Hoka Shoes Review : Cushioned Running Shoes & Performance Wear

About Hoka

Nothing can ruin your feet faster than an ill-fitting, unsupportive pair of shoes. If you’re on your feet a lot, a good quality set is even more important.

I’ve had my fair share of bad shoes. We rely on our feet to take us everywhere, so why do we settle for uncomfortable shoes?

Hoka One One (henceforth called ‘Hoka’) manufactures and distributes high-quality and high-performance footwear for anybody, from professional athletes to everyday people trying to get the most out of their footwear.

Hoka sponsors several athletes, including professional runners Stephanie Bruce, Thibaut Garrivier, and Scott Fauble.

The brand has a sizable 1.4M social community and has been covered by the likes of CNBC, PR Newswire, AP News, Outside Business Journal, Triathlete, and NBC News, among several other media outlets.

Before you get ready to buy, check out this Hoka Shoes Review. Ahead, I’ll take you through the latest on the brand’s best-sellers, customer reviews, FAQs, and more to help you decide if they’re worth your time and money.

Overview of Hoka

Hoka was founded in 2009 by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard in Annecy, France. The two launched the brand in a bid to design shoes that would make it easier for them to navigate difficult terrain and run downhill.

Hoka running shoes quickly became beloved by all kinds of athletes for their enhanced cushioning and rigid stability.

Hiking and running on trails is fantastic, but I’ve learned it doesn’t come without dangers. Having flimsy, unstable shoes means twisted ankles and falls may be more frequent, so I get why folks love this brand’s designs for their stability.

Hoka’s corporate office is located in Goleta, California. The company operates as a subsidiary of Deckers Brands, who purchased the company in early 2013. Reading on, I discovered that Hoka manufactures their footwear in China, but I was happy that they ship internationally. The brand also sells their popular footwear in major retailers in several countries across the globe.

Before you lace up and start running through this Hoka Shoes review, take a second to look over some highlights of the brand:

Highlights

• Offers a carefully crafted line of performance shoes for men and women
• Generous shipping and return policies
• Hoka shoes are very good for your feet, joints, back, and other problem areas
• Great reviews on their products
• International shipping + partner retailers
• Financing options available via Afterpay

Hoka Men’s Shoes Review

Whether you’re up and about all day for work or you need a pair of sneakers to help you power through your next sweat sesh, Hoka sneakers have you covered with these picks.

The Bondi 7s, the Mach 4s, and the Rincon’s have been shouted out by several sources as some of the best of the best, but I’ve included a couple of the brand’s other hits below that people may just be sleeping on.

Hoka Men’s Clifton 8 Review

The Hoka Men’s Clifton 8 runners are a lighter-weight take on the previous Clifton models thanks to a more airy and reactive make with its EVA foam. I’m not a big fan of bulky sneakers, so details like this make a big difference to me.

The shoes are designed with a breathable mesh upper, a grippy and durable rubber sole, and a gusseted tongue.

The runners are offered in 8 different colors and 2 fits, including regular and wide. You can grab a pair of these beauties (a total improvement on the Hoka Clifton 7s) for $130.

Hoka Men’s Bondi 6 Review

Make way for the Hoka One One Bondi 6, the latest in the brand’s search for ultimate foot comfort. Personally, I’ll take all the comfort I can get, so please Hoka, do go on.

Featuring generous helpings of cushioning technology, this shoe is all about softness from sole to upper.

The heel in particular is made to absorb to provide quality support and shock-absorption while keeping everything where it needs to be. Featuring a full-length, compression-molded EVA midsole and an internal heel counter, I think it’s safe to say that this product has got the goods.

Hoka Men’s Bondi 7 Review

What elevates the Hoka Men’s Bondi 7 from its previous model is the new memory foam collar that is designed to accommodate a narrower heel and provide the utmost support to your Achilles tendon. I’ve had tendon and foot-related injuries before, so adequate support is also something I look for in a shoe.

The Hoka Bondi 7s feature TPU overlays for more midfoot structure and support. Otherwise, you’re getting the same EVA midsole, mesh upper, frames, and supports that appear in previous models.

The runners come in 12 color combinations, ranging from neutral to vibrant and everything in between. These fan-favorites are available in regular, wide, and extra-wide fits for $150.

If you’re looking for something that can double as a walking shoe, check out a pair of the Hoka Arahi road shoes.

Hoka Men’s Rincon Review

Not only are the Hoka Men’s Rincon sneakers popular among customers, but they I saw they’ve been named “Editor’s Choice” by Runner’s World. The shoes are aesthetically stunning, with their sleek asymmetrical design and stripped-back profile.

They feature a full compression EVA midsole, mesh upper, accentuated heel pull tab, and a slim tongue package, among many other supportive and performance-enhancing technologies.

Hoka only offers this model in one sleek color between sizes 7-15. As a fan of the classics, black is alright by me.

I was stoked to find that there is a sale going on where you can grab a pair of the Hoka Rincon for $116, down from the original price of $145.

Hoka Men’s Mach 4 Review

Heavy, unsupportive shoes have no place in running. While I don’t think you’ll quite reach 4939.2 km/h in these guys, they will get you as close to Mach 4 as possible. Lightweight, these supportive runners are softer and more cushiony than their previous iterations.

The Hoka Men’s Mach 4 runners feature a PROFLY midsole and a durable rubberized EVA outsole for ultimate cushion, along with a removable EVA sockliner and anatomical Achilles-embracing construction for support and comfort.

You can find the Hoka Mach 4 in 5 colors on the brand’s website for $130.

Hoka Women’s Shoes Review

Did you know that women typically tend to have more foot problems than men? I sure didn’t. That is even more reason to invest in a pair of Hoka One One ultra-supportive sneakers to protect your feet from injury and pain.

Check out these top-sellers for women that look as stunning as they are functional.

Hoka Women’s Bondi 6 Review

The fan-favorite Hoka Women’s Bondi 6 are the epitome of cushioned comfort all condensed into a cute pair of shoes. I dig the all-black look and bouncy foam bottoms that make them super cute for running errands before or after hitting the pavement.

An open and breathable mesh upper is fitted with a supportive lycra heel frame, a cushiony EVA midsole, and a grippy rubber outsole.

The vegan running shoes are amplified with technologies such as a beveled heel design, a Meta-Rocker, and an internal heel counter. Unfortunately, these runners are currently unavailable, but keep checking in to see when they’re back in stock.

Hoka Women’s Bondi 7 Review

Feel like you’re flying across the pavement with the lightweight and flexible Hoka Women’s Bondi 7 runners, which I read are the most cushioned shoes in the Hoka road-shoe lineup.

The Bondi 7s feature the same full EVA midsole, breathable mesh upper, durable rubber outsole, and signature Meta-Rocker technology as its previous model, but are elevated with the addition of TPU overlays for midsole support and a memory foam collar for Achilles tendon comfort.

Get them in an array of color combinations for $150. For something with similar propelling capabilities, I recommend taking a look at the ever-graceful Hoka Carbon X.

Hoka Women’s Rincon Review

The sleek and stylish Hoka Women’s Rincon sneakers were featured in Runner’s World “Editor’s Choice” Fall 2019 Shoe Guide. Just by taking one look at them, it’s easy for me to see why.

The asymmetrical design, stripped-back profile, and pull tab give the shoe a sporty and futuristic appeal. The shoes feature supportive technologies such as a full compression EVA midsole, high abrasion rubber zones, and a Meta-Rocker, and so much more.

As another customer favorite, the Rincons are currently out of stock.

Hoka Women’s Mach 4 Review

The Hoka Women’s Mach 4 runners are perfect for running long distances and getting those miles in. A PROFLY midsole and a rubberized EVA outsole meet with a removable, molded EVA sockliner for unmatched cushioning and comfortability.

The engineered mesh upper also ensures that you will have an enjoyable, dry run. Nothing ruins a run like soggy feet, am I right? I’m partial to the pastel palette of these shoes, but Hoka offers these runners in a total of three colorways. Get yours for $130.

Do Hoka Shoes Have Arch Support?

Arch supports are devices that are built into or placed into shoes to support the arch of the foot and eliminate or diminish pain and discomfort.

This shoe-essential is important because it works to improve performance, reduce foot fatigue, alleviate or prevent ailments like plantar fasciitis, and increase overall foot comfort.

I value that Hoka shoes feature a ton of technologies that provide support and cushioning to the foot. Some of these include a cushioned midsole, a meta-rocker to promote proper heel-toe movement, an active foot frame to secure the foot in the proper position, and ProFly intelligent cushioning.

I was pleased to find that Hoka also has an entire collection of orthopedic shoes that have earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance. If you have foot troubles, shop the selection of supportive award-winning shoes in the collection.

Who Is Hoka For?

 

Hoka produces footwear for men and women of all ages with all kinds of lifestyles, as I detailed throughout the product list in this Hoka shoes review.

The brand is well-known for their affiliation with several athletes, but they also bear seals of approval from several podiatrists and podiatric associations, making them popular among those who require orthopedics to help them with various foot-related ailments.

Hoka Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

No Hoka shoes review would be complete without taking a look at what customers had to say about their experiences with the brand’s products. I’ve looked at the tech, I’ve seen that they’re doctor approved, but how do they shape up in the real world?

I’ll take a look at the brand’s website first, and follow it up with some external takes from the likes of TrustPilot and SiteJabber. Let’s dive right in.

To no one’s surprise, individual product reviews on hoka.com are absolutely glowing. For example, the men’s Hoka Clifton 8 boasts a very impressive score of 4.5/5 stars out of 332 ratings. Many of the happy comments sound a little bit like this:

“The shoes themselves are great. True to size, although they do seem a tad narrow for a “wide” size… Definitely a shoe for a neutral arch. The shoes themselves feel like good construction so far, and they do seem to have a good amount of shock absorption and rebound.. Would definitely recommend!”

During my research for this Hoka shoes review, I found that other products are also well-received on their website:

• Men’s Bondi 6: 4.6/5 stars out of 1,810 ratings
• Men’s Bondi 7: 4.5/5 stars out of 2,808 ratings
• Women’s Rincon: 4.4/5 stars out of 249 ratings
• Women’s Mach 4: 4.6/5 stars out of 256 ratings

It’s all looking great so far. Across the board, each of the brand’s shoes is a hit. But I wondered: how does Hoka fare on external review sites?

On a positive note, there are quite a few comments to the tune of, “Ordered a pair of Challenger Low Gore-Tex (£130) on Monday evening and received them Wednesday morning (DPD). The shoes are exactly as I expected, having bought the same ones (at a higher price!) two years ago from a shop in Manchester” on Trustpilot.

Moving forward, I was disappointed to see a lower rating of 1.7/5 stars out of 39 reviews on SiteJabber.

After some investigating, it appears that there are quite a few third-party vendors masquerading as the brand and sending wrong/poor-quality items or nothing at all! No wonder there are so many people who have complaints about their supposed “Hoka tennis shoes.”

It’s important for me to stress in this Hoka shoes review that you should always make sure you’re buying through an official channel, otherwise there’s no knowing what you’re going to receive in your order (if you get anything at all).

People who ordered through the official store were much more likely to say things like, “I got exactly what I ordered 2 days after I ordered them! Very happy with my beautiful red and white shoes!” Now that’s more like it.

All in all, as long as you know what you’re ordering from their legitimate website and don’t need to bother with returns or exchanges, it seems to me that Hoka shoes are an utter hit.

Is Hoka Worth It?

The brand has great reviews on their actual products, but poor reviews on customer service practices. With that in mind, I think it might be better to buy the shoes from an in-person retailer than through the site itself.

Fortunately, some customers say that they had no problem on-site and in-person, and that’s something that I can get behind.

When it comes to the merits of the actual shoes, there are so many I discovered while writing this Hoka shoes review. According to the breakdown of the technologies in each Hoka shoe, they provide a ton of support for individuals with any orthopedic history to enjoy any kind of activity.

At the end of the day, Hoka is an easy brand to recommend and I deem them to be worth the buy.

Hoka Promotions & Discounts

The promotions and discounts offered by the brand vary depending on where you are shopping from, but for US customers, Hoka offers free standard ground shipping and returns with no minimum amount required.

Also, if US customers spend $200+ on the site, they will get a free Rincon 3 Water Bottle with the order.

Canadian orders over $200 ship for free and are entitled to free returns. Additionally, if Canadian customers spend $250+ on the Hoka site, they too will get a free Rincon 3 Water Bottle with their order.

The discounts are quite similar between the two countries, but with minor adjustments, since the brand ships from within the US.

Where to Buy Hoka

You can purchase Hoka shoes directly from the brand’s website at hoka.com. You can also find the brand’s products in major retailers in several countries across the globe and through partner retail platforms such as Amazon.

FAQ

Who is Hoka owned by?

Hoka was founded by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard. The brand is currently a subsidiary of Decker’s Brands, whose current president is Wendy Yang.

Where is Hoka made?

While checking things out for this Hoka shoes review, I found that the brand’s corporate office is located in Goleta, California. The brand manufactures their footwear at a facility in China.

Are Hoka shoes good for arthritic feet?

Arthritis, whether from genetics or activity, can cause severe pain and discomfort to those that suffer from it. Custom-fitted shoes, padding, and arch support are three things that have been proven to alleviate the symptoms of arthritic feet.

Fortunately, Hoka shoes are custom-fitted, and they feature technologies that provide support, cushioning, and alignment to the feet.

Do Hokas help back pain?

When it comes to back pain resulting from your runs, the culprit is usually a shoe that doesn’t have enough cushioning or support.

Hoka’s running shoes are specifically designed to provide runners with optimal cushioning, stability, and support in order to make them perform better and more painlessly.

Do Hoka shoes fit true to size?

Hoka has many tools in place on its site to help you find your true fit. It offers a men’s, women’s, and unisex size chart for footwear, apparel, and accessories.

I appreciate that it also offers a true fit size guide that helps you determine your size through a series of questions and instructions for measurement.

What is Hoka’s Shipping Policy?

While researching for this Hoka shoes review, I was happy to learn that the brand ships to countries all over the globe. You can tailor the site to your destination. For a limited time, Hoka is offering free standard ground shipping to US orders within the continental US.