In the past three years I’ve run 4,000 miles in Hokas. As an editor at a magazine that covers the Western United States, I’ve dodged saguaros in Arizona, pounded the cobblestones at Pike Place Market, slogged muddy trails in Big Sur, caked black sand into my treads on the Kona Coast, dusted my soles with vineyard dirt in Napa, and jogged on the sidewalks and roads in my hometown of Los Angeles. In the first year of that period, rarely a month went by without someone asking, “Do you like your Hokas?” My answer always began “Yes, but…”
Hokas were exotic a few years ago but now you see them everywhere. My sister-in-law wears them when she’s on duty as a nurse, my marathoner friends race in them, my mother-in-law does qi gong in them, my wife hikes in them, and my Gen Z daughter and her boyfriend jog in them.
When Hokas first hit the market they got a lot of attention for their voluminous soles, which at the time seemed preposterously thick. But they were ridiculously comfortable. The fact that they were often obnoxiously colorful and absurdly proportioned distinguished them from their competitors and people who generally shun color and sportswear began to wear them.
Courtesy of Hoka
But it wasn’t just a style thing. Hokas gained a reputation among runners for being good for recovery and long runs. After years of running on Nikes and New Balances I bought a pair of Hoka Challengers at the suggestion of a serious runner friend and they were a revelation: cushioned but not too much, grippy thanks to nubby soles that made them great for hiking as well as running. I wore that first pair smooth. Then I got another pair of Hokas. Then another. And another.
What began as a dalliance has turned into a four-year, real-world test drive of eight of the most popular styles of Hokas. I’m not a serious runner by any means, just someone who loves being outside and enjoying the scenery as much as possible. My feet are neither super narrow nor super wide. I sometimes suffer from plantar fasciitis. My foot fall is mid-strike though my technique can fall apart if I’m not paying attention. I’m an amateur mid-life runner who does it for the fun, the on-the-ground view of locations I visit for work, and that exquisite and free natural endocannabinoid high.
So do I like my Hokas? I can now unequivocally say yes, but it depends on what you want to do in them. Pairing the person with the purpose is where you can go right or wrong. For example, the ridiculously comfortable Skyward, with its oversized, even for Hoka, cushioning, height, and coloring, would be way too squishy for a light jog around the block, while the stiff, light, and sadly discontinued Carbon X, with its minimal grip and carbon fiber insert, would have made for a slippery, high-effort hike on any sort of loose graveled incline. Definitely try before you buy, but to help you at least get an, ahem, running start on your shopping, here is my highly subjective report on the standout Hokas based on my experience of walking, running, and hiking the West for 4,000 miles.
Road Test Results
The Serious Hoka: Mach X 2
Light, springy, and responsive with race-ready geometry, this is the Hoka that I use on runs where I’m pushing my speed and wanting to feel just the right amount of road (think of it as “sport mode” versus the “comfort” suspension setting on a German car)
Tops for Trails: Speedgoat 6 GTX
Great for speedy slippery trails or being your new low-profile, lightweight hiker. With razor-sharp treads, a neutral profile, and super light weight, the Speedgoat is the most technical, zippiest shoe for carving up dusty, rocky, single track trails. Plus, it makes a great straight-up hiking shoe that will have you wondering why so many other hikers are built-up and chunky.
The Standing Around Superhero (or Rainy Day Runner): Clifton 9 GTX
The super cushioned Clifton is one of the most comfortable Hokas, which makes it fine for easy runs but is truly better suited for hanging out and standing all day (I’m thinking crossing guard, museum docent, or labor and delivery nurse). Not sure why they made this style the first to be waterproofed but it’s what I put on when it’s raining and I don’t feel like having icy water slosh over my feet and soak my socks.
The Crowd Pleaser: Challenger 7 GTX
Some serious running shoes can be light on tread, thus light on grip, so if you decide to take a walk in the park or hike up that hill behind the hotel, soon you’ll be slip-sliding away. Not so with this versatile hybrid runner/trail runner. The Challenger is what made me fall in love with Hoka so I’ll always have a sweet spot for this style.
The Happy Hiker: Anacapa 2 Low GTX
Thick-soled, super grippy, and a little overbuilt in a good way, the Anacapa will hold up and serve you well scrambling up and down rocks and over slippery boulders. Also orthopedically supportive and spacious but probably too stiff and heavy for running.
The Foot Pillow: Bondi 8
The Bondi is beloved for its comfort. If you want to run (or stand) for hours, you can’t go wrong with this style. They’ve beefed up the heel in recent years so it’s even cushier than ever. I personally think it’s a bit too squishy for serious running (it can feel like the foam is taking some of the spring out of your step), but you could wear these babies all day.
Note: The Bondi 8 has largely been succeeded by the Bondi 9, but the 8 is still out there online.
This Shoe Took Home the Gold Medal
So which one is the best? If I had to pick just one, it would be the Speedgoat 6 GTX. Ironically this is probably the least Hoka of the Hoka line, given that it’s relatively uncushioned compared to the thick-soled, super-comfy styles Hoka is famous for. It’s a serious trail running shoe, which makes it great for me when I’m in an unfamiliar city and want to get my exercise while scoping out the nearest park or trail worthy of coverage in the magazine. It’s super lightweight and has a low profile, making it easy to pack into my carry-on luggage. It has a structured midsole that hugs your foot, keeping it stable on rough terrain. And it lacks that exaggerated heel that got Hoka all that attention when it first hit the scene. I just got back from hiking, trail running, and jogging the bike paths in Sun Valley, Idaho, and it was the perfect pair to bring. But the lack of cushioning can make the Speedgoat a bit taxing on longer road runs. When I want to run more than four miles, I’ll lace up my comfy Mach 6s.
Having tried so many styles, I’ve learned that nearly every Hoka has its virtue, but it might take you owning and running hundreds of miles in a few pairs to find your perfect fit. See you out there on the roads and trails!
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