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As a distance runner, since 2002, I’ve tried many various manufacturers of trainers. One model that has persistently impressed me is HOKA One One. And because you typically have questions on this funky trying model, I needed to introduce you to the perfect HOKA Trainers.
With their deal with cushioning and luxury, HOKA One One has established itself as one of many prime manufacturers within the operating shoe market.
Whereas they could be newer to the sport, they’re not the brand new child on the block with manufacturers like Altra, Topo and even Tracksmith and Lululemon leaping in to the sport.
Hoka operating footwear are designed to present superior cushioning and enhanced stability, making them an awesome choice for runners of all ranges and skills. Whether or not you’re a newbie or an skilled runner, Hoka footwear present the safety and consolation you want to get the most out of your run.
On this article, I will likely be reviewing among the greatest HOKA One One trainers obtainable and offering an outline of every shoe and what kind of runner would take pleasure in that shoe.
What Units HOKA Aside?
There are a couple of key options that you just’re going to search out throughout all or most of their lineup. So let’s evaluation these right here after which we’ll dive in to the particular fashions!
Maximal Shoe
That is the trademark attribute of HOKA, so it’s essential to grasp what it truly means.
We’re speaking concerning the stack peak of the shoe, which is the peak of that lovely midsole cushion. It does NOT imply the identical factor as heel-to-toe drop.
Heel toe drop is the quantity of peak change from the heel of the shoe to the forefoot. To visualise that simply take into consideration a excessive heel, trainers are simply not as excessive.
The advantages of the HOKA platform is that it creates pure stability. As a substitute of placing in onerous rods or onerous arches to regulate the foot this wider base does it naturally.

Podiatrist really helpful
Yup, they really have a seal from American Podiatric Medical Affiliation on a lot of their footwear. Which means a gaggle of poditrists have reviewed them and suggest them for good foot well being!
Greatest HOKA Working Sneakers
Having run in so many of those, I’m all the time excited to inform folks extra about HOKA. When you’ve been round right here lengthy, that I’m not a model purist. I run in and take a look at a TON of various manufacturers.
However HOKA was one which took me without warning.
Let’s be sincere the primary time I noticed that massive stack peak and heard the phrase Maximal shoe, I believed “not for me”. After which like every good researcher, I made a decision simply to present it a shot.
It wasn’t heavy or clunky. It felt good. Hmmm this was intriguing!
HOKA Clifton 8
The primary shoe that should be talked about is the Clifton as their flagship shoe and the one which began all of it. I’ve now examined 6 totally different fashions of this shoe and it’s true there have been a couple of that I simply didn’t love.
However they’ve come again round and I’m positively logging miles within the 8.
This shoe is designed for impartial runners in search of the proper stability of cushioning and responsiveness.
The Clifton options an up to date midsole that gives a softer and smoother trip, making it good for long-distance runs. The shoe additionally has a light-weight design, which makes it supreme for many who are in search of a shoe that gained’t weigh them down throughout their runs. Actually not all the time simple to discover a mixture of cushion and low weight!
The Clifton 8 additionally has a breathable higher, which helps to maintain the toes cool and dry, making it a great choice for operating in sizzling and humid circumstances.
- Impartial Working shoe
- Average Cushion
- 5 mm drop
- 7.2 oz ladies’s, 8.9 oz males’s
- Accessible in 14 colours
- Accessible in Large in some colours
- $140
- See all HOKA Clifton fashions (additionally features a gender impartial, suede and waterproof)
- Discover older fashions marked down (I’ve like all the things from the 6 onward lately)
HOKA Bondi 8
For the runner who needs to really feel clouds below their toes, I provide the HOKA Bondi. In over 20 years of operating, I nonetheless consider that is the plushiest shoe that I’ve ever run in.
The higher is designed to be light-weight and breathready, whereas the outsole is engineered for most sturdiness and grip. The Bondi is good for lengthy runs for newer runners whose physique will profit from the added discount of floor impression. Or for many who need a fabulous restoration day operating shoe.
Whereas this isn’t a stability shoe, you’ll hear folks point out that it gives nice stability. This goes again to the broader platform that we talked about firstly.
The Bondi additionally comes within the BondiX which is a carbon fiber shoe. I’ve tried it, and what a deal with for a shoe firm to say why can’t the on a regular basis runner have a carbon fiber operating shoe?? Which means simply since you aren’t aiming for a 2 hour marathon doesn’t imply you possibly can’t take pleasure in the advantages in your 5 hour marathon!
As you possibly can see the commerce off for gaining that additional tremendous plush feeling is a couple of extra oz in weight. And but that is nonetheless lighter than so many reasonably cushioned footwear from different manufacturers.
- Impartial Working shoe
- Most Cushion
- 4 mm drop
- 8.9 oz ladies’s, 10.2 oz males’s
- Accessible in 12 colours
- Accessible in Large in some colours
- $140
- See all HOKA Bondi fashions (additionally features a gender impartial, suede, carbon fiber and waterproof)
- Discover older fashions marked down (once more minimal modifications on this shoe, so if it can save you moolah, take pleasure in)
HOKA Mach 5
Once you’re able to activate the pace, the Mach is your HOKA of selection. It’s not a carbon fiber shoe, as a substitute it’s an excellent light-weight shoe designed to spring off the bottom and aid you discover that fast turnover.
This shoe is greatest for knowledgeable runners who’re in search of a quick and responsive shoe to tackle long-distance races or interval coaching. The Mach incorporates a light-weight foam midsole that gives a fast, energetic really feel, whereas the meta-rocker design helps to encourage a extra pure gait.
Whereas many footwear promote one thing like a meta-rocker to assist propel you from heel to forefoot, I’ll say I did truly discover it a bit within the Mach. That’s tremendous uncommon, usually I’m questioning what on Earth they imply.
- Impartial Working shoe
- Responsive Cushion
- 5 mm drop
- 6.8 oz ladies’s, 8.2 oz males’s
- Accessible in 9 colours
- Accessible in Large in some colours
- $140
- See all HOKA Mach fashions (additionally features a Ironman model)
HOKA Carbon X 3
For the speedster who needs that carbon fiber push off, it’s time to checkout the Carbon X.
The HOKA CarbonX is a high-performance, light-weight operating shoe that’s designed for pace and agility. It incorporates a carbon fiber plate within the midsole that gives a responsive, energy-returning trip. The shoe can be outfitted with a cushioned midsole and a light-weight, breathable higher that delivers consolation and assist to the toes.
I admit that whereas I beloved the texture underfoot, I struggled with the tongue.
The shoe has that Nike Flyknit really feel which wraps across the foot. It looks like and wonderful, but in addition signifies that the tongue has no padding. Sadly it broke proper on my ankle and left me consistently with an irritation.
That being mentioned, considered one of my athletes wore the shoe for the NYC marathon and didn’t have a single subject! So price attempting on to see the way it suits in your foot!

The opposite factor you’re going to note instantly within the design is the prolonged heel. They used to name this a hubble heel and in idea it lets you make a quicker transition from heel to toe with every stride. I can’t say that I seen it an excessive amount of, however I’ve additionally discovered I don’t significantly love prolonged heels for the typical heel striker.
Once more, I’d give this the same really feel to the Clifton, however you’ll completely discover the responsiveness.
- Impartial Carbon Fiber Working shoe
- Responsive Cushion (which is to say lower than different footwear)
- 5 mm drop
- 6.6 oz ladies’s, 7.8 oz males’s
- Accessible in 8 colours
- $200
- See all HOKA Carbon X fashions (additionally features a Ironman model)
HOKA Speedgoat 5
I prefer to say the Speedgoat is the Clifton with additional traction. Whereas that’s not 100% true, it’s fairly shut! So should you love the texture of their basic impartial coach then the Speedgoat goes to be a winner for you as properly.
It’s completely develop into considered one of my go to path trainers.
You would possibly suppose with the stack peak that it makes trails tougher and it HOKA is likely one of the most well-liked footwear for ultramarathon runners. Which I consider is as a result of good mixture of cushion and stability.
The Speedgoat 5 incorporates a sturdy design that gives a cushty and secure trip on any terrain. The shoe additionally incorporates a breathable higher, which helps to maintain the toes cool and dry throughout runs.
- Impartial Path Working shoe
- Average Cushion
- 4 mm drop
- 8.5 oz ladies’s, 10.3 oz males’s
- Accessible in 11 colours
- Accessible in Large in some colours
- $140
- See all HOKA Speedgoat fashions (additionally features a waterproof choice)
HOKA Arahi 6
The Arahi is a stability operating shoe designed for runners who want assist for overpronation.
This shoe incorporates a J-Body expertise that helps to information the foot and cut back overpronation, whereas the froth midsole gives a cushioned and responsive trip. Actually it’s not typically you discover a shoe with this quantity of cushion that’s additionally designed with stability in thoughts.
The mesh higher is breathable and versatile, and the shoe incorporates a huge base for added stability. The Arahi is a good selection for runners who want assist and stability, and who need a snug, cushioned shoe for his or her day by day coaching.
Since I’m not a stability shoe runner, this and the Gaviota haven’t graced my toes. I’m sharing with you suggestions from different runners who’ve used them!
- Stability Working shoe
- Average Cushion
- 5 mm drop
- 7.6 oz ladies’s, 9.3 oz males’s
- Accessible in 11 colours
- Accessible in Large in some colours
- $140
- See all HOKA Arahi fashions
HOKA Gaviota 4
The Gaviota 4 is the very best stage stability shoe supplied by HOKA, proper alongside aspect that plush cushioning really feel from the Bondi! All of that mixed does make it their heaviest shoe.
The Gaviota is a most cushioning operating shoe that gives a easy, cushioned trip with some stability for lengthy distances. This shoe is greatest for runners who want additional cushioning for his or her toes, particularly for many who undergo from joint ache or who’re in search of a shoe that can assist them to get well after an extended race.
The Gaviota incorporates a thick foam midsole that gives a cushioned trip, whereas the huge base and stability options assist to cut back overpronation. The breathable mesh higher is light-weight and versatile, making this shoe a cushty selection for lengthy runs.
- Stability Working shoe
- Most Cushion
- 5 mm drop
- 9.3 oz ladies’s, 11.4 oz males’s
- Accessible in 6 colours
- Accessible in Large in some colours
- $170
- See all HOKA Gaviota fashions
HOKA Challenger 7
The Challenger is designed to be a road-to-trail operating shoe, much like the Nike Terra Kiger...however with extra cushion.
This is smart from the lug design, which might simply deal with trails or crushed gravel paths. I are likely to favor to maintain my footwear with lugs off the pavement, however that’s what they designed this one to do. It’s not designed for tremendous technical trails and should really feel a bit extra slender than different fashions based mostly on tester suggestions.

The shoe presents a lot of cushioning and assist, making it nice for these trying for a snug trip when hitting these native trails, crushed gravel paths or dust roads.
The breathready higher helps hold your toes cool and dry, and the outsole gives wonderful traction on a selection of surfaces. I additionally just like the prolonged heel, much less points with my foot slipping out.
- Impartial Path Working shoe
- Most Cushion
- 5 mm drop
- 7.7 oz ladies’s, 8.9 oz males’s
- Accessible in 6 colours
- Accessible in Large in some colours
- $145
- See all HOKA Challenger fashions(together with low and waterproof GTX)
HOKA Torrent 3
The Torrent is a flexible, light-weight path operating shoe that gives a cushioned and responsive trip on quite a lot of terrain sorts. This shoe is greatest for runners who prefer to deal with difficult trails, needs to consider pace and who want a shoe that may deal with quite a lot of circumstances.
The Torrent incorporates a aggressive outsole with multi-directional lugs that present traction and grip on quite a lot of surfaces. The froth midsole gives a cushioned and responsive trip, whereas the breathable mesh higher is sturdy and versatile.
The Meta–Rocker design helps to create a easy transition from heel to toe, making it a nice selection for lengthy–distance runs.
The Torrent is a good selection for runners who need a path shoe that may deal with something they throw at it. With the stripped down cushioning, it’s a shoe that’s going to assist you to really feel extra of the bottom, which many runners love for higher proprioception.
- Impartial Path Working shoe
- Minimal Cushion
- 5 mm drop
- 7.5 oz ladies’s, 8.7 oz males’s
- Accessible in 4 colours
- $145
- See all HOKA Torrent fashions
There you could have it! A break down of the perfect Hoka trainers! As you possibly can see HOKA One One presents quite a lot of trainers designed for various kinds of runners and operating types.
Whether or not you’re in search of a light-weight and responsive racing shoe, a stability shoe for overpronation, a most cushioning shoe for lengthy distances, a path operating shoe, or a flexible street operating shoe, HOKA One One has a shoe that can meet your wants.
Take a while to contemplate your operating objectives and wishes, and take a look at on a couple of pairs of HOKA One One footwear to search out the perfect match for you.
In the previous couple of years, they’ve slimmed down the general product line, which is why the perfect HOKA trainers isn’t 50 fashions lengthy! I admire this because it means they’re centered on what works.
In truth, I even suggest them as nice strolling footwear! Checkout the greatest HOKA strolling footwear (for these on their toes all day!).
Since I do know a part of shopping for a brand new pair of trainers is determining how they may really feel in comparison with what you presently run in, I’ve finished a ton of aspect by aspect comparisons. Pitting totally different manufacturers and fashions towards HOKA that can assist you discover the suitable shoe:
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