The best HOKA running shoes in 2024

Mikel Bejarano
Journalist and inveterate trail runner
Posted on 12-11-2024

HOKA is one of the most prominent brands in the market and specializes in leaving no one indifferent with their running shoes and trail running shoes maximalist style, based on the American style, ie, high profiles, comfort and lightness as a hallmark.

However, this fact does not exempt them from presenting, year after year, very competitive running shoes, both for asphalt and trail. From RUNNEA we bring you the latest news from HOKA. We present a list that we have updated for the final sprint of 2024.

The best HOKA running shoes for 2024

There are many HOKA shoes that are very popular among running enthusiasts. The range of models from the California brand is growing and adapts to different types of runners.

In this recurring list made by the RUNNEA editorial team, you can find everything from carbon plate shoes for the fastest runners to daily training shoes for every running session. This is the last review and update of the year in which we put the spotlight on the new proposals and updates of the renowned American brand.

HOKA Clifton 9

Hoka's Clifton series is a great reference in terms of daily training shoes from the North American brand. A franchise that stands out for its combination of cushioning, softness and lightness. Now comes the HOKA Clifton 9 keeping the essence of the family, but also with very significant changes that improve the running experience of the runner.

  • Surface: Road
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: Neutral, High
  • Running gait: Neutral, Supination
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High
  • Weight: 250 gr

HOKA Cielo X1

The HOKA Cielo X1 was the latest to appear in this segment of carbon plate running shoes, and its landing represents the redefinition of the concept of speed in long-distance running. Innovative and fast, but also comfortable and safe. Its dual density midsole, its great lightness, its dynamic cuts and its propulsion level make it one of those models called "record breakers".

  • Surface: Road
  • Technology: Carbon plate
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 7 mm
  • Pace: High
  • Weight: 210 gr

HOKA Rocket X 2

The HOKA Rocket X 2 running shoes are the latest competition running model from the American brand, designed for the most demanding runners on asphalt. After the launch of its successful first version, HOKA has completely reinvented this racing model to evolve the model in such a hyper-competitive space as carbon plateshoes.

  • Surface: Road
  • Technology: Carbon plate
  • Use: Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral, High
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: High
  • Weight: 236 gr

HOKA Bondi 8

The HOKA Bondi 8 running shoes have been designed for runners with a neutral stride and high weight who prioritize protection and comfort in their daily runs. Suitable for both everyday workouts and long runs at faster paces, they bring versatility in its purest form.

  • Surface: Road
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: High
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 4 mm
  • Pace: Medium
  • Weight: 304 gr

HOKA Mach 6

A new version of one of HOKA's star models is now available, the HOKA Mach 6, a running shoe for training and/or competitions that stands out for a magnificent combination of comfort and reactivity, despite not having a carbon fibre plate.

  • Surface: Road
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High
  • Weight: 232 gr

HOKA Mach X 2

The new HOKA Mach X 2 is one of the highlights of this 2024, a shoe that combines the features of two of the brand's most popular lines, the Mach and Cielo X1. Something that offers ideal propulsion capabilities combined with durable and effective cushioning.

  • Surface: Road
  • Technology: Carbon plate
  • Use: Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Pace: High

HOKA Rincon 4

The HOKA Rincon 4 is a running shoe that is designed for those who want to start in the world of running and need a light and soft shoe. It incorporates improvements over the previous version. The upper features an elegant double jacquard which also highlights the padding of the tongue that will provide greater comfort and fit of the foot inside the shoe. The sole design is another of the great novelties of this new shoe. To achieve greater durability, the sole has been completely redesigned, featuring a totally different design with injection-molded foam.

  • Surface: Road
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 8 mm
  • Pace: Low
  • Weight: 228 gr.(10 US)

HOKA Skyflow

The HOKA Skyflow is a running shoe that represents one of the great innovations of the brand for this season because it incorporates some of the best technologies of the brand to run comfortably during our daily running workouts. It is a shoe that stands out for its versatility and that is incorporated into the daily running training shoes category, in which it will share the limelight with the emblematic HOKA Clifton and HOKA Bondi. It incorporates Active Foot Frame technology developed by the brand itself and is designed to provide stability and protection of the foot in the heel area. In the midsole has a SCF EVA foam, a foam that offers good cushioning with extra comfort and elasticity.

  • Surface: Road
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Medium

HOKA Skyward X

We are sure that the new HOKA Skyward X will be one of the most popular shoes for the 2024 season. Shoes with a maximalist profile, but with a carbon fibre plate to provide dynamism and reactivity.

  • Surface: Road
  • Technology: Carbon plate
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: High
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High

HOKA Arahi 7

The new HOKA Arahi 7 is one of the brand's options for runners who need extra support and stability to correct their slight pronation. This new version retains the continuity of its predecessors that stand out for their great cushioning.

  • Surface: Road
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Overpronation, Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Medium
  • Weight: 282 gr

The best HOKA trail running shoes 2024

We could not miss in the list of the best HOKA shoe, emblematic models such as the HOKA Speedgoat or the HOKA Mafate, two of the most famous shoes of the French brand for mountain running. Here is our selection of the best shoes for trail running enthusiasts.

HOKA Speedgoat 6

The HOKA Speedgoat 6 is one of the most popular and best-selling shoes of the brand, and it is that we are facing one of the most complete shoes in which the best technologies and materials of the brand are combined so we can wear them with great comfort and cushioning in our mountain routes.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: High
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High
  • Weight: 278 gr

HOKA Tecton X 3

One of the great HOKA silhouettes for the 2024 season is the new HOKA Tecton X 3. Compared to its predecessor, we will find changes in its carbon plate, midsole and tongue. A model for long distance runners looking for maximum efficiency while maintaining great race control and treading technique.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Technology: Carbon plate
  • Use: Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Low, Medium, High
  • Weight: 286 gr

HOKA Zinal 2

One of the most awaited new models of this year has been the HOKA Zinal 2 which, in this second version, maintains the essence of the first edition that was so popular among runners. This new version presents a more daring and dynamic design for running at high paces in short distances through the mountains.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral, High
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High

HOKA Challenger 7 GORE-TEX

The Gore-Tex version of one of HOKA's most popular shoes is now available, the HOKA Challenger 7 GORE-TEX, a model with the same features as its sister shoe but with the protection of the waterproof membrane to protect our feet from those rainy days or worse weather conditions.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: High
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Low, Medium
  • Weight: 275 gr

HOKA Torrent 4

The new Hoka Torrent 4 are designed for those who start running on mountain trails and need a versatile shoe with great cushioning in the midsole. A versatile, safe and stable model that will appeal to any newcomer to the world of running.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Low

HOKA Mafate Speed 4

The HOKA Mafate Speed 4, is a model that has undergone a major renovation globally, although it does not lose the essence of being a shoe focused primarily to cover long distances with great cushioning and support. New features that concentrate on each and every one of the key parts of this model, with the aim of ensuring greater reactivity, a more dynamic fit and superior traction.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: High
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 4 mm
  • Pace: Low, Medium

HOKA Mafate Three2

The new Hoka Mafate Three2 is now available, a shoe that stands out for its great versatility to provide maximum guarantees of safety and comfort in the middle and long distance. It is a shoe that fits perfectly with the footprint of each runner offering a more natural movement of the foot.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 3 mm
  • Pace: Low, Medium
  • Weight: 328 gr

Resource photos: HOKA on Instagram

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