13 Best Hoka Shoes of 2025 for Every Kind of Athlete

You can’t talk about the best running shoes without mentioning Hoka. But with so many cushiony pairs of shoes from the brand, how does anyone find the best Hoka shoes? Obviously, there’s no single greatest pair of Hokas, no matter what shoe reviews say, but there are preferred picks for various kinds of people, whether they’re trail runners, speed racers, or speed walkers (and every other athlete in between).

If you’re looking to get in on the action, let us be your guide; we tried pretty much every shoe the company makes to put together a full rundown of the best Hoka running shoes you can buy. From the need-to-knows to the actual pairs to buy, here’s how all those Hokas stack up.

Best Hoka Shoes Overall: Hoka Clifton 10

After numerous iterations, the 10th Hoka Clifton is the most current model, bringing years of perfecting and fine-tuning to a great everyday runner. In our opinion, they’re finally hitting their stride. The Clifton 10 (you can read our full review here) features an increased stack height and larger toe box compared to the older Clifton 9, making for a discreet transformation that retains the model’s signature comfort and cushioning. There’s no springiness to these shoes, so don’t except to break any PRs just because you snagged the new pair, but the silky movement you’ll feel mile after mile might be enough to get you to make these your new daily trainers. In a word: If you already own the Clifton 9, you don’t need to run out and get the Clifton 10. However, if you’ve never given the Cliftons a chance, these are an excellent model to add to your running rotation.

Best Hoka Shoes for Everyday Speed: Hoka Mach X 2

The Mach X 2 is Hoka’s latest entry into the growing category of so-called super trainers. These shoes leverage race day tech in designs meant for everyday use. That’s what Hoka did here; in looks alone, the Mach X 2 is clearly a relative of the race-ready Cielo X1 and under the hood, there’s highly responsive PEBA foam and a springboard Pebax plate. The shoe feels more similar to those high-end racers than everyday compatriots—and we’d be happy to toe the line in it—but the daily drag is where it really shines. Especially if what you’re tackling is a bout of 400s or grueling tempo run, but even easier-paced miles feel good in this shoe. Technically this is an update but forget what you know about the first Mach X, this shoe’s a different beast.

Best Max-Cushion Hoka Shoes: Hoka Bondi 8

Strictly speaking, a lot of Hoka shoes fall into the max-cushion category. But the Bondi’s always felt like a real behemoth, in a good way thanks to its extra cushioning. This latest version has lighter foam and an extended heel that paradoxically makes the Bondi feel nimbler and stabler than it looks like it should be, though know that it’s not fully a stability shoe. It’s a soft and cruisy shoe with pretty good shock absorption, best for easy everyday miles, or even as daily walking shoes. Hoka always kills it with the colors it offers the Bondi in, too.

Best Stability Hoka Shoes: Hoka Arahi 8

Stability often translates to stiffness in running shoes—not so with the Arahi 8. The trick is in Hoka’s H-Frame platform, which lends a feeling of plantedness and forward motion during our test runs. Unlike the brand’s other stability shoe, the Gaviota 5, these offer a less plush ride so that they’re more responsive to picking up speed rather than cushioning each step. And for this latest iteration of the Arahi, Hoka utilized softer materials for an overall more comfortable feeling on the foot. Available in seven colorways and both regular, wide, and extra-wide fits, this sleek pair of runners also has reflective details built in for hitting the pavement when the sun goes down.

Best Value Hoka Shoes: Hoka Mach 6

The Mach brought a trimmed-down nimbleness to the Hoka lineup when it came out, and a lot of runners we’ve spoken to have claimed earlier versions of the shoe are responsible for their conversion to Hoka devotion. The sixth iteration is more of what’s made the Mach stand out in the lineup—it’s lightweight, feels fast, and brings more ground feel into the Hoka formula. With a supercritical foam midsole the shoe stays soft but it also packs some propulsion when you want to dial up the pace. All of these traits make the Mach 6 an excellent choice for everyday runs and faster workouts, and they earned it a place in our ranking of the best running shoes out now.

Best Race Day Hoka Shoes: Hoka Rocket X 2