The Best Hoka Running Shoes

Hoka Bondi 9

Hoka has given the Bondi 9 a supercritical EVA midsole (with an additional 2mm of stack) that has considerably more life in it than previous versions. The upper, which Hoka describes as an engineered mesh, feels like a higher-end knit material, and the shoe has a plush and premium feel overall.

While you’re not going to be able to pick up the pace in it, the Bondi 9 is super comfortable for easy runs, recovery runs, some long runs, walking, and/or standing all day. The MetaRocker and upgraded foam allow this max-cushion, hulk-of-a-shoe to somewhat belie its bulk, making for a surprisingly smooth and stable ride.

We ultimately felt this foam and overall setup outperforms that of the recently-debuted Hoka Skyflow. Testers were split on whether the Bondi 9 truly earns its slightly higher, $170 price point compared to other strong performers in its category in the $160-$165 range. But one thing is certain: the Bondi 9 is easily the best-running Bondi that Hoka has made. Read the full review.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $170

Hoka Clifton 10

Despite the shift from a 5mm drop to an 8mm drop and SEVERAL millimeters of added stack height to bring it more in-line with modern midsole offerings, the Clifton 10 still remains pretty much as Clifton-y as its predecessors. It’s the sort of shoe that doesn’t pack much in the way of flash or excitement, but it delivers on Hoka’s promise of being “a trusted trainer for daily maintenance miles”.

The shift in heel-to-toe drop was detectable but not overly dramatic to our testers, as the CMEVA midsole foam compresses fairly easily so as to even out some of the extra heel cushioning. The Durabrasion outsole has a good amount of rubber that seems to provide average durability and performance. But the exposed foam at the midfoot may take a significant beating, depending on your high-wear areas.

The upper is nothing special, but it’s solidly comfortable and does the job, even without a gusseted tongue. While the upper’s material closely resembles that of the Clifton 9, the Clifton 10 appears to be built on a different last. Wide-footers will want to opt for one of the additional widths Hoka will have available.

All-in-all, the Clifton 10 is a solid option for those looking for a trusty daily trainer with some long-run range, and the $150 price point seems mostly appropriate for how this latest Clifton now stacks up to its competition. Read the full review.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $150

Hoka Mach 6

The Hoka Mach 6 is the best the Hoka Mach series has ever been. The Mach 6 and its bouncy super critical EVA midsole can do daily miles, speed sessions, and long runs while providing very good durability and fantastic impact protection.

If you’re a wide footer you’ll need to choose the wide version but otherwise the upper and its gully gusseted tongue is comfortable. The Durabrasion rubber outsole is both great in all conditions and durable. The Mach 6 is a shoe that does everything well and is well worth it’s $140 price. tag. Read the full review.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $140

Hoka Mach X 3

The Hoka Mach X 3 thankfully rectifies the disastrous upper of its predecessor, swapping in a completely “vanilla” heel that just works without causing issues, creating a lively propulsive speed training partner that can deftly handle everything from daily miles to long-distance tempo work. This shoe retains the fun, forgiving, and fast midsole—a dual-layer stack of bouncy PEBA over EVA with a Pebax plate sandwiched in between—that keeps the ride smooth and centered over a wide range of paces, channeling your momentum efficiently forward. Unfortunately, the slim and straight last shape through the forefoot is a disappointment, making the standard version too narrow for many and missing a chance to accommodate a natural foot splay for long efforts. While it’s a very fun and versatile shoe with great durability, the Mach X 3 is correctly priced at $190 but narrowly misses the top-tier of super trainers due to its fit and a ridiculously floppy tongue that requires a moment to tame before you hit the road. For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $190

Hoka Skyward X

The Hoka Skyward X is easily Hoka’s most cushioned running shoe and feels like a bouncy, poofy marshmallow underfoot. It offers maximum impact protection with two types of high end foams and a suspension bridge-like carbon plate. True, it’s chunky, weighty, not great for wide footers, and has a slippy tongue; but it’ll add two inches of pure cushioning power to your runs. If you prioritize large amounts of soft, cushy foam in your running shoes then the Skyward X is your stairway to cushioning heaven. Read the full review.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $225

Hoka Rincon 4

The Hoka Rincon 4 doesn’t feel as light or as speedy as previous versions, and while it’s a solid shoe, it’s hard to pick it over any other Hoka (unless you’re a weartester named Annie). The price is good, but it comes with a slightly pedestrian feel. It’s a completely serviceable shoe with a great price that fits true-to-size. Also, its standard width offers a more comfortable fit than most Hokas for slightly wide feet.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $125

Hoka Arahi 8

HOKA redesigned its signature stability shoe with a softer carrier foam and new H-Frame of firmer foam (rather than the J-Frame of previous versions), and the result is a high-cushion daily trainer with plenty of support.

The Arahi 8’s Pros are: an inviting ride for runners of all experience levels; a surprising amount of support and stability given the cushioning experience; and a design that seems it will last for a lot of miles. Cons: while comfortable and smooth, the ride isn’t all that dynamic; every HOKA daily trainer is starting to look the same; and the standard version is rather snug through the medial midfoot and slightly so through the forefoot. Thankfully, HOKA has wide and x-wide versions available in both men’s and women’s sizing, and we recommend one of those as a starting point for any slightly-wide or wide-footers. The fit is otherwise true-to-size.

While it’s not built for outright liveliness or speed, the Arahi 8 will take many runners through the majority of their training miles, and the price of $150 is very reasonable in a market where $160 is common for similarly cushioned daily trainers. Even if the ride is at times unspectacular, the HOKA Arahi 8 is worthy of a look from those prioritizing both stability and comfort underfoot. For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $150

Hoka Mafate 5

The Mafate series is back with the HOKA Mafate 5. There are big updates from the Mafate Speed 4, including a reworked upper and midsole (not to mention dropping “Speed” from the name). But don’t worry—the same Mafate DNA and trustworthy ride are still here, along with some slight performance improvements.

Pros include: an updated upper that is super comfy and offers one of the most accommodating HOKA fits; a new, dual-layer midsole combination that’s killer; and an excellent rocker that leads to a smooth and fun ride even with the significant increase in stack height. The most tangible Con is the bit heavier weight than its predecessor. And of course, changes in general always risk leaving some fans upset.

But the Mafate 5 is a very versatile shoe that can fit most trail use cases. It’s at home in the mountains where stability and comfort are an emphasis. We love the wide-foot friendly, true-to-size fit and think the Mafate 5 earns its $185 price with its pep and durability. Like the Mafate Speed 4, the Mafate 5 is an excellent option for someone who wants a shoe with race identity but doesn’t necessarily want to pay $220+ for the lighter weight and super foam. It’s therefore one of the best trail shoes for value. For more details on the HOKA Mafate 5, read the full review.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $185

Hoka Mafate X

The Hoka Mafate X is a high-stack, plated, ultra-trail option focused on providing cushion and support through long, flowy miles over smooth, non-technical terrain. Where most plated trail shoes opt for less weight and baggage, the Mafate X is a maximalist option for quick strides over long days. 

Pros include: a comfortable, plush midsole; a dynamic upper; a wide footprint that offers a surprisingly stable ride for such a high stack; and a wide-foot friendly fit. Cons are its less-than-typical lug durability for a Vibram Megagrip outsole and a lack of versatility due to its max stack. But anytime you have a trail run or hike that allows you to rely on the shoe for some comfort and pep, the Mafate X is an easy reach – particularly if your legs have taken damage over the course of the week, and you need some extra pampering.

While the $225 price tag is a tough sell for anyone who doesn’t hit the trails multiple times per week, its leg-saving ability makes it a great shoe for the rotation of those who live on the trails. The fit is true-to-size. For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $225

Hoka Speedgoat 6

The Speedgoat line has been restored to its proper form. The Hoka Speedgoat 6 is a reliable and durable trail shoe that any runner on any trail can lace up and feel confident in. It’s hard to create the delicate balance of technicality and versatility that the Speedgoat 6 offers. A reworked upper also provides the assurance that this shoe will last. Any runner should be able to get ~400 miles from this shoe. 

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 is solid. A good shoe that will get the job done. The days of its dominance have passed, but the performance continues to be dependable. Read the full review.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $155

Hoka Cielo X1 2.0

The Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 is Hoka’s premier road racing super shoe with a dual-layer, PEBA midsole bisected by a snappy carbon plate. Whether racing anything from a 5K to a marathon, running a tempo or interval session, or doing any other workouts that require picking up speed, the Cielo X1 2.0 is a reliable (and fun) companion. While there are great road racing shoes priced below $275, the Cielo X1 2.0 does deliver on top-tier performance.

Our testers agreed on very clear Pros, namely its protective, incredibly bouncy midsole and efficient rocker, solid stability for a race day shoe, lightweight, breathable, and comfortable upper with excellent lockdown, and its ability to make fast running feel easier. Neither tester found the Cielo X1 2.0’s Cons to be dealbreakers, noting the outsole shows signs of wear quickly, and the upper isn’t particularly stretchy (making it extra important that the fit works for you).

The Cielo X1 2.0 is offered in unisex sizing, so be sure to pay close attention to Hoka’s size conversions if you typically wear women’s sizing. This could be an advantage if you are a small-footer who wears women’s sizing but who also needs extra room in the forefoot. Those who typically wear men’s (or women’s wide) sizing might note a snugger, slightly short racing fit. So while true-to-size will still likely work for most, trying it on will be worthwhile for those on the margins of their typical size. For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True-to-size but slightly short, Drop: 7mm, Price $275

Hoka Rocket X 3

The Hoka Rocket X 3 is a more toned-down racing shoe that aligns Hoka’s racing lineup of the Cielo X1 2.0 and Rocket X 2 similarly to how Nike has created the Alphafly/Vapofly interplay. The Cielo X1 2.0 stays as Hoka’s premier road racing shoe but the Rocket X 3 is slightly less aggressive, weighs less, and has a more traditional midsole build.

The Rocket X 3 is bouncy, less so than the Cielo X1 2.0, but competes well with most marathon racing shoes on the market (see our second tier on the best marathon racing page). It’s fairly stable for a road racing shoe and features plenty of rubber and the forefoot and heel to up the durability versus much of its competitors. It’s highly breathable with a more comfortable, thicker, and more substantial upper than the Cielo X1 2.0 including a comfy padded mesh tongue and barbed laces as a thoughtful extra detail. The extra comfort and support will be appreciated by most mid to late packers running marathons.

The Rocket X 3 fits true-to-size lengthwise and features a little wiggle room in the toebox but still has a race fit and is not particularly wide foot friendly. It’s a solid if unspectacular super shoe that will be great complement to those that love Hoka daily trainers.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 7mm, Price: $250

Hoka Kaha 2 Frost GTX

The Hoka Kaha 2 Frost GTX is good looking, beefy, cold weather hiking boot that provides great grip in nasty conditions. The swallowtail makes adding microspikes a little difficult but it’s still doable (as you can see in the photo). The cushion adds a little bit of Hoka comfort while still keeping you connected to rough terrain.

The Kaha 2 Frost GTX let zero water inside either shoe during testing. That’s despite waist deep snow for one of the test hikes! It also stays warm in chilly and windy conditions.

The Kaha 2 Frost GTX fits true to size with Hoka running shoes and if you have a thumbnail of room in your running shoes you’ll have plenty of space to double sock or wear thicker hiking socks.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $280