Best Hoka Running Shoes Right Now (2026)

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When we talk about max-cushioned running shoes, there’s only one brand that comes to mind. Well, I guess everyone has their own take on max-cushion, but there’s definitely one that stands just a bit higher than the rest. That’s right; we’re talking about Hoka. The One One is a thing of the past; it’s just Hoka now — kinda like Beyonce or Confucius.

Our history with the brand goes back almost to the time of Confucius, or at least to the beginnings of the max-cushion era. Early models of the Clifton became our marathon and long run go-to’s, especially after we realized you really could have more stack than a Saucony Kinvara had to offer. Hoka’s prowess is just as legendary on the trails, with the Speedgoat still a top choice for trail runners, even without a carbon plate or super foam. The only thing you won’t find on this list is a minimalist shoe — we’re talkin’ all stack, all the time. These are the best Hoka running shoes you can buy right now.

As always, our picks come from our own experiences. We get tons of shoes through the door here at Believe in the Run, and our road and trail teams put them all through their paces. If we don’t love a shoe, we’ll tell you about it, but you might also find that what doesn’t work for us works perfectly for you. We try to take thoughts from our running friends and the community into account, but our own miles carry the most weight. Don’t worry; we only recommend shoes that you can currently buy in order to keep you from heading out on a wild goose chase for a shoe from five years ago.

Since its start, the Cielo X1 has been the most exciting shoe in the Hoka lineup, no question. It’s weird, it’s wild, it’s super fun. It was always supposed to be fast, but never really convinced us. Until now. At 7.5 oz., it’s in legitimate race shoe territory, which puts it head-to-head against the Rocket X 3. We think this one wins.

Here’s why: The dual-layer PEBA midsole is bouncy and fun and leverages the carbon fiber plate exactly as it should. The rocker geometry does what it’s always done, providing a quick roll through the stride and almost acting as a speed assist to keep you moving at top speeds. The compression-molded polyurethane outsole is no joke. And the upper is as race ready and breathable as anything you’ll find on the market.

Yes, the price tag can sting. But if you want something that’s different from everything else on the market, then this is the one.

Yeah, we love the Cielo X1 more than any other Hoka shoe on this list. But if you’re looking for a beta version of that shoe, one that still incorporates PEBA and a plate and a warp knit upper, then the Mach X 3 may be the one for you. It’s floats somewhere between a daily trainer and a tempo shoe, with a lil’ bit of magic that elevates it into the super trainer range. The upper has significantly improved in this version, something that was sorely needed as the Mach X 2 heel collar was straight-up lethal. The midsole remains largely unchanged, but that’s okay. It was fun before and it’s fun again. Our big guy reviewer Jon loved the shoe, and we think you will too.

The one that started the entire max cushion revolution, the Hoka Clifton hits the decade mark. In the ten years since it debuted, everyone else has copied the Clifton’s homework. Translation: it’s not so different anymore. That doesn’t mean it’s still a solid, reliable trainer. Because it is.

In terms of performance, it’s pretty similar to the last version. The metarocker geometry, CMEVA midsole, jacquard knit upper, and durabrasion rubber outsole all combine for a seamless package that feels comfortable whether you’re walking or running or standing up during a 14-hour nursing shift (as our reviewer Caryn also did).

Could it be a little more exciting? Yes, probably. Even icons need a refresh, so we’re hoping for something a little more modern on the next go-around. But for not, the Clifton remains a steady friend, even among the copycats.

Like a subtle Pokemon evolution (think Vulpix to Ninetales), the Hoka Bondi 9 remains a steady trainer for slow miles, while introducing some solid upgrades. If there’s anything we can count on to stay the same it’s that the Bondi 9 is still thicccc (two more “c’s” this time, considering it gained an extra 2mm of stack in the update).

Featuring a new Supercritical EVA midsole in place of the previous CMEVA (compression-molded) EVA midsole, it also dropped almost a full ounce of weight. Although it’s still a chonky shoe better suited for cruise control, the Supercritical EVA definitely gives it a bit more life. Also want to call out the surprisingly nice newly designed knit upper here too.

The only thing that’s really left to be desired are some better colorways; right now they’re kind of giving dad. Not that a chunky dad bod is a bad thing. But dads may also not be pleased with the price. We’ll give it a subtle knock for creeping up to $170 — borderline super trainer territory — despite the Bondi’s characteristic lack of carbon plate or light race-day foam. That being said, lovers of this legacy shoe can sleep easy knowing that the Hoka Bondi 9 successfully keeps the essence of the line in tact.

Hoka’s mad scientists took it to the next level with this year’s Tecton X 3. Year after year it seems that the Tecton ends up shaking out as one of the most impressive shoes in Hoka’s lineup: trail, road, or otherwise. That being said, it’s probably no surprise that our trail guys loved this version too. While versions 1 and 2 pretty comparable to each other, the Tecton X 3 entered took to the limelight to flaunt a slew of upgrades.

New to this version includes winged carbon fiber plates, dual layers of PEBA foam in the midsole, redesigned lug shapes with Vibram MegaGrip with Litebase on the outsole, a Matryx textile upper, and a knit collar that works as a gaiter to keep out dust and debris. Whew. Now, if we were able to read minds, we’d guess that you’re asking if the mix of PEBA and carbon fiber on the trails is a recipe for disaster. Luckily, Hoka’s mad scientists seem capable of prophesying and managed to avoid any major instability underfoot by incorporating visible wings on the medial and lateral sides of the shoe that help to corral the foot a bit more.

For more in-depth thoughts on the built-in-bootie and other big changes, you’ll just have to go read the full review. There’s a lot to talk about here, but TLDR— the Tecton X 3 did not disappoint.

The Mach has become the simple, go-to uptempo shoe in the Hoka lineup. Not much has changed since the last version, which isn’t a bad thing. For a daily trainer, it’s fairly light (coming in at 8.5 oz.), which means it can be used for almost everything. The supercritical EVA midsole gives enough back in energy return, but without losing that connection to the ground. With a grippy outsole and a more aesthetically-pleasing creel jacquard upper, it’s a pretty good bargain at $145.

If you go way back in time, you’ll know that Hoka was the second brand to market with a carbon-plated race day shoe. That shoe was the Hoka One One Carbon Rocket, back before they dropped they “One One” from the name. It was an awful shoe. Hoka followed that with the Carbon X, which was okay at first but eventually died a slow death after the horribly done Carbon X3 with a knit upper. Eventually, they got around to making a real race-day shoe in the Rocket X.

The Rocket X 3 improves on the others, now even lighter at 8 oz. for a US M10 and equipped with all the good stuff: dual-density PEBA midsole, winged carbon fiber plate, stick rubber outsole, and warp knit upper. It’s quick on the pick-up and rolls through the stride effortlessly, while providing a touch of stability that you can’t find in other race day shoes. Is it the fastest out there? No, but it’s pretty great if you’re looking for a first-time marathon race day shoe, or something with a generous rocker. We’re still leaning towards the Cielo X1, but if you want something that’s a little more stable, then pick this up for race day.

How We Make Our Picks

All of our recommendations come directly from our feet to your screen. We test countless running shoes here at Believe in the Run, and we let our reviews guide our decisions. However, we also consider other reviews and our BITR community, as not every runner has the same experiences. We also aim to stick with shoes that are currently available so you can give our recommendations a try.

Want to learn more about how our review process works? Check out this guide.