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Altra Vs HOKA Running Shoes | Zero Drop vs Maximal

Last Updated on by Amanda Brooks
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While on the surface Altra and HOKA running shoes look extremely different, there are in fact some similarities that might drive you to enjoy both shoes. In fact, I run in both brands most weeks!

hoka vs altra

Neither is a superior brand.

Both offer great cushion and have a wider toebox than most brands, but they are indeed quite different in their approach to what your foot needs. For many runners, the fit of Altra and HOKA offer something they just having found in traditional shoe brands ASICS, New Balance, or Nike (especially if you have a wide foot!).

I first tested Altra after a few years on the market and I wasn’t so sure about them, but they have come a LONG way and you’ll find two pairs in my running shoe rotation now.

Meanwhile I loved the very first HOKA Clifton I tried and now you’ll find a slew of different models scattered around  my running gear closets. Yes…closets. I test too much stuff!

Let’s dive in to how to pick which of these running shoes is best for you.

The Main Differences Altra vs HOKA

Like most running shoe brands, they offer a variety of styles for different levels of cushion, support and trail or road. They differ in fit and philosophy.

Hoka One One first became popular with Ultrarunners and has since moved in the to main stream of running. I myself have run in a number of models and previously compared Hoka running shoe models.

I’ve also tested and written in depth about Altra Running Shoe models, if you want more details.

I break down the differences in more detail below, but here’s a quick overview:

Altra Running Shoes

  • Zero drop running shoe with cushion (no change from heel to toe)
  • Wider toebox than any traditional running shoe
  • Focused on improving key styles, rather than adding more styles
  • Has some clothing, but primary focus is running, trail and hiking shoes

HOKA One One Running Shoes

  • Maximal shoe – has the larger sole which provides stability and smooth ride (that’s called stack height)
  • Usually more cushioned than traditional models
  • Most are a low heel drop 6-8mm
  • Some state they run narrow, but compared to other brands like Nike I disagree
  • Does have some casual shoes, gym shoes and recovery sandals

Particularly if you are dealing with numb feet while running or frequently getting runner’s toe, you need to consider the toebox fit.

HOKA Vs Altra Running Shoe Models

Let’s look at their top models in each of the main categories. There’s no winner declared here because all are great shoes, it’s just about which one is best for your foot.

Did you notice I even said the brands in reverse order this time…seriously no favorites, I have run in both brands many different times over the years.

Stability Running Shoe

👉HOKA Arahi 8

Softer and more flexible than your usual stability shoe, the Hoka Arahi 8 maintains a solid sense of balance throughout the shoe while allowing for a smooth and comfortable ride.

It’s not the fastest shoe, but if you’re putting on the miles in training or heading out for a long run, this will be a great shoe to grab for.

Hoka Arahi 8 Overview

This shoe is great for easy and long training runs, especially with extra space in the toebox.

Even with an additional 3mm of foam from previous models this shoe felt light and had a little bounce to it— if you’re someone who needs a lot of support and prefers a more rigid shoe, this might not be the choice for you.

👉Altra Provision

I am NOT someone who runs in stability shoes and yet I have really enjoyed these. They absolutely do not over correct and they are much softer than many of the stability shoes I’ve tested in the past.

I’m guessing part of the reason I liked them was a nice amount of cushion (not overly plush) and they don’t have that tale tell hardness found in a lot of stability shoes.

Women’s shoe is 8.2 oz, so also lighter than some stability shoes and as with all of their shoes a zero drop.

I also like the design of the bottom of the shoe. It provides some good drip so I could take it out on some low tech trails or days where I’m hitting both pavement and trail.

Neutral Running Shoe

👉Hoka Mach 6

I know some are surprised not to see the Clifton here, but I really think the Mach is just a better shoe for so many.

When you’re ready to turn on the speed, the Mach is your HOKA of choice. It’s not a carbon plate shoe, instead it’s a super lightweight running shoe designed to spring off the ground and help you find that quick turnover.

Why it’s on the list though is it’s not just a speed shoe, it’s very much a great daily trainer.

 

hoka mach 6 review
Hoka Mach 6

👉Altra Escalante

As their go to every day shoe, this is one I’m often pointed to by Altra lovers as a favorite. The Altra Escalante is a popular running shoe that has gained a loyal following among runners due to its lightweight design, comfortable fit, and responsive cushioning.

It’s just 7.7 oz, which is much lighter than many shoes and it still has cushion. Definitely not as soft as the Torin or Paradigm, for me it’s slightly too firm. And yet, that is exactly what others love about the ability to feel more of the ground.

best altra shoes

The shoe’s zero-drop platform and wide toe box can help to improve posture and reduce strain on the feet, ankles, and knees. Additionally, the cushioning provided by the midsole foam can help to absorb shock and reduce fatigue, making it easier to stay focused and productive throughout the day.

I’m a fan of styles like Kinvara that are a minimal neutral shoe and there are very much in line with that.

  • Weight: 5 oz. Men’s, 6.9 oz. Women’s
  • Heel drop: Zero drop model
  • Available in 12 colors
  • Not available in wide
  • Also comes in a racer style that’s even more minimal
  • Available now from altrarunning.com for $130

Cushioned Running Shoe

👉Hoka Skyflow

I am super excited to be updating this article with the Skyflow to replace the Bondi. While it was a good shoe, it was so plush that I found some runners ended up with back pain because they simply sink in to the show and lose good form.

Hoka Skyflow Review

The Skyflow will not have that issue and you’ll be getting an even better quality foam! In fact, you’re getting the same supercritical foam that we see in top end shoes. That means cushion with a little bounce.

Due to the weight, this is definitely not a fast tempo run kind of shoe and yet with the same cushion as the Mach, it’s 100% a shoe that I could a lot of runners using on race day for the half or marathon. It just feels good underfoot and has enough room in the shoe for your foot to swell a bit on those long runs.

👉Altra Torin 8

Technically the Altra Paradigm designed with Kara Goucher is their max cushion shoe at 30mm stack height, but it’s also a stability model. And I wanted to make sure to give you another neutral shoe for long runs.

The 8 has a great padded tongue and heel collar. I can see why this is their most popular model. It absolutely has a great amount of cushion and overall just feels nice. If you’ve been thinking about dabbling with Zero Drop, I’d start here.

The cushion felt very similar to the Paradigm, maybe just slightly less.

Altra Torin 8

Trail Running Shoe

Both brands have some seriously popular trail shoes, we’re going with the top 2 sellers from each.

👉Hoka Speed Goat

The HOKA Speedgoat is a versatile trail running shoe that can handle any type of terrain. After asking for opinions on the best trail running shoe, this one came up so much that I decided I needed a pair.

The masses were right, I love it. I’ve now had multiple pairs.

The Speedgoat has all of the cushion that I have come to love from my Hoka Cliftons and has all the grip and varied lugs I need to maintain traction on the trails. . The Speedgoat also has a cushioned midsole that provides a smooth ride over rocks and other obstacles.

Hoka Speedgoat 6 Review

👉Altra Lone Peak

The Altra Lone Peak has an EGO midsole that gives you the right amount of cushioning for the trails while still letting you feel the ground. It’s one that many Boulder, CO runners really love.

The MaxTrac outsole provides plenty of grip and traction as you run over uneven and slippery terrain.

Plus, Altra’s signature features were designed specifically for trail running. The zero-drop cushioning improves ground feel when running over roots and rocks, and the FootShape toe box allows your toes to splay for better balance on uneven terrain.Lone Peak 9 ReviewIt’s a great pick for the trail with balanced cushioning, excellent grip on loose rock and mud, and a super comfortable fit for wide feet!

This is one of the few models they’ve made it up to version 9, which says a lot. It means runners are repeatedly asking for the shoe and love it (otherwise they stop making it!).

Somehow the shoe manages to be breathable and quick drying, while still having the structure you need for the trails and the sturdiness provided from the outsole and rock plate to keep your feet happy on more technical trails.

Carbon Fiber Plate Shoes

Are they cool new technology, yes. Do they last as long as your other shoes, nope.

So if you want to test these out use them for speed work and then race day!

👉Hoka Cielo X 1 2.0

We thought the first model was a fun ride, but the second model feels like they have dialed in lot of features to really make this a front of the pack shoe.

This is definitely a shoe that can take you sub 1:30:00 in the half marathon or under 3:00:00 for a marathon.

With explosive PEBA foam, an aggressive forefoot rocker, and a winged carbon-fiber plate, it’s designed to keep you rolling forward and feeling fast from start to finish.

Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 Review

👉Altra Vanish Carbon

Altra’s Vanish Carbon 2 is the latest addition to their line of performance running shoes and has already generated significant buzz among runners and industry experts alike.

They made 17 versions before actually releasing the original shoe!

The Vanish Carbon’s upper is made from a breathable mesh material, which provides ventilation and allows the foot to flex and move naturally. The shoe also incorporates Altra’s FootShape™ toe box, which allows for proper alignment and balance, reducing the risk of injuries.

The midsole is constructed from Altra’s Quantic™ foam, which provides a balance of cushioning and energy return for a comfortable and responsive ride. Additionally, the outsole features a durable rubber compound that provides excellent traction on a variety of surfaces.altra vanish carbon

Watch my detailed video on how Carbon Fiber Shoes work.

Which is Better Hoka or Altra Running Shoes?

There is no “better” option here. Just the shoe that is going to fit your foot the best and help you run without injury. Based on the general differences above you can see that HOKA is going to provide a bit more stability and options for more plush cushion.

While Altra can be great for really spreading out the toes, which gives you more ground feel and power in your push off.

Altra vs HOKA Feature Comparison

Altra and HOKA are newer to the market compared to many of the big running shoe brands. But that hasn’t stopped them from quickly gaining massive loyal followings!

The differences in these two lines is significant to me from fit, to feel, to function.

While both provide various levels of cushion and trail shoes, Hoka is going to offer more traditional versions of things like a stability or motion control shoe and does not currently offer a zero drop model.

The following breaks down each shoe based on the components buyers need to consider when purchasing a running shoe.

It’s gonna get a little TECHY…so you can just skip on down to the specific model comparison if you want, but personally if I’m shelling out $150 for shoes, I kinda want to know why.

Durability 

The lifespan of shoes from both companies is fairly comparable.

  • Altra shoes have a life expectancy ranging from 300 to 600 miles. I’ve heard many runners say they feel like they last longer.
  • HOKA is often reported to last longer. I don’t know if this is more trail runners and thus less hard surfaces which extends the life of the shoe or simply their maximal design.

Determining when to replace running shoes, of course, all depends on your gait, weight, and whether you run mostly on trail or road.

Fit

Altra stands apart when it comes to fit.

  • Larger toebox for a shoe more shaped like your foot.
  • Zero drop shoe means a smaller heel.
  • A lot of focus on how gender changes fit.
  • Some have noted they feel the size runs small in length, but that is not what I’ve found.

I’ve seen others who have tried to write a similar comparison, but NEVER run in HOKA’s say they are a narrow shoe. This is not accurate. If you’ve run in a ton of brands, as I have, you know that Saucony and Nike are narrow. Hoka is very middle of the road and many wide foot runners have said they really like them.

Now in comparison to Altra which is designed to be foot shaped, they could be considered wider because the toe box provides more room. That’s of of the biggest Altra vs Hoka fit differences.

altra running toe box

HOKA shoes run true to size from my testing. Some models are definitely a little more narrow than others, as with most brands. In fact, they have been working on increasing the toebox in newer models and I would say it’s more comfortable for a wider foot and with more toe room than most On shoes.

They also have a shoe finder quiz to help you get in to the right model.

Cushioning

Altra focuses on a technology of Balanced Cushioning with Quantic. Thus providing that even level of cushion from the heel to toe of the shoe and keeping the zero drop.

HOKA likes to say they provide marshmallow softness. More technically PROFLY.

I’m going to admit that I was really skeptical of HOKA at the start because I assumed all that cushion would make it heavy. It turned out I was wrong and instead have been running in them since of their very first shoes.

  • They have 3 levels of cushion, which is important because plush isn’t what you want on all runs
  • Cushion that provides both a good landing and plenty of stability for push off

Stability

HOKA was designed entirely with stability in mind.

It was a core foundation of their shoes because it allows runners to move quicker with less risk of injury. This is why they created a wide stable platform.

In fact, they call their heel system the “bucket seat”, like the seat of a race car. It cushions the heel and foot without posts or guide rails — this means the midsole remains more cushioned.

Both brands have two different categories: Neutral and Support. From testing I feel that these two brands don’t overdo the support as many shoes used to. Instead, they are really focused on ensuring the shoe provides a little guidance, but doesn’t overcorrect or lead to any muscle weakness.

Whether that’s a little bit more support in the arch or through the midline of the foot it helps hips, knees, and joints to move naturally, offering support when needed. Neutral runners may only require them to kick in when their stride is off.

Read more on different types of running shoes to understand if you need stability >>

Affordability

The prices between the two brands are fairly comparable. Though Altra having a smaller line up means they will have less options on the lower end of the scale. HOKA’s can be found from $120 to $180, while Altra’s average $120-$180.

Carbon fiber shoes and often trail shoes with extra waterproofing will go beyond those rates.

You’ll notice that every brand offers a range and this is indeed due to a difference in technology and where they sell the shoe. A big box store can sell a running shoe with less technology, while the local running store needs to be best for dedicated runners.

More About Altra

ALTER + ULTRArunning = Altra.

The name came to be from a crazy path of a young marathon runner named Golden. He started altering regular shoes to create a zero drop with cushion…it slowly became a bit of a black market thing.

People would literally buy a shoe from the running store owned by his family and then ask him to rip it up and remake it as  zero drop footwear!

Suddenly, he realized they were doing this for nearly a 1,000 people. Maybe making a shoe would just be easier.

Thus, in 2009 the brand was born.

altra history

More about HOKA ONE ONE

Let’s start with how do you pronounce Hoka One One? “Ho-Kah O-nay O-nay” which is a Māori phrase that means “to fly over the earth.”

But they’re kind of like Madonna and just need one name: Hoka.

Founded by two mountain trail runners in the Swiss Alps, Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, former Salomon employees, had an epiphany during their training that lead to the foundation of a new shoe and new company in 2009.

This makes them a mere baby in the world of running shoes, as many of the brands from Brooks to ASICS have been around 100+ years now. Pictured here is their first prototype.Hoka Prototype | Hoka Vs ASICS

At first they simply wanted a shoe that would allow them to run downhill faster and thus win!

Quickly they realized there was something more here with a smooth, super light, cushioned and stable shoe. Their maximal design took many of by surprise in a time where Zero Drop running shoes and Barefoot running were the in thing.

In 202o, the company was purchased by Deckers (owners of UGG and Teva). Hopefully that just means more marketing to keep the shoes going and not a change to what their doing right.

How to Choose Hoka or Altra?

Hoka and Altra are two loved running shoe brands, that happen to be very different. So it’s important to focus on what feels good for you, not just what your friends are recommending.

Your gait and feet will change over time and you may need to change shoes.

This is also why I recommend rotating through several pairs of shoes at once.

Keep in mind that shoe design can change, even with the same model, so always assess how the shoe fits every time you replace a pair. And remember to take advantage of great return policies like those at Road Runner Sports (test things out!!)

For more help selecting the right shoe for you, don’t worry, I’ve got you:

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Category: Altra, Cushioned Running Shoes, Hoka, Running Shoe Comparisons, Running Shoe Reviews
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Author

Amanda Brooks
I am a running coach with over a decade of experience helping thousands of runners to achieve their goals from running injury free to crossing that marathon finish line with a PR. I’ve run over 28,000 miles in my own running journey since 2002. Run To The Finish is my place to share that love and my deep dive in to researching all things running. I hold multiple run coaching certifications, as well as a personal training certification. But it’s my ongoing desire to learn and progress as a coach that has allowed me to help runners from their 20’s through their 70’s! More ways to connect with me:

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