Maximal stack and an early Meta-Rocker, now much lighter
Hoka made big stacks mainstream. The house signature is a tall, soft midsole paired with a rocker that rolls you through the stride instead of asking the foot to bend, which is why the brand is so widely recommended for runners coming back from injury.
Medians across the 47 current Hoka models we track, measured against every currently-available shoe in the catalog.
Median drop
5 mm
2 mm below the catalog median
Median stack
40 mm
4 mm above the catalog median
Median weight
270 g
5 g below the catalog median
Median price
$170
10 above the catalog median
Plated models
18 of 47
Carbon, nylon or rock plate
Wide toe-box
7 of 47
Wide or very-wide forefoot
Trail models
17
Off-road platforms
Price range
$110–$275
Current line
Fit & sizing
Modern Cliftons and Bondis have a roomier forefoot than early versions; the Speedgoat and Rocket remain snug. Most models fit true to size.
Who it suits
High-mileage runners, heavier runners, and anyone who wants maximum protection under tired legs.
Worth knowing
Tall soft stacks can feel unstable on cambered roads and technical corners.
Picked from the current line by the same spec-based scoring the matcher uses — no sponsorships, no commissions.
Race day
Cielo X1 3.0
Maximum return, minimum weight — for the day it counts.
Hoka Cielo X1 3.0: 38 mm heel stack, 7 mm drop, 193 g — specs from independent lab testing.
Tempo
Cielo X1 3.0
Fast enough to sharpen, forgiving enough to repeat.
Hoka Cielo X1 3.0: 38 mm heel stack, 7 mm drop, 193 g — specs from independent lab testing.
Long run
Mafate X
Protection that holds up when the legs stop cooperating.
Enormous plated trail max-cushion for very long mountain days.
Daily
Gaviota 5
The workhorse: comfortable, durable, unremarkable in the best way.
Hoka's maximal stability shoe: heavy, plush and firmly guided.
Recovery
Stinson 7
Soft and low-effort for the days after hard ones.
The biggest, softest Hoka trail platform for hiking-pace ultras.
Trail
Stinson 7
Grip and protection once the road runs out.
The biggest, softest Hoka trail platform for hiking-pace ultras.