Recently, I conducted an impromptu survey by asking friends and family about their favorite walking shoes. The brand that came up more than any other? Hoka. And so, I set out to find the very best Hoka shoes for walking that blend comfort, support and stability. Based on my findings, the Clifton 10 is the best shoe overall because it’s lightweight and versatile. I also like the Bondi 9 for more cushioning, and the Anacapa Breeze Low if you prefer to walk on trails.
Known for its colorful, max-cushioned trainers, Hoka kicked off the chunky footwear movement over a decade ago, and while its catalog of shoes caters to running, hiking and even recovery, a lot of these styles are also easy to walk in. To properly evaluate Hoka’s best-selling shoes, I compared specs like stack height and weight in addition to midsole support and cushioning, stability, traction and overall comfort. I also spoke with Caroline Bermel, head shoe tester and content marketing specialist at Fleet Feet for helpful buying advice. Here’s how to shop for a pair that meets your needs.
Best Hoka Shoes For Walking Overall: Hoka Clifton 10
Best Cushioned Hoka Shoes For Walking: Hoka Bondi 9
Most Stable Hoka Shoes For Walking: Hoka Arahi 7
Best Hoka Shoes For Walking Long Distances: Hoka Gaviota 5
Best Hoka Trail Shoes For Walking: Hoka Anacapa Breeze Low
Best Non-Slip Hoka Shoes For Walking: Hoka Bondi SR
Best Hoka Shoes For Walking Overall
Tried-And-True Design For Most Walkers
Hoka Clifton 10
Weight (per pair): 19.6 ounces | Cushion: Plush | Stability: Neutral | Drop: 8 millimeters
For years, the Clifton has served as my go-to running shoe because it’s light, plush and versatile. But over time, I’ve started wearing it even when I’m walking—it’s just that comfortable. The breathable upper is lightweight and perfectly snug to prevent overheating, but doesn’t sacrifice durability. Padding around the ankle is soft and flexible to minimize rubbing. And while the Clifton has long been praised for its cushioning, it doesn’t feel like you’re sinking into the ground with each step. Rather, it’s supportive and supple to absorb impact.
Hoka considers the Clifton a neutral shoe, which means it isn’t designed for stability, but it does contain the brand’s Active Foot Frame technology that supports landings. If you need even more cushioning, you might consider the Bondi 9 and for a more responsive ride, the Mach 6 is also easy to wear.
Best Cushioned Hoka Shoes For Walking
Cloud-Like Comfort For Long Days On Your Feet
Hoka Bondi 9
Weight (per pair): 21 ounces | Cushion: Plush | Stability: Neutral | Drop: 5 millimeters
Think of the Bondi as the Clifton’s bigger sibling. Technically, it weighs less than the Clifton 10, but more of its girth is found in the midsole, which increases the stack height. (By comparison, the Bondi 9 measures 42mm at the heel versus 38mm on the Clifton 10.) Hoka completes it with a breathable mesh upper, and the collar is soft to reduce friction. Active Foot Frame technology supports landings, and that’s a welcome feature—a shoe this tall might otherwise feel unstable.
Hoka devotees will know that the Bondi isn’t the brand’s cushiest shoe. That honor goes to the Skyward X—a model with a stack height of 46mm at the heel. If you try the Bondi and it’s not cushioned enough, you’ve got options. But for most people who prefer more foam that doesn’t muffle the walking experience, it’s the way to go. If you’re torn between this and the Clifton, read up on how they compare.
Most Stable Hoka Shoes For Walking
J-Frame Technology Prevents Overpronation
Hoka Arahi 7
Weight (per pair): 19.8 ounces | Cushion: Balanced | Stability: Stable | Drop: 5 millimeters
If you overpronate (meaning your foot collapses inward as you step and puts strain on the muscles surrounding it) or suffer from flat feet, the Arahi 7 is designed to provide additional stability. Made with Hoka’s “J-Frame” technology, it features a firm strip of foam along the inside of the shoe that prevents inward rolling, but it won’t overcorrect your gate. Instead, think of it as a gentle helping hand that keeps your foot upright and the surrounding muscles engaged.
Beyond stability, the Arahi 7 is lighter than many other stability running shoes we’ve covered, but it’s still fairly heavy at 9.9 ounces per shoe (men’s). It probably won’t be the style you reach for to get through speedy walks, but it’s still comfortable thanks to balanced cushioning and a gusseted tongue. It’s also a bit firmer than its predecessor (the Arahi 6) and other stability shoes like the Hoka Gaviota 5, so keep that in mind if you prefer more cushioning and flexibility. Otherwise, this is a great option if you’re rebuilding your foundation due to overpronation or injury.
Best Hoka Shoes For Walking Long Distances
Stable Support For Extended Efforts
Hoka Gaviota 5
Weight (per pair): 21.8 ounces | Cushion: Plush | Stability: Stable | Drop: 6 millimeters
The Gaviota 5 is a stability shoe designed for longer walks or extended periods of time on your feet. Stiffer foam along the entire edge of the shoe keep you foot in place while softer foam in the middle maintains comfort. It’s finished with a breathable upper, plush collar and MetaRocker—a design element that adds a slight curve to the base to help with heel-to-toe transitions as you walk.
If you don’t need a stability shoe, the Bondi or Clifton should meet your needs because they also come with added cushioning. And if you ultimately need less cushioning but want the stability and support, you can move down to the Arahi. Otherwise, this is a solid, balanced shoe that should meet your needs for long distances.
Best Hoka Trail Shoes For Walking
Improved Traction For Off-Road Adventures
Hoka Anacapa Breeze Low
Weight (per pair): 24.8 ounces | Cushion: Balanced | Stability: Neutral | Drop: 6 millimeters
Most of Hoka’s walking shoes are versatile enough to handle flat gravel roads, but if you need more grip, the Anacapa Breeze Low is a solid option. It features a layer of nubuck leather along the top for added durability, and receives a PFC-free DWR treatment to keep moisture at bay. But the star of the show is the outsole—it features 5mm lugs and Vibram MegaGrip rubber for best-in-class traction. That might be overkill if you’re walking on a dirt path, but it really comes in handy around roots, rocks and wet obstacles.
Keep in mind that what you gain in toughness, you lose in comfort. The shoe feels chunky and rigid, almost like a hiking shoe, so assess when and where you walk before deciding if it’s worth sacrificing some of that support (it’s also available in a low-top with Gore-Tex or a mid-top with a higher cuff.) Otherwise, the Clifton 10 should get the job done more often than not.
Best Non-Slip Hoka Shoes For Walking
Trainer That Prioritizes Safety
Hoka Bondi SR
Weight (per pair): 28 ounces | Cushion: Plush | Stability: Neutral | Drop: 6 millimeters
On paper, the Bondi SR looks a lot like it’s sibling, the Bondi 9, but unlike the classic Bondi, the SR adjusts key details to make it more suitable for the workplace. The upper, for example, is crafted with a water-resistant leather, and the collar has memory foam for long-lasting comfort. Underfoot, a slip-resistant rubber keeps you on your feet, and the tread pattern is designed to improve traction. Overall, this shoe is safe for kitchens, hospitals, warehouses and other workplace environments.
The Bondi SR isn’t as light as the Bondi 9, nor is it as breathable. And while you can technically exercise in it, it isn’t a true athletic shoe. That said, it’s a comfortable, durable style for professional use that keeps your feet happy, even if you’re standing for hours at a time.
RECOMMENDED BYFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted gear team consists of editors, writers and staffers who rely on everything from equipment to apparel to make the most of each day. Our footwear coverage includes not only Hoka walking shoes, but Hoka running shoes, workout shoes and even shoes for standing all day.
- This guide was written by Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta, a product journalist and tester with over six years of experience evaluating everything from massage guns to GPS watches. With a background in kinesiology, he’s an avid runner (and walker) who owns many pairs of Hokas, including the new Clifton 10, Mach 6, Anacapa Breeze Low and Cielo X1 2.0.
- This story was reviewed by Forbes Vetted deputy editor Kari Molvar. She has over two decades of experience as a lifestyle editor, covering everything from fitness to fashion. She’s a lifelong walker and has tested many of the best walking shoes for women.
- To learn more about Hoka walking shoes, we spoke with Caroline Bermel, head shoe tester and content marketing specialist for Fleet Feet. Her insights helped us make more informed recommendations based on different needs, and create a buying guide that’s aimed at helping you find a comfortable, supportive walking shoe.
- We review and update this guide regularly to ensure our recommendations are still available and the information we provide, accurate. It was written in April 2025.
How We Chose The Best Hoka Shoes For Walking
We took many steps—both literally and figuratively—to find the best Hoka shoes for walking. Here’s how we made our picks:
- We started by looking over Hoka’s best-selling shoes to find styles suitable for walking based on experience and real-world feedback. Cushy, stable shoes like the Clifton 10 and Bondi 9 were some of the first models we considered, followed by others like the stability-driven Arahi 7 and slip-resistant Bondi SR.
- Next, we evaluated a range of options based on a set of key variables, starting with cushioning and support. Walking shoes should have ample foam underfoot to absorb impact, but each model’s construction produces a different experience. We looked at shoes with responsive, balanced and plush cushioning to cover all our bases.
- A shoe’s upper and outsole help determine when and where you should wear it. Models like the Clifton 10 feature a breathable upper and versatile outsole for pavement, sidewalks and other hard surfaces. Others like the Anacapa Breeze Low and Bondi SR are designed for trails and slippery surfaces, respectively. We considered options that cater to different preferences.
- When you combine cushioning, stability, traction and features like breathability, what kind of shoe do you wind up with? And who is it best for? By comparing shoes to one another based on all these basic elements, we gained a better understanding of each style before making our recommendations.
How To Shop For Hoka Walking Shoes
Cushioning And Support
At the heart of any good Hoka walking shoe is a cushioned midsole for long-term comfort, but the degree of cushioning varies from one shoe to the next. As Bermel notes, the right shoe "depends on the individual’s preferences.”
While it’s difficult to gauge just how cushioned a shoe really is until you wear it, Hoka designates shoes as either responsive, balanced or plush based on the amount of cushioning they provide. Responsive cushioning uses firmer materials and foams to help your feet push off with efficiency; plush cushioning absorbs impact to create a forgiving ride; and balanced cushioning sits in the middle to deliver protective cushioning that maintains some responsiveness.
If you prefer truly plush cushioning, consider the Bondi, Hoka’s tried-and-true max-cushioned shoe. For balanced cushioning that supplies a best-of-both-worlds experience, models like the Clifton and Transport will better meet your needs. And if you’re after responsive cushioning for faster walking, the Mach series and Mafate Speed 4 are great options, though both are a bit more aggressive.
Stability
A walking shoe’s stability refers to how it supports your foot through the gait cycle. While even neutral shoes contain some stability elements, true stability shoes are designed to address overpronation, which occurs when your foot rolls inward as you step. Not all walkers need a true stability shoe, but if you overpronate, it can really help.
Again, Hoka classifies a shoe’s stability as either neutral, moderate or stable. Neutral shoes feature a symmetrical bed of cushioning but don’t add stability elements; stable shoes contain some form of intervention, like "J-Frame" or "H-frame" technology—forms of construction that prevent excessive inward rolling; and moderate shoes contain features that make the design inherently stable, like a wide base, to support neutral gaits.
Understanding your natural gait can help you find a walking shoe that meets your needs. The Arahi, for example, improves stability because it contains a strip of foam along the medial side to prevent overpronation. Similarly, the Gaviota features “H-Frame” technology that weaves firmer foam around the entire shoe. Other models, like the Clifton and Bondi, are neutral shoes, meaning they provide basic support via a symmetrical footbed.
Traction
Most people use their walking shoes on hard, dry surfaces like concrete or asphalt, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook traction. Again, Hoka makes different shoes for different purposes, so it’s important to consider your needs.
If you use your shoes to run errands, take the dog on a walk or travel, models like the Clifton, Bondi and Gaviota are great because they’re made with a basic, durable rubber outsole for longevity and versatility. If you prefer to walk on local trails or dirt roads that require a bit more traction, consider the Anacapa Breeze Low or even the Speedgoat—both feature Vibram MegaGrip rubber to boost traction. And the Bondi SR has a true slip-resistant outsole, which is great for the workplace.
Use Case
Ultimately, the best Hoka walking shoe for you comes down to how you’ll use it. A plump, squishy trainer like the Bondi isn’t really suitable for trails, while the Anacapa Breeze Low isn’t necessary for sunny sidewalks. Consider when and where you prefer to walk and narrow down your options from there.
