Hoka Path Operating Footwear Overview and Comparability (2024)

After a few years of working within the Clifton, I began to department out in to different Hoka fashions, which lead me to after all HOKA path trainers. I really like that this job means a gaggle of us get to check footwear and assist you realize what’s going to work!

Very like once I first examined the unique HOKA ONE ONE Clifton, I used to be nervous concerning the stack peak and weight.

And prefer it has each time, the footwear shocked me by being light-weight. I additionally discovered the stack peak merely jogged my memory to raised choose up my ft, so I used to be much less more likely to journey and come across the path than in different footwear!

Colorado dwelling has offered many unimaginable alternatives to run on every part from crushed gravels paths to some gnarly technical trails within the mountains. Right here I’m going to breakdown the totally different Hoka path footwear and the way they examine to one another so to discover what is going to work finest for you.

You too can see my full Hoka Clifton Vs Bondi evaluation right here >>

Or should you’re searching for street working, my High 10 HOKA Operating Footwear >>

Now let’s get to it!

Hoka Path Operating Footwear Critiques

Maximal trainers vs minimalist footwear is a complete matter that required a particular submit, so learn that to determine if it’s best for you.

Right here we’re exploring among the totally different fashions of Hoka path trainers. What are the very best HOKA trainers? That’s going to rely in your preferences, so let’s examine that will help you resolve.

A fast description of the important thing Hoka footwear:

• Hoka Speedgoat (impartial path)
• Hoka Challenger ATR (path shoe for groomed trails or mountaineering)
• Hoka Mafate Velocity
• Hoka Tekton X
• Hoka Stinson

Following are some things that I might say throughout every shoe, so saving time right here by saying it as soon as.

Stability

Whereas I DO NOT suggest stability footwear for many runners, the Hoka is designed to offer some base degree stability due to the broader platform of the midsole. This can be a nice solution to get the advantages with out altering your stride or hiding the truth that you might have weak muscle tissues.

Maximal Shoe

Stack peak is how we confer with the dimensions of the outsole (or stack peak) and what’s subsequently outlined as a maximal shoe of 30mm to 50mm.

I did separate detailed submit evaluating maximal and minimal, however for now here’s what HOKA has to say about their footwear:

“most cushioning materials is designed for wonderful shock absorption and an inherently steady journey.”

As a reminder, this isn’t the identical as heel-to-drop of a working shoe. HOKA can have a low drop, whereas nonetheless being a maximal shoe, which is turning into a trending theme throughout many manufacturers.

Prolonged Heel

Chances are you’ll discover that lots of the HOKA’s have an exaggerated heel of the soles…some actually large and a few simply barely noticeable. Having examined out among the largest and a few on the extra regular aspect, I can say that I don’t LOVE the actually large heels.

However they do have a objective.

By testing they discovered that extension helped with getting the foot to roll ahead extra shortly. It reduces points from heel hanging and quickens the motion of the foot. Usually generally known as a meta-rocker.

Alternative

The usual saying is substitute your footwear each 500 miles and these footwear are the identical. The sturdiness has been actually nice, as famous I’ve been by way of numerous pairs and by no means had one which I felt wanted to be tossed early resulting from something coming aside or feeling worn out.

No matter you might have discovered to be your candy spot previously will probably be roughly the identical right here. I.e. bigger runners, large males, and many others usually discover they should substitute footwear faster resulting from breakdown, others  discover that extra treadmill runs means possibly their footwear are good for 800 miles.

Greatest Hoka Path Operating Footwear

It’s no shock to many who I really like working in HOKA. I’ve used quite a lot of them in my shoe rotation for the reason that very first Clifton was launched. So after all I’ve examined them out on the paths too!

Right here’s a run down of their prime fashions and what units them aside.

Cushioned Path Shoe Hoka Velocity Goat

The HOKA Speedgoat is a flexible path working shoe that may deal with any kind of terrain. After asking for opinions on the finest path working shoe, this one got here up a lot that I made a decision I wanted a pair.

The plenty had been proper, I like it. I’ve now had a number of pairs.

The Speedgoat has the entire cushion that I’ve come to like from my Hoka Cliftons and has all of the grip and diversified lugs I want to keep up traction on the paths. . The Speedgoat additionally has a cushioned midsole that gives a easy journey over rocks and different obstacles.

You possibly can inform mine are properly liked because of the layer of filth and dirt masking each inch of the shoe.

It’s designed with a sturdy but snug match and incorporates a Vibram MegaGrip outsole that gives wonderful traction on each moist and dry surfaces

I’ve now run straightforward trails, technical trails and as much as 18 miles within the Speedgoat.

Loving how this impartial shoe feels on my foot and with a barely wider toe field than many it’s meant no points with blisters from downhill working. It’s additionally only a actually large amount of cushion.

Cozy, however not too heavy for a pleasant long term both.

Whereas they’re additionally listed as a impartial shoe, I used to be thrilled to see my foot didn’t drop in a single bit once I put them on which is frequent in different footwear. One other instance of how their footwear have some pure help because of the greater platform.

• True to dimension
• Similar to Clifton, simply the extra lugs for traction
• Good room within the toebox
• Impartial Path Operating shoe
• Average Cushion
• Heel Drop: 5 mm
• Weight: 8.2 oz girls’s, 9.8 oz males’s
• $155
• See all HOKA Speedgoat fashions (additionally features a waterproof possibility)
• Prepared my full Hoka Speedgoat 6 evaluation >>

Most Path Traction – Hoka Mafate

The HOKA Mafate Velocity is a rugged path working shoe that’s constructed to deal with the hardest terrain. The truth is, it’s an excellent comparable shoe to the Speedgoat with a really comparable quantity of cushion.

This shoe goes to suit only a bit extra slim than the Speedgoat, so should you really feel like that’s been a too unfastened comfortable shoe…right here’s your more sensible choice. It’s additionally going to have only a bit extra arch help and a extra breathable higher.

It has a Vibram outsole that gives wonderful traction on moist and dry surfaces. Really we’re speaking some critical grip right here and that’s one thing I LOVE when hitting extra technical trails.

This shoe is ideal for runners who get pleasure from exploring new trails and difficult themselves on powerful terrain. The Mafate Velocity is right for many who wish to run at a quick tempo and wish a shoe that may sustain with their pace.

• Impartial Path Operating shoe
• Least cushioned because it’s designed for pace
• 4 mm drop
• 8.5 oz girls’s, 10.4 oz males’s
• Accessible in 4 colours
• Not accessible in Huge
• $185
• See all HOKA Mafate fashions (additionally features a waterproof possibility and all gender possibility)

Greatest Street to Path Shoe – Hoka Challenger ATR

The HOKA Challenger ATR is a well-liked all-terrain working shoe that’s designed for each street and path working. It has a cushioned midsole that gives a cushty and steady journey, and a Vibram outsole that delivers wonderful traction on quite a lot of surfaces.

I used to be fairly excited to check this one out as properly.

This shoe is right for runners who like to change between street and path working and wish a flexible shoe that may deal with each sorts of terrain. The Challenger ATR is ideal for many who wish to run at a average tempo and wish a shoe that’s snug and supportive.

The shoe affords loads of cushioning and help, making it nice for these trying for a snug journey when hitting these native trails, crushed gravel paths or filth roads.

The breathready higher helps hold your ft cool and dry, and the outsole offers wonderful traction on a selection of surfaces. I additionally just like the prolonged heel, much less points with my foot slipping out.

• Impartial Path Operating shoe
• Most Cushion
• 5 mm drop
• 7.7 oz girls’s, 8.9 oz males’s
• Accessible in 6 colours
• Accessible in Huge in some colours
• $145
• See all HOKA Challenger fashions(together with low and waterproof GTX)

Path Shoe For Velocity – HOKA Torrent 3

The Torrent is a flexible, light-weight path working shoe that gives a cushioned and responsive journey on quite a lot of terrain varieties. This shoe is finest for runners who wish to deal with difficult trails, desires to consider pace and who want a shoe that may deal with quite a lot of situations.

This shoe jogs my memory extra of a Merrell path shoe that I’ve had for ages and love. It’s a fast shoe, that gives loads of underfoot safety and simply sufficient cushion within the midsole to offer a easy journey over rocks and different obstacles.

The Torrent incorporates a aggressive outsole with multi-directional lugs that present traction and grip on quite a lot of surfaces. The froth midsole offers a cushioned and responsive journey, whereas the breathable mesh higher is sturdy and versatile.

The Meta–Rocker design helps to create a easy transition from heel to toe, making it a nice alternative for lengthy–distance runs.

The Torrent is a good alternative for runners who desire a path shoe that may deal with something they throw at it. With the stripped down cushioning, it’s a shoe that’s going to help you really feel extra of the bottom, which many runners love for higher proprioception.

• Impartial Path Operating shoe
• Minimal Cushion
• 5 mm drop
• 7.5 oz girls’s, 8.7 oz males’s
• Accessible in 4 colours
• $145
• See all HOKA Torrent fashions

Carbon Plated Path Shoe – Hoka Tecton X

The HOKA Tecton X is a light-weight path working shoe that’s designed for pace. That’s proper, carbon fiber involves the path world!

Can I simply say, that once more I used to be like who wants a carbon plate on the paths? However then properly…I loved the shoe and a bunch of a lot quicker testers have mentioned they like the additional stiffness for pace and stability.

They’re utilizing parallel carbon fiber plates, to offer a gap down the center of the foot that’s going to make sure you can nonetheless manuver over rocks, stumps and different obstacles. Thus it’s much less inflexible than a street carbon fiber shoe…does this take away from the spring, I’m unsure!

It has a light-weight development that permits for a fast and nimble journey, and a Vibram outsole that delivers wonderful traction on quite a lot of surfaces. From a fast evaluation, I really feel just like the traction is much like the Speedgoat, so it’s good however not probably the most grippy.

This shoe is right for runners who wish to run quick and light-weight on the paths. The Tekton X is ideal for many who get pleasure from exploring new trails and wish a shoe that may sustain with their pace.

• Impartial Path Operating shoe
• Carbon Fiber
• 5 mm drop
• 6.9 oz girls’s, 7.3 oz males’s
• Accessible in 3 colours
• $200
• See all HOKA TectonX fashions

Stability Path Shoe – Hoka Stinson

The HOKA Stinson is a cushioned path working shoe that’s designed for consolation and stability. When you like the texture of a HOKA Bondi, this can be your path shoe of choice.

It’s their most cushioned possibility, whereas nonetheless having that Vibram outsole for grip.

It’s additionally the best stack peak of all HOKA footwear, which implies extra stability with out being an precise stability shoe. But in addition an even bigger reminder to choose these ft up on teh trails!!

This shoe is ideal for runners who get pleasure from exploring new trails and wish a shoe that’s snug for the miles. The Stinson is right for many who wish to run at a average tempo and wish a shoe that’s steady and supportive

• Impartial Path Operating shoe
• Tremendous Cushioned
• 5 mm drop
• 9.8 oz girls’s, 11.7 oz males’s
• Accessible in 2 colours males, 4 colours girls
• $170
• See all HOKA Stinson fashions

Most Minimal Cushion – HOKA Zinal 2

When you’re searching for an excellent light-weight rail racing shoe, then that is going to be your successful choice.  The truth is, this shoe even has a decrease stack peak than I’m used to seeing in HOKA. So if carbon fiber isn’t the place you need to go, checkout the Zinal.

Pay attention my ft are infants and I totally admire the cushion of the Challenger and Speedgoat. So this may not be my alternative on a regular basis, however for a blazing quick filth street or crushed gravel run I’m in. Others of you’ll just do high quality on these rocks and technical trails with much less cushion.

Sadly, I additionally didn’t just like the collar on this shoe. The heel tab got here up to now up it was rubbing my leg and simply making me a bit loopy. Once more, put on tall socks and this in all probability isn’t a difficulty…however I don’t at all times. Although I do just like the socklike  match of the knitted higher.

HOKA ONE ONE  affords a spread of high-performance path trainers for various kinds of runners. It’s a favourite amongst many ultramarathon runners and that tells me lots about consolation!

Whether or not you’re searching for a flexible shoe that may deal with any kind of terrain, a light-weight shoe that’s designed for pace, or a cushioned shoe that’s designed for consolation and stability, HOKA ONE ONE has a shoe that’s good for you.

Questioning how HOKA stacks up in opposition to different conventional trainers?

Checkout these match ups:

On the lookout for extra opinions to search out the very best issues on your run?

Checkout our full web page of my will need to have working gear opinions and guides to avoid wasting you time looking out and cash! I share what’s labored for me and fellow runners, together with what wasn’t well worth the price ticket.

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This isn’t a sponsored submit, although I’ve obtained Hoka’s free through the years for testing.