After many years of running in the Clifton, I started to branch out in to other Hoka models, which lead me to of course HOKA trail running shoes. I love that this job means a group of us get to test shoes and help you know what’s going to work!
Much like when I first tested the original HOKA ONE ONE Clifton, I was nervous about the stack height and weight.
And like it has every time, the shoes surprised me by being lightweight. I also found the stack height simply reminded me to better pick up my feet, so I was less likely to trip and stumble on the trail than in other shoes!
Colorado living has provided many incredible opportunities to run on everything from crushed gravels paths to some gnarly technical trails in the mountains. Here I’m going to breakdown the different Hoka trail shoes and how they compare to each other so that you can find what will work best for you.
You can also see my full Hoka Clifton Vs Bondi review here >>
Or if you’re looking for road running, my Top 10 HOKA Running Shoes >>
Now let’s get to it!
Hoka Trail Running Shoes
Maximal running shoes vs minimalist shoes is a whole topic that required a specific post, so read that to figure out if it’s right for you.
Here we’re exploring some of the different models of Hoka trail running shoes. What are the best HOKA running shoes? That’s going to depend on your preferences, so let’s compare to help you decide.
A quick description of the key Hoka shoes:
- Hoka Speedgoat (neutral trail)
- Hoka Challenger ATR (trail shoe for groomed trails or hiking)
- Hoka Mafate Speed
- Hoka Tekton X
- Hoka Stinson
Following are a few things that I would say across each shoe, so saving time here by saying it once.
Stability
While I DO NOT recommend stability shoes for most runners, the Hoka is designed to provide some base level stability thanks to the wider platform of the midsole. This is a great way to get the benefits without changing your stride or hiding the fact that you have weak muscles.
Maximal Shoe
Stack height is how we refer to the size of the outsole (or stack height) and what is therefore defined as a maximal shoe of 30mm to 50mm.
I did separate detailed post comparing maximal and minimal, but for now here is what HOKA has to say about their shoes:
“maximum cushioning material is designed for excellent shock absorption and an inherently stable ride.”
As a reminder, this is not the same as heel-to-drop of a running shoe. HOKA can have a low drop, while still being a maximal shoe, which is becoming a trending theme across many brands.
Extended Heel
You may notice that many of the HOKA’s have an exaggerated heel of the soles…some really big and some just barely noticeable. Having tested out some of the biggest and some on the more normal side, I can say that I don’t LOVE the really big heels.
But they do have a purpose.
Through testing they found that extension helped with getting the foot to roll forward more quickly. It reduces issues from heel striking and speeds up the movement of the foot. Often known as a meta-rocker.
Best Hoka Trail Running Shoes
It’s no surprise to many that I love running in HOKA. I’ve used a variety of them in my shoe rotation since the very first Clifton was released. So of course I’ve tested them out on the trails too!
Here’s a run down of their top models and what sets them apart.
Cushioned Trail Shoe Hoka Speed Goat 7
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 Speedgoat is often on many of our best of lists because it’s such a great shoe.
This shoe is best for trail runners who are looking for moderate cushion, plenty of protection and grip to cover a variety of terrain and distances. Great trail race day option as well.
It’s not a stability shoe. Instead, the heel base seems wider and they’ve refined the heel collar to hold you better in place. Each time my foot rolled through a rocky section I could tell there was less dipping of my heel than in the 6. It was a glorious feeling and I already know my ankles are going to be much happier. I’d say anyone with Achilles issues will also appreciate it.
The new foam is a little softer, it feels like there’s a bit more in the forefoot which is really comfortable. The shoe remains light, able to pick up the pace, but with even more energy return from this superior foam. It’s not bouncy like a super foam, it’s not crazy plush, it’s just a really perfect amount of foam for a trail shoe!
- Weight: 8.3 oz women’s, 9.7 oz men’s
- Stack Height: 38mm women’s, 40m men’s
- Heel Drop: 5mm
- Available in GTX
- Available in 3 colors to start
- Available in wide in some colors
- Available at: Hoka.com for $165
- Read our review of the Hoka Speedgoat 7 here >>
Most Trail Traction – Hoka Mafate 5
Hoka has dropped the Speed from the name, increased the heel-to-toe drop from 4 mm to 8 mm, and increased the stack height from 33 mm to 45 mm for starters for the Mafate 5.
The Mafate 5 has a curved TPU plate that helps maintain the rocker shape through all the miles known as Hoka’s Rocker Integrity Technology. We were surprised that you really can’t even notice the plate as you’re running. The ride just feels stable and not stiff like in other plated shoes. 
Without being a wide toebox shoe the Mafate 5 feels wider than other Hoka models with lots of room for your toes.
This shoe is perfect for runners who enjoy exploring new trails and challenging themselves on tough terrain. It’s going to be great for long, steady easy runs or if you want to pick up the pace.
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- Weight: 8.1 oz Women’s, 11.7 oz Men’s
- Heel drop: 8 mm
- Available in 12 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available from Hoka.com for $185
- Check out our full review of the Hoka Mafate 5 here >>
Best Road to Trail Shoe – Hoka Challenger 8
The HOKA Challenger is a popular all-terrain running shoe that is designed for both road and trail running. It has a cushioned midsole that provides a comfortable and stable ride, and a Vibram outsole that delivers excellent traction on a variety of surfaces.
I was pretty excited to test this one out as well.
This shoe is ideal for runners who like to switch between road and trail running and need a versatile shoe that can handle both types of terrain. The Challenger is perfect for those who like to run at a moderate pace and need a shoe that is comfortable and supportive.
The shoe offers plenty of cushioning and support, making it great for those looking for a comfortable ride when hitting those local trails, crushed gravel paths or dirt roads.
The breathable upper helps keep your feet cool and dry, and the outsole provides excellent traction on a variety of surfaces. I also like the extended heel, less issues with my foot slipping out.
- Weight: 8.7 oz Women’s, 9.7 oz Men’s
- Heel drop: 8mm
- 5 colors available
- Available in wide for some colorways
- Check it out on Hoka.com for $155(including low and waterproof GTX)
Trail Shoe For Speed – HOKA Torrent
The Torrent is a versatile, lightweight trail running shoe that provides a cushioned and responsive ride on a variety of terrain types. This shoe is best for runners who like to tackle challenging trails, wants to think about speed and who need a shoe that can handle a variety of conditions.
This shoe reminds me more of a Merrell trail shoe that I’ve had for ages and love. It’s a quick shoe, that provides plenty of underfoot protection and just enough cushion in the midsole to provide a smooth ride over rocks and other obstacles.
The Torrent features a aggressive outsole with multi-directional lugs that provide traction and grip on a variety of surfaces. The foam midsole provides a cushioned and responsive ride, while the breathable mesh upper is durable and flexible.
The Meta–Rocker design helps to create a smooth transition from heel to toe, making it a great choice for long–distance runs.
The Torrent is a great choice for runners who want a trail shoe that can handle anything they throw at it. With the stripped down cushioning, it’s a shoe that’s going to allow you to feel more of the ground, which many runners love for better proprioception.
- Weight: 7.5 oz Women’s, 8.7 oz Men’s
- Heel drop: 5mm
- Available in 5 colors
- Not available in wide
- Check it out from Hoka.com for $130
Ultra Shoe- Hoka Mafate X
We asked a few of HOKA’s long-distance athletes what they reach for after a tough effort or on big mileage days, and the answer was unanimous: the Mafate X. It’s their go-to for recovery trail runs or ultra-distance adventures when keeping the legs happy matters more than speed.
It feels like traction. It feels like stability and the ability to go long distances with a little less fatigue in the legs. But it’s not a snappy speed shoe, it’s a long run shoe.
The Mafate X is a highly cushioned trail shoe with a carbon plate to create stability and reduce energy loss. It’s a shoe that’s going to feel good with great traction for long miles.
- Weight: 10.3 oz women’s, 12.1 oz men’s
- Heel toe drop: 8mm
- Available in two colors
- Not available in Wide
- Available at Hoka.com $225
- Read our full review of the Hoka Mafate X here >>
Carbon Plated Trail Shoe – Hoka Tecton X4
The HOKA Tecton X4 is a lightweight trail running shoe that is designed for speed. That’s right, carbon fiber comes to the trail world!
Can I just say, that again I was like who needs a carbon plate on the trails? But then well…I enjoyed the shoe and a bunch of much faster testers have said they like the extra stiffness for speed and stability.
They are using parallel carbon fiber plates, to provide an opening down the middle of the foot that’s going to ensure you can still manuver over rocks, stumps and other obstacles. Thus it’s less rigid than a road carbon fiber shoe…does this take away from the spring, I’m not sure!
This shoe is best for trail runners who are looking for moderate cushion, some speed, great grip to cover a variety of terrain and distances. It’s obviously a great race day option, but equally fun at a variety of paces.
- Weight: 7.9 oz Women’s, 10.0 oz Men’s
- Heel drop: 5mm
- 1 color available
- Not available in wide
- Available from Hoka.com for $275
- Read our full review of the Hoka Tecton X4 >>
Stability Trail Shoe – Hoka Stinson
The HOKA Stinson is a cushioned trail running shoe that is designed for comfort and stability. If you like the feel of a HOKA Bondi, this may be your trail shoe of preference.
It’s their most cushioned option, while still having that Vibram outsole for great traction even with the high stack height.
It’s also the highest stack height of all HOKA shoes, which means more stability without being an actual stability shoe. But also a bigger reminder to pick those feet up on the trails!!
This shoe is perfect for runners who enjoy exploring new trails and need a shoe that’s comfortable for the miles. The Stinson is ideal for those who like to run at a moderate pace and need a shoe that is stable and supportive
- Weight: 11.7 oz Men’s, 9.8 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 5 mm
- 9 colors available
- Not available in wide
- Available from hoka.com for $175
Replacement
The standard saying is replace your shoes every 500 miles and these shoes are the same. The durability has been really great, as noted I have been through a number of pairs and never had one that I felt needed to be tossed early due to anything coming apart or feeling worn out.
Whatever you have found to be your sweet spot in the past will be roughly the same here. I.e. larger runners, big men, etc often find they need to replace shoes quicker due to breakdown, others find that more treadmill runs means maybe their shoes are good for 800 miles.
HOKA ONE ONE offers a range of high-performance trail running shoes for different types of runners. It’s a favorite among many ultramarathon runners and that tells me a lot about comfort!
Whether you are looking for a versatile shoe that can handle any type of terrain, a lightweight shoe that is designed for speed, or a cushioned shoe that is designed for comfort and stability, HOKA ONE ONE has a shoe that is perfect for you.
Wondering how HOKA stacks up against other traditional running shoes?
Checkout these match ups:
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