The Best Hokas for Long Walks and Quick Strolls

If you’re a fan of cushy, highly-padded sneakers, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve picked out the best Hoka shoes for walking, based on expert input and SELF tester reviews, to help you find your next favorite pair. Whether you’re a daily walk devotee or someone who spends their workdays on their feet, the right footwear can make all the difference between having a great day or a crummy one. And when it comes to making high-quality walking shoes, Hoka checks the essential boxes and ranks among top brands like Nike, On Cloud, and New Balance. These foam-cushioned sneakers and sandals really shine in the comfort department—you’re probably aware that Hoka has a cult following, and the brand largely lives up to the hype.

Our top picks

1. Best for Everyday Wear: Hoka Clifton 9
2. Best for Maximum Cushion: Hoka Bondi 8
3. Best Trail Shoe: Hoka Speedgoat 5
4. Best Hiking Boot: Hoka Kaha 2 Gore-Tex
5. Best Stability Shoe: Hoka Arahi 7
6. Best for Support and Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5

Jump to:

• What should you look for in a walking shoe?
• What sets Hoka apart from other sneaker brands?
• The best Hoka shoes for walking

What should you look for in a walking shoe?

You may already have a dedicated pair of running shoes, but if you’re looking for a new pair of shoes to wear solely (pun intended) for strolls, here are some key design elements to keep in mind while you shop (and, ideally, try on a few pairs IRL).

Cushion

Walking can have a major effect on your feet and joints, because they act like shock absorbers for your steps, Jeffrey DeLott, DPM, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon at Connecticut Orthopaedics, tells SELF. A well-cushioned shoe can help reduce some of that impact and keep your feet, ankles, and knees comfortable for longer. Dr. DeLott says to look for shoes with materials and features like gel, foam, and air pockets.

Support

A supportive walking shoe will help keep your feet stable while you walk, Dr. DeLott says, adding that you should think about your foot type and walking habits when shopping. For example, you can look for shoes designed for overpronation (when the feet roll inward) or supination (when the feet roll outward), or you can give a shoe made for stability or motion control a try. There are also neutral shoes that don’t provide targeted support but may be more comfortable for some people.

Weight

It can be tricky to balance the weight of a walking shoe with the cushion and support it offers, but it’s still an important factor to keep in mind, Dr. DeLott says. A cushy, sturdy shoe will likely feel heavier, while a lightweight shoe might not provide as much support or shock absorption.

• 1

  Hoka

  Clifton 9 Running Shoe

  Best for Everyday Wear

  • Pros: Cushy yet responsive, breathable
  • Cons: Reviewers note some inconsistencies with sizing

  Wherever your day takes you, the best-selling Hoka Clifton 9 can take the mileage. Its outsole is abrasion-resistant and its cushioned midsole has an energizing, lightweight feel that’ll keep you going step after step. SELF’s executive editor wears her pair on walks all over New York City, and she doesn’t even notice flare-ups from her plantar fasciitis. Not only is the Clifton 9 a great go-to sneaker, it’ll stay comfy over long distances and while traveling too.

  • Available sizes: US 5 to 12 | Available widths: medium and wide | Weight: 7.30 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 millimeters | Colors: 22 options

• 2

  Hoka Bondi 8 Running Shoes

  Best for Maximum Cushion

  • Pros: Highly padded, good for walking and standing
  • Cons: Somewhat clunky design

  The Hoka Bondi 8 has won multiple SELF Sneaker Awards in years past, and it’s easy to see why. In 2022, our tester noted that she felt “supported and secure” while wearing it, while our 2023 tester wore their pair to a four-hour concert with no issues. It’s cushioned all the way through, from its memory foam collar to its thick, extended heel. This is an undeniably chunky shoe, but your feet won’t feel stifled or weighed down thanks to the mesh upper, which should help your feet feel fresh, even on particularly long walks or days spent on your feet.

  • Available sizes: US 5 to 12 | Available widths: medium and wide | Weight: 8.90 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters | Colors: 25 options

• 3

  Hoka Speedgoat 5

  Best Trail Shoe

  • Pros: Well-cushioned for a trail runner, protective
  • Cons: Lugs aren’t deep enough to provide grip on especially muddy terrain

  When we reviewed the Hoka Speedgoat 5 trail running shoe for 2022’s SELF Sneaker Awards, our tester was particularly impressed by how springy (not sinky) it felt during her walks and runs. She described feeling light on her feet yet comfortable and protected from the rocky terrain, thanks to the lugged rubber outsole. Plus, the spacious toe box allowed her toes to spread out and helped her avoid blisters and hot spots.

  • Available sizes: US 5 to 12 | Available widths: medium and wide | Weight: 8.50 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters | Colors: 21 options

• 4

  Hoka

  Kaha 2 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots

  Best Hiking Boot

  • Pros: Durable, highly cushioned, waterproof
  • Cons: On the pricey side

  The Kaha 2 was previously recommended to SELF by several podiatrists for its exceedingly plush feel, which you can’t always find in a hiking shoe—and it’s actually this level of cushion that makes it an excellent hiking boot for plantar fasciitis too. For those looking to hit some seriously tricky trails, they can rest assured they’ll feel protected (with a waterproof lining and abrasion-resistant heel counters and toe caps) and supported (thanks to five-millimeter lugs and an ankle-wrapping cuff) by this boot in equal measure.

  • Available sizes: US 5 to 11 | Available widths: medium | Weight: 15.60 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 6 millimeters | Colors: 10 options

• 5

  Hoka Hopara

  Best Hiking Sandal

  • Pros: Supportive, relatively protective for open-toed shoes
  • Cons: Heavy for a pair of sandals

  Chunky, grippy, and highly breathable, the Hopara is a proudly “ugly” shoe that’ll keep your feet happy when the temperatures rise. Its oversized sole and adjustable laces provide plenty of stability, a secure fit, and arch support—all of which we consider walking shoe must-haves that can be hard to find in a pair of sandals. It’s so sturdy and supportive, in fact, that you can wear it hiking. While we love the first iteration of the Hopara, featured here, a new model is coming soon with more breathable mesh, an adjustable strap around the heel, and even more padding—so join the waitlist now if you want to have the freshest sandals on the trail.

  • Available sizes: US 5 to 11 | Available widths: medium | Weight: 10.10 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 millimeters | Colors: 5 options

• 6

  Hoka

  Clifton 9 GTX Road-Running Shoes

  Best Waterproof

  • Pros: Reflective details all over
  • Cons: Some reviewers report an initially stiffer feel compared to the regular Clifton

  Designed with a fully waterproof Gore-Tex interior, this water-repelling version of the Hoka Clifton is great for wet-weather walks. It has the same amount of cushioning as the standard Clifton, plus an excellent amount of traction for when things get slippery.

  • Available sizes: US 5 to 12 | Available widths: medium | Weight: 8.30 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 millimeters | Colors: 2 options

• 7

  Hoka

  Arahi 7

  Best Stability Shoe

  • Pros: Designed with overpronation in mind, lightweight
  • Cons: Runs narrow (according to some reviewers)

  If you’re curious about stability shoes, give the Hoka Arahi a try. It features Hoka’s J-Frame through the midsole, which is intended to prevent rolling. It isn’t as cushy as other Hoka shoes, so it will have a lighter feel. That might be a perk if you’re looking for something to throw on for quick jaunts and errands, but it won’t absorb your steps’ impact to the same extent.

  • Available sizes: US 5 to 12 | Available widths: medium and wide | Weight: 8.10 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 millimeters | Colors: 8 options

• 8

  Hoka

  Gaviota 5 Road-Running Shoes

  Best for Support and Cushioning

  • Pros: Incredibly soft ride
  • Cons: Clunky design, even heavier than the Bondi

  The Gaviota is basically the Bondi with a stability shoe makeover: It uses similar support technology found in the Arahi, but with that cloudlike ride and maximalist cushioning you see in the Bondi. It’s designed to fit snugly around the midfoot, while supporting the arch and the ankle. And the aforementioned plushly padded insole throughout should withstand hours of wear on long days.

  • Available sizes: US 5 to 12 | Available widths: medium and wide | Weight: 9.10 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 6 millimeters | Colors: 7 options

• 9

  Hoka Transport

  Best for Park Outings

  • Pros: Versatile, stylish
  • Cons: Not designed for technical outdoor excursions

  For all the backyard and park explorers out there, the Transport is a fantastic choice of footwear. It strikes a balance between a hiking shoe and sneaker, with a toned-down iteration of the former’s rugged outsole and a cushioned, EVA foam midsole from the latter. It provides neutral support and its exterior is highly reflective, so you can stay visible even during evening walks.

  • Available sizes: US 5 to 11 | Available widths: medium | Weight: 9.10 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 millimeters | Colors: 7 options

• 10

  Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3

  Best Slides

  • Pros: Highly supportive for a sandal
  • Cons: Not suitable for walking long distances

  Sometimes you just want to slip something on and head out the door—and for those times, there’s the Ora recovery slide. Reviewers love wearing it for low-key activities like brief shopping trips and walking around the house, and though it isn’t as durable as one of Hoka’s max-cushioned sneakers, it’s far from flimsy. Its thick sole, comfy footbed, and ventilated strap will help you run your errands without worrying about achy, sweaty feet.

  • Available sizes: US 5 to 16 | Available widths: medium | Weight: 7.80 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 6 millimeters | Colors: 27 options

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.