The 8 Best Hoka Trail Running Shoes, According to Pro Ultramarathon Athletes

Fun fact: Hoka—the brand behind what is arguably the internet’s favorite walking shoe—was born on the trails of the French Alps. So it’s no surprise that Hoka makes some of the best trail running shoes around and has a stellar reputation among elite ultramarathon runners. With their lightweight design and grippy outsoles, they’re an athlete’s dream and can conquer even the toughest, most technical trails, mile after mile.

Recently, I had a chance to chat with a handful of Hoka-sponsored athletes running the legendary 106-mile HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc, as well as the affiliated 101-kilometer and 57-kilometer races in Chamonix, France, right near the brand’s birthplace. I asked each about their favorite trail shoes for both races and recovery days. Find the Hoka kicks that literally keep the pros on their feet below.

The best Hoka trail running shoes, at a glance

Best for race day:Hoka Tecton X 3, $275Most comfortable:Hoka Speedgoat 6, $155Most budget-friendly:Hoka Torrent 4, $130Lightest trail shoes:Hoka Zinal 2, $160Best traction:Hoka Mafate Speed 4, $185Best all-terrain shoe: Hoka Challenger 7, $145Most joint-friendly:Hoka Skyward X, $225Best for pushing the pace:Hoka Mach X 2, $190

Why look to Hoka for trail-friendly sneakers?

“The initial concept of Hoka was essentially to figure out how to run down a mountain as fast as possible with the least amount of impact,” says Colin Ingram, vice president of global product at Hoka. Along with super-grippy traction, the answer involved a ton of cushion, and when the brand debuted in 2009, it set off a then-revolutionary maximalist trend that inspired hordes of imitators throughout the footwear industry. Turns out, lots of people enjoy having stacks of comfy foam below their feet, not just trail runners.

And, no, you don’t need to run an ultramarathon through the Swiss alps to take up trail running. “Trail can mean the bike path next to your house. It can be getting lost in the woods. It can be running up a mountain,” Ingram says. “That’s the beauty of trail running—there always is something new to explore. And if a pair of shoes can create one less barrier to get you out there, then we’ve done the right thing.”

Shop the best Hoka trail running shoes, per pro athletes

Best for race day: Hoka Tecton X 3 — $275.00

Sizes: 5–11 (W); 7–14 (M) | Colors: 2 | Features: Double carbon plate, gaiter-like ankle collar

Every one of the Hoka athletes I spoke to was a fan of the new Tecton X 3, and most wore them for race day. “You can take them out of the box and start to run—forget about blisters or discomfort,” says Swiss runner Judith Wyder, who ended up taking second place in the UTMB OCC (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc Orsières-Champex-Chamonix). “It gives me an extra boost of speed, but still has enough cushion for long distances.” 

The secret sauce in these shoes is the double parallel carbon plates under either side of the foot, which can individually respond to a rock or root you step on without throwing off your entire gait. “They rebound well; I feel like I am bounding uphill when I run in them,” adds runner Emily Schmitz from Wisconsin. At the same time, the traction on the outsole keeps your feet secure even on slippery rock faces, and the gaiter-like cuff around the ankle keeps rocks and dirt out. Before taking fifth place while wearing the Tecton in the CCC, Athlete Heather Jackson, originally from New Hampshire, told me, “They are a perfect combo of being able to trust my footing over everything and have that comfort all day long running longer distances.”

Pros: 

• Grippy tread
• Ample cushion for long distances
• Bouncy ride
• Cuff sleeve keeps out debris

Cons: 

• Expensive
• Cuff can take some getting used to

Most comfortable: Hoka Speedgoat 6 — $155.00

Sizes: 5–12 (W); 7–15 (M) | Colors: 6 | Features: Grippy outsole, Goretex upper

The soft Speedgoat is adored among ultra runners—it’s something many will switch into on the second half of a long race when their tired feet are screaming. (Wyder even compares it to a sofa.) However, Ingram also recommends this model to new trail runners because it’s an exceptionally versatile shoe that performs well across a variety of terrain.

Adam Peterman, who took third place in the 101-kilometer UTMB CCC (Courmayeur – Champex – Chamonix), says he personally loves it on rocky technical trails. Which isn’t surprising: Hoka claims the placement of the super grippy 5mm lugs was inspired by the hooves of mountain goats, after all. But thanks to the Speedgoat’s ample cushion and a rocker bottom that propels each step forward, it’s also just really dang comfortable. “It’s my go-to all-around shoe for training days,” Peterman says. 

Pros: 

• Great cushioning
• Aggressive traction
• Rocker bottom
• Secure fit
• Waterproof upper

Cons: 

• Runs slightly narrow

Most budget-friendly: Hoka Torrent 4 — $130.00

Sizes: 5–11 (W); 7–15 (M) | Colors: 2 | Features: 5mm lugs made with high-abrasion rubber

Whenever Californian athlete Helen Mino Faukner is headed out to run on flowy single track that isn’t very technical, she’ll reach for her Torrents. “They have a little bit less stack height compared to some of the other Hokas and less cushion so I don’t feel every rock I step on, but I get more ground feel,” she says. Although it’s still far from a barefoot-style shoe, her feet stay more connected to the terrain than in sneaks with more foam in the midsole. 

Pros: 

• Balanced cushion
• Grippy outsole
• Budget-friendly

Cons: 

• On the heavier side

Lightest trail shoes: Hoka Zinal 2 — $160.00

Sizes: 5–11 (W); 7–14 (M) | Colors: 2 | Features: Gaiter-like collar around the ankle

Hungarian runner Eszter Csillag loves to lace up the quick Zinals for spicier runs. “They’re light and responsive,” she says, noting that they clock in at just 6.7 ounces, and have an impressively snappy ride. Mino Faukner also loves these for super technical trail runs, particularly since the short collar around the ankle is helpful for keeping out debris. “And the shoes are really grippy and do well in snow, which I like,” she says. Because they’re a little less cushioned, Mino Faukner says she saves them for “shorter” runs—by which she means anything less than 20 miles. 

Pros: 

• Lightweight
• Snappy
• Keep debris out

Cons: 

• Less cushioning than other Hokas

Best traction: Mafate Speed 4 — $185.00

Sizes: 5–11 (W), 7–14 (M) | Colors: 9 | Features: Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs

Peterman says he loves the Mafates for training in Montana winters. “It has really good traction, even in the snow,” he says. With less foam, you’re closer to the ground and get a firm ride. Csillag adds that although they can sometimes feel a little hard underfoot, the excellent grip convinces her to pull them out on any runs where she wants to be super sure of her footing.

Pros: 

• Exceptionally grippy
• Firm feel underfoot
• Breathable upper
• Made with recycled materials

Cons: 

• Not a ton of cushion

Best all-terrain shoe: Hoka Challenger 7 — $145.00

Sizes: 5–12 (W); 7–15 (M) | Colors: 7 | Features: Waterproof Goretex upper 

When Peterman’s run takes him on wintry roads, he reaches for the Challenger. It reminds him of the light, cushioned Hoka Cliftonthat’s a longtime favorite of many road runners. “It’s like the Clifton on top of a trail tread pattern,” he says. Despite plenty of foam to cradle each landing, this shoe clocks in at just 7.7 ounces. The best part: The Challenger is designed to be versatile enough to run on both roads and trails, with a specialized lug pattern on the outsole to handle a variety of terrain. 

Pros: 

• Handles both roads and trails
• Available in a waterproof upper
• Ample cushion

Cons: 

• Not grippy enough for intense mountain runs

Most joint-friendly: Hoka Skyward X — $225.00

Sizes: 5–12 (W); 7–15 (M) | Colors: 3 | Features: Carbon plate

If a trail is smooth and buffed out enough, Peterman loves to do an easy run in the super plush Skyward X, which features a bouncy carbon plate. The one slight downside is all that cushioning makes for a lot of shoe under the feet. “Its huge stack height,” Peterman says. “It gets you way up there.” Some runners can end up not feeling connected enough to the ground on tricky terrain, but Peterman says for some chill miles, it can’t be beat. 

Pros: 

• Bouncy carbon plate
• Super plush
• Secure fit
• Vegan materials

Cons: 

• High stack height can make you feel too far from the ground
• Heavier
• Not designed for technical trails

Best for pushing the pace: Hoka Mach X 2 — $190.00

Sizes: 5–11 (W); 7–14 (M) | Colors: 2 | Features: Pebax plate

Csillag trains mainly on gravel trails at home, so she reaches for the Mach X when she wants to push the pace, even though it’s not technically a trail shoe. “It has really good feedback from the ground, especially for faster workouts,” she says. “I do a lot of flat, speed threshold training where it helps to not have too much grip. But as soon as you go on trails, of course, you want to have grip.” Yet on gravel or packed dirt roads, the Pebax plate in the Mach X propels each step forward with a satisfying snappiness.

Pros: 

• Bouncy
• Responsive cushioning works for both speed and distance
• Made with recycled materials

Cons: 

• Not enough grip for technical trails