The Range Explained: HOKA Road

In this article, we’ll take a look at the HOKA road running range to help you make the best choice for your next road run or race.

But how can you tell which of these road shoes is right for you? This comes down to many factors, including the distance you’ll be running, how much support you need, how much cushioning you prefer, and whether you're looking for a carbon-plated race-day shoe or a reliable training partner.  

Below, we will break down each of these things so you'll have a clearer picture of the full range and the shoe that best suits your running goals.

If you're new to HOKA or have questions about the brand as well as their shoe lineup, here is what you need to know.

HOKA has been showing up on the road scene and dominating the max cushioning market over the last two decades, and in recent years has emerged significantly within carbon-plated race-day shoes from the original Carbon X, which has evolved into the Rocket X and Cielo X1 found on the feet of Podium winners around the world, as well as Great British 10,000m road record holder, Rory Leonard.

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Quick Comparison: HOKA Road Running Shoes

A quick note on size: If this is your first venture into the world of HOKA, we generally find their shoes fit about a half size smaller than expected, so you may need to size up.

All shoes featured in this guide are available in separate men’s and women’s models, rather than as unisex versions. Shoe weights are shown for each, these reference the weight of the shoes in a UK men’s size 9 and a UK women’s size 6 and are shown like this: 275g (M) / 234g (W).

A Closer Look: HOKA Road Running Shoes

HOKA Cielo X1 3.0

A premium carbon-plated road racing shoe for fast, aggressive racing.
Ideal distance: Half marathon to marathon

The Cielo X1 3.0 is HOKA’s performance-focused road racing shoe, built for runners who want a soft underfoot and propulsive heel-to-toe rocker.

Positioned at the most premium end of HOKA's road lineup, the Cielo X1 3.0 is seriously competitive against its peers. A dual-layer PEBA foam paired with HOKA's iconic rocker geometry delivers an aggressive heel-to-toe push off to effectively maintain pace over longer distances. Unlike what you could expect from previous iterations, the Cielo X1 3.0 has improved stability but not to the same level as what you can expect in the Rocket X 3, and would be better suited for neutral and mid-foot strikers.

The Cielo X1 3.0 excels over longer distances, but relies on good running form, and while you could still chose this as an option for 5Ks and 10K, the Cielo X1 3.0 suits those who are experienced over the half and marathon distances and targeting fast times and personal bests.

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HOKA Rocket X 3

A more versatile carbon-plated racing shoe for performance and stability.

Ideal Distance: 5K to Marathon

The HOKA Rocket X 3 offers a more stable and less aggressive ride, but doesn't compromise on performance or speed when it comes to breaking personal bests on race day and choosing between the Rocket X 3 and Cielo X1 3.0 mainly comes down to personal preferences.

While the Rocket X 3 will excel better over 5Ks and 10Ks compared to the Cielo X1 3.0, the Rocket X 3 remains a suitable option for longer distances, for those who heel-strike, prefer less rocker and a more stable underfoot feel.

The Rocket X 3 features a dual-density midsole foam with a winged carbon-fibre plate which allows for a firmer and more stable ride, unlike the softness you'll find in the PEBA foam found in the Cielo X1 3.0

HOKA Skyward X 2

A maximum-cushioned, carbon-plated super trainer for long distances

The HOKA Skyward X is one of HOKA's newest additions to the road range and brought with it a pure amalgamation of technology to sit within the max cushioned super trainer road shoes.

With a huge 46 mm heel and 41 mm forefoot stack height (which is in fact 2mm lower than version 1), the Skyward X 2 is purely a training shoe, aimed at those who want endless comfort over long distances i.e. marathon training, while also allowing for a pick up of pace during those runs.

The Skyward X 2 features a plush balance of PEVA and SC EVA foam for softness and support, with a suspended carbon plate that provides a more rolling feel compared to the rigidity of plates found in race day shoes.

HOKA Mach X 3

A nylon-plated speed trainer for tempo and racing.

The HOKA Mach X 3 bridges the gap between training and racing, offering a winged Pebax® plate and PEBA midsole, best suited for tempo days all the way up to race day for those who prefer to run without a carbon plate.

With a generous rocker shape geometry, the rocker and Pebax® plate work together to provide a substantial heel-to-toe bounce and a dual-layer setup, featuring a PEBA top layer for energy return and a firmer EVA layer underneath for increased stability.

HOKA Mach 7

A lightweight speed trainer for daily training and tempo sessions.

Sitting just below the Mach X 3, the Mach 7 offers a training shoe that is best suited for daily-to-tempo road runs without the benefit of a plate.

The midsole differs with the Mach 7, featuring a single-density supercritical EVA, compared to the dual density foam found in the Mach X 3, which makes for a lighter and more direct ground feel shoe but still offers the speed gains needed for shorter tempo sessions.

HOKA Clifton Pro

An energetic daily trainer that brings performance to everyday mileage

A well-known franchise, the Clifton has been at the forefront of daily training and has earned its right as HOKA's workhorse for the road, but this year HOKA introduced the Clifton Pro to level up on performance gains during everyday training.

Compared to the Clifton 11, the Clifton Pro offers more bounce and more propulsion as opposed to the softness of the Clifton 11, thanks to the Pro's supercritical ProGlide+ EVA foam midsole and more aggressive meta-rocker geometry.

Both remain built for the demands of regular training and offer greater levels of cushioning and stack compared to the Mach 7, but the Clifton Pro will support the days where you progress into steadier efforts and beyond.

HOKA Clifton 11

The everyday cushioned workhorse built for handling the miles

Becoming synonymous with HOKA, the Clifton was one of the earliest examples in running shoes of bringing maximum cushioning into a lightweight design suitable to handle the demands of distance running.

Compared to some of the previous versions, the Clifton 11 maintained many of its modifications which were made to the Clifton 10, featuring the same compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) midsole foam for a soft ride underfoot, making the Clifton 11 an ideal option for daily training as well as recovery runs for those who prefer something lighter in weight under foot.

If you're looking to pick up the pace, the Clifton 11 would be better swapped with the Clifton Pro, and if you're looking for something that handles all weather conditions, the Clifton 11 is also available in GTX form.

HOKA Arahi 9

The everyday cushioned workhorse with added stability.

The best way to understand the Arahi is bringing the components of the Clifton, add a stability frame, and you have the Arahi.

A lightweight, stability running shoe designed for runners who experience mild to moderate overpronation, the Arahi 9 features HOKA's H-Frame™ technology which is designed in a way that support elements on both the inner and outer sides of the foot.

Similar to the Clifton, the Arahi is designed for those who are seeking max level cushioning in a lightweight design and ready to take on distance training.

HOKA Bondi 9

A max cushioned road training shoe for optimum comfort and recovery runs

The HOKA Bondi is maximal cushioning done properly and is ideal for anyone who likes plush comfort for everyday mileage or for those who need a standalone recovery shoe that takes on shock absorption to reduce impact on tired legs.

With a stack height of 43mm in the heel and 38mm in the forefoot, the Bondi 9 packs in a great deal of supercritical EVA foam in the midsole which provides a livelier ride than previous models, but primarily provides greater impact absorption during recovery runs.

As you'd expect with maximal cushioning shoes, the Bondi does sit heavier than other max cushioning options such as the Clifton (+13g) and won't suit those looking for any extra speed on runs.

HOKA Gaviota 6

A max cushioned road recovery shoe with added stability

The HOKA Gaviota sits alongside is neutral maximum cushioned counterpart, the Bondi, and offers the same plush comfort for everyday mileage or a shock-absorbing recovery shoe, but with the added stability for those who overpronate.

Similar to the Arahi, the Gaviota features the same H-Frame™ stability system, which is built like an "H" to help combat overpronation without the rigidity of plastic posts often found in other supportive shoes.

HOKA Rincon 5

A versatile all rounder best suited for the entry level runners.

The HOKA Rincon 5 often gets overlooked in a world where max cushioned trainers frequently take preference, but the latest version of the Rincon has evolved into less of the road racing flat we've seen for years, into more of a traditional mileage shoe.

Similar to the Clifton models, the Rincon features a compression-molded EVA midsole, but with a lower stack, so you can expect a similar energy return but in a firmer, lighter weight and more stable package.

The Rincon 5 is ideal for those looking for a premium shoe at a lower price point that can handle the versatility of everyday training and speed when required.

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