11 Best Hoka Shoes in 2024, According to Podiatrists

When podiatrists recommend shoes, there’s one brand that pops up over and over again: Hoka. “They offer both cushion and support, where a lot of shoes only offer one or the other,” Samantha Sklar, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist at Foot First Podiatry Centers in Illinois, tells SELF. That means you not only get plenty of shock absorption, but also a solid amount of structure under your feet to strategically distribute your weight, explains Dr. Sklar—who admits her own closet is full of Hoka shoes. (“They got me,” she says.)

Dr. Sklar adds that Hokas are also designed with anatomically-friendly wide toe boxes, so you don’t have to smush your feet inside them. And if you’re struggling with foot pain or an injury, the rocker bottom design can helpfully offload some pressure as you walk.

But which Hoka shoes are truly the best? We asked experts like Dr. Sklar to share their top picks for walking, running, hiking, and more, and even tested out some of their recs ourselves—shop our favorites below.

Our top picks

1. Best Overall: Clifton 9
2. Best for Walking: Mach 6
3. Best Everyday Shoe: Mafate Speed 4
4. Best for Long-Distance Runs: Bondi 8
5. Best for Overpronation: Gaviota 5
6. Best Sandals: Ora Recovery Slide 3
7. Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Transport
8. Best for Racing: Rocket X 2
9. Best for Hiking: Kaha 2 GTX
10. Best for Trail Running: Speedgoat 6
11. Best Daily Trainer: Solimar

Frequently asked questions about Hoka shoes

Shop the best Hoka shoes

Whether you’re buying your first pair of Hokas or your tenth, catch up on everything you need to know about the brand’s most popular sneakers below.

Best Overall: Clifton 9

• Comfy support
• Lightweight
• Vegan
• Made with recycled materials

• Can wear out quicker than other models, per Dr. Sklar
• Might not have enough cushion for running long distances

The Clifton is Dr. Sklar’s go-to recommendation for anyone who needs a good running shoe, walking shoe, or something to stand in all day long at work. “We always start with the Clifton because it's just a generally good shoe for most people,” she says.

Dr. Ishibashi tells SELF that the Clifton is a great example of Hoka’s just-right mix of cushioning and support, plus that pain-relieving rocker bottom design. It’s also less bulky than other famous Hoka pairs (like the Bondi), she adds: ”It’s a little bit lighter.” She’s not surprised that the Clifton is a popular pick among nurses, whose feet can take a beating during long shifts.

Best for Walking: Mach 6

• Springy ride, according to Hoka reviewers
• Lightweight
• Vegan

• Firmer than other Hokas

Dr. Sklar says the Mach 6 is a great alternative to the Clifton if you’re in the market for a walking shoe. Designed for daily runs, this sneak will give you a bit of a pep in your step, with foam that feels more bouncy than squishy. (Think: walking on a trampoline, rather than a pillow.) For those making a workout of their daily walks, this can mean you might find yourself striding a little faster or pacing longer before your feet start to get tired.

Best Everyday Shoe: Mafate Speed 4

• Durable
• Grippy sole
• Made with recycled materials

• Not available in wide widths

Although the Mafate Speed is technically a trail running shoe, Dr. Sklar was wearing it when we spoke to her on a busy workday between surgeries. Even with lugs on the bottoms designed for the outdoors, she finds them to be a great all-around shoe. “I can stand in them all day long. I can walk all over Europe in them. I can run miles. I walk my dog in them,” she says. “I wear them for everything.”

Bonus: If you like designs on the louder side, the Mafate’s fun aesthetic might be right up your alley. Out of all her Hoka shoes, Dr. Sklar says, “These are my cutest ones.”

Best for Long-Distance Runs: Bondi 8

• Major amounts of soft cushioning
• Awarded the APMA seal of acceptance
• Vegan
• Made with recycled materials

• High stack height can feel too clunky for some people, per Dr. Sklar

With over 40 millimeters of cushioning under the heel, the Bondi 8 is known as the Hoka of all Hokas.“People love the Bondis because they are really, really cushioned,” Dr. Ishibashi says, adding they also have great support. All that lightweight foam underfoot can help keep your arches from acting up when your mileage starts to climb on long-distance runs. Even better, this shoe earned a seal of acceptance from the APMA, which means top podiatrists agree that it encourages good foot health.

Dr. Sklar adds that Hoka makes a leather, slip-resistant version of the Bondi, for people who work in places like kitchens or schools. “It's usually way better than whatever shoe that working person is wearing,” she says. Just beware that all that foam can be a little excessive: “People sometimes feel like they might trip, or they find it's just too big of a shoe,” Dr. Ishibashi says.

Best for Overpronation: Gaviota 5

• Stabilizing base encourages a healthy gait
• Lots of soft cushioning
• Wide toe box
• Awarded the APMA seal of acceptance

• On the heavy side

Made with an “H-frame” base, the Gaviota 5 offers extra stability to prevent overpronation (a.k.a. when your ankles roll inward with each step). But it also has a thick bed of EVA foam to soften every landing.

“I personally like the Gaviota for when I run,” Dr. Ishibashi says. “They have a wider toe box and they have max support, stability, and a really good cushion.” Plus, the sole’s rocker design starts arcing up near the midfoot to give you a quick, snappy toe-off that’s especially satisfying when you’re picking up the pace.

Best Sandals: Ora Recovery Slide 3

• Targeted support under the arch
• Awarded the APMA seal of acceptance
• Breathable

• Rubber can be rough on your skin if you’re walking long distances
• Sometimes a bit squeaky, according to REI reviewers

Dr. Ishibashi highly recommends these foot-cradling slides, and we can see why. Our tester found they felt like heaven to slip into after a long run—or any day that stressed out her feet. The exaggerated arch support, high stack of cushy foam, and deep heel cup are gentle on tired feet, making each step feel almost like a mini massage.

Just know that they’re best for hanging around the house or walking short distances—we found that the rubber material can be a bit rough on your skin if you try to log serious mileage.

Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Transport

• Awarded the APMA seal of acceptance
• Water-resistant, Gore-Tex option
• Easy to slip on and off

• Hoka reviewers say the toe box runs a bit narrow

Almost any Hoka can be a good pick if you’re struggling with plantar fasciitis, since they’ve pretty much all got a healthy dose of cushion, Dr. Ishibashi says. Dr. Sklar adds that Hoka’s moderate heel drop won’t stress out your calves and Achilles tendon (both of which can contribute to plantar fasciitis, if they’re overly tense).

For a lifestyle sneaker that doesn’t scream “athletic shoe,” try the Transport. “They have that cushion, the rocker, and all of that—but for everyday, they aren’t as big and bulky, ” Dr. Ishibashi says. “They have a sleeker look.” This pair is designed more for daily life, rather than working out, so they’re easier to dress up for the office or brunch. Plus, a nifty toggle lacing system makes them easy to slip on and off when you’re in a rush (or going through airport security).

Best for Racing: Rocket X 2

• Carbon plate gives your strides extra oomph
• Made with recycled materials

• Some Hoka reviewers say the heel rubs in the back

This shoe was designed for race day, but unlike some carbon plate kicks, the Rocket X 2 still feels stable at easier paces, according to Hoka reviewers. Though you’ll mainly want to bring it out when it’s time to go fast: The carbon plate stuck in between layers of springy foam will give you the kind of speedy turnover you want when you’re zooming toward a finish line. Many users report noticeably faster paces, so don’t be surprised if you hit a new PR.

Best for Hiking: Kaha 2 GTX

• Available in high top or low cut
• Water-resistant
• Plush cushioning

• Not offered in wide widths
• Some Hoka shoppers report rubbing at the ankles

When Dr. Ishibashi hits the trails, she grabs her Kaha 2 hiking boots. “I've had classic hiking boots, and yes, they are very stiff and supportive, but a little too hard,” she says. “Whereas when I bought [these], it had those similar qualities, but also some cushion, which I personally like because of my foot pain.”

Meanwhile, the rubber tread will keep you upright, and the waterproof leather and Gore-Tex will help keep you dry even if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Pro tip: For winter hikes, Hoka also offers an extra-insulated version of this boot.

Best for Trail Running: Speedgoat 6

• Available in Gore-Tex and with a built-in ankle gaiter
• Grippy traction
• Solid support

• Feel a bit stiff around the ankles and midfoot until you break them in

When a trail run on some gnarly single track is on the agenda, Dr. Sklar recommends the Speedgoat—she says it’s a solid, neutral trail shoe that she often wears herself. “The one I have is in Gore-Tex, so it's waterproof,” she says (although she warns that a Gore-Tex upper can fit tighter, since it doesn’t stretch the way mesh does, so you might want to go up half a size).

When we tried the previous model (the Speedgoat 5), our tester found that the shoe helped them stay nimble on the trails by offering just the right amount of cushioning without making things feel too soupy. Meanwhile, the deep lugs and Vibram tread always kept their footing secure, even on slippery rocks. We tried the mid option, which has a built-in ankle collar that we found successfully kept dirt and debris out of the shoe.

Best Daily Trainer: Solimar

• Designed for extra durability
• Lightweight
• Made with recycled materials

• Hoka reviewers report they run small

The Solimar is a workhorse of a sneaker: It’s got enough responsiveness and a smooth roll-through for comfy runs and walks, but the rocker sole and moderate amount of cushioning means that you’ll also feel grounded enough to pull off gym workouts. Plus, the high abrasion rubber is designed to last longer, so the soles don’t wear down so quickly. This is notable, since Sklar says many Hokas wear out faster than some other brands: “I would expect to replace [Hokas] every six months,” she says. But the Solimar just might keep your feet feeling happy for a little longer.

Related:

• The Best Running Shoes for Easy Jogs, Marathons, and Everything In Between
• On Cloud Shoes Are Everywhere Right Now—Here Are the Best Pairs for Every Activity
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