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.
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 636k following on their Facebook page 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 our Hoka Shoes Review for the latest on policy information, customer reviews, product descriptions, pros and cons, FAQs, and more.
This information will help you decide whether Hoka Shoes are right for you and are 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.
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.
Hoka manufactures their footwear in China and ships 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 our 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 we’ve included a couple of the brand’s other hits 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. 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 Hoke One One Bondi 6, the latest in the brand’s search for ultimate foot comfort. 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, it’s safe to say that this product has got the goods.
Get the 100% vegan Hoka Bondi 6 on sale for $120, regular price $150.
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 the Achilles tendon.
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 have 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.
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
You’ll be going Mach 4 in these lightweight, supportive runners that 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? We 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.
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 according to the brand, 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, take 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.
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. Hoka offers these runners in three colorways for $130.
Do Doctors Recommend Hoka Shoes?
We love the fact that we can supplement our Hoka shoes review with expert advice. Select styles of Hoka shoes bear the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance.
Hoka’s website features an impressive number of testimonials from healthcare workers across various practices that praise the brand’s shoes for their high-quality design and benefits.
Tim Dutra, DPM, MS, MHCA, and Assistant Professor/Clinical Investigator, claims that “HOKA offers a variety of shoes with a wide range of cushioning and support and width options, and HOKA shoes are a favorite of runners, walkers, and hikers.”
Robert Fridman, DPM, FACFAS, is also a fan of the brand:
“I am always faced with the task of helping my patients get through their exercise goals and activities of daily living… I feel very comfortable recommending their range of supportive and cushioned shoes for patients of a variety of activity levels and foot types…”
Some doctors even claim that the shoes have changed their own lives, such as Stephen Barnett
M.D., Fellow, American College of Surgeons:
“As a surgeon, I am constantly on my feet, standing and walking. I find that the HOKA Bondi provides excellent support and stability. Accordingly, I have happily recommended them to friends and colleagues.”
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.
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.
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.
Are Hoke Shoes Good For Seniors?
Based on findings in several studies, the best shoes for seniors are those with low and closed heels and rigid midsoles to promote better stability and security, grippy soles to prevent falls, and supreme fit for comfort.
Lightweight materials are also important to ensure that the senior isn’t exerting too much energy through just navigating with the shoe on. Hoka Shoes have all of these safety specifications and more.
Seniors would especially benefit from the support mechanisms contained in Hoka One One shoes, given that they are more susceptible to instability and falls, but really anybody who needs a little extra support can be sure that their Hoka shoes will cover them.
Who Is Hoka For?
Hoka produces footwear for men and women of all ages with all kinds of lifestyles, as seen in our Hoka shoes review product list.
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.
Comparison: Hoka vs. NOBULL
NOBULL was launched by co-founders Michael Schaeffer and Marcus Wilson in 2015. Since their inception, the brand has operated on the core tenet of cutting to the chase and actively pursuing the life you want without cutting corners or relying on gimmicks.
In NOBULLs online store, you will find athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories for men and women.
NOBULL is currently headquartered in Boston, MA, and they boast a large team that consists of dedicated and inspiring athletes. They are also affiliated with the likes of Jared Stevens, Sam Dancer, Brooke Wells, Kristi Eramo, Tola Morakinyo, Will Grier, and Katrin Davidsdottir.
The brand has a handful of physical retailers in the US, and ships to Canada, Australia, the US, and several countries in Europe from their online store.
As for how their runners stack up, The NOBULL Ripstop Runner ($139) is a versatile, lightweight, supportive sneaker made of perforated polyester ripstop material.
This competes with the ultra-supportive EVA foam and mesh upper Hoka Men’s Clifton 8 ($130), a notable best-seller on the website. In terms of supportive technologies, the Hoka shoe wins, but in terms of aesthetics, the NOBULL runner takes the cake for its sleek design.
As for the price points of runners on either site in general, they do not differ by much. The price varies depending on the model in question, but the two brands price their products quite similarly.
Safe to say it’s up to personal preference when it comes to these two quality brands.
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. We’ve looked at the tech, we’ve seen that they’re doctor approved, but how do they shape up in the real world?
We’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!”
Our Hoka shoes review 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 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.”
Moving forward, we were disappointed to see an even 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.”
This Hoka shoes review stresses that it’s important to 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, 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, 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 this Hoka shoes review can get behind.
When it comes to the merits of the actual shoes, there are so many to take into account. 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 we 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?
Our Hoka shoes review 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.
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?
Eager for your pair of Hoka Clifton 6?
This Hoka shoes review is happy to report 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.
The brand consistently offers free shipping on Canadian orders totaling $200+. Shipping rates for the US and Canada are as follows:
US
- Standard ground shipping (3-10 business days): $8
- 2-day shipping (2 business days): $16
- Overnight shipping (1 business day): $26
CAN
- Standard: (2-7 business days): under $200 is $10, $200+ is free
- Expedited: under $200 is $20, $200+ is $20
- Next Business Day: under $200 is $35, $200+ is $35
What is Hoka’s Return Policy?
Not entirely happy with your pair Hoka One One Bondi 6? You may request a refund or a product exchange within 30 days of the original purchase, no strings attached and no questions asked. All you have to do is visit their website to get started.
How to Contact Hoka
If you have any questions after reading our Hoke shoes review, customers are invited to contact the brand via Live Chat from Mon-Sat 10 am – 7 pm EST.
You can also phone Hoka at 1-(866)-491-3125 by text message for 24/7 service, or call Mon-Sat 10 am – 7 pm EST.
Looking for more options? Check out some other top shoe brands:
