cycle with stability and precision.

Pros
  • Smooth gliding ride
  • Good natural stability
  • Durable
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Snug narrow upper
Who should buy it

A daily running shoe that’s perfect for those seeking a highly cushioned ride.

Who should not buy it

Pass if you are wanting a maximal shoe that a can perform at faster paces.

Main Specs

Type

Cushioning

Weight

10.8 oz

Heel

mm

Carbon plate

No plate

Heel drop

4 mm

Toe

mm

Rating breakdown

Comfort

8.0

Build quality

10

Upper

8.0

Sole unit

10

Landing

10

Transition

10

Toe-off

10

Traction

10

Durability

10

Value / Price

9.0

Team review

Read full review

Best Lightweight Trainer

Hoka One One Mach X

$180.00
$0.00

See deal >

In short

The Hoka Mach X is an excellent new speed trainer which has a versatile ride. It shares more in common with the Rocket X 2 than the Mach 5 because it has a soft, energetic ride as a result of the Profly X layer in its midsole. The Mach X fills the important role of the plated speed trainer which has been missing from the Hoka lineup.

Pros
  • Good energy return
  • Excellent lockdown
  • Great durability
  • Versatile ride
  • Very stable
Cons
  • Slightly too expensive
  • Runs a half size small
Who should buy it

If you love the Rocket X 2 and you’re looking for a similar ride in a cheaper, more durable package, the Mach X is the perfect shoe for you.

Who should not buy it

If you’re looking for a trainer with a similar ride to the Mach 5, the Mach X is not for you. It’s softer, stiffer and a lot heavier than the Mach 5.

Main Specs

Type

Cushioning

Weight

9.4 oz

Heel

mm

Carbon plate

Plate in other materials

Heel drop

5 mm

Toe

mm

Rating breakdown

Comfort

9.0

Build quality

10

Upper

9.0

Sole unit

9.0

Landing

9.0

Transition

9.0

Toe-off

9.0

Traction

7.0

Durability

9.0

Value / Price

7.0

Team review

Read full review

Best Trail Running Shoes

Hoka One One Stinson 7

$170.00
$0.00

See deal >

In short

The HOKA Stinson 7 provides an exceptionally stable, reliable, highly cushioned ride for road to non-technical trails. For everyday training or longer efforts where the terrain varies between roads, grass, and gravel, the Stinson 7 goes the distance in plush comfort.

Pros
  • Exceptionally stable on road and non-technical terrain
  • Plush cushioning
  • High stack protects from underfoot hazards
Cons
  • Subpar agility in tight spaces and on rocks
  • Outsole can get slippery on rock when wet
  • Break-in period may be required before optimal comfort
Who should buy it

For a road-to-trail runner or non-technical trail runner or hiker looking for a stable, maximalist shoe to go the distance in comfort.

Who should not buy it

Trail runners who primarily run on technical, uneven terrain with tight rocks where a lot of agility is required or speed is the focus.

Main Specs

Type

Trail

Weight

12.7 oz

Heel

45 mm

Carbon plate

No plate

Heel drop

5 mm

Toe

40 mm

Rating breakdown

Comfort

9.0

Build quality

9.0

Upper

8.0

Sole unit

8.0

Landing

9.0

Transition

8.0

Toe-off

6.0

Traction

6.0

Durability

9.0

Value / Price

8.0

Team review

Read full review

Best Racing Shoes

Hoka One One Rocket X 2

$250.00
$0.00

See deal >

In short

The Hoka Rocket X 2 is a top-tier marathon racer with a soft, energetic ride. It has smooth, stable transitions and a stiff carbon plate for speed assistance. Version 2 is a vast improvement over the original version although it comes in at a higher weight and a much higher price.

Pros
  • Aggressive plate placement
  • Increase in energy return
  • Increase in cushioning
  • Relatively stable ride
Cons
  • Forked plate results in less propulsion
  • Weight increase over v1
  • Huge price increase
Who should buy it

This racer is recommended for runners looking for a very soft super shoe which can handle long-distances. The Rocket X 2 is for runners looking for a propulsive alternative to the Vaporfly 2 & Adios Pro 3 which has more stability.

Who should not buy it

If you prefer a firm racer with a lightweight build, the Rocket X 2 is not the shoe for you. It’s not one of the lighter super shoes and its soft ride is built for long-distance comfort.

Main Specs

Type

Racing

Weight

8.3 oz

Heel

36 mm

Carbon plate

Full length carbon plate

Heel drop

5 mm

Toe

31 mm

Rating breakdown

Comfort

8.0

Build quality

9.0

Upper

7.0

Sole unit

9.0

Landing

9.0

Transition

9.0

Toe-off

9.0

Traction

9.0

Durability

9.0

Value / Price

9.0

Team review

Read full review

Quick Questions you might have

How do you pronounce Hoka?

As written: "ho-ka". The brand removed "one one" from the name a few years ago.

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Best Hoka Running Shoes (2024)

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