Hoka Arahi 8: Hoka's stability shoe is back to form

• Weight: 254g (women's UK 8.5)
• Stack height: 37mm (heel), 29mm (forefoot)
• Drop: 8mm
• Type: Stability, road

The shoe

Hoka bills the Arahi 8 as ‘anything but your average stability shoe’ – a lighter and softer option for overpronators (or even neutral runners) who want support without the bulk.

Previous iterations of the shoe have split opinion among testers. RW'The 8 best Brooks running shoes for 2025 loved the Arahi 4 so much that there was almost no grip left on the outsole by the time she stopped using them: ‘It was a nimble and agile feeling shoe with balanced cushioning and not sluggish — I actually raced my 70.3 in it,’ she said.

The best max-cushioned running shoes for 2025 Arahi 6 far too structured in the upper: ‘It lost all its agility, the cushioning was too firm and I couldn't get the fit right.’

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Testers also felt the Arahi 7 was a little lackluster in energy return, due to the firm, stiff cushioning.

So, can version eight return the Arahi to form? On paper, it certainly looks like Hoka has tried to shake things up. For starters, there’s an extra 3mm of foam in the heel, raising the heel-to-toe drop from 5mm to 8mm. The shoe has also been built on a brand-new last with a more streamlined silhouette; the stability tech has been upgraded from Hoka’s J-frame to H-frame technology (more on this below); and there’s a brand-new upper. I’ve spent the past month putting it through its paces, so let’s get into things.

How does the Hoka Arahi 8 fit?

I tested the Arahi 8 in my usual UK size 8.5 and I’d say it fits true to size. I noted in my reviews of the Bondi 9 and Clifton 10 that, until this year, I struggled to get on with Hoka’s road running shoes due to issues around the fit; namely, the narrower profile causing rubbing on the inside of my foot, where the upper met the footbed. This was consistent across various models I'd tested. However, I've had a radically different experience in 2025, with all of Hoka’s releases boasting a more accommodating midfoot that suits my footshape.

The Arahi 8 is no different: it’s built on a new last which has a touch more midfoot flare than the previous iteration and a wider toe box. As such, I’ve had no issues with these rubbing my feet or toes, even over long runs of around 13 miles. While the fit may feel a touch loose for narrow-footed runners, it's a small compromise for the more flexible, cushier ride, plus there are two extra eyelets on either side of the shoe that can help you to cinch things in. (If you fall on the other end of the spectrum and have wide feet, the Arahi 8 comes in both a wide and extra-wide version.)

Now, full disclaimer: I’m a neutral runner, not an overpronator, but I do appreciate shoes with a touch of extra stability, particularly as I land on my heels. I've also tested a number of stability shoes in my career. When it comes to the Arahi's stability tech, previous versions have used Hoka’s J-frame technology. This was essentially a firmer piece of foam positioned in the shape of a J: it ran from the medial side of the shoe and hooked around the heel to the lateral side. In the Arahi 8, we have H-frame – used in the Gaviota 5. Once again, this uses a dual-layer midsole design, but in a H-shaped structure, to provide stability on both the medial and the lateral sides of the foot. In short? It's a more balanced approach to stability that's effective without feeling overbuilt (like the Hoka Arahi 8: Hokas stability shoe is back to form).

The tongue isn't gusseted but it doesn't need to be: it stays in place extremely well and is plushly padded. The heel collar is less plush, but still has a moderate level of padding that keeps any rubbing at bay, and the mesh upper is nicely breathable.

What's it like to run in the Hoka Arahi 8?

I've logged a lot of miles in the Clifton 10 this year, and I'd say the Arahi 8 finally feels like the stability equivalent of this neutral daily trainer. It's soft and plush underfoot, while still retaining a hint of firmness – more so than the Clifton 10, but as someone who prefers a firmer-leaning shoe, I really like this. In fact, I'd probably choose the Arahi 8 over the Clifton 10 – and I don't technically need a stability shoe. It's also noticeably softer than the Arahi 7, but again, not too soft.

While the H-frame technology provides you with a more secure base than the Arahi 7, it's not too wide or cumbersome. In fact, I'd say I feel fairly agile running in the Arahi 8 and it's not heavy on the foot.

Like all of Hoka’s shoes, the Arahi also boasts Hoka’s signature Meta-Rocker geometry, which works with your natural stride to help propel you forwards. It's nothing overly dramatic on this shoe, but it's enough to smooth the ride and prevent anything from feeling clunky.

I've tackled a variety of sessions in the shoe and it's definitely most at home munching up easy daily miles or longer efforts. You could try some tempo if you felt the urge, but I'd personally reach for something a little firmer and more responsive.

RW verdict

I'll admit, when the Arahi 8 landed on my desk for testing, I wasn't exactly champing at the bit to get running in them – even if I was a fan of the Rose Cream colourway. My experience with the ForeverRun Nitro 2 earlier this year had put me off support shoes. However, I’d go as far to say that the Arahi 8 is one of my favourite daily trainers from this year – the caveat being that there’s nothing here that'll knock your socks off.

By that, I mean the shoe doesn’t have mm heel, 29mm forefoot-mm heel, 29mm forefoot Novablast's quintessentially fun ride. But for a stability shoe, what you do have is a sleek and streamlined daily trainer that is softer than its predecessor without becoming mushy, offering a supportive ride for daily miles or even a high-rebound fartlek workout. It's a balanced, fuss-free shoe that you can lace up for the long haul. And sometimes, you don't need more than that.

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