Best Hoka Running Shoes of 2025

Born in the 2000s, in an age of minimalist running shoes, Hoka went against the proverbial grain, creating ultra-cushioned running shoes. Nowadays, Hoka has grown into one of the most popular American running shoe brands. And it’s undoubtedly one of the most common brands we get asked about as iRunFar gear testers. So we decided to pool our collective knowledge, experience, and testing of Hoka shoes to create a brand-specific buyer’s guide to the best Hoka running shoes.

Two of the brand’s most popular shoes come out on top, as we name the Hoka Speedgoat 6 the best overall trail running shoe and the Hoka Clifton 10 the best overall road running shoe. Both shoes are excellent options for newbies to elite runners. They’re durable, approachable, and reasonably affordable in price. But beyond the best overall shoes for trails and roads, we look at the best Hoka options for racing, cushioning, roads to trails, and more.

Otherwise, read on, and be sure to look at our testing methodology, buying advice, and frequently asked questions below our top picks.

Best Hoka Running Shoes

• Best Overall Hoka Trail Running Shoe: Hoka Speedgoat 6
• Best Overall Hoka Trail Running Shoe — Runner-Up: Hoka Torrent 4
• Best Overall Hoka Road Running Shoe: Hoka Clifton 10
• Best Overall Hoka Road Running Shoe — Runner-Up: Hoka Mach 6
• Best Hoka Shoe for Trail Racing: Hoka Tecton X 3
• Best Hoka Shoe for Road Racing: Hoka Rocket X 2
• Best Road-to-Trail Hoka Running Shoe: Hoka Challenger 7
• Best Hoka Road Running Shoe for Max Cushion: Hoka Skyward X
• Best Hoka Running Shoe for Technical Terrain: Hoka Mafate Speed 4

Best Overall Hoka Trail Running Shoe: Hoka Speedgoat 6 ($170)

Pros:

• Excellent traction and lug pattern
• Lightest and most responsive version ever
• Better midfoot lockdown
• Improved upper

Cons: 

• The lacing system is definitely not the best
• Decals might come off relatively quickly

The Speedgoat is a classic and Hoka’s best all-around trail running shoe. However, the Hoka Speedgoat 6 has a slightly new design that is a bit controversial. The new tongue is oddly small, and the lacing system isn’t the best. That said, we believe the other improvements to the newest version of this classic outweigh those design flaws that we hope Hoka will address in the next update.

Our favorite update to the sixth iteration of this shoe is the midsole. It’s a new, lighter, firmer, and more responsive midsole compound. Folks who like the softness of previous versions of this shoe might not be keen on the update, but we think it’s an overall improvement for the shoe, making it better for workouts and up-tempo work. Hoka changed the lug pattern slightly on the outsole. We didn’t notice any significant changes from previous versions in terms of performance. It still has the grip and a five-millimeter lug depth to give you confidence in ripping downhills and efficiency on uphills.

All this adds up to make the Speedgoat 6 our favorite all-around Hoka trail shoe, and it’s at the top of our list in our Best Trail Running Shoes guide. If you run primarily on trails, this is the pick for you.

Read our full review of the Hoka Speedgoat 6 review to learn more.

Stack Height (heel/toe): 40 millimeters/35 millimeters | Drop: 5 millimeters | Actual Weight (men’s 9): 9.8 ounces

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Best Overall Hoka Trail Running Shoe — Runner-Up: Hoka Torrent 4 ($130)

Pros:

• Excellent value
• Good all-around trail shoe
• Good for beginners
• Better durability than previous models

Cons:

• Not a specialty shoe

The Hoka Torrent 4 is an excellent all-around trail running shoe at a good value. We recommend it for beginner trail runners and more experienced trail runners looking for a better value shoe than the Hoka Speedgoat 6. It’d also be a good shoe for someone who runs mainly on pavement but occasionally on trails.

When a shoe gets major updates, it can go one of two ways. We’re happy to report that Hoka nailed it on its update to the Torrent 4. Starting at the bottom, Hoka rearranged its lug orientation and shape. The multi-directional lug shape resembles the bottom of the Speedgoat 6 and helps on uphills and downhills. Also similar to the Speedgoat 6, the lugs are now five millimeters deep, up from four in the previous model. We found these outsoles to have a very reliable grip on multiple surfaces and trail types.

Moving up the shoe, Hoka also employed a new midsole foam. Hoka shifted from a dual-density EVA foam in the previous model to a single-layer EVA foam and added two extra millimeters of underfoot stack height. They also widened the base of the midsole around the heel for boosted stability. While there are certainly more cushioned shoes and more responsive shoes, we found the Torrent 4 hit an excellent balance of cushion and responsiveness.

The newest model’s upper did not change much. We found it secure and comfortable. Overall, at $130, this is an excellent value shoe, especially for those dabbling in trail running.

Read our full Hoka Torrent 4 review.

Stack Height (heel/toe): 33 millimeters/28 millimeters | Drop: 5 millimeters | Actual Weight (men’s 9): 9 ounces

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Best Overall Hoka Road Running Shoe: Hoka Clifton 10 ($150)

Pros:

• Great all-around training shoes for road and gravel
• The nice cushion that Hoka and the Clifton are infamous for
• Lightweight construction
• Truly neutral

Cons:

• Might be too wide for narrow feet

Like the Speedgoat, the Hoka Clifton 10 is one of — if not the — most popular and best-selling road shoes in the brand’s lineup. And that’s for good reason. It’s a very solid, comfortable, durable, and approachable training shoe. Starting at the top, Hoka uses its jacquard knit upper material. It did change the fit at the forefoot, slightly widening it, which we like. Hoka also added some padding around the heel, which we really liked. An already super comfortable shoe got even more comfortable with the upper upgrades.

Moving down, Hoka uses its lightweight and responsive compression-molded EVA foam. The big update is an additional three millimeters of drop between the heel and forefoot. Previous models had a 5-millimeter drop, and this one increases to eight millimeters. We honestly didn’t notice much of a difference, so don’t be too concerned if you’re a shoe-drop nerd. The foam is still durable and highly comfortable. It is cushy and responsive and helps create a shoe you can take out of the box and take on a long run right away. Hoka still uses its typical rubber outsole, which we’ve also found very durable.

Is the Clifton 10 a shoe that will get you Strava course records or personal bests in races? No. But will it be a shoe that gives you hundreds of training miles to get you closer to Strava course records or personal bests? Definitely. And, for that, we love them. Also, note that the Clifton 10 is truly a neutral shoe, which some will prefer. It also happens to be one of our favorite road running shoes.

Read our full Hoka Clifton 10 review to learn more.

Stack Height (heel/toe): 35 millimeters/27 millimeters | Drop: 8 millimeters | Actual Weight (men’s 10): 9.8 ounces

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Best Overall Hoka Road Running Shoe — Runner-Up: Hoka Mach 6 ($140)

Pros:

• Excellent shoe for training, tempos, and races
• Good value
• Durable
• Tons of fun

Cons:

• Some Mach disciples didn’t love the fit

The Hoka Mach 6 is one of the most fun road shoes we’ve recently tested. It’s lightweight, responsive, comfortable, plush, and fast. It can serve as your everyday trainer, a workout shoe, or even a race-day shoe. We’re fans of the Mach series, but this might be the best version of the shoe yet. The bottom has a rubber outsole designed for durability and minimal weight. So far, more than 100 miles into the shoe, we haven’t noticed any excessive wearing issues. Considering we’ve put 500-plus miles on previous versions of the Mach, we don’t anticipate these wearing out too fast.

Moving up the shoe to the midsole, things start to get more fun. Hoka uses their super critical midsole foam, which is lightweight and responsive. The creel jacquard upper adds to the overall comfort of the shoe. At just 8.2 ounces, the shoe is incredibly light. And the 5-millimeter heel-to-toe drop is ideal for most runners.

Overall, this is an excellent shoe. If you’re looking for a pure road trainer, we recommend the Clifton 10. But if you’re looking for a more versatile shoe that works for speed workouts and road races, the Mach 6 is the better pick.

Stack Height (heel/toe): 37 millimeters/32 millimeters | Drop: 5 millimeters | Actual Weight (men’s 9): 8.2 ounces

Shop the Men's Hoka Mach 6Shop the Women's Hoka Mach 6

Best Hoka Shoe for Trail Racing: Hoka Tecton X 3 ($275)

Pros:

• Speedy and smooth shoe for shorter to mid-distance trail races (think up to a 25k or so)
• The new Matryx upper is more flexible, durable, and comfortable than the previous version
• Good enough traction for most terrain
• Carbon plate offers incredible uphill propulsion

Cons:

• The previous pair started falling apart for those with wider feet at around 300 miles
• Running hard down steep, technical descents can feel overly wild with the aid of the carbon plate

The Tecton X 3 was released to mixed reviews, many of them about the built-in gaiter. The first time one of our testers ran in the original version of Hoka’s Tecton X, he says he literally couldn’t stop smiling. Hoka’s first trail shoe with carbon plates, the Tecton X, is responsive, fast, and a helluva lot of fun. My only complaint with the original model was that after 300 miles, the upper started ripping from the midsole, creating a gap for the outside portion of my foot. It seems Hoka received this feedback from others because the significant upgrade is a new Matryx upper, which Hoka says is hydrophobic and will help repel water and trail debris. At the time of publication, we’ve put over 200 miles on these shoes, and so far, they seem sturdier than the previous version.

The Vibram Megagrip with Litebase outsole is solid for most terrain and trail surfaces, but there are better options for super loose or technical terrain. But, if you’re looking to go fast, these are your ideal shoes for trail races of up to 25 kilometers, speed workouts, and speedy long runs.

Check out our full Hoka Tecton X 2 review here.

Stack Height (heel/toe): 30 millimeters/25 millimeters | Drop: 5 millimeters | Actual Weight (men’s 9): 9.1 ounces

Shop the Men's Hoka Tecton X 3Shop the Women's Hoka Tecton X 3

Best Hoka Shoe for Road Racing: Hoka Rocket X 2 ($250)

Pros:

• Performs like a super shoe
• Rocker and carbon plate are incredibly responsive
• Lightweight and good fit

Cons:

• It almost feels like too much bounce — like it’ll catapult you from the road
• Upper started flaking paint after one run

If the Clifton is the road version of the Speedgoat, the Rocket X 2 is the road version of the Tecton X 3. This teched-out racing super shoe is a ton of fun and pairs nicely with the Clifton in a shoe quiver. It’s an ideal racing and speed workout shoe that perfectly complements the Clifton’s steady everyday training style. The meat of the design is its propulsive carbon plate between two layers of PEBA foam, resulting in a fast shoe that actually feels more comfortable as the pace increases.

For our tester, this was a go-to shoe this winter and spring for speed workouts and long runs when they know they’ll want to throw in some pickups or alternating miles. They have bounce and handled well for at least 18 miles. While we haven’t taken them past that distance, we could see them as ideal marathon shoes. As a bonus, the synthetic mesh upper is form-fitting around the foot for a secure ride even as you sprint. Our one qualm is that the stack height of 36 millimeters is almost too much. Almost.

Stack Height (heel/toe): 36 millimeters/31 millimeters | Drop: 5 millimeters | Actual Weight (men’s 9): 7.7 ounces

Shop the Hoka Rocket X 2

Best Road-to-Trail Hoka Running Shoe: Hoka Challenger 7  ($145)

Pros:

• Increased stack height and new foam have boosted the cushion and comfort
• Outsoles handle multiple types of terrain well

Cons:

• Potential outsole durability iss

The Hoka Challenger 7 received some major upgrades from the previous version, bringing this shoe back onto our list of favorites. Brands can change models of shoes at a frustrating rate, especially if you really love a specific model and they mess up the upgrades, but Hoka nailed this upgrade. Our main tester lives near a trail system and often runs a mile or two of roads to and from the trailhead, so they love a solid road-to-trail hybrid shoe. While they say that the Challenger 6 was not that — it felt heavy and rigid and didn’t have enough cushion — the new version of the shoe addresses many of their qualms with the shoe line.

Hoka has simplified its upper while adding a new foam and increasing the stack height to 31 millimeters at the heel to create a much more comfortable and pleasant ride. The brand also changed its outsole, including mild four-millimeter lugs. The outsole is inspired by tires made for gravel bikes and provide plenty of grip on gentle trails. Some commenters on sites like REI claim the rubber outsole has durability issues, but we have nearly 300 miles on a pair with basically no issues.

Stack Height (heel/toe): 31 millimeters/26 millimeters | Drop: 5 millimeters | Actual Weight (men’s 9): 9.0 ounces

Shop the Men's Hoka Challenger 7Shop the Women's Hoka Challenger 7

Best Hoka Road Running Shoe for Max Cushion: Hoka Skyward X ($225)

Pros:

• Very plush ride
• Excellent for easy and recovery runs
• Good for larger-framed runners

Cons:

• Heavier than others on the list
• Expensive

The Hoka Skyward X is an excellent maxiumum cushion shoe ideal for recovery runs. It’s also an excellent option for larger-framed runners as it boasts a ton of support, cushion, and spring. In a new era of teched-out shoes, the Skyward X goes to another level. This shoe has it all: top-shelf PEBA midsole foam, carbon plate, and an EVA Rocker frame.

We have two nitpicks with these shoes. First, at 11.3 ounces, they’re on the heavier side. And at $225, they’re on the expensive side — but that’s to be expected with a shoe boasting this much tech. This shoe also has an insane stack height of 48 millimeters at the heel and 43 millimeters at the forefoot. That’s the highest stack height of any shoe we’ve tested and takes some getting used to. Still, this shoe is super springy, bouncy, and fun to run in.

Stack Height (heel/toe): 48 millimeters/43 millimeters | Drop: 5 millimeters | Actual Weight (men’s 9): 11.3 ounces

Shop the Men's Hoka Skyward XShop the Women's Hoka Skyward X

Best Hoka Running Shoe for Technical Terrain: Hoka Mafate Speed 4

Pros:

• Rugged shoes that can handle a lot of terrains and trail types
• Excellent grip

Cons:

• High stack height and lots of cushion make them on the heavy side

If you’re looking for a shoe that will perform in technical terrain but still has the cushion to cover a lot of miles, we recommend the Hoka Mafate Speed 4. We still recommend the Speedgoat 6 as Hoka’s best overall trail running shoe, the Challenger 7 for spending time on roads and trails or for a gravel or dirt road shoe, and the Tecton X 3 as a trail racing shoe, but the Mafate excels when trails get steeper and rockier.

The newest version features a jacquard mesh upper, Hoka’s ProFly+ midsole, and a toe bumper — all features aimed at providing a comfortable and protected ride. The combination of the ProFly+ midsole — usually found on Hoka’s road shoes — and Vibram Megagrip outsole with Litebase and traction lugs sets this shoe apart from the others. You’re basically getting the comfort and responsiveness of the Rocket X 2, Tecton X 3, or Mach 6 with the traction of the Speedgoat 6 and some bonus rock protection.

See our full Hoka Mafate Speed 4 review for more.

Stack Height (heel/toe): 33 millimeters/29 millimeters | Drop: 4 millimeters | Actual Weight (men’s 9): 10.1 ounces

Shop the Men's Hoka Mafate Speed 4Shop the Women's Hoka Mafate Speed 4

Comparing the Best Hoka Running Shoes

SHOE	PRICE	WEIGHT	DROP	INTENDED USE
Hoka Speedgoat 6	$155	9.8 ounces	5 millimeters	Trail
Hoka Torrent 4	$130	9 ounces	5 millimeters	Trail
Hoka Clifton 10	$150	9.8 ounces	8 millimeters	Road
Hoka Mach 6	$140	8.2 ounces	5 millimeters	Road
Hoka Tecton X 3	$275	9.1 ounces	5 millimeters	Trail
Hoka Rocket X 2	$250	7.7 ounces	5 millimeters	Road
Hoka Challenger 7	$145	9 ounces	5 millimeters	Hybrid
Hoka Skyward X	$225	11.3 ounces	5 millimeters	Road
Hoka Mafate Speed 4	$185	10.1 ounces	4 millimeters	Trail

 

Glossary of Running Shoe Terms

While we tried to be non-technical and avoid jargon in describing the shoes in this guide, there are some terms common in the road running and trail running worlds that those new to it might not know.

• Heel-to-Toe Drop (or just Drop) — Heel-to-toe drop refers to the difference in height from the heel to the toe of a shoe. Currently, heel-to-toe drop in trail shoes varies from none to 12 millimeters. Some runners prefer the natural movement of no drop, while the same can irritate the lower legs of long-time runners used to traditional running shoes with drops of 8 to 12 millimeters. Plenty of trail shoe models offer moderate drops of 4 to 8 millimeters.
• Lugs — Lugs refer to the protrusions of material on the bottom of an outsole. While road running shoes often have minimal lugs, trail shoes generally have three- to six-millimeters deep lugs. Some trail shoes designed specifically for muddy conditions can have lugs as deep as eight to 12 millimeters! Take a look at our full best trail running shoes for mud guide for the luggiest of trail shoes.
• Midsole — This is the spongy component between an outsole and your foot. These days, midsoles feature a wide variety of foams and range from minimal thickness to nearly three centimeters of material.
• Outsole — This is the bottom-most layer of a shoe that contacts the ground. It’s generally a rubber or rubber-like compound.
• Rock Plate—The rock plate is a layer of deformation-resistant material, whether a plastic sheet, carbon plate, or other, that sits somewhere between the outsole and the sock liner. Its purpose is to prevent injury to the bottom of the foot as rocks or roots push through the shoe from below. Rock plates vary in length from the full length of a shoe to the forefoot only.
• Toebox — The toebox is the forward cavity of a shoe where your toes go. Toe boxes tend to be narrower in trail shoes aimed at faster or more technical running, while many runners prefer a roomier toebox as the length of their runs increase to multiple hours.

How to Choose: A Buyer’s Guide for Hoka Running Shoes

Road Versus Trail Shoes

The first thing to consider and decide when choosing a new pair of shoes is whether you’ll spend most of your time on or off the pavement. If the answer is on pavement, we recommend going with the Hoka Clifton 10 as an all-around solid trainer for roads. If trails are your jam, opt for the Hoka Speedgoat 6 or Mafate Speed 4. Are you swapping between roads and trails? The Hoka Challenger 7 is an excellent hybrid.

What’s the difference between road and trail shoes? Think of it like bike tires. Road bike tires are smooth and designed for quicker movement over smooth surfaces. Mountain bike tires, however, feature lugs that help them grip on dirt, rocks, and mud. Likewise, trail running shoes will have lugs for grip and sometimes rock plates for extra protection from sharp objects on the trail. Good lugs and rockplates can be overkill for the road but necessary for the dirt.

Cushion

Born as an antithesis to the minimalist movement, Hoka’s ethos is in its maximal cushion. But not surprisingly, not all of Hoka’s shoes feature the same amount or even type of cushion. Some, like the Hoka Speedgoat 6, feature compression-molded EVA foam, while others, like the Hoka Rocket X 2 and Hoka Mafate Speed 4, include the brand’s ProFly material.

If you’re looking for a road shoe with maximum cushion, opt for the Hoka Skyward X. For moderate cushioning, go for the Hoka Clifton 10. And if you’re looking for less cushion but more responsiveness, the Hoka Rocket X 2 is for you. The Hoka Speedgoat 6 and Hoka Challenger 7 offer moderate cushioning for trail shoes, while the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 is a comparatively lower-cushioned shoe.

Stack Height and Drop

Stack height is measured at the heel and toe, the distance between your foot and the ground, or the amount of material between the bottom of your foot and the ground. The difference between the heel’s stack height and the toe’s stack height is the drop. So if a shoe has a 33-millimeter heel height and a 28-millimeter toe height, the drop is 5 millimeters.

Not surprisingly, Hoka’s shoes generally have higher stack heights, with the heel stack heights on this list ranging between 30 and 36 millimeters, but they generally have mid-range drops — mainly 4 or 5 millimeters. Drops typically range between 0 and 12 millimeters in running shoes. The Hoka Skyward X has the highest stack height in this guide with a massive 48 millimeters of foam under the heel.

Materials

Running shoes — Hokas included — generally have three different materials: rubber outsoles, foam midsoles, and mesh uppers. Different materials work for different types of running. For example, you’ll probably see tougher and stickier rubber used on trail running outsoles than road running outsoles. The foam will often be the same between road and trail shoes, but the uppers of trail shoes might have tougher or thicker mesh to protect from debris compared to road running shoes, which are more minimalistic. The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 uses the same midsole foam as many of the brand’s road shoes but has an outsole and upper fit for trails.

Price and Durability

Running shoes are expensive these days, and Hokas are no exception. The shoes on this list range from $130 for the Hoka Torrent 4 to $275 for the Hoka Rocket X 2, which is standard for any high-quality running shoe. Still, shoes go on sale often, especially when a brand phases out a previous model. If budget is a significant factor, keep your eyes peeled for deals when shoes begin getting phased out. If you know you really like a specific model and it goes on sale, stock up.

Overall, Hoka shoes are quite durable. Our main tester has no problem reaching up to 500 miles in a pair, which is probably too much for any pair of shoes. One way to increase your shoe’s longevity is to rotate between a few pairs at a time. You can also remove the insole after running and wipe it down with a cloth to remove dirt, grime, and other debris that could increase the rate of wear.

Lugs

Lugs are the protrusions you find on the bottom of your shoes and are often between three to six millimeters tall on trail shoes. You generally won’t be measuring lugs in millimeters on road shoes. Shoes designed for mud, ice, and slush might have lugs up to 10 millimeters. But lugs in the three- to six-millimeter range will work for most conditions. The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 is the luggiest shoe in this guide, and the lugs on the Hoka Speedgoat 6 provide plenty of grip on most types of terrain as well.

Alex Angstadt runs in the Hoka Clifton 10 shoes outside of Fruita, Colorado. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Why You Should Trust Us

The iRunFar team includes road, trail, and ultrarunners with collectively 150-plus years of running experience. We drew upon their expertise and experience with Hoka running shoes to put this buyer’s guide together. Author Nathan Allen is a former collegiate track and cross-country athlete who can’t seem to let the running dream die. He consistently logs miles and has run in different Hokas models for a decade. His current rotation includes the Hoka Clifton 10 and Hoka Rocket X 2 for roads and the Hoka Mafate Speed 4, Hoka Challenger 7, and Hoka Tecton X 3 for trails. He’s put at least 100 miles on each shoe in this guide, and some of them get nearly 500 miles. Some of our favorite Hoka running shoes. Photo by iRunFar/Nathan Allen

Frequently Asked Questions About Hoka Running Shoes

What is the best Hoka for a marathon?

For a road marathon, we highly recommend the Hoka Rocket X 2. They’re the closest thing you’ll find to a super shoe from Hoka, but they are not to the level of the Nike Vaporfly, Asics Metaspeed Sky, or Saucony Endorphin Elite. The other option, especially if you value comfort over time, is the Hoka Clifton 10. If a trail marathon is in your plans, the Hoka Speedgoat 6 is an excellent choice. The Hoka Tecton X 3 could also work, but that’d be the upper limits of its distance capabilities.

You can check out other options in our Best Marathon Shoes guide.

Why are Hoka shoes so popular?

Hoka shoes have gained popularity for their maximum cushion construction. Aging and some younger runners have gravitated toward the brand for shoes that make the ground a little softer, thanks to all that extra cushion. They’ve gained even more popularity among people who spend a lot of time working on their feet, like nurses and others in the medical field. Many Hokas, including the Hoka Clifton 10, have earned the American Podiatrist Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, which is given to shoes that promote good foot health.

Do I need a Hoka road shoe or a trail shoe?

Unless you run exclusively on roads or trails, having a few road- and trail-specific shoes in your rotation is good. If you primarily run on trails, the Hoka Speedgoat 6 is a great all around shoe that will provide plenty of grip on most types of terrain while still cushioning your shoe as the miles add up. If you primarily run on roads, the Hoka Clifton 10 provides a great balance between comfort, speed, and cushion. If you run on both roads and trails but only want one shoe, the hybrid Hoka Challenger 7 can handle all types of terrain.

Call for Comments

• What are your favorite Hoka running shoes?
• Do you have a favorite Hoka running shoe you think should be included on this list?

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