When podiatrists suggest footwear, there’s one model that pops up time and again: Hoka. “They provide each cushion and help, the place loads of footwear solely supply one or the opposite,” Samantha Sklar, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist at Foot First Podiatry Facilities in Illinois, tells SELF. Which means you not solely get loads of shock absorption, but in addition a stable quantity of construction underneath your toes to strategically distribute your weight, explains Dr. Sklar—who admits her personal closet is filled with Hoka footwear. (“They acquired me,” she says.)
Dr. Sklar provides that Hokas are additionally designed with anatomically-friendly large toe bins, so that you don’t should smush your toes inside them. And in case you’re fighting foot ache or an harm, the rocker backside design can helpfully offload some stress as you stroll.
However which Hoka footwear are really the perfect? We requested consultants like Dr. Sklar to share their prime picks for strolling, working, mountaineering, and extra, and even examined out a few of their recs ourselves—store our favorites beneath.
Our prime picks
- Finest General: Clifton 9
- Finest for Strolling: Mach 6
- Finest On a regular basis Shoe: Mafate Velocity 4
- Finest for Lengthy-Distance Runs: Bondi 8
- Finest for Overpronation: Gaviota 5
- Finest Sandals: Ora Restoration Slide 3
- Finest for Plantar Fasciitis: Transport
- Finest for Racing: Rocket X 2
- Finest for Mountain climbing: Kaha 2 GTX
- Finest for Path Working: Speedgoat 6
- Finest Each day Coach: Solimar
Steadily requested questions on Hoka footwear
What’s so particular about Hokas?
Hoka was one of many first manufacturers to popularize max-cushioned sneakers. However Dr. Sklar factors out that their footwear supply greater than padding: “Everybody thinks [it] sounds nice to only put your toes on reminiscence foam. However in actuality, if you’re standing in your toes all day, there must be construction beneath to carry up your arch in order that your weight might be distributed throughout your toes as an alternative of on very tender stress factors,” she says—and Hokas ship, massive time.
Do podiatrists suggest Hokas?
Many podiatrists suggest Hokas, because of their stable stability of help and cushioning, large toe bins, and rocker bottoms. “It’s a simple, tried-and-true advice,” Megan Ishibashi, DPM, a podiatrist with Sutter Well being in California, tells SELF.
Are Hokas truly good on your toes?
Sure! Many Hoka fashions have been awarded the seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation (APMA), which acknowledges merchandise that promote good foot well being. Numerous consultants (together with those we spoke with) stand by them.
Store the perfect Hoka footwear
Whether or not you’re shopping for your first pair of Hokas or your tenth, atone for all the pieces that you must know concerning the model’s hottest sneakers beneath.
Finest General: Clifton 9
Professionals
- Comfortable help
- Light-weight
- Vegan
- Made with recycled supplies
Cons
- Can put on out faster than different fashions, per Dr. Sklar
- Won’t have sufficient cushion for working lengthy distances
The Clifton is Dr. Sklar’s go-to advice for anybody who wants an excellent working shoe, strolling shoe, or one thing to face in all day lengthy at work. “We at all times begin with the Clifton as a result of it is only a typically good shoe for most individuals,” she says.
Dr. Ishibashi tells SELF that the Clifton is a superb instance of Hoka’s just-right mixture of cushioning and help, plus that pain-relieving rocker backside design. It’s additionally much less cumbersome than different well-known Hoka pairs (just like the Bondi), she provides: ”It’s a bit of bit lighter.” She’s not stunned that the Clifton is a well-liked choose amongst nurses, whose toes can take a beating throughout lengthy shifts.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Supplies: Knit higher, EVA foam midsole, rubber outsole | Widths: Common, large | Weight: 7.3 oz
Finest for Strolling: Mach 6
Professionals
- Springy experience, in line with Hoka reviewers
- Light-weight
- Vegan
Cons
Dr. Sklar says the Mach 6 is a superb various to the Clifton in case you’re out there for a strolling shoe. Designed for every day runs, this sneak offers you a little bit of a pep in your step, with foam that feels extra bouncy than squishy. (Assume: strolling on a trampoline, fairly than a pillow.) For these making a exercise of their every day walks, this will imply you may end up striding a bit of sooner or pacing longer earlier than your toes begin to get drained.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Supplies: Creel jacquard higher, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Widths: Common, large | Weight: 6.7 oz
Finest On a regular basis Shoe: Mafate Velocity 4
Professionals
- Sturdy
- Grippy sole
- Made with recycled supplies
Cons
- Not obtainable in large widths
Though the Mafate Velocity is technically a path working shoe, Dr. Sklar was carrying it once we spoke to her on a busy workday between surgical procedures. Even with lugs on the bottoms designed for the outside, she finds them to be an excellent all-around shoe. “I can stand in all of them day lengthy. I can stroll throughout Europe in them. I can run miles. I stroll my canine in them,” she says. “I put on them for all the pieces.”
Bonus: When you like designs on the louder facet, the Mafate’s enjoyable aesthetic may be proper up your alley. Out of all her Hoka footwear, Dr. Sklar says, “These are my cutest ones.”
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Supplies: Jacquard mesh higher, foam midsole, Vibram rubber outsole | Widths: Common | Weight: 8.5 oz
Finest for Lengthy-Distance Runs: Bondi 8
Professionals
- Main quantities of sentimental cushioning
- Awarded the APMA seal of acceptance
- Vegan
- Made with recycled supplies
Cons
- Excessive stack top can really feel too clunky for some individuals, per Dr. Sklar
With over 40 millimeters of cushioning underneath the heel, the Bondi 8 is named the Hoka of all Hokas.“Folks love the Bondis as a result of they’re actually, actually cushioned,” Dr. Ishibashi says, including additionally they have nice help. All that light-weight foam underfoot might help maintain your arches from performing up when your mileage begins to climb on long-distance runs. Even higher, this shoe earned a seal of acceptance from the APMA, which implies prime podiatrists agree that it encourages good foot well being.