Best Hoka Running Shoes of 2023: Our Favorite Picks From the Full Lineup

Introduction

Hoka’s lineup has grown into one of the most complete ranges in running: plush daily trainers, comfort-first walking shoes, plated super trainers, and genuine race day weapons. This rundown covers the Hoka shoes we actually reach for in 2023, including a trail surprise at the end, so you can match the right model to how you really run and walk.

Hoka Clifton 9

The Clifton 9 is the classic Hoka daily trainer, now on its ninth iteration. Longtime fans will remember how the original’s high stack earned it nicknames like “moon shoes,” and it has come a long way since, with marathon PRs and a Boston finish in the original Clifton showing how good that extra foam felt even before super shoes existed. The EVA foam has been manipulated to feel more responsive and lighter, likely with a bit more rubberized EVA for extra bounce.

With plush padding around the collar and heel and plenty of stack underfoot, the Clifton 9 is best for everyday easy running, long runs, and recovery days. If you only want one Hoka, this is the do-it-all middle ground and the natural place to start with the brand. It comes in at $145.

Hoka Bondi 8

If the Clifton is not plush enough, the Bondi 8 doubles down on softness. It carries a massive 39 mm of stack in the heel and 35 mm in the forefoot with a 4 mm drop, sitting on a wider base while still fitting snugly over the foot for a solid lockdown.

This is a comfort-first shoe, not a performance-first one. It is heavier than the Clifton, but it is the durable Clydesdale of the lineup: people gobble up miles in it, and it doubles as a favorite walking shoe for nurses, travelers, and anyone on their feet all day. It comes in at $165.

Hoka Transport

The Transport is Hoka’s newer everyday commuting shoe, aimed squarely at the walking and casual crowd that has fully embraced the brand. It has a water-repellent upper, a rare Vibram outsole for a Hoka walking shoe, and a toggle lacing system for quick tying, plus a 30% sugar cane midsole.

It leans toward walking because it weighs a bit more, but at $140 it sits at a very reasonable price point for an all-conditions, dog-walking, all-around shoe.

Hoka Transport X

The Transport X takes the Transport concept and turns it toward running. It pairs a supercritical foam base with a forked plate inside, and any Hoka with an X in the name has a plate. The plate is less about propulsion and more about holding the shape of the foam and giving stability underfoot, creating a pleasant rocker feel.

This is the one-shoe travel pick: comfortable enough to tour a European city, but solid enough to handle a three or four mile run without complaint. At $200 it is getting up there for a walker-slash-runner, so it is worth it mainly if you genuinely want one shoe that does both.

Hoka Mach 5

The Mach 5 is our favorite non-plated Hoka of the year, essentially an elevated Clifton for the next level of daily training. Earlier Mach versions were only so-so, but the new supercritical foam layer right under the foot gives a softer cushioned feel, paired with EVA underneath that adds structure, support, and a bit of pop through the stride.

It is a standard daily trainer for runners who like to pick up the pace a little, more energetic and versatile than the Clifton. It is light too, around 8.5 ounces in a men’s size 10.5, and at $140 it is very reasonable for a shoe that feels this good.

Hoka Mach X

The Mach X is the evolution of the Mach 5, falling into the super trainer category: a daily trainer packed with race day features. It uses PeBA foam on top for squish and bounce, a PeBA plate for rigidity and a more propulsive feel, and EVA foam underneath for stability, with a breathable upper and a light build.

We preferred it over the Mach 5 for the extra pop, and its wide platform with plenty of rubber makes it durable and stable, so you get daily-training comfort with fast-day characteristics. At $160, it is a smart alternative for runners who do not want to spend full race day shoe money but still want a light, fast feel for the later miles of a marathon.

Hoka Cielo Road

For 5K to 10K race days without a plate, the Cielo Road is the pick. It has everything the Rocket X 2 offers pared down to a simpler form: a lower stack of PeBA foam, no plate, and a minimal see-through mesh upper that means you need good socks.

It reminds us of a more premium version of a favorite from a couple of years ago: it is so light it nearly disappears on the foot, and easy pace running turns into picking it up almost by accident. It still has rigidity off the toe, so you are not missing the pop a plate provides. At $160, it is $90 less than the Rocket X 2 and undercuts many up-tempo rivals, making it a great option for shorter races and faster days.

Hoka Rocket X 2

The Rocket X 2 is the premium race day shoe Hoka fans had been waiting for: a full slab of PeBA foam paired with a carbon fiber plate. With 36 mm of stack in the heel and 31 mm in the forefoot, it is built for marathoners chasing a PR, and it works just as well for half marathons or any distance where you are going after a personal best.

Our whole team used it for speed work and marathon training and agreed it belongs among the top race day shoes. The super minimal upper and thin gusseted tongue keep it light, while a wider platform than most race day shoes adds stability, and generous rubber coverage adds traction and durability so you can even get decent mileage out of it. At $250 it sits right in line with modern super shoes, and for the time and money invested in a marathon build-up, it can be worth it for the confidence alone.

Hoka Tecton X 2

The surprise trail pick is the Tecton X 2, Hoka’s trail racing shoe that works just as well for everyday trail running. The main upgrade this year is the upper: last year’s version was baggy and unstructured, while this one adds a gusseted tongue and a better fit, though the toe box runs slightly long.

It is very light for a trail shoe at under 9 ounces, with a ProFLY+ layer on top and a nitrogen-infused supercritical PEBA midsole underneath for a bouncy but controlled ride. An almost parallel carbon fiber plate acts like independent suspension for uneven trails, and a Vibram MegaGrip outsole completes a very solid package. It comes in at $225, more than last year’s version, but if you are looking for the near-perfect trail shoe, it is worth the money.

How to Choose the Right Hoka

Start with your main use. For one shoe that does everything, the Clifton 9 is the safe default. For maximum comfort and walking, the Bondi 8 wins. For a casual commuter, the Transport, and for one-shoe travel with occasional runs, the Transport X. For energetic daily training, pick between the Mach 5 and the pricier, punchier Mach X.

For racing, the Cielo Road covers fast 5K and 10K days without a plate, the Rocket X 2 is the full super shoe for marathon PR attempts, and the Tecton X 2 handles trail racing and trail runs. Budget matters too: several of these land at $140 to $165, while the two premium options sit at $225 to $250.

Conclusion

Hoka’s 2023 lineup covers nearly every runner and walker, from the do-everything Clifton 9 to the carbon-plated Rocket X 2 and the trail-ready Tecton X 2. Match the shoe to your actual mileage and goals, and there is almost certainly a Hoka here that fits.