Not many footwear brands have revolutionized the running shoe scene quite like Hoka. Since entering the industry back in 2009 this French company has quickly gained attention from runners globally thanks to their distinctive style; bold silhouettes coupled with an exaggerated midsole and modern profile. Runners who are accustomed to traditional ultra-sleek minimalist shoes found these Hoka running shoes a bit strange at first.
But it wasn’t long before once people tried the shoes that they realized the overall ride was very unlike the other options on the market. What we see today is Hoka as a prominent name in the world of road running, trail racing and casual walking and it is our goal to explain what makes them so, which shoe is best for you, and how to figure out if they are in fact the right shoe.
What Makes Hoka Running Shoes Different
Hoka was born out of a simple yet radical concept: That more cushion doesn’t have to equate to more weight or less speed. Conventional wisdom—held by most established athletic shoe makers—had long held that a thick underfoot profile came at the expense of speed and efficiency. The company challenged this paradigm by developing super light foam blends to fill a broad volume of material and produce the sensation of plushness while running, while maintaining an efficient weight profile.
This approach continues to inform everything the company designs.
Max Cushioning Explained
And the Hoka shoes are much thicker in the midsole than most other competing shoes, sometimes as high as 35-40mm of stack height. But shoe thickness isn’t everything. The foam that makes up the midsole, generally EVA based or proprietary blends like CMEVA are designed to be soft yet resilient.
That means it hits hard at impact but springs back so you can maintain your stride with great energy return. For runners with joint pain, plantar fasciitis or pounding through a lot of miles, that thick yet responsive midsole makes a huge difference over time in how your body holds up. You’re not as sore after a long run.
Rocker Technology and Stability
A very unique aspect of Hoka’s engineering is its rocker geometry, a curved sole shape that mimics the natural rolling action of the foot from heel strike to toe-off. Instead of depending solely on the power of the foot and its structural mechanics of the ankle to push off and propel the stride, the rocker provides a helping hand in the forward motion needed for running (or walking) almost automatically. This is especially important if you are prone to tight calves or just coming off an injury.
The geometry also allows for a stable ride despite the extremely high stack height that could otherwise feel quite unbalanced. A surprising revelation was that it actually works precisely because the sole is designed to be functional once it is shaped correctly to the gait of the runner.
Best Hoka Running Shoes by Runner Type
Not all Hokas are created equal, and if you do not select the shoe suitable for your intended activity, disappointment may ensue if you are otherwise a fan of the Hoka range. There is a wide variety of shoes offered by Hoka, from heavily padded daily trainers to ultra-minimal racing flats so it is very useful to be familiar with the types of shoes available before you buy.
For Daily Training and Easy Miles
The Clifton is undoubtedly the most balanced shoe in the entire line, being one of the lighter max cushion models, forgiving and smooth on the run and very adaptable to a variety of paces. Many users settle on it as their primary training shoe and run in it happily for months on end without any issues. The Bondi is a slightly more supportive option, being heavier and more cushioned still, but superb on recovery or for those who just want to run in comfort.
Both models are well suited to the road and hold up well to weekly mileage.
For Speed Work and Racing
This is where Hoka becomes really quick. The Mach 6, for instance, features a PEBA-based foam, which is significantly lighter and more energetic than the EVA compounds used in Clifton or Bondi, although it still remains soft and supportive—after all, this is Hoka we’re talking about. However, the feeling underfoot is much more lively and explosive.
For race day, the Carbon X and Rocket X models feature a full-length carbon fibre plate for ultimate propulsion and rival products from Nike or Adidas. These are not your everyday shoes.
How to Choose the Right Hoka Model
It’s a little toasky to purchase any running shoe, and the massive selection Hoka offers makes it even more difficult, but boiled down to just a couple of variables, the decision isn’t so hard:
Cushion Level, Fit, and Drop
Hoka shoes tend to run pretty true to size, though some wider feet runners find a few of the models slightly narrow in the toe box. (The Bondi and the Clifton are available in wide widths, which is a definite plus.) Heel to toe drop–this refers to the height of the heel compared to the forefoot–varies throughout the line-up. The typical drop of most Hoka road shoes ranges from 4mm to 5mm, whereas most traditional shoes have a drop of 10mm or even higher, and minimalist shoes can be zero drop. This somewhat moderate drop can be a great fit for many runners, though forefoot strikers can prefer shoes on the lower end of the spectrum, like 4mm.
Road vs. Trail Use
Road Hoka shoes are not made for technical terrain. Running them on rocky trails will chew them up rapidly and they won’t grip the trail very well. The Speedgoat and Challenger ATR models are built specifically for trail running.
The outsole lugs are larger and more aggressive, and the uppers are reinforced. A few models have a rock plate as well. If your mileage is split between pavement and dirt, then the Challenger ATR deserves a look — it performs slightly better than your average road shoe over dirt, and performs adequately over pavement.
But the dedicated trail runner will want to avoid any intermediate models and buy the Speedgoat.
Are Hoka Running Shoes Worth It?
Hoka running shoes are in the range of 130 to 250 dollars depending on the model, which is definitively expensive and definitely falls in the category of a premium running shoe. One must look at that price point in an honest manner.
Pros and Trade-Offs
Strong points include good cushioning, an injury preventative shape and true diversity within the range. Drawbacks include issues with not enough feel from the ground when thick mid soles are used – if that is a priority. Overall durability is good although the softer foams tend to flatten more quickly in the heel than those with a firmer foam core.
Who Should Buy Hoka
If you’re a long-distance runner suffering with chronic joint pain, preparing for your inaugural marathon, or simply clocking large weekly mileage then Hoka’s shoes are likely to be where you will get the most benefits from. The same applies to walkers and medical professionals spending much of their time on their feet. However, for those with ‘advanced’ running technique and who tend to be very particular about ground feel and won’t tolerate much shoe interference then you may find Hoka’s a bit ‘soft’.
They won’t be perfect for everyone but for many a large number of runners they’ll be very hard to beat.