At first sight, the wide variety of running shoes in the Hoka line-up can be confusing, but each is built for a specific purpose and to suit a certain type of runner. I’ve tested almost every running sneaker Hoka has launched in the past couple of years, so I have a better idea than most about each shoe’s strengths and weaknesses.
While every Hoka running shoe could be the perfect option for some runners, I’ve highlighted three top picks that I think will suit the vast majority of people. These are some of the best running shoes you can get from any brand, and offer a balance of comfort, value and performance. Within each category, I’ve also highlighted some other Hoka options that might suit certain runners better than my top pick, explaining why.
Hoka Clifton 10 — best cushioned daily trainer
There are a lot of comfortable cushioned shoes in the Hoka line-up, but the Hoka Clifton 10 stands out for me as the best daily trainer you can get from the brand. It’s highly cushioned, but not too heavy, and has a smooth ride that I found feels great at a wide range of paces.
It’s also naturally quite stable and works perfectly as a do-it-all shoe for new runners, or to pick up the bulk of your daily miles if you use it in a shoe rotation with a faster option. Topping off the pros is the fact that the Clifton 10 is cheaper than other cushioned Hoka options like the Hoka Bondi 9 and Skyflow.
There are other options to consider for a cushioned Hoka shoe, though. The Bondi 9 has more cushioning and might be better for heavier runners, while the Hoka Arahi 8 is similar to the Clifton 10 but with added stability for runners who overpronate.
Hoka Mach X3 — best speed shoe
The Hoka Mach X3 is a plated trainer that is great for faster training runs and can be used instead of one of Hoka’s carbon plate racers for events. It’s expensive, but a versatile shoe that more experienced runners could use for every kind of run, or use in rotation with a more comfort-focused shoe like the Clifton 10.
It uses a mix of foams in its midsole along with a plastic plate to provide a springy, propulsive ride at faster paces, but has enough comfort and support for easy runs as well, though it’s not as stable as a shoe like the Clifton 10.
If, like me, you prefer to use a full-blooded racer for events, then the Hoka Rocket X3 or Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 would be better picks, as they’re lighter, stiffer and faster than the Mach X3. They’re more expensive, though, and less durable.
Another strong speed shoe pick from the brand is the Hoka Mach 6, which doesn’t have a plate but is still quick thanks to its lightweight, rockered design. It’s cheaper than the Mach X3, and good for easy and fast runs alike, though not as bouncy.
Hoka Challenger 8 — best trail shoe
The Hoka Challenger 8 is a cushioned road-to-trail shoe and perhaps the most versatile shoe in the Hoka range overall. The outsole is designed to provide grip on both roads and light trails, and the high stack of foam in the midsole delivers comfort on both long runs and hikes.
It’s a great travel shoe thanks to its versatility, and a better do-it-all option than the Clifton 10 for runners who split their time between roads and lighter trails such as gravel tracks.
While it doesn’t have the grip and stability you get from full trail shoes like the Hoka Speedgoat 6, or as much comfort as a pure road shoe like the Clifton 10, the Challenger 8 is a handy jack-of-all-trades that does the job of both quite well.
If you have plans to run on more technical trails, especially in the mountains, then the Speedgoat 6 would be a smarter pick, or even the Hoka Tecton X3 carbon plate trail shoe if you have aspirations of speeding through epic off-road races.
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