HOKA, founded in France in 2009, has made a serious name for itself when it comes to cushioned shoes. Interestingly, minimalist running shoes had been a bit of a trend just as HOKA was bursting on the scene, but a commitment to comfort and bold styles has seen the shoe brand go from strength to strength over a decade later.
So, you know you’re likely to get cushioning from a HOKA shoe. But what else? Beyond this, there’s massive variation between HOKA styles: you’ve got long-lugged trail shoes, springy race shoes, lightweight training shoes and more. Here’s how to choose the right shoe for you…
Table of Contents
Why should I pick a HOKA shoe?
As mentioned above, cushioning is the real motivator here. If you find yourself struggling with sore, tired feet on long distance training runs, you’re going to be grateful that you invested in some HOKAs. They’re also incredibly lightweight, despite usually being a chunkier shoe, so they won’t get in the way of a PB. Speedy but comfortable, is the general motto here.
Not sure HOKA sounds right for you? Check out our other best women’s running shoes.
How do I pick the right shoe for me?
First of all, you need to consider where you’ll be running. Do you tend to stick to roads, or explore the trails? You might need extra comfort for roads, whereas a good pair of trail shoes will have lugs to stop you slipping, might be more supportive and should be waterproof.
You’ll also want to consider your own tendency for pronation and whether you might need more support based on your run style – you can find out more about this in our guide on how to choose the right running shoes.
Which HOKA shoe should I choose?
Below you can find reviews of the very best HOKA shoes we’ve tried and tested, and why they were so brilliant.
Best everyday running shoe: HOKA Clifton 10
HOKA Clifton 10 technical details
- Weight: 227g
- RRP: £140
- Drop: 8mm
- Sizes: UK women’s 2-10
Pros:
- More breathable than previous version
- Plenty of cushioning
- Perfect for long miles
Cons:
- Not for speedy sessions or race PBs
What our testers said
“I’ve been running in the Clifton 10 for just under a month now, and I’m really happy with how they’ve performed on roads. I’d been running in the Saucony Guide 18 for most of my marathon training because I needed a bit extra stability for long distances, and shifting to the Clifton 10 post-marathon has been perfect for my recovery. That being said, they’re great over long miles too, and if you’re used to wearing a neutral shoe then you’ll get on with them famously.
“They’re not the speediest shoes in my collection, and I don’t plan on doing my interval training in them, but that’s not where they shine – they’re a stellar shoe for easy running and ideal for a weekend long run. I’d highly recommend them for beginners in particular.”
Want more info? Read Holly’s full HOKA Clifton 10 review.
Best for comfortable road running: HOKA Kawana 2
HOKA Kawana technical details
- Weight: 205g
- RRP: £125
- Drop: 5mm
- Sizes: UK women’s 3.5-10.5
What our testers said
“My first run in the shoe was an easy 30 minute run. The shoe felt smooth and comfortable. The shoe has an early stage rocker to help smooth those heel-to-toe transitions. The foam is a medium feel – not overly soft or firm – and feels pretty similar to the HOKA Clifton (but comes in a fair bit cheaper).
There haven’t been a lot of changes to the shoe from the first edition of the Kawana, they’re more tweaks than a complete overhaul. Good news if you liked the first edition.”
Want to know more? Read Laura’s full HOKA Kawana 2 review.
Best for comfort on trails: HOKA Speedgoat 5
HOKA Speedgoat 5 technical details
- Weight: 234g
- RRP: £130
- Drop: 4mm
- Sizes: UK women’s 3.5-9.5
- Lugs: 5mm
Pros:
- Super grippy lugs
- Cushioned and soft on the inside
- Thick, protective sole
Cons:
What our testers said
“I absolutely loved taking these out for a spin for some off-road running. That initial comfort stood the test of time, as my feet still felt cushioned after several miles, and there wasn’t a blister in sight – these definitely aren’t shoes that you need to wear in. The soft EVA sockliner keeps me snug and supported, but is also nice and breathable. I quickly discover that they’re not entirely waterproof, and a few larger puddles leak through the upper slightly, but the fact that the Vibram sole is so chunky really helps to minimise this. I love the responsiveness, and am suitably impressed by the spring I feel in my toe-off.”
Want to know more? Read Holly’s full HOKA Speedgoat 5 review.
Best for tempo runs: HOKA Mach 6
HOKA Mach 6 technical details
- Weight: 189g
- RRP: £140
- Drop: 5mm
- Sizes: UK women’s 3.5-9
- Special technology: Supercritical EVA midsole
Pros:
- Versatile shoe for easy miles and speed sessions
- Good non-plated option
- Well-priced
Cons:
What our tester said
“Like most HOKA shoes, the Mach 6 is very comfortable. It doesn’t have the squishy, pillowy softness of some shoes because it’s aiming to give you some responsiveness for when you want to run a bit quicker. The upper is lightweight but still has enough padding and support to make it comfortable.
It responded well to an increase in pace and that firmer foam allowed me to drive through the push-off. This shoe doesn’t have a carbon plate, which some runners might prefer. That does mean that it’s a bit cheaper than training shoes such as the HOKA Mach X but it also means it is less propulsive. that being said, the rockered design does give a good bit of encouragement to your stride.”
Want to know more? Read Laura’s full HOKA Mach 6 review.
Best for a trail PB: HOKA Tecton X 3
HOKA Tecton X 3 technical details
RRP: £220
Weight: 223g
Drop: 5mm
Lugs: 4mm
Foam: Dual-layer PEBA midsole
Special technology: Carbon fibre plate
Sizes: 3.5 to 9
Pros:
- Comfortable shoe
- Great grip
- Bouncy and fast
Cons:
- A little unstable
- Less ground feel than others
What our testers said
“These shoes have been developed with an incredible ultra runner called Jim Walsmley. It feels like they have been designed for runners who want to go faster on the trails. Their lugs (4mm) and grip (Vibram) are also very suited to mountain running, although of course they will transition well to other types of trail.
If you like trainers that have higher stacks and do a lot of running on rockier terrain which demands good grip then definitely give them a go. Also, if you are a runner who wants to smash out faster miles on the trails in practice and in racing then these might be a good option for you too. They are very pricey though, so be warned!”
Want to know more? Read Sabrina’s full HOKA Tecton X 3 review.
Best for recovery runs: HOKA Bondi 9
HOKA Bondi 9 technical details
- RRP: £160
- Weight: 263g
- Drop:5mm
- Sizes:UK women’s 3.5-9.5, wide option available
Pros:
- Super comfy
- New, more stylish design
- More responsive than the Bondi 8
Cons:
What our testers said
“As I mentioned, I was particularly keen to try these out on my easy runs, as that’s where I’d enjoyed the Bondi 8 the most. I set off for a gentle 45-minute plod in them and was impressed by the comfort from the word go – the plush upper didn’t rub at all and the shoe felt bouncy and light underfoot. I was aiming for a gentle pace and found the Bondi worked hard to keep me steady. At no point did I feel they were slowing me down, but they helped me fall into a comfortable stride that didn’t feel sluggish. I’ll definitely be wearing them for easy runs and recovery runs going forwards.”
Want to know more? Read Holly’s full HOKA Bondi 9 review.
Best for technical terrain: HOKA Mafate Speed 4
HOKA Mafate Speed 4 technical details
- Weight: 241g
- RRP: £160
- Drop: 4mm
- Sizes: UK women’s 3.5-9.5
Pros:
- Great cushioning
- Good impact protection
- Comfortable upper
Cons:
What our testers said
“The cushioning was lush. I could feel my foot sinking into the sole just enough with each stride. I say ‘just enough’ because, as we know, too much and it begins to feel like you’re running on sand. But the Mafate 4 was right in the Goldilocks zone for me. Thanks to the recent heat, the ground was baked solid and I was thankful for the cushioning of the Mafate Speed 4. It was hard going on the lumpy ground and I was having to run with one foot on the mud and one on the grass because it was so narrow, but I felt secure in the shoes. The shoe responded well and the meta-rocker helped deliver a nice, smooth heel to toe transition. Also, I don’t feel the need to avoid roads and pavements when wearing them, as they cope well with different terrain.”
Want to know more? Read Laura’s full HOKA Mafate Speed 4 review.
Best carbon-plated race shoe: HOKA Cielo X1 3.0
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 technical details
RRP: £250
Weight: 213g
Drop: 7mm
Stack: 38mm
Sizes: UK 4.5-13.5
Special technology: Carbon fibre plate
Pros:
- Super speedy
- Comfortable
- Lovely design
Cons:
What our testers said
“I’m so impressed that HOKA have been able to shave even more weight off it with this latest edition. As soon as I started running in them, though, I became painfully aware of my own technique – they offer very little on the way of stability, and I felt nervous about running at speed on uneven ground with them. Interestingly, HOKA claim to have updated the geometry from the previous version to create more stability, but I felt more comfortable in the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0. I’m don’t have the technical know-how to pinpoint exactly why, but I didn’t feel as supported in the newer version. This may just be the trade-off for more bounce, though, as they’re certainly more propulsive.
“You get out what you put in with the Cielo, and so they felt comfortable and not too stiff at slower speeds with a bit more snap the more I picked up the pace. I didn’t feel fast enough to take them to their full potential, but if you’re a speedy runner looking for comfort and lower-impact landings, they could be a gamechanger.”
Want more info? Read Holly’s full HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 review.
Best affordable shoe: HOKA Rincon 4
HOKA Rincon 4 technical details
- Weight: 193g
- RRP: £110
- Drop: 5mm
- Sizes: UK women’s 3.5-9.5
Pros:
- Competitive price
- Great balance of comfort and responsiveness
- Wide fit options
Cons:
- Not designed for longer distances
What our testers said
“A bit like the HOKA Clifton 9, the Rincon 4 is a great all-round shoe for everyday running. The main difference, though, is that you’ve got a little bit less stability and a tiny bit less cushion here, making it perfect for slightly shorter distances. It’s also a little more versatile: it’s a bouncy enough shoe that you could definitely wear it for interval training. It’s also a great price, so would be a good running shoe for beginners who don’t want to fork out too much.”
Want more info? Read Holly’s full HOKA Rincon 4 review.
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