Go on a run in a pair of Hoka Clifton trainers and you’ll immediately understand why runners love the brand. ( Read our full review of the Hoka Rincon 3.)īuy Now Best for Everyday Training: Hoka Clifton 8

This is a great shoe to own if your speed work is faster and shorter than what marathon training requires. One of the downsides of the Rincon 1 and 2 was that they wore out easily, but the 3 seeks to improve the shoe’s the durability with enhanced rubber coverage on the sole. Released in August 2021, the Rincon 3 is similar to earlier versions of the shoe in that it’s a remarkably lightweight shoe with soft, flexible cushioning. If you’re looking for a Hoka shoe that’s even lighter than the Mach, the Rincon is your best bet.

( Read our full review of the Hoka Mach 5.)īuy Now Best for Speed Workouts: Hoka Rincon 3 It gives you the liftoff you need for sustaining your threshold pace, but it also has a plush feel that will make you want to wear it for your easy, volume-building runs. It has a comfortable, breathable mesh upper and features Hoka’s Profly+ midsole that balances shock absorption with a cushioned but responsive heel. The Mach 5 is similarly a great fast and lightweight running shoe for half- and full-marathon tempo runs, but we also found it to be versatile enough to wear on easy runs. In our earlier version of this story, we said the Mach 4 (the predecessor to the Mach 5) was the best Hoka running shoe for tempo workouts. When you buy something through our links, we earn a commission. Keep reading for those specifics in our guide to the best Hoka running shoes to buy right now.Īll products are independently selected by the author. There are a few other features you’ll find in specific Hoka shoes like Profly+ foam, a dual midsole that’s great for pushing the pace J-frame technology that helps combat overpronation, and carbon fiber plates that are best saved for race day. All of the road running shoes in this guide are designed with the early stage Meta-Rocker that encourages a smoother, faster transition between the forefoot and foot strike. There are two types of Meta-Rockers built into Hoka shoes: an “early stage” in which the transition zone is located where your metatarsal heads meet the shoe, and a “late stage” in which the transition zone is placed closer to the heels. You’ll hear this buzzword in relation to Hoka because all of its shoes feature a proprietary Meta-Rocker design that emphasizes a low heel-toe drop and a rounded sole to create a rocking chair-like effect for your foot. The best Hoka running shoes are known for their cushioned midsole that ranges in thickness and varies from firm and responsive, like what you’ll find in the Mach 5 and Rocket X, to soft and plush, like what you’ll see in the Bondi. Olympic Marathon Team), the best ultra-runners in the world (our bucket hat god Jim Walmsley), and streetwear icons. The clunky aesthetic might be in vogue now, but Hoka shoes have two main features in that give them staying power: Cushioned midsole There aren’t many brands that can say their running shoes are worn by elite marathoners (Aliphine Tuliamuk, a Hoka-sponsored athlete, was on the 2020 U.S. Known for its thick, wide soles and maximalist look, the best Hoka running shoes all have one thing in common: they’re so dang comfortable. Founded by two French trail runners in 2009, Hoka One One has quickly become one of the best shoe brands in the road and trail running space.

Hoka one one running shoes