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HOKA Vs BROOKS – Comparison of Two Running Shoe Brands

Last Updated: March 27, 2025

By Noel Paine   

Today I will compare the HOKA and Brooks shoe brands.

Running shoes brands look to make their shoes distinct from other brands, something that sets them apart. There are enough different feet out there for different styles and fits of running shoes. With 26 bones in each foot and with feet that come in so many widths, lengths, degrees of flexibility and different types of arches etc., they are the body’s most complex structure built of bones. Muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Brooks and Hoka Shoes

HOKA Vs Brooks

Brooks
What are Brooks Known For?
My Experience With Brooks Running Shoes
For Whom are Brooks Shoes Recommended?
HOKA
What are HOKA Known for?
My Experience with HOKA
For Whom are Brooks Shoes Recommended?
Super Shoes - Hyperion Elite Vs Carbon X3
Lightweight Trainers - Hyperion GTS Vs Mach 5
Neutral Shoes or Training - Ghost Max Vs Clifton 9
Stability Shoes - Adrenaline GTS 23 Vs Arahi 6
Motion Control Shoes - Beast GTS 23 Vs Gaviota 5
Trail Shoes - Cascadia 17 Vs Speedgoat 5

I have been running and wearing running shoes to run and racewalk for over 35-years. I have had the chance to wear and test out a lot of running shoes. Here is a look and comparison of Brooks and HOKA shoe brands.

Brooks

Brooks Hyperion Max White

History and Background -

Brooks www.brooksrunning.com - “Run happy. We exist to inspire you to run your path. Because every day with a run is better. Every run brings you closer to your best self.”

Headquarters: Seattle, Washington

How Brooks company describes itself: Running is more than just a hobby — it’s our passion. We eat, breathe, and stretch for the run. And we find running brings us closer together as a group than any team-building exercise could. On the road of life, it’s always better to travel in packs.

One of Brooks early running shoes called the “Villanova” that came out in 1974 developed with help from US Olympic middle-distance runner Marty Liquori.

Brooks Villanova

Brooks Villanova

What are Brooks Known For?

Brooks is one of the older running shoes brands that started with shoes for other sports but really hit their stride during the 1980s running boom in North America. Brooks early on came out with the varus wedge to try and help runners who overpronate (foot rolls excessively inward), then a rollbar and kinetic wedge to better support and help runners’ feet. In the 1990’s they came with an addition of shock-absorbing gel pods that help cushion the foot.

They have made in my opinion one of the most solid and functional motion-control shoes for people who need extra support, called the Beast (Ariel for women).

*Check my piece on great shoes for overpronators!

My Experience With Brooks Running Shoes

From my experience, the shoes are usually straight-lasted, well-cushioned, reliable shoes. I always loved fitting people up with the Brooks Addiction (moderate stability) or the Brooks Beast (motion control). Both shoes are so stable and hold on both sides and are a great stable platform for a foot with stability issues. I am currently looking to get my hands on the Brooks Hyperion Tempo to try as a racewalking shoe.

I have always seen them as a reliable running brand with a range of good options for racing and all types of feet.

For Whom are Brooks Shoes Recommended?

Someone looking for a brand that has been around for a long time and has a reliable set of tested running shoe options. Most won’t be mind-blowingly different than other brands, but the shoes have a Brooks feel.

My review of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 and Ghost 16!

HOKA

Hoka Speedgoat 5

HOKA Speedgoat 5

History and Background -

HOKA www.hoka.com - “Everything we do is rooted in Optimism.”

Headquarters: Goleta, California

Founded: 2009

HOKA summed up: Thick, light EVA-cushioned shoes

What HOKA says about themselves: HOKA was born out of the unwavering belief that if you ignored the doubters, brushed off the critics, and poured your heart into a wild idea, it was possible to create a shoe that let people fly down mountains.

What are HOKA Known for?

HOKA burst onto the scene and pushed aside minimalist shoes with a surprisingly set of shoes with very thick midsoles. They were beefy EVA midsoles but very light. You felt super cushioned and farther off the ground without feeling really heavy. They have basically stuck to this formula and kept their big EVA midsoles and then tweaked them for racing, training and different foot types. They feel unique.

My Experience with HOKA

Hoka Carbon X3 1000006070 s

I remember when these shoes came out. HOKA was going against the flow at the time with their beefy, tick midsoles compared to the trend at the time of minimalistic running shoes. They pushed back against the 5-fingers kind of shoes. 

Even as someone who could not do minimalist shoes and wore “normal running shoes”, the HOKAs were a big change. I felt so high off the ground but liked the added cushion but light feel. I think the first HOKA I tried was the Clifton. I have run in the Clifton, Clayton, SpeedGoat, Rocket, CarbonX and tried on a few other models. First shoe brand that surprised me!

Check out my review of the HOKA Carbon X3!

For Whom are Brooks Shoes Recommended?

If you want to try something a bit different with accompany that is a bit newer, then HOKA is worth trying! A different experience than most other brands – a little less so now – with other brands making big beefy super light super shoes, but still unique.

Super Shoes - Hyperion Elite Vs Carbon X3

Running shoes

Brooks

hoka

Shoe Style

Hyperion Elite

Carbon X3

Weight 

8.1oz

8.5oz

Drop

8mm

5mm

Cost

$200

$200

Unique Feature

Carbon fibre

Nitrogen infused foam

Carbon Fibre

Lightweight Trainers - Hyperion GTS Vs Mach 5

Running shoes

Brooks

hoka

Shoe Style

Hyperion GTS

Mach 5

Weight 

7.9oz

8.2oz

Drop

8mm

5mm

Cost

$200

$165

Unique Feature

DNA FLASH foam

PROFLY stacked midsole

Neutral Shoes or Training - Ghost Max Vs Clifton 9

Running shoes

Brooks

hoka

Shoe Style

Ghost Max

Clifton 9

Weight 

10oz

8.7oz

Drop

6mm

5mm

Cost

$190

$180

Unique Feature

High-stack DNA LOFT v2 cushioning and GlideRoll Rocker

Early stage Meta-Rocker

Stability Shoes - Adrenaline GTS 23 Vs Arahi 6

Running shoes

Brooks

hoka

Shoe Style

Adrenaline GTS 23

Arahi 6

Weight 

10.1oz

9.3oz

Drop

12mm

5mm

Cost

$180

$180

Unique Feature

GuideRails® support

J-Frame™ for support

Motion Control Shoes - Beast GTS 23 Vs Gaviota 5

Running shoes

Brooks

hoka

Shoe Style

Beast GTS 23

Gaviota 5

Weight 

Around 11.7oz

10.9oz

Drop

12mm

6mm

Cost

$200

$200

Unique Feature

GuideRails® support and comes in multiple widths

Stabilizing H-Frame™ technology

Early stage MetaRocker™

Trail Shoes - Cascadia 17 Vs Speedgoat 5

Running shoes

Brooks

hoka

Shoe Style

Cascadia 17

Speedgoat 5

Weight 

11oz

10.3oz

Drop

8mm

4mm

Cost

$170

$190

Unique Feature

Waterproof option available

Waterproof option available

Both shoe brands have a different feel and may fit different feet. If you have the chance, make sure to try on a shoe you think might work for your feet in a store. You cannot learn everything from online research and articles like this one.

RUNNING SHOES Best Sellers at HOKA

Fitting your Shoes

  • Shoes should be appropriate for your foot type (neutral for feet with no issues, stability shoes for someone that overpronates a bit and motion control shoes for someone who overpronates a lot).
  • Shoe should be comfortable and fit snugly, not tight and not sloppy.
  • Shoes should have about a thumbnail’s width of room at the toe (when you are standing). Get your foot measured with a Brannock.
  • Go to a good running store where knowledgeable staff can help you.

Author

  • Noel Paine
    Noel Paine

    Noel Paine has been running and writing for 35-years and loves sharing his knowledge of feet, shoes and running to help others. He has published four books on running and racewalking (including one book for running dads) and has written for publications like Canadian Running magazine and iRun magazine.

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