By Paul Freary
As the original ‘max-stack’ cushioning brand, HOKA have gained a large foothold in the running shoe market in the last 15 years.
Thanks to their deep stack of cushioning, these sneakers have gained many loyal fans, and the majority of the brand’s range still focuses on high levels of cushioning.
With road and trail options, here I’ll look at a range of shoes for a variety of runners at a wide range of speeds, from daily easy miles to race day.
If you click, or buy from, links on this page, we may receive compensation. Learn more
A Note on Fit
It is worth remembering that while HOKA shoes have a consistent fit across the range, they do fit a half size smaller than many other brands when using the UK size.
A USA size 10 is usually equal to a UK 9 with many brands: Nike, Brooks, Saucony.
For HOKA, a USA 10 is equal to a UK9.5. They use just a half-size conversion, so bear this in mind when purchasing online.
HOKA Running Shoes
1. HOKA Bondi 9 - Shoe with Maximal Cushioning
With a super-high stack of super-critical EVA foam midsole, the Bondi 9 is arguably HOKA’s most capable and best cushioned running shoe.
The super-critical foaming process gives the shoe a much more energetic feel over the regular EVA foam midsole used in the Clifton 11. This midsole is also more durable, so better able to cope with the increased demands of weight going through the shoe.
The HOKA rocker-shaped geometry is present as always, which promotes that smooth forward motion when running and helps the shoe along. Given the higher stack of the Bondi, the rocker geometry is most welcome.
Of all the HOKA shoes featured here, the fit of the Bondi is a little slimmer in the midfoot. While this provides a great, secure fit, try before you buy if possible, as I have experienced some customers for whom the shoe was simply too narrow in the arch area.
2. HOKA Clifton 11 - HOKAs' Best Selling Shoe
The Clifton 11 now features an 8mm heel-to-toe drop, up from 5mm of a couple of seasons ago. I prefer the slightly higher drop as I find it takes a little pressure off the calf and other lower leg muscles. It’s also a little better for heel strikers who are naturally drawn to the brand due to the high stack of cushioning.
One of the original and best-known shoes from the brand, the Clifton remains true to its original brief of being a high-stack, lightweight, cushioned shoe. HOKA’s MetaRocker is present as always and gives the shoe its unique geometry.
The Clifton 11 remains a great option for those runners seeking a lightweight, highly cushioned shoe that remains happy for any pace.
3. HOKA Arahi 8 - Support Shoe
For those runners requiring a shoe to provide support from overpronation, the Arahi 8 is the best choice.
Another key update in the Hoka Arahi 8 is the move from HOKA’s traditional J-Frame support system to the newer H-Frame design. The new H-Frame adds firmer foam on both the medial and lateral sides, creating a more balanced and stable guidance system throughout the stride.
Those suffering from plantar fasciitis (a strain to the plantar fascia tendon under the foot), may also find some relief and the supportive frame helps to reduce excessive strain on the tendon.
The Arahi is Hoka’s best support category running shoe and a great choice for everyday training.
4. HOKA Speedgoat 7 - Trail Running Shoe
HOKA’s popular trail running option, the Speedgoat 7 combines the brand’s high-stack, lightweight cushioning with a go-anywhere off-road trail outsole to create a versatile trail shoe.
Grippy, responsive and ideal for technical terrain, cushioning isn’t sacrificed and features a new super-critical foam midsole for a highly energized feel.
Vibram Megagrip with Traction Lug forms the sole of the shoe and sticks to rock and bites into loose terrain.
My first run out in the Speedgoat 7 was in Chamonix while at the UTMB this year. Straight from the box, I decided to tackle the vertical KM route, and the shoe didn’t let me down on the forest trails, singletrack and rocky paths. The cushioning held up on the descents, and the grip took care of the tricky and sometimes rather treacherous inclines.
The upper is durable, keeps debris out, protects from the undergrowth and rocks and can also accommodate trail shoe gaiters if required.
5. HOKA CieloX1 3.0 - Race Day Shoe
A propulsive ride for pure speed, the Cielo X1 3.0 is HOKA’s lightest and fastest road running shoe. Combining a super-soft PEBA midsole foam with a propulsive carbon plate, the shoe provides a ride that is snappy and aggressive enough for 5k races, but smooth and comfortable enough for the marathon distance.
Shoes like the Cielo are rare. Often carbon racers feel too aggressive for longer events or too soft and squishy for short blasts. Here HOKA have managed to find the sweet spot. I also find myself reaching for the Cielo for interval sessions when I really want to pick up the pace, but also want a shoe that feels stable enough for the mid-interval recovery elements of a session.
The upper of the Cielo is ultra-light and highly breathable and features asymmetrical lacing that sits neatly across the foot, providing a much neater and closer fit than regular lacing setups. It’s a small feature, but it works well.
For lightweight performance and full-on speed, the Cielo X1 3.0 is the best road racing shoe to date from HOKA.
6. Challenger 8 Gore-Tex - All-Round Shoe
A great all-round running, walking, trekking or hiking option, I like the Challenger 8 Gore-Tex because it’s such a versatile option.
The shoe has max-stack cushioning and a versatile high-traction outsole, so it can handle trail runs as easily as door-to-trail adventures. It has a Gore-Tex upper, so it’s waterproof and perfect for any weather conditions, and it’s plain black in color, so many people can also wear the shoe at work.
Essentially, the Challenger 8 Gore-Tex is a ‘best of the above’ type of shoe, featuring all the essential elements from the HOKA road and trail shoes and adding a waterproof upper.
I like the shoe because it does everything, and must admit that it’s such a hard-wearing option; my own pair is the version 5, three years old and still serving me well for running errands, walking the dog and general jobs around town.
7. HOKA Tecton X4 - Off Road Racer
Also Available at
Zappos
The Tecton X 4 is packed with PROFLY X series technologies for speed on gnarly, technical terrain, taking learnings from the Cielo x1 3.0 road shoe and transferring them to a trail racer.
Twin, parallel carbon plates are adjusted to increase pop when off-road and create lateral stability when contouring. Dual-layer PEBA midsole foam sits on either side of the carbon plates, along with speed-focused MetaRocker; the shoe is built to go all-out on the trail.
The gaiter-like extended knit collar keeps trail debris out as well as proving to be very comfortable when on the move. Elsewhere, the upper uses a Matryx Micro textile construction for a breathable and supportive fit.
Leave a Reply