Hoka Path Operating Footwear Evaluation 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 in fact HOKA path trainers. I like that this job means a gaggle of us get to check footwear and assist you realize what’s going to work!

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

And prefer it has each time, the footwear shocked me by being light-weight. I additionally discovered the stack top merely jogged my memory to higher decide up my toes, so I used to be much less prone to journey and hit upon the path than in different footwear!

Colorado dwelling has supplied many unimaginable alternatives to run on the whole lot from crushed gravels paths to some gnarly technical trails within the mountains. Right here I’m going to breakdown the completely different Hoka path footwear and the way they examine to one another so that you could discover what’s going to work finest for you.

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

Or for those who’re searching for street working, my High 10 HOKA Operating Footwear >>

Now let’s get to it!

Hoka Path Operating Footwear Evaluations

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

Right here we’re exploring among the completely different fashions of Hoka path trainers. What are one of the 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’d say throughout every shoe, so saving time right here by saying it as soon as.

Stability

Whereas I DO NOT advocate stability footwear for many runners, the Hoka is designed to supply some base stage stability due to the broader platform of the midsole. This can be a nice method to get the advantages with out altering your stride or hiding the truth that you have got weak muscle mass.

Maximal Shoe

Stack top is how we seek advice from the scale of the outsole (or stack top) and what’s due to this fact outlined as a maximal shoe of 30mm to 50mm.

I did separate detailed publish 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 trip.”

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 changing into a trending theme throughout many manufacturers.

Prolonged Heel

You might 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 facet, I can say that I don’t LOVE the actually large heels.

However they do have a objective.

By way of testing they discovered that extension helped with getting the foot to roll ahead extra shortly. It reduces points from heel putting and hurries up the motion of the foot. Usually often called a meta-rocker.

Substitute

The usual saying is change 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 attributable to something coming aside or feeling worn out.

No matter you have got discovered to be your candy spot up to now might be roughly the identical right here. I.e. bigger runners, large males, and many others typically discover they should change footwear faster attributable to 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 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 in fact I’ve examined them out on the paths too!

Right here’s a run down of their high 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 sort 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 lots have been proper, I like it. I’ve now had a number of pairs.

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

You possibly can inform mine are effectively liked as a result of layer of grime and dirt protecting each inch of the shoe.

It’s designed with a sturdy but comfy 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 as a result of greater platform.

• True to dimension
• Similar to Clifton, simply the extra lugs for traction
• Good room within the toebox
• Impartial Path Operating shoe
• Reasonable 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 choice)
• Prepared my full Hoka Speedgoat 6 overview >>

Most Path Traction – Hoka Mafate

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

This shoe goes to suit only a bit extra slender than the Speedgoat, so for those who 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 take pleasure in exploring new trails and difficult themselves on robust terrain. The Mafate Velocity is good for individuals who wish to run at a quick tempo and want a shoe that may sustain with their velocity.

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

Greatest Highway 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 snug and steady trip, 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 effectively.

This shoe is good for runners who like to modify between street and path working and want a flexible shoe that may deal with each kinds of terrain. The Challenger ATR is ideal for individuals who wish to run at a reasonable tempo and want a shoe that’s comfy and supportive.

The shoe gives loads of cushioning and help, making it nice for these wanting for a comfy trip when hitting these native trails, crushed gravel paths or grime roads.

The breathready higher helps hold your toes 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
• Obtainable in 6 colours
• Obtainable in Vast 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 trip on quite a lot of terrain varieties. This shoe is finest for runners who wish to deal with difficult trails, needs to consider velocity and who want a shoe that may deal with quite a lot of circumstances.

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 supply a easy trip 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 trip, 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 selection for lengthy–distance runs.

The Torrent is a superb selection 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 will let 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
• Obtainable 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 velocity. 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 effectively…I loved the shoe and a bunch of a lot quicker testers have stated they like the additional stiffness for velocity and stability.

They’re utilizing parallel carbon fiber plates, to supply 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 trip, and a Vibram outsole that delivers wonderful traction on quite a lot of surfaces. From a fast overview, 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 good for runners who wish to run quick and lightweight on the paths. The Tekton X is ideal for individuals who take pleasure in exploring new trails and want a shoe that may sustain with their velocity.

• Impartial Path Operating shoe
• Carbon Fiber
• 5 mm drop
• 6.9 oz girls’s, 7.3 oz males’s
• Obtainable 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. In the event you like the texture of a HOKA Bondi, this can be your path shoe of choice.

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

It’s additionally the best stack top of all HOKA footwear, which suggests extra stability with out being an precise stability shoe. But in addition a much bigger reminder to choose these toes up on teh trails!!

This shoe is ideal for runners who take pleasure in exploring new trails and want a shoe that’s comfy for the miles. The Stinson is good for individuals who wish to run at a reasonable tempo and want 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
• Obtainable in 2 colours males, 4 colours girls
• $170
• See all HOKA Stinson fashions

Most Minimal Cushion – HOKA Zinal 2

In the event you’re searching for a brilliant light-weight rail racing shoe, then that is going to be your successful choice.  In reality, this shoe even has a decrease stack top than I’m used to seeing in HOKA. So if carbon fiber isn’t the place you wish to go, checkout the Zinal.

Hear my toes are infants and I absolutely admire the cushion of the Challenger and Speedgoat. So this might not be my selection on a regular basis, however for a blazing quick grime street or crushed gravel run I’m in. Others of you’ll just do superb 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 problem…however I don’t at all times. Although I do just like the socklike  match of the knitted higher.

HOKA ONE ONE  gives a variety of high-performance path trainers for several types of runners. It’s a favourite amongst many ultramarathon runners and that tells me quite a bit about consolation!

Whether or not you’re searching for a flexible shoe that may deal with any sort of terrain, a light-weight shoe that’s designed for velocity, 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:

In search of extra opinions to search out one of the best issues in your run?

Checkout our full web page of my should have working gear opinions and guides to save lots of 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 publish, although I’ve obtained Hoka’s free over time for testing.