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From Clifton 9s to the gait-changing Bondi, support awaits you.
By Christine FlammiaIf you've never dipped your toes into a cushy pair of Hoka sneakers, if your new life still awaits you, allow us to help guide you through the experience. Some people love the intense, high cushioning right away, while others like me feel absolutely ridiculous. But Hoka sneakers are made for walking in a way that other sneakers just aren't. A number of the more dramatic silhouettes have the brand's signature MetaRocker, the underfoot design meant to rock your foot forward in its stride—a shoe experience you may not have had before. And it's exactly this shape that takes the pressure off your joints and makes walking all the easier.
Here, we've rounded up eight of the best Hokas that outperform the rest when it comes to walking. The big differences often come down to your anatomy and your preferences. Some people are diehard fans of the uber-cushioned Cliftons and Bondis, while other people find the height of that cushion a bit too much for walking comfortably. While others are more specifically designed for something like running or hiking, but all that tech is not lost on your regular walking sneaker. Hokas also tend to be foot-inclusive, with a range of size options and regular, wide, and extra wide width options.
Best Lower Profile Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Solimar
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Whether you're getting your first pair or just really need something that's gentler on the old body than a beat-up pair of Converse, there's a pair or two here for you.
Best Overall Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Clifton 9
Best Overall Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Clifton 9
Pros
- Comes in regular and wide sizing
- Waterproof option
Cons
- Not great for flat feet
Hoka's Clifton 9 is the best overall walking shoe if you don't have any particular anatomical demands or hard opinions. The new iteration is lighter in weight than in the past, but they still have the balanced cushioning throughout and a neutral stability. They are pretty high as far as Hokas go with a 3mm stack height (how much cushioning there is between your foot and the ground), so they can feel unstable if you're used to being in something more low-profile.
| Men's sizes | 7-16 |
|---|---|
| Colors | 20+ seasonal and core shade options |
| Stack height | 3mm |
| Heel drop | 5mm |
Best Recovery Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Bondi 8
Best Recovery Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Bondi 8
Pros
- A ton of rotating color options
- Regular, wide, and X-wide sizing
Cons
- The look isn't for everyone
One of my friends has seriously flat feet (her words) and has been struggling with plantar fasciitis as of late. Her PT told her to burn her AF1s and opt for the Bondis to help relieve some of her foot pain and get her back to a more comfortable stride.
Bondis are a PT favorite for a reason: They have a balanced cushion and a "crash pad" at the back of the heel, which takes the brunt of the pressure from a heel strike away from feeling it in your own foot. Plus, Bondis come in the most amount of colors and with options for regular, wide, and X-wide fits.
| Men's Sizes | 7-16 |
|---|---|
| Colors | 20+ seasonal and core shade options |
| Stack height | 3mm |
| Heel drop | 4mm |
Best Everyday Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Transport X
Best Everyday Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Transport X
Pros
- Huge size range
- More sleek than chunky look
Cons
- One of the pricier options
- Not as many color options as other models
Now, for a Hoka that is not quite as a high and is more of something you can wear day in and day out, it's the Transport X. It's a little more low-profile than some of the other options but still gives a smooth rocking feel when you step. It's a crossover design, meaning it can work well on runs and at the gym, too. However, compared to some of the highly cushioned shoes, it can feel a little stiff, especially around the tongue.
| Men's Sizes | 4-14 |
|---|---|
| Colors | Vanilla, white, black, black/white, blue/shadow |
| Heel drop | 5mm |
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Most Stylish Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Clifton L
Most Stylish Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Clifton L
Pros
- Reflective stripes
- Most fun look
Cons
- Minimal color options
- Hard to clean
If you're not trying to sacrifice getting a good fit off for the sake of foot health, opt for the Hoka Clifton L. It has the same shape and support of a standard Clifton, but is done up in a cool mesh and leather upper. The all white color is the easiest to wear for just about any form of walking.
| Men's Sizes | 8-12 |
|---|---|
| Colors | White |
| Heel drop | 4mm |
Best Wide Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Gaviota 5
Best Wide Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Gaviota 5
Pros
- Cushioned collar
- Great for wide feet
Cons
- Too-big toe box for some
If you have wider feet, bunions, or anything else that might make your feet feel suffocated by a narrow sneaker, the Gaviota is the best option. It has the extremely cushioned feel under foot, similar to the Bondi and Clifton, and is built with an even softer plush collar. It has a wide toe box (which is certainly too wide for some), giving your aching feet plenty of room. The shape is also particularly good at preventing overpronation.
| Men's Sizes | 7-15 |
|---|---|
| Colors | 5 core color options, and 4 seasonal colors |
| Heel drop | 6mm |
Best Lower Profile Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Solimar
Best Lower Profile Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Solimar
Pros
- More reasonably priced
- Low-profile design better for some
Cons
- Not a ton of neutral color options
If the big cushioning is not for you—or if you want another option that feels more stable to run in—the Somilar is a good option. It's stretchy, streamlined, and just as good for walking as it is for a quick run. It has a high-abrasion rubber outsole, which is particularly good if you're walking on a lot on rough ground. It's also one of the cheaper Hokas, though there are also fewer colorways.
| Men's sizes | 7-14 |
|---|---|
| Colors | Black, white/black, blue, grey |
| Heel drop | 6mm |
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Most Stable Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Arahi 7
Most Stable Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Arahi 7
Pros
- Great stability
- Smart ventilation
Cons
- Less responsive
The biggest complaint about the Bondi or Clifton shapes is also why people love them: That extremely high cushioning, while comfortably cloud-like, can also feel a bit unstable because your feet are so elevated. The Arahi is a great option if you want that signature Hoka cushion but taken down a notch. These are designed with a specific midsole frame to enhance gait stability while you're running or walking.
| Men's sizes | 7-15 |
|---|---|
| Colors | Oat milk, navy/ white, white |
| Heel drop | 5 mm |
Best Waterproof Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX
Best Waterproof Hoka Shoes for Walking
Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX
Pros
- Waterproof
- Low- and mid-top options
Cons
- Clunkier than others
Hoka's Kaha 2 Low is designed for hiking with an abrasion-resistant toecap, lugged sole, and rubber gripping. Still, it has a plush feel when you step, thanks to the underfoot cushion. These are designed with GORE-TEX, so they are completely waterproof. That's also what makes them such a good walking shoe, whether that's on the trail or off of it. They come in this low-top and a mid-top height, and they're unisex so there are a ton of smaller size options, too.
| Men's sizes | 3.15-14 |
|---|---|
| Colors | Green, navy/sand, gray, mauve, eggnog, cork, dune |
| Heel drop | 6mm |
