If you’re here, you’re either wondering why every runner (let’s be real: person) seems to swear by Hokas—or you’re already a convert, searching for the next pair to add to your rotation.
Known for their signature cushioning, lightweight design, and smooth ride, Hokas have earned their spot on roads and trails alike, with fans ranging from marathoners to nurses. But for runners, especially those tackling longer distances, Hokas truly shine thanks to their plush comfort, responsive foam, and signature meta-rocker that helps you roll through each stride with less effort.
As a running gear writer, I’ve tested countless shoes—including more Hokas than I can count. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or looking for a smooth, supportive ride on race day, I can confidently say Hokas are among the best shoes for half marathon training and racing. But with so many models—ranging from cushioned trainers to carbon-plated racers—finding the right pair can get tricky.
To make it easier, I’ve rounded up eight of the best Hokas for half marathons, each with its own strengths. Let’s dive in.
Quick Look: The Best Hoka for Half Marathons
| Model | Heel Drop | Height | Carbon-Plate | Cushioning | Price |
| Clifton 9 | 5mm | 7.3 oz | No | Mid-high | $145 |
| Rocket X 2 | 5mm | 8.3 oz | Yes | Medium | $250 |
| Rincon 4 | 5mm | 6.81 oz | No | Moderate | $125 |
| Stinson 7 | 5mm | 10.8 oz | No | High | $170 |
| Mach X 2 | 5mm | 8 oz | PEBAX | Low | $190 |
| Arahi 7 | 5mm | 8.1 oz | No | Mid-high | $145 |
| Torrent 4 | 5mm | 8.4 oz | No | Low | $130 |
| Bondi 9 | 4mm | 9.3 oz | No | Max | $170 |
Best Overall: Hoka Clifton 9
Clifton 9 Specs
- Heel Drop: 5mm
- Weight: 7.3 oz
- Carbon Plate: No
- Cushioning: Mid-high
- Price: $145
The Clifton 9 is one of, if not THE, most popular Hoka shoes. I’ve tested a lot of past Clifton iterations, and the newest model 10 releasing April 2025. But I love the Clifton 9.
This shoe is a great option for training, racing, and everything in between. It has a super thick EVA foam midsole that provides above average cushioning while remaining light enough to race in if you don’t want to go for a carbon plated racer.
This is also a great option to get you through your training cycle. You can count on it to be versatile enough that it would perform well in both long distances and speed workouts.
You can think of this as Hoka’s daily trainer version of the Nike Pegasus or Brooks Ghost.
The midsole also features a meta-rocker which forces you to roll through your step, promoting a smoother ride and decreasing impact as you step. This helps give you a more efficient running form and decreased impact from stress. The Clifton is our pick for the overall best Hoka for a half marathon.
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Best for Racing: Hoka Rocket X 2
Hoka Rocket X 2 Specs
- Drop: 5mm
- Weight: 8.3 oz
- Carbon Plate: Yes
- Cushioning: Medium
- Price: $250
If you want a fast, responsive racer that can help you get a PR in everything from the 5k to marathon, the Rocket X 2 is a great option for you.
This shoe — with its newest Rocket 3 model coming out March 2025 — is a great mix of comfort and performance. While it is an elite racing shoe designed to help you run as fast as possible, it is also designed with a max cushioned-comfortable feel that will keep your feet feeling great even as you pile on through the later miles.
It falls in between between the Hoka Bondi X and Hoka Carbon X 3 with regards to cushioning. This makes a fantastic half marathon shoe as you still have some level of ground feel and enough cushion that you won’t feel the effects of 13.1 miles.
The one issue some customers had with this shoe was the mesh upper in the heel area—it doesn’t have much padding, and fits more like a spike than a shoe which some people felt was not supportive enough. If you’re looking to step up to the starting line in a fresh pair, consider these the best Hoka for half marathon racing.
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Best for Warm Weather: Hoka Rincon 4
Hoka Rincon 4 Specs
- Drop: 5mm
- Weight: 6.81 oz
- Carbon Plate: No
- Cushioning: Moderate
- Price: $125
Lightweight and highly ventilated, the Rincon is made for hot and sweaty runs. It has a super light EVA midsole that offers a ride that is cushioned enough for long runs, and responsive enough for 400 meter track runs.
The Rincon weighs only 6.81 ounces making it the lightest weight option on the list. It can also be a great racing option if you are looking to forgo a plated model. Plus, at only $125, it’s about half as expensive as most racing shoes.
The upper is made from a vented mesh breathable upper that allows for maximum airflow. This mesh upper is designed to prevent your feet from overheating. And, can keep them feeling dry even in the most humid conditions.
Unlike the Clifton, this shoe has your foot sitting mostly on top of the foam. While this does offer slightly less stability, it can solve that arch discomfort that other models may pose. If you’re considering any summer races through Death Valley, consider the Rincon 3 the best Hoka for half marathon in warm weather.
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Best for Cold Weather: Hoka Stinson 7
Hoka Stinson 7 Specs
- Drop: 5mm
- Weight: 10.80 oz
- Carbon Plate: No
- Cushioning: High
- Price: $170
Finding a shoe for winter races can be tricky. While you can always wear a carbon plated racer, they usually don’t have the best grip and the uppers are made to be as lightweight as possible. Which, usually means one very thin layer of mesh in the winter can mean some very chilly toes.
Though it has a bit more weight to it, the Stinson is a max cushion, all-terrain shoe that can hold up to your slipperiest, gnarliest winter races and training.
The Hoka Stinson 7 have broad multi-directional lugs that give you impeccable grip on trails and uneven conditions. But, they are also lax enough that you can take them on the roads with no issue. Because of this, they are a great option for snowy, slushy races.
They also have a TPU reinforced toe cap, and engineered mesh that allows for breathability but keeps you a bit warmer than a racing upper.
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Best for Speed: Hoka Mach X 2
Hoka Mach X 2 Specs
- Drop: 5mm
- Weight: 8 oz
- Carbon Plate: PEBAX Plate
- Cushioning: Low
- Price: $190
The second edition of Hoka’s Mach X (released in 2023) is an incredibly light, impressively responsive speed shoe. Featuring the same PEBAX plate as the original, this edition has added midsole foam to give you more spring in your step.
This shoe is a fantastic choice if you want a more minimalist racing shoe, or a light and fast option for speedwork.
Though it is plated, this shoe is technically a training shoe which means it will hold up to higher mileage than a traditional racer. At only 8 ounces, it is still very light (even lighter than the Rocket X) and uses a firmer, more responsive foam to give you excellent push off and ground feel.
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Best for Recovery Runs: Hoka Arahi 7
Hoka Arahi 7 Specs
- Drop: 5mm
- Weight: 8.10 oz
- Carbon Plate: No
- Cushioning: Mid-High
- Price: $145
Whether you are an overpronator or not, many of us find that our running form significantly deteriorates the longer we run.
Opting for a more supportive shoe for your long run days isn’t a bad idea. The Arahi uses a stabilizing J-frame design that supports the foot and gently corrects your gait if you begin to collapse.
Because this uses only a higher density foam on the inside of the foot instead of a hard plastic, it doesn’t feel as aggressive as some other stability models.
This shoe also has a light and soft ride that feels great on achy feet. And it will give you the plush feel you desire in a recovery shoe without weighing you down. At 8.1 ounces, this shoe is also potentially light enough to race in if you need a more supportive option for marathon day.
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Best for Trail Races: Hoka Torrent 4
Hoka Torrent 4 Specs
- Drop: 5mm
- Weight: 8.4 oz
- Carbon Plate: No
- Cushioning: Low
- Price: $130
If you are running a trail half marathon, a trail shoe that is both light and will protect you from roots, rocks, and ruts is a must.
The Torrent is an excellent option as it has a minimal responsive feel that will keep you feeling light and agile as you tackle the miles. The Torrent is part of the HOKA ProFly Series which are made with firm bottom foam for “propulsive toe-offs.”
While it is on the lighter cushioning side, trails are often much softer than running on asphalt, meaning you don’t need as much cushioning as you would for a road race. This shoe also has 5mm multidirectional lugs that provide excellent grip, and a TPU overlay upper that keeps your foot snug and secure in the shoe.
This is an excellent choice for race day, or even just some training runs through the trails.
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Runner Up: Want a trail shoe with max cushion? We also love the Speedgoat.
Best Max Cushion: Hoka Bondi 9
Hoka Bondi 9 Specs
- Drop: 4mm
- Weight: 9.3 oz
- Carbon Plate: No
- Cushioning: Max
- Price: $170
If you are looking for cushion over all else, then the Bondi is for you. This is Hoka’s most cushioned model, and it has a super thick EVA foam sole.
While it is technically a neutral shoe, it can also work well for those that require a bit more support. As, the shoe has a particularly wide base.
This shoe also works well with insoles. It doesn’t have the meta-rocker on the underfoot the forefoot like most other Hokas. So, it gives you a much flatter base for your insert.
Despite its bulky appearance the shoe weighs only 9.3 ounces. While that’s more than other models on this list, it is less than most high cushion models. The rear crash pad makes this model excellent for heel strikers and the ultralight foam midsole has a nice bounce that keeps it from feeling too squishy.
If you suffer from any shin, knee, or back pain, this shoe could be a great daily trainer option for you. Many have found the incredibly high cushion level allows them to run without exacerbating previous injuries.
The HOKA Bondi model made it as one of our favorite max-cushioned daily shoes of last year.
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What to Consider in Buying Hokas for a Half Marathon
When choosing your HOKA (or any half marathon shoe really) there are a few key features you will want to consider in order to determine which model is right for you.
- Cushion: You want to make sure your running shoe shoe is comfortable enough that it won’t cause aching feet, but not so cushioned your legs feel muddy and heavy. Hokas are super lightweight, so weight isn’t a big worry. Hoka has varying levels of cushion responsiveness, delivering different amount of rebound and propulsion. A responsive foam will give you a springy step, allowing you to spend less time on the ground and increasing turnover speed, while a plush shoe will offer better support for your joints.
- Carbon Plate: Plated shoes will help you run faster; they’re responsive and help with improved energy return and running efficiency. They bend and snap with every step, propelling your feet forward. That said, they’re stiff and can be hard on the shins; my arches start to ache after 5K in them. Plus, they’re expensive.
- Stability vs Neutral: A neutral shoe allows you to run with no change or alteration to your gait. A stability shoe provides some form of guidance or motion control that prevents overpronation and arch collapsing. The best way to tell if a stability shoe is right for you: Look at the wear pattern on your current running shoes. If you wear heavily on the inside of your outsole, chances are you are overpronating. If you have wear and tear on the outsole but you run without issue and are pain free, continue to do what works for you.
- Weight: Hokas use a super lightweight foam, so generally weight isn’t an issue. Still, they have some ultra-light options if you want. More important than weight is the responsiveness of the shoe.
How We Selected the Top Picks
To choose the 8 best Hokas for half marathons, I looked at models that would fit all different types of runners, races, and training types. I considered comfort, breathability, grip, responsiveness, and weight when choosing these shoes. And, I opted to include a range of models that would serve a variety or runners needs and preferences.
I also used my own experience with testing Hokas and other running shoes, as well as customer shoe reviews, to determine the best Hoka running shoes for half marathon racing and training.
FAQ
While not every Hoka will work for every person, they have quite a bit of variation between models. So, there is a good chance that you can find one that will work for you.
This really comes down to preference. There is no single best running shoe. The Hoka that works best for your half marathon could be completely different than someone else’s.
Since Hokas are definitely on the higher cushion side, they tend to last a bit longer than a traditional shoe. In my personal experience, HOKA shoes last me about 300-350 miles. Most shoes for me last about 200 before I retire them.
HOKA is not a retailer who sells directly through Amazon. But, you can buy through third-party sellers who do sell through Amazon.
No! While they can certainly help, most integral to reaching your PR is proper training. And, of course, a little bit of good luck.
They aren’t necessarily better but they are some of the most responsive shoes on the market. So, if you are looking for an edge they are definitely worth a try.
