The Range Explained: HOKA Road 2025

In recent years HOKA have become one of the world’s leading running brands.

Here we give a brief overview of their popular road range for 2025, dividing the range into 3 main categories to help you understand more about the purpose and specification of each shoe.

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Please note: If it's your first venture into the world of HOKA, then we generally find their shoes fit half a size smaller than expected, so you may need to size up.

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CUSHIONED/NEUTRAL RANGE

Built for high mileage road running for the neutral runner.

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HOKA Skyward X

For Revolutionary Max Cushioning

The HOKA Skyward X is a new max-cushioned shoe with a revolutionary suspension system and a carbon plate, designed to provide energy return, dynamism and cushioning in equal parts.

Click here for an in-depth look

Price: RRP £184.99

Weight: Men's 320g / Women's 261g

Drop: 6mm

Stack height: Men's 48mm/42mm, Women's 46mm/40mm

Width: Available in standard fit only.

Key Features

- Flat Knit Upper: Provides a secure fit with enhanced breathability.

- PEBA Midsole: Extreme comfort and underfoot cushioning.

- Carbon Fibre Plate: Delivers dynamic propulsion and stability.

- Super Critical Midsole Foam: Creates a rocking chair-style effect for a faster toe-off.

- Deep Active Foot Frame: Cradles the heel for a secure ride.

- Durable Rubber Outsole: Hi-abrasion rubber is placed in high wear areas.

HOKA Bondi 9

For Max Cushioning

Highly cushioned, with even more stack height and new super critical EVA foam, the Bondi 9 is effectively HOKA’s top of the range max-cushioned road shoe, suitable for all distances.

Click here to read our detailed shoe review

Price: RRP £159.99

Weight: Men's 297g / Women's 263g

Drop: 5mm

Stack height: 43mm/38mm

Width: Available in standard, wide, and in some colours extra-wide.

Key Features

- Engineered Mesh Upper: A seamless design which optimises breathability and comfort.

- Lightweight Foam Midsole: Super-soft, lightweight foam for maximal cushioning.

- Durabrasion Outsole: High-abrasion rubber zones increase the shoe's durability, reducing its weight, and supply enhanced traction on every road surface.

- Rearfoot-focused Active Foot Frame

HOKA Clifton 10

For Comfort & Cushioning

Sitting below the Bondi 9 in the range, this Clifton is the 10th iteration of HOKA’s best selling shoe. Still built for high mileage road running up to and including ultra distances, it offers a slightly more responsive feel than the Bondi due to lower weight.

Click here to read our detailed shoe review

Price: RRP £139.99

Weight: Men's 248g / Women's 205g

Drop: 8mm

Stack height: Men's 42mm/34mm, Women's 38mm/30mm

Width: Available in both standard and wide fits.

The Clifton (version 9) is also available with GORE-TEX Invisible Fit upper (RRP £149.99)

Click here to find out more

Key Features

- Jacquard Knit Upper: an update from version 9 for greater breathability and comfort.

- CMEVA Midsole: For lightweight, responsive cushioning and plenty of energy return.

- Durabrasion Outsole: High-abrasion rubber zones increase the shoe's durability, reducing its weight, and supply enhanced traction on every road surface.

- Double-lace lock: Provides added stability and makes getting in and out even easier.

HOKA Rincon 4

For Lightweight Cushioning

Sitting below the Clifton 10 in the range, the Rincon is lighter in comparison. An amazing entry into the HOKA cushioned road range, now with a 3mm increase in stack height over version 3. Suitable for all neutral runners looking for a versatile road training shoe.

Price: RRP £109.99

Weight: Men's 228g / Women's 193g

Drop: 5mm

Stack height: Men's 36mm/31mm, Women's 35mm/30mm

Width: Available in both standard and wide fits.

Key Features

- Engineered Jacquard Upper: For maximum ventilation.

- Rear Foot-focused Active Foot Frame: Cradles the foot for ultimate support.

- Injected EVA Midsole: A higher stack midsole with responsive cushioning and plenty of energy return.

- Rubberised EVA Outsole: For enhanced traction on every road surface.

SUPPORT/OVERPRONATION RANGE

Built with support suited to the over-pronator while also offering cushioning suitable for high mileage road running.
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HOKA Gaviota 5

For Moderate Support

A highly-cushioned shoe designed for all road distances with mild to moderate levels of support for over-pronators. Built along similar lines to the neutral Bondi 8, the Gaviota offers a similar feel and fit but with the additional support if you require it.

Price: RRP £149.99

Weight: Men's 310g / Women's 259g

Drop: 6mm

Stack height: Men's 36mm/30mm, Women's 34mm/28mm

Width: Available in both standard and wide fits.

Key Features

- Creel Jacquard Mesh Upper: A secure, sock-like fit that provides comfort and breathability.

- H-FRAME Technology: Delivers a stable platform for those looking to prevent and combat over-pronation.

- EVA Midsole: For lightweight, responsive cushioning and plenty of energy return.

- Durable Rubber Outsole: High-wear rubber compound help to ensure the shoes have exceptional traction and durability.

HOKA Arahi 8

For Mild Support

Sitting below the Gaviota in the support range, the Arahi is still a well cushioned high-mileage shoe suitable for marathon distance training. It offers mild pronation support, so slightly less than the more supportive Gaviota. This is effectively a supportive version of the best-selling Clifton neutral shoe.

Price: RRP £129.99

Weight: Men's 276g / Women's 219g

Drop: 8mm

Stack height: Men's 39mm/31mm, Women's 37mm/29mm

Width: Available in both standard and wide fits.

Key Features

- Double jacquard mesh upper: for a more secure and comfortable fit

- H-FRAME Technology: implemented to replace the old J-Frame™ Technology for even more stability that interlocks with the midsole foam to create a secure base.

- Dual density compression moulded EVA: featured for a combined level of comfort and support.

- Super abrasion outsole: High-wear rubber for greater protection against slips.

RACE READY RANGE

The race range offers a variety of shoes built for the more elite runner looking for a fast race day shoe across a range of distances.

Please note: Race shoes are not ideal for all runners and the time savings that can be had from wearing them can be offset by the lack of cushioning or support they may offer. For example, someone running a 4-hour+ marathon will likely be more comfortable wearing their everyday mileage shoes. Also, race shoes, if used for everyday training, can be less durable and wear out faster.
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HOKA Mach 6

For Cushioning & Speed

HOKA's lightest, most responsive Mach to date. Whilst the Mach could sit in the cushioned section of this guide and is found on the feet of many runners who use it everyday, it is designed as a faster paced shoe that, depending on the runner, is suitable for marathon distance. Used by many who train in the likes of the Bondi 8 or Clifton 9 but prefer to keep these for speed sessions and race day.

Price: RRP £139.99

Weight: Men's 232g / Women's 190g

Drop: 5mm

Stack height: Men's 37mm/32mm, Women's 35mm/30mm

Width: Available in both standard and wide fits.

Key Features

- Creel Jacquard Mesh Upper: A secure, sock-like fit that provides comfort and breathability.

- Dual Internal Gusset & Anatomical Tongue: Designed to improve the fit to provide you with all-day comfort.

- Super Critical Foam Midsole: A more reactive ride with tons of cushioning for enhanced energy return and better durability.

- Rubberised EVA Outsole: Rubberised EVA foam is used to enhance responsiveness, increase traction and ensure high rebound cushioning.

HOKA Mach X 3

For Cushioning & Speed

Now in its 3rd iteration, while slightly heavier than its predecessor, the Mach X 3 features the same propulsive Pebax plate through the midsole, perfectly refined for speedwork

Price: RRP £169.99

Weight: Men's 288g / Women's 242g

Drop: 5mm

Stack height: 44mm/39mm

Width: Available in standard fit only.

Key Features

- Thicker, Padded Collar: Sits close to the foot to prevent rubbing and increase comfort.

- Propulsive Pebax Plate: Designed to provide extra propulsion and support.

- Dual-Layer Midsole: Highly resilient PEBA and EVA foams deliver soft, high-rebound cushioning.

- Durabrasion Rubber Outsole: For grip and traction on every road surface.

HOKA Cielo X1 2.0

For Breaking Records

This top of the range carbon-plated racing shoe is built for breaking records. Most suitable for 10k to marathon distance, the Cielo X1 2.0 is aimed at elite and pinnacle road runners looking for every advantage on race day.

Price: RRP £249.99

Weight: Men's 230g / Women's 193g

Drop: 7mm (most suitable for heel strikers)

Stack height: Men's 48mm/41mm

Width: Available in standard fit only.

Key Features

- Engineered Jacquard Mesh Upper: Encourages cool air to circulate to regulate temperature.

- Warp Knit Tongue: Reduces irritation caused by rubbing.

- PEBA Midsole: Offers extreme comfort and cushioning with high energy return.

- Winged Carbon Fibre Plate: Delivers dynamic propulsion and stability.

- Dynamic Cutouts: For weight reduction.

- Active Foot Frame - Cradles the foot to provide support.

- Minimal Rubber Outsole: Lightweight for maximum speed.

HOKA Rocket X 3

For Marathon PB's

Built for elite runners looking for something less aggressive than the Cielo X1 2.0, featuring a propulsive carbon fibre plate sandwiched between two layers of ultra responsive foam. On the right feet this shoe is suitable for marathon distance PB’s.

Price: RRP £219.99

Weight: Unisex 227g

Drop: 7mm

Stack height: Unisex 42mm/35mm

Width: Available in standard fit only

Key Features

- Single Layer Warp Knit Upper: Lightweight and breathable.

- Winged Carbon Fibre Plate: Provides explosive energy return.

- Dual-Density PEBA Midsole: Responsive and lightweight.

- Streamlined Collar: For plushness without bulk.

- Rearfoot-Focused Active Foot Frame: Cradles your foot

- Sticky Rubber Outsole: For great grip and traction.

Interested in the latest shoes, apparel and technology? Then head over to our Kit & Gear category for more reviews, tips, advice and product releases.