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When it came time to brainstorm ideas for the Cut’s sneaker-theme week, our editors had one burning question: What is the deal with Hokas? They are one tiny step above nursing-home orthopedic shoes in terms of aesthetics, yet every influencer and stylish young person swears by them. Are Hokas really so comfortable that nonathletes are choosing the chunky, brightly colored designs over trendy sneakers and buzzed-about collaborations? We had to test them for ourselves and see what the hype is all about.
Read on to find out if we successfully styled these objectively unstylish sneakers for the office and our daytime appointments, or if they should be reserved solely for walks and working out (or if they are so unbelievably cushiony and comfortable that we will continue to wear them out and about without caring how they look). Plus, everything you should know about Hokas before purchasing a pair, including fit, comfort level, wearability, styling tips, and whether or not Cut editors would buy them again.
Hanna Flanagan, shopping writer and editor
Shoe: Bondi 8 in Summer Song/Country Air
Fit: True to size. I ordered my usual size 8, and they fit perfectly.
Comfort level: Beyond cushiony, bouncy, supportive, and comfortable (for everyday wear and low-impact workouts … more on that below).
Review: I broke in my Hokas during an adult Easter-egg hunt at my aunt and uncle’s cabin in upstate New York. Even though I only found five out of the 106 total eggs (pathetic, I know), I was very comfortable the entire time. I was also able to navigate the rocky terrain — to clarify, rocky in comparison to the flat NYC sidewalks — without falling, slipping, or twisting my ankle. A win in my book! These are comfortable during low-impact workouts like walking and biking, but for high-impact workouts, I actually prefer my old Hoka Cliftons. After wearing the Bondis during a few 30- to 45-minute runs, I started feeling the familiar pain of shin splints. (I struggled with severe shin splints when I first started running a few years ago. Hoka Cliftons were the only sneakers that relieved them, so I was surprised that the pain come back while wearing the Bondis.) So, what’s the difference between the two best-selling sneakers? Hoka Cliftons are more lightweight and designed for daily training, whereas the Hoka Bondis have extra cushioning and are designed for long-distance training. Both shoes have great cushioning and shock absorption, which is what you should look for if you’re experiencing shin splints, but the Bondis are slightly heavier in my opinion.
Would you buy them?: Yes! I’m a Hoka stan through and through. I’m also someone who cares more about function than style when it comes to my athleisure, so the look of this bright-blue pair doesn’t really bother me during workouts — although I do I think the colorway I originally wanted but couldn’t order because it was out of stock (Nimbus Cloud/Luminary Green) would be more wearable for everyday use.
Danya Issawi, fashion news writer
Shoe: Arahi 7 in Blanc De Blanc/Rose Gold
Fit: True to size. But I could see myself wanting to size up if I were still running, because my big toes hit the front part of the shoe.
Comfort level: They’re comfortable to walk in, although I did feel like they required some breaking in (the bottom of my feet were a little sore the first few wears).
Review: Dearest Hoka Nation, may you accept me, a latecomer, with open arms. I am now a Hoka stan, a Hoka convert, if you will. In a past life, I was a committed runner, but after a back injury sidelined me, I’ve kind of avoided any sort of runningish shoe out of pettiness, even just for walking. If I couldn’t run in them, I refused to wear them. I’ve occasionally worn an old pair that made my ankle roll so hard it was practically touching the ground. This rationale was idiotic, but unfortunately, I am someone who commits to the bit.
Nonetheless, I quit my boycott to test out this Hoka pair, and I love them. I wish they were a tiny bit wider in the toe region. But they kept my ankle upright and steady and didn’t induce any back pain after walking in them. Who knows, maybe they’ll inspire me to try really, really hard in physical therapy and miraculously heal my spine (so swiftly and entirely that the pope or even the sheikh from my mosque back home have no choice but to intervene and declare a miracle has occurred), and someday run a mile or two in these shoes.
Brooke LaMantia, editorial assistant
Shoe: Clifton 9 in Black/Black
Fit: I ordered a 9.5 and they fit well. I’ve worn a 10 in Hokas before and used those for distance running when I wanted a little bit of room.
Comfort level: So comfy. I used to wear Hokas when I worked retail all day (throwback to its Outdoor Voices collabs), and they’re perfect for long periods on your feet.
Review: Listen, I’m a Hoka fan and regularly buy a new pair for my runs. There was a period of my life where I wore a lot more athleisure and would wear these pretty casually, though that has changed. I wanted to try out the all-black pair to see if I could incorporate these into my everyday wardrobe more seamlessly — like wearing them to the office — and was happily surprised with how I could blend them into a work-appropriate fit.
Would you buy them?: Yes, but I still think I’d wear them for working out more than as a style shoe.
Rachel Bashein, managing editor
Shoe: Bondi 8 in White/White
Fit: True to size.
Comfort level: A little too plush, but fine for everyday.
Review: This was my first time wearing Hokas, so I figured I’d go all in and get its thiccest pair. On reflection, I should’ve done some research before making a selection. I like a firmer shoe, and this one is soft. It wasn’t too far into my first run with them that I started having heel pain. I didn’t have the same issue when I wore them during a move, though. They were a comfortable support as I carried boxes up and down the stairs outside my building.
Would you buy them?: I’ve been running in Asics since high school and that’s not going to change, but I’d be interested in trying Hoka’s other styles for walking/everyday wear.
Maridelis Morales Rosado, photo editor
Shoe: Clifton 9 in Golden Lichen/Celery Root
Fit: While I’m usually a size 7/7.5, I had learned this year as a new runner that your running sneakers should be a bit longer on you, especially on the front end, so I got them in an 8 and they fit perfectly. My ankles are really low on my legs too, and I usually struggle with having my ankles hit the top of the shoe, but it hasn’t been a problem with this pair of sneakers.
Comfort level: They are incredibly comfortable. I’ve worn these for both hot-girl walks and running on a treadmill, and they feel like a cushioned natural extension of my legs.
Review: This is the second pair of Hokas I own but the first one I loved. The first pair were a bit too small, so they hurt my feet whenever I exercised, and the colors didn’t feel aligned with my closet, so I avoided them for the most part. This pair of the Clifton 9s feel more aligned with the shoes I’d wear, but they’re still a bit too chunky for me to wear for casual/daily use. I was able to wear them with some baggy trousers and a tank for a long walk on a sunny Sunday a few weeks ago, but otherwise have had a hard time embedding them into my daily wardrobe. For running, I haven’t been able to put them down and am looking forward to doing an outdoor run with them now that the weather is improving.
Would you buy them?: YES. Having just purchased my first pair of running shoes from a different brand at a similar price point, I think they’re worth it.
