HOKA Arahi 8 Review – Surprise Stability Hit

Stack Height, Drop, Weight and Price

The HOKA Arahi 8 stack height comes in at 39mm in the heel and 31mm in the forefoot – 3mm more in the heel than the Arahi 7 – now for a steeper 8mm drop. The Arahi 7 drop was just 5mm.

In my US men’s 9.5 test shoe size, the HOKA Arahi 9 weighs in at 9.5oz or 270g. That’s marginally lighter than its predecessor and notably sprightlier than the bigger stack daily stability trainers like the ASICS Gel Kayano 32.

On price, you’ll pay $150 in the US, that’s five bucks more expensive than the Arahi 7 (the Arahi 6 was also $5 cheaper than the Ahrahi 7) but still towards the cheaper end for daily training shoes.

Design

Make no mistake, this is an overhaul with big changes: a streamlined silhouette, modified mesh uppers, bigger, softer midsole and new stability elements. But let’s start with the midsole.

The Arahi 8’s rockered midsole features a dual density Compression Moulded EVA (CMEVA) that puts more foam under the heel aiming to deliver a softer ride with a little more cushioning and protection from the firmer Arahi 7.

The other major change is the shift from using HOKA’s J-Frame support technology, (essentially a J shaped sweep of firmer foam that runs down the shoe to combat overpronation without adding extra stiffness or weight), to a H-Frame. Which adds firmer foam on both the lateral and medial sides for a more balanced guidance.

Up top, the HOKA Arahi 8 has jacquard mesh uppers that are fairly enclosed by plenty flexible. It’s also built on a different last to offer much more forefoot flare and a fit that’s roomier than some HOKAs. There are medium padded heel collars and well-padded, non gusseted tongues to keep comfort front and centre.

Flip them over and you’ve got a durabrasion rubber outsole for grip and durability with good coverage.

Fit

The HOKA Arahi 8 comes in regular and wide fit options. I tested the regular fit for this review in a UK 8.5 / US 9.5 which is my regular running shoe size in most brands and generally what I’d go for HOKA shoes.

In the past, I’ve often found HOKA running shoes come up a bit narrow in the toe box and at the back of the midfoot in the toe knuckle area. That’s not the case here.

The Arahi 8’s more spacious toe box really works, giving plenty of flex and a foot-feel that’s airy, breathable and good for longer runs. The midfoot and heel package holds securely without any unwanted lace pinch, movement or rubbing.

And even in the regular fit, the Arahi 8 has a much more generous fit than you often get from HOKA running shoes. Unless you know you specifically need wide in HOKA shoes, I’d recommend sticking true to size.

Performance

In testing I’ve run 65+ miles in the Arahi 8. Mainly at easy paces but with some faster miles thrown in. I’ve run mostly on the road but a good few miles on uneven river paths, to really test the stability. I’ve done progression runs and 40+ miles of a 100 mile ultra.

TLDR: This might be the surprise shoe of 2025.

The Arahi 8 aims to deliver reliable wobble-free and consistent landings and that’s what you get. The rolling transitions are smooth and natural, helped by the rocker for what is a really well balanced shoe that moves with a happy ease.

When it comes to stability, every step is assured and secure but not forced. There’s a good natural ride and even on cut up river paths, I had confidence in each landing.

It's a more effortless and less blocky shoe than the Arahi 7 and stability shoes like the ASICS Gel Kayano 32.

I really like what they've done now to the midsole. It’s softer but it's not overly soft. Not as sluggish as Saucony Hurricane 25. It's extremely well balanced. A smooth ride that just keeps rolling and rolling and rolling. It cushions, comforts and looks after you without being heavy or labored.

Check Out My 6 Best Stability Running Shoes Here

From mile 40 to 75 of my 100 mile ultra – the real meat and drink of a 100 mile race – the Arahi 8 took care of my feet across mixed terrain with a lightness, protection, reliability and comfort that helped a lot while moving for maybe 12 hours at 10-12 minute mile pace.

It’s no slouch either. One of my test runs was a five mile progression run where I got down to 6 min 10 second mile pace and the Arahi 8 coped surprisingly well.

The Arahi 8 treads this really great middle ground. The midsole isn’t the most lively, it's not super energetic. It's kind of old school but it works. There's like a slipper-like comfort to it, albeit a slipper that’s light and not afraid of faster miles.

On durability, from my initial miles, these look built to handle big mileage. There’s virtually no signs of wear from those initial 65 miles.