Best Hoka Shoes For Walking in 2023

1. Hoka One One Bondi 8

If comfort and cushioning are your number one priority, then the Bondi 8 could be your new favorite footwear. It’s Hoka One One’s most cushioned shoe to date, featuring a full-length EVA midsole and a number of other plush elements.

Surprisingly, the solid foam midsole doesn’t add much extra weight to the shoe. A men’s size 10 weighs around 10.7 ounces, and a women’s weighs almost 9 ounces. That means you’ll get max cushion but still a floaty lightweight feeling underfoot.

Let’s start from the bottom up. The rubber outsole is grippy, durable, and lightweight, keeping you safe on multiple terrains without weighing you down. A beveled heel is a nice feature that helps make heel-to-toe transitions quicker.

The big draw of this shoe is the full-length EVA midsole, designed to be super comfortable and absorb shock. It does both admirably, although it’s worth noting that it is prone to stiffening up in cold weather.

With a stack height of 31 mm on the women’s shoe and 33 mm on the men’s, this is one of the most padded shoes on the market, not just in the Hoka lineup!

The midsole also features an early-stage meta-rocker. Along with the beveled heel, this is designed to propel you forwards faster, smoother, and with less effort.

Inside the shoe, an internal heel counter keeps your foot right where it should be and prevents any unnecessary movement. A memory foam ankle collar conforms to your own ankle for maximum comfort and support.

Up above you have a mesh upper that allows for effective ventilation. TPU overlays provide extra support and structure in the midfoot.

All in all, it’s our top pick if you want to walk in comfort and with a spring in your step!

2. Hoka One One Gaviota 4

Walkers who overpronate will need a stability shoe. The Gaviota is one of Hoka’s stability offerings, and it has a perfect mix of support and cushioning.

Just one look at this shoe shows its impressive cushion. Hoka labels it as “balanced” and not plush, but it’s still seriously well-padded.

They use J-Frame technology to prevent the foot from rolling in when you walk. This is a strategically designed J-shaped section of harder foam in the midsole which encourages a neutral foot position, reducing the chance of being injured.

An H-Frame in the midfoot provides a solid midfoot lockdown, supporting your foot subtly but effectively.

A wide base not only offers plenty of space in the toe box, but it also means a more stable platform. Hoka uses flat-waisted geometry in the Gaviota 4, which means it has a flat bottom inside (a flat last). This adds to its stability.

In the midsole, a late-stage meta-rocker helps provide a pop to your heel-to-toe transition. An engineered mesh upper is comfy and breathable, and the rubber outsole is durable and provides good traction.

Many reviews suggest that the Gaviota runs small, so do your research before buying!

3. Hoka One One Bondi SR

If leather is your style, the Bondi SR won’t disappoint. The SR stands for slip-resistant, so this shoe is not only fashionable, it’s safe too.

The all black/all white design is stylish and clean. Featuring plush cushioning and a full-grain leather waterproof upper, these shoes are like the 4x4s of Hoka’s shoe range!

They’re ideal for the workplace, being a combination of smart, practical, and comfortable. The water-resistant upper and slip-resistant sole make it safe on a variety of surfaces. According to Hoka, it’s been tested on slippery surfaces with water, oil, and soap.

Other comfort features include a memory foam collar, flat laces to prevent hot spots, and a heel loop.

Like all Hoka shoes, the Bondi SR features a full-length EVA midsole to both cushion and support your feet. This, and the addition of an early-stage meta-rocker to help you move with less effort, makes for fewer aches and pains at the end of the day.

4. Hoka One One Clifton L Suede

If leather’s not quite your style, perhaps silky suede Clifton L will do it for you. Unique colors, reflective elements, and the classic Hoka cushion make this an eye-catching and comfy shoe.

A hefty compression-molded EVA midsole provides the Hoka padding runners and walkers have come to love. Hoka classifies it as “plush”, but it weighs just 8.6 ounces. This is partly thanks to its lightweight no-sew SpeedFrame upper.

An early-stage meta-rocker makes walking comfortable and easy. Strategically-placed rubber on the outsole provides good grip and increased durability.

Those who are used to a mesh upper may find the suede to be unusually stiff when first wearing these shoes.

5. Hoka One One Elevon 2

The Elevon 2 is a neutral shoe with added structural support. It has a light, ventilated upper, an asymmetrical tongue to prevent hotspots on the bridge of the foot, and a padded ankle collar for all-round comfort.

Extra support is provided by internal asymmetrical support wings built into the midfoot. These wrap around the foot when you tighten the laces, allowing for a more customized and structured fit. A TPU heel clip also helps keep the heel locked in place.

In the ProFLY midsole, you’ll find two types of foam, each a different density. In the forefoot, a firm foam offers a bouncy toe-off. The heel features a softer, more cushioned foam that is designed to absorb the shock of landing.

You may notice that the heel of the Elevon is slightly extended. This adds a little more padding and helps with a smoother heel-to-toe transition. You’ll also find unique grooves in the forefoot, which make the shoe more flexible during toe-off.

This shoe is also completely vegan! Choose from the men’s, women’s, or all-gender model, depending on your style.

6. Hoka One One Clifton L

Looking for a shoe you can wear for walking but still look good in when visiting friends or shopping? The Clifton L is our choice for the best casual Hoka One One shoe.

A clean, simple leather upper makes this shoe look smart and modern, suitable for any kind of outing. The upper is crafted from a mix of mesh and leather overlays, an excellent combination of breathability and structure.

The no-sew SpeedFrame construction eliminates stitching that could potentially cause pressure points.

Underfoot, Hoka’s traditional full-length EVA padding cushions your feet with every step. A handy heel tab helps you get it on and off easily, and meta-rocker technology makes walking seem like a breeze.

Wear it on the road, in the mall, or even to work!

7. Hoka One One Akasa

The Akasa has an attractive knitted upper, which makes it look slightly different from the other Hoka shoes. It has a more luxurious feel to it but remains packed with the same great features that make Hokas plush and protective.

The stack height is slightly lower than most of the Hokas, at 27mm heel/23mm forefoot for the women’s, 29mm heel/25mm forefoot on the men’s. This doesn’t mean you sacrifice cushion, though.

You’ll still get plenty of padding underfoot, and it’s meant to see you through a full day of being on your feet. It’s less springy than some of the Hokas, but it’s still perfectly well cushioned and comfortable for walking, running, or simply standing all day.

The Active Foot Frame is designed to give you the same feeling as you’d get sitting in a bucket seat in a race car. It cradles the foot snugly, keeping it in place throughout your walk or run.

The EVA foam in the midsole offers great energy return. You’ll find a bounce in it even when you’re just walking, and it will help push you forward when running.

The rubberized foam of the midsole extends to the outsole. It provides energetic rebound, as well durability, and good grip. An extra feature that extends the life of the shoe is a handy TPU reinforcement on the toe, to prevent damage by accidental scuffing.

8. Hoka One One Challenger Low Gore-Tex

Looking for a cloud-like but tough hiking shoe? Try the Challenger Low Gore-Tex! It’s a chunky shoe, but it promises all of Hoka’s best features. Your feet may just thank you after a hike in these.

A nubuck leather upper makes these shoes durable right from the start. It also gives them a clean and polished look, so if you’re looking for a less rugged hiking boot this could be the one.

There’s no need to worry about puddles, splashes, or a spot of rain. A Gore-Tex membrane beneath the leather does an excellent job of keeping water out but still allowing moisture inside the shoe to escape.

A generous CMEVA midsole offers balanced cushion. You can still feel the terrain beneath your feet but remain well-cushioned. Joint jarring is reduced, energy return is decent, and comfort is pleasant.

The midsole is not the only part of this shoe that’s well-padded. A plush collar and tongue add to the comfort on long, strenuous hikes.

For extra safety on rough terrain, the Challenger’s podular rubber outsole has an aggressive lug pattern to provide good grip on a variety of terrains. A unique ridged outsole design helps the wearer control uphill and downhill movement.

9. Hoka One One Arahi 6

Stability shoes can sometimes feel heavier than neutral shoes, due to the addition of supportive technology. The Arahi 6, though, remains lightweight (9.7 ounces men’s, 7.7 ounces women’s) even though it offers stability features.

Hoka’s J-Frame technology is a less intrusive option than the typical medial post in some stability shoes. It’s a firm, internal rubber section that wraps around the medial side of the shoe in the shape of a J to provide comprehensive support for overpronators.

The rest of the midsole is created from Hoka’s usual EVA foam and offers a good mix of softness and support. An early-stage meta-rocker helps smooth your ride, and the choice of flat-waisted geometry in this shoe adds to its stability despite the rocker bottom.

A flared, elf-ear heel tab helps the heel to hug the back of the foot, as well as making it easy to slip into this shoe without creasing the back.

The only complaint we’ve found is that the stretchy laces may make it difficult to get a tight, lock-down fit!

10. Hoka One One Hupana Flow Wool

Now this is a good-looking shoe. It’s immediately distinguishable from other Hokas by its smooth, unique upper, which is made from soft, comfortable wool.

In warm climates, the wool offers enough breathability to avoid overheating. In the cold, it locks heat inside, keeping your feet warm. It also has antimicrobial properties, so odor-causing bacteria won’t thrive in these shoes.

Elastic no-tie laces make it easy and convenient to slip the shoe on and off as you please. They’re adjustable, so you can still get a fit that feels right to you.

Rubberized foam in the midsole gives a good pop when pushing off. A meta-rocker gives a comfortable rolling feeling, moving you forward with little effort on your part. The outsole also features rubberized foam and absorbs shock effectively.