Firm EVA J-Frame on the heel and medial side of the shoe: The soft, lightweight Arahi 5 provides cushioned support and houses your foot in a resilient open mesh upper.
- We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back
- We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back
- Firm EVA J-Frame on the heel and medial side of the shoe
Price: $130
Type: Road
Weight: 9.7 oz. (M), 7.8 oz. (W)
Drop: 10mm (M), 9mm (W)
Buy Men’s Buy Women’s More Images
I used to save cushioned stability trainers for slow-pace days or recovery runs following a marathon. Lately, however, I’ve been reaching for these shoes as an everyday trainer, even on fast days. The latest models have me gliding down the road. Hoka’s Arahi 5 is no exception. This new iteration is just tenths of an ounce lighter than its predecessor, but I didn’t feel weighed down or encumbered as I ran.
As a stability shoe, the Arahi lends overpronators support with a dense EVA J-Frame, so called because it wraps around the heel and medial side of the shoe in a J-shape. A padded tongue and heel collar lock in your ankle without causing friction. The new pull-tab, reminiscent of the spoiler on a sports car, allows you to slide into the trainer without creasing the back. The shoe’s early stage Meta-Rocker, a slightly curved sole that encourages fast and smooth heel-to-toe transitions, had me, along with other testers, up the tempo.
New Mesh Upper
The Arahi has a more streamlined look compared to its predecessors, with structured mesh on the heel and midfoot. Preserved is the Arahi line’s straight last, Hoka’s “flat-waisted geometry,” which provides a more accommodating fit around the midfoot. “The shoe felt secure when winding corners,” said a tester, commenting on the Arahi’s stability.
Even though the 5 feels a little stiff (I had taken issue with the Arahi 4’s inflexibility), I found this rigidity a plus for my metatarsals, which were sore from overuse. Turns out too much flexibility and mileage is a cocktail for trouble.
Grippy Rubber Outsole
In the past, I found myself running cautiously on wet roads when I tested Hoka’s shoes, not putting much confidence in their traction. The outsoles on the Mach 2 and 3, Our test team experienced a smooth ride in this soft and supportive trainer.
The Arahi 5, however, has a more textured tread pattern, which provides a tackier grip on slick surfaces. Testers had also commented on how they felt secure running in the rain and didn’t lose their footing on wet blacktop roads and concrete.
More Tester Feedback
Brooks Running Shoes Sales August 2025
Firm EVA J-Frame on the heel and medial side of the shoe
“What I liked the most about the shoe is the durability. With the miles I was putting on these shoes, the heel held up well. I usually wear down the heel week by week. These shoes ran in rain, wind, sun, and snow. They were wet and dried very fast! I feel like I will be able to continue running in these shoes for awhile. It helped my training by being so durable that they became extremely reliable. I knew these shoes were ready to go in any conditions they were put to.”
mm M, 9mm W
Health - Injuries
“[The Arahi] offered me much more stability than Hoka One One’s trail shoes as it is closer to the ground and there’s no threat of spraining my left ankle, as has happened numerous times in trail shoes. The ride was the top feature, as it felt like I was gliding on dry pavement and fine cinder trail. This is important as my left knee is bone on bone, and I would know immediately if it was not a good ride.”
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
