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The 8 best Hoka running shoes for the road and trail
Best known for its maximalist running shoes, Hoka offers a plush ride for easy runs through to race day
Tested by The Runner’s World Editors
It may not have been around as long as some brands, but Hoka has made huge waves in the running world since its launch in 2009. In fact, the company's Great for performance and daily training have proven so popular that many other brands have since followed in Hoka’s footsteps.
That said, the brand offers more than just plush cushioning, with a full spectrum of running shoes: Best for tempo trail runner, or a pair of speedy kicks for race day.
The best Hoka running shoes for 2025
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g M, 232g W
Hoka was launched by two French former Salomon employees, Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, who wanted to build a running shoe that would help them run downhill fast. They landed on the idea of boosting cushioning to never-before-seen levels – the original prototypes feature such a high stack they could almost be described as platform shoes. But the creators realised they’d landed on something unique and potentially ground-breaking, and so went forward with their idea for super-cushioned, maximalist shoes with oversized midsoles that remained stable over all types of terrain.
Hoka released its first shoe, the Mafate, designed for ultra-runners in 2010, and its first road shoe, the Bondi, in 2011. The brand is now famous for this maximalist USP – trainers with a focus on plenty of cushioning and a pillowy soft ride. The trainers are all designed in Santa Barbara, California, and the stalwarts of its range include the Mach, Clifton and Rincon. Hoka also makes a range of much-admired trail shoes, with the Speedgoat leading the charge through the mountains.
Many Hoka fans can be described as 'diehard', and would say once you’ve run in a Hoka shoe you can never go back to regular shoes. But it's worth saying that they don't suit every type of runner, in particular if you have wider feet or prefer more minimalist or barefoot-style running shoes.
What are the main features of Hoka running shoes?
Cushioning foam
While some companies have moved on from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam in favor of newer formulations, Hoka has stuck with its proprietary EVA foam padding. Its shoes use various blends of compression-moulded EVA (CMEVA) foam, with small variations that fine-tune the shoes for either low weight or strong energy return. CMEVA is found on shoes all across the lineup, including flagship models like the Bondi and Clifton. It creates the traditional cushioned feel that Hoka fans love.
Recently, Hoka has experimented with supercritical EVA blends, first in its speed-oriented shoes like the Mach 6, and now in its classic cushioned offerings like the Bondi 9. To create these, Hoka exposes its standard EVA foam to supercritical fluids – chemicals like nitrogen or carbon dioxide that, with intense heat and pressure, take on the properties of both a liquid and a gas. The supercritical fluid permeates the EVA, making the foam more porous to create a lighter and more responsive cushion. It’s perfect for runners who want shoes with a snappy, lightweight feel.
Hoka also recently started using polyether block amide (PEBA) foam — the same material used in super foams like Nike’s ZoomX cushion. Hoka reserves its PEBA blend specifically for top-tier racing shoes like Cielo X1. It delivers the ultimate blend of low weight, shock absorption, and resilience for a cushioned, peppy ride.
Meta-Rocker
Hoka shoes also come with a Meta-Rocker design, which combines a low heel-toe drop (around 4mm to 5mm on most Hoka shoes) and a rounded sole shape to work with your natural stride and help propel you forward.
The Hoka lineup divides into two categories: shoes with the 'Early Stage' Meta-Rocker have soles that begin to curve up under the balls of your feet, which gets you onto your toes quickly for a speedier running experience. Shoes with the 'Late Stage' Meta-Rocker have soles that curve up closer to the toe, creating a more stable feel.
Active foot frame
The third element of Hoka's running shoes is the active foot frame. This has existed since very early generations of the Bondi and describes how the side walls of the shoe come up and wrap your foot, helping you to sit within Not the liveliest ride.
Bouncy yet stable the best Hoka running shoes
The models below represent the best Hoka running shoes available now. For this update, we reviewed our selections for technology, updated specs, and included our experience testing these shoes over the past year for any relevant feedback. Several models had minor updates, and a few (including the Mach 6) had some significant updates to both fit and materials. We drew on RW reviews, editor feedback, our own testing experience, and knowledge of the running shoe market to narrow the list down to the pairs below.
Best Hoka running shoes, tested and reviewed
Pros
- Wonderfully responsive
- Credit: Thomas Hengee
- 36g lighter than the v1
Cons
- Tricky to get on
- Still heavier than much of the competition
Read our full Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 review
This shoe is anything but child’s play. Despite its quirky colourway, befitting the kaleidoscopic Hoka aesthetic, the Cielo X1 2.0 is a serious contender in the world of super shoes. Featuring an aggressive rocker geometry, a heavy-duty, dual-density PEBA midsole and a full-length, winged carbon plate in an all-new lighter package, this powerful shoe is designed to help you hit your fastest running speeds. All the while, it feels almost plump underfoot, as if you are bouncing off a slightly wobbly Bosu ball with every foot strike.
It's 36g lighter than the Cielo X1, which weighed in at 264g. This puts the Cielo X1 2.0 more on par with other super shoes on the market, although it’s worth noting that some featherweight race day options – like the Asics Metaspeed (185g) and Not built for faster efforts (194g) – are already sub-200g. To compensate for all the foam, there are cutaways in the midsole, which is now in-built with Hoka’s Active Foot Frame technology. The Active Foot Frame cradles the foot to provide better support, resulting in a more comfortable, locked-in running experience.
Our only niggles are that in wet weather, the outsole can’t compete with that of many of Hoka's rivals. One tester also struggled with a little foot discomfort over slower miles. That said, we all have different feet and different top speeds, so what benefits one runner can feel uncomfortable for someone else. In other words, this is a brilliantly fast shoe that works very well when you get it going – trusting that your feet can handle it.
Pros
- More accommodating in the forefoot and midfoot
- Balanced cushioning
- Comfortable over longer distances
- Secure foothold and wraparound fit
Cons
- Not built for faster efforts
- Not the liveliest ride
Read our full Hoka Clifton 10 review
The Clifton is one of Hoka’s most popular running shoes. Designed for everyday miles, it’s a max-cushioned running shoe offering a supremely comfortable and easy-going ride.
The 10th anniversary edition impressed our testers, particularly thanks to the improved fit. Having heard from consumers that previous iterations were slightly too narrow, causing rubbing where the midsole met the upper, Hoka has added more space to key areas of the shoe — namely the midfoot and forefoot — to make it more accommodating for a lot more runners. The result is one that is able to carry for you for longer distances, without any discomfort.
The compression moulded EVA midsole isn't too squishy or too firm; rather a balanced ride that finds a comfortable middle ground for easy cruising and longer mileage. When it comes to energy return, it's not got as much bounce as the Bondi 9 or the Skyflow, both of which use a supercritical foam, but it's certainly not dull and there's enough there to try your hand at the odd bit of tempo if you feel the urge.
The jacquard upper is supportive yet breathable and with the help of the swoop-back heel counter, it wraps around the foot to provide a snug fit without any hot spots or points of irritation.
Pros
- Bouncy yet stable
- 3mm more cushioning than its predecessor
- Great for performance and daily training
Cons
- The 8 best Hoka running shoes for the road and trail
- Runs a little small
After three years, we get a new Rincon – and it’s worth the wait. After a major makeover, it’s twice as soft and just as light, delivering a lightweight daily trainer for runners seeking Hoka cushioning minus the bulk. Added softness underfoot and increased durability come thanks to a dual-layer compression-moulded EVA midsole. This update adds 3mm of stack height but virtually zero extra weight. The 4 also has a new ‘podular’ outsole made of rubberised EVA, which adds an extra layer of cushioning, and the zonal pods maximise ground contact and stability. This works in tandem with Hoka’s Active Foot Frame –basically, higher sidewalls around the heel that cradle the foot – to elevate comfort and provide a snug fit.
Hoka’s signature curved MetaRocker geometry completes a package that delivers a lightweight ride with soft, supportive cushioning – just like its predecessor – and described by one tester as feeling like ‘rolling on a cloud’. The double EVA cushioning does feel a little spongy compared with today’s super foams, so you may not want to reach for these on race day, but they’re a versatile daily trainer at a steal of a price.
| Weight | 228g (M), 193g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 37mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 5mm |
Pros
- Softer midsole than before
- Wide toebox
- mm heel, 32mm forefoot
- Doesn't feel clunky or overbuilt
Cons
- Wide on narrow feet
- Narrower fit than before
Read our full Hoka Arahi 8 review
The new and improved Arahi 8 is an excellent daily trainer that proves you can have support in a fairly lightweight and nimble package.
It's softer and has a more accommodating fit than the Arahi 7, which testers felt was a little lackluster in energy return, due to the firm, stiff cushioning. They also desired more toe room, feeling the fit was too narrow. The Arahi 8 remedies these issues with an extra 3mm of foam in the heel (raising the heel-to-toe drop from 5mm to 8mm), a new last with a more streamlined silhouette, and a brand new upper.
The updated fit was instantly noticeably, with a wider toe box preventing any form of hotspot or blister on the feet or toes. In fact, you forget the Arahi 8 is a stability shoe because of how streamlined the design looks: it’s sleek and a compliment magnet.
The shoe feels soft underfoot, too, without being mushy. One tester noted that it felt like the stability equivalent of the neutral Clifton 10 with the Speedgoat leading the charge through the mountains.
Another major update: Hoka replaced its J-Frame — denser foam that begins on the medial edge of the shoe and wraps around the heel in the shape of a J — with the H-Frame. The H-Frame is firmer H-shaped foam embedded into the midsole of the Arahi 8 to counter excessive overpronation. Instead of making the shoe feel rigid and heavy, the H-Frame promotes smooth turnover in a relatively lightweight package — especially for a stability trainer.
| Weight | 276g (M), 219g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 37mm (heel), 29mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
Pros
- Good energy return
- Versatile or slower and harder efforts
- Rocker shape aids propulsion
Cons
- or a pair of speedy kicks for
- Narrow fit
Read our full Hoka Mach 6 review
The Mach line is built for speed work sessions and, for those who don't want to entail the cost of a carbon plate, race day. Our testers raved about the previous versions, and while Hoka made some big changes between the Mach 5 and Mach 6, it’s still a fast, responsive ride with an updated fit.
The Mach 6 uses a fully supercritical foam midsole for even more energy return, along with a narrower, more streamlined shape – which, in itself, makes it feel like a ‘fast’ shoe – as well as a slightly thinner toe box. The shoe particularly comes into its own for mixed pace sessions as it can perform well, over long periods, at a range of speeds.
And while the shoe is still designed to be firmer than the brand’s ultra-plush models, a moulded EVA sockliner adds extra step-in comfort and the internal gusset hugs your foot for a custom feel.
Pros
- Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3
- Wider in the midfoot than previous iterations
- Bouncy yet stable
- Durable
Cons
- Not the liveliest ride
- Comfortable over longer distances
Read our full Hoka Bondi 9 review
Hoka’s Bondi is the OG max-cushioned running shoe. Launched in 2011, it marked the brand’s first foray into road running, quickly gaining a cult-following for its marshmallow-like cushioning – ideal for easy runs and recovery sessions.
With the latest iteration, Hoka has stayed true to the essence of the shoe, but with some smart updates. That includes a new supercritical EVA foam midsole, which creates a lighter, more resilient and dynamic package. The cushioning itself creates plenty of bounce, while the meta-rocker helps to gently ease you through your stride. On easy runs, it helps the miles to tick by, and provides cushioned relief for weary marathon-training legs. For the faster stuff, however, our testers still preferred something a little lower to the ground with a touch more firmness.
Hoka has also addressed the fit issues that have plagued many runners, with the Bondi 9 feeling wider around the midfoot. The toe box also strikes the right balance, for the most part, between feeling fitted and spacious, with a wide and extra wide fit option available.
| Weight | 292g (women’s UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 42mm (heel), 37mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 5mm |
| Type | Neutral/max-cushioned/road |
Pros
- Grippy outsole can handle different terrains
- New midsole improves durability
- Superbly cushioned
Cons
- Narrower fit than before
- a brand new upper
Read our full Hoka Speedgoat 6 review
In the decade since the first iteration hit the trails, Hoka’s Speedgoat series has garnered a reverential following for its blend of traction, responsiveness, stability and comfort. The v6 treads the same path but offers significant updates.
A new compression-moulded EVA midsole addresses durability/breakdown issues some runners experienced in the v5. It held up better as the miles went by, but translates to a slightly firmer ride. Another change sees a new engineered woven mesh upper, plus reinforcements through the midfoot reduce slippage and lock the foot securely to the base. The overall shape is slightly narrower, too, further adding to that locked-in feel, but one tester found the toebox pinched a little.
Along with the tighter fit and firmer midsole, arch and medial support improve on-trail stability, particularly on more technical terrain. And the 5mm multidirectional lugs on the Vibram Megagrip outsole offer brilliant traction in all conditions.
| Weight | 278g (M), 232g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | Men: 40 mm (heel), 35mm (forefoot), Women: 38mm (heel), 33mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 5mm |
| Type | Neutral/trail |
Pros
- PEBA midsole is bouncy without feeling unstable
- Best for stability
Cons
- Tricky to get on
Read our full Hoka Tecton X 3 review
Carbon-plated shoes are typically reserved for special efforts, the ones you want to push your limits and perform at your best. They often feature aggressive geometry and soft, unstable foam made specifically for faster running, at the expense of stability at more pedestrian paces.
For every rule, though, there’s an exception. The Hoka Tecton X 3 features proprietary parallel carbon-fibre plates with winglets embedded in a dual-layer PEBA midsole, which allow it to excel in virtually every type of trail running. From smooth California single-track to rocky, technical trails back East, the Tecton X 3 felt secure, comfortable, and was just a ton of fun to run in.
The upper combines high-tensile synthetic fibre with an ultra-soft, sock-like knit that extends up the ankle. Initially, we were skeptical about the gaiter-style design, worried that it might cause irritation. After several runs without any discomfort, though, we came to appreciate how well it kept trail debris out.
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