These Pairs Prove That Hoka Deserves Its Buzzy Reputation

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There’s a pattern we’ve noticed at SELF: When we ask podiatrists which sneakers will broadly suit the most people, we often just end up discussing the best Hoka shoes. “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 Hokas. (“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 help offload some pressure as you walk. You can find these features in most of the brand’s sneakers, which can make it tricky to know which pair you should try first. In order to narrow down the list, 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: Hoka Clifton 10, $150
2. Best for Walking: Hoka Mach 6, $140
3. Best Everyday Shoe: Hoka Mafate Speed 4, $185
4. Best for Long-Distance Runs: Hoka Bondi 9, $170
5. Best Stability Shoe: Hoka Gaviota 5, $175
6. Best Sandals: Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3, $60
7. Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Transport, $150
8. Best for Race Day: Hoka Mach X 2, $190
9. Best for Hiking: Hoka Kaha 3 GTX, $240
10. Best for Trail Running: Hoka Speedgoat 6, $155
11. Best Daily Trainer: Hoka Solimar, $125

Shop the best Hoka shoes

Whether you’re buying your first pair of Hokas or your 10th, we’ll catch you up on everything you need to know about the brand’s most popular sneakers.

Best Overall: Clifton 10

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 at work. “We always start with the Clifton because it’s just a generally good shoe for most people,” she says.

Megan Ishibashi, DPM, a podiatrist with Sutter Health in California, 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. Those elements are also why it has a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), which means top podiatrists agree that it encourages good foot health. It’s also less bulky than other famous Hoka pairs (like the max cushion Bondi). Dr. Ishibashi 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

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 a foam midsole 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 going longer before your feet start to get tired.

Best Everyday Shoe: Mafate Speed 4

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 poppy colorways and 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 9

With over 40 millimeters of cushioning under the heel, the Bondi 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, it also has a seal of acceptance from the APMA.

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 Stability Shoe: Gaviota 5

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 Gaviotas 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

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

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 most models have a moderate heel drop, which shouldn’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 fits those specifications and 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 Race Day: Mach X 2

The Mach X 2 was designed for everyday running, but Christa Sgobba, SELF’s director of fitness and food, found that it was a comfortable shoe for races too. “I can totally see myself lacing these up for a half marathon or a marathon—I think they have a great combo of pop and comfort that’ll help my legs feel (relatively) fresh,” she wrote in her review.

The Mach X 2 gets its snappy, propulsive ride from an internal Pebax plate, which is considered lighter and more flexible than traditional carbon plates. And Sgobba found that that helped balance out the shoe’s cushioning. “It wasn’t as cloudlike or squishy as some of [Hoka’s] everyday shoes—it had a firmer feel, to help with push-off on the road,” she wrote. “Still, they felt nice, which made me feel excited to take them out for a ride.”

Best for Hiking: Kaha 3 GTX

When Dr. Ishibashi hits the trails, she grabs her Kaha 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 upper and Gore-Tex membrane will help you stay dry even if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Pro tip: For winter hikes, Hoka also offers an insulated version of this boot.

Best for Trail Running: Speedgoat 6

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 if you opt for this style).

When we tried the previous model (the Speedgoat 5), our tester found that it 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 also tried the mid-height option, which has a built-in ankle collar that we found successfully kept dirt and debris out of the shoe.

Best Daily Trainer: Solimar

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 Dr. 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.

Frequently asked questions about Hoka shoes

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