Hoka Vs. New Balance Running Shoes Compared by a Coach
I have run in many Hoka and New Balance shoes.
By Marnie Kunz,
NASM-certified trainer, USATF- RRCA-certified run coach
If you’re wondering how Hoka vs. New Balance running shoes stack up against each other, this guide will cover the benefits, similarities, and differences between both shoe brands. As a running coach and lifelong runner, I have run in many different running shoe brands and models, with New Balance and Hoka shoes being some of the brands I’ve logged the most miles in. For this comparison, I also dive into the technical specs of the shoes to look at the numbers and find out what the difference in materials and construction is and most importantly, how this translates to running support. The decision on what running shoes will serve you best can be overwhelming, and this guide can help you determine if Hoka or New Balance shoes may be the perfect fit for you.
I ran a trail half marathon in the Hoka Speedgoat 6 shoes.
Related: New Balance 860 Shoe Review Based on My Half Marathon Training
Brand Overview: Hoka
Hoka began as a shoe that was designed to help people run down mountains in the French Alps. The company was founded in 2009 by two passionate trail runners and former Salomon employees, Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard. At the time, minimalist running shoes were a big trend and Hoka created just the opposite - shoes with oversized midsoles, called “maximalist” shoes. These high-cushioned, lightweight shoes became popular with ultra marathon runners for their support and stability even in rough terrain.
Hoka was bought by Deckers Brands in 2013. Today Hoka has become a popular running shoe that offers maximalist cushion coupled with lightweight designs, with shoe models ranging from trail shoes to road running and walking shoes.
Key Hoka Running Shoe Characteristics:
Maximalist cushioning is a defining feature.
Meta-Rocker technology with benefits for smooth transitions.
Generally wider platforms for stability.
Innovative and non-traditional colors and designs.
Often a lower heel-to-toe drop.
Women’s Hoka Mach 6 shoes.
Popular Hoka Shoe Models
Hoka Clifton is a bestselling Hoka running shoe that’s a versatile daily trainer known for its plush cushioning and smooth ride. The Hoka Clifton 10 is popular for daily road running and walking.
Hoka Mach running shoes are lighter-weight trainers offering a responsive yet cushioned feel, suitable for tempo runs and races. The Mach 6 has a durable outsole and higher stack height than its predecessor, the Mach 5, offering increased cushioning and protection without sacrificing its lightweight and responsive feel. You can check out my Hoka Mach 6 Shoe Review for a detailed breakdown of this model.
Hoka Bondi is a maximum cushioning shoe for ultimate impact absorption, ideal for recovery runs, walking, and runners who need extra protection from pounding the pavement.
Hoka Speedgoat is a trail running shoe known for its good grip and ample cushioning on technical terrain. Check out my Hoka Speedgoat 6 Review for more details on this trail running shoe.
Brand Overview: New Balance
New Balance is an older company than Hoka, with a running shoe tradition that dates back to 1906 when the company was created as the New Balance Arch Support Company. When I first started running, my first pair of shoes were clunky New Balance trainers. Since then, the company has come a long way, becoming more fashionable, while maintaining its functionality for running shoes.
Over the years, New Balance has maintained a strong emphasis on fit, offering a wider range of widths to accommodate different foot shapes, ensuring comfort and performance even for wide and narrow feet. New Balance caters to a wider range of activity types than Hoka, from running and training to lifestyle and court shoes, demonstrating their dedication to serving diverse athletic and everyday needs.
New Balance 860 running shoes.
Key New Balance Running Shoe Characteristics
Variety of cushioning levels, from minimalist to plush.
Focus on different foot types and biomechanics (e.g., stability features).
Often a more traditional aesthetic compared to Hoka.
Wide range of models catering to different running styles and distances.
Popular New Balance Shoe Models
New Balance 880 is a versatile daily running shoe known for its balanced cushioning and durability.
New Balance 860 is a daily stability running shoe that offers support for runners who overpronate. Check out my New Balance 860 Review for more details on the 860s.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 is a bestselling New Balance running shoe with a well-cushioned option for longer runs.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel is a lightweight and responsive shoe designed for speedwork and racing.
I ran the Love Run Philly Half Marathon in New Balance 860 shoes.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo is a stability shoe offering guidance and cushioning for overpronators.
Similarities Between Hoka and New Balance
If you’re comparing Hoka vs New Balance running shoes, they have some common features. Both companies are well known for their comfortable running shoes and have a strong presence in the running community. They both offer a range of shoes for different types of runners and running.
Hoka and New Balance both have well-cushioned running shoes and incorporate their own proprietary cushioning technologies. Each company is continually innovating and updating its shoe models. Whether you’re looking for a trail running shoe, a supportive long or ultra running shoe, or a fast running shoe for races, each company has shoe models for all of these categories.
Key Differences Between Hoka vs New Balance
Cushioning
Hoka’s primary focus is on max cushioning while New Balance has a broader range of cushioning options. Hoka often uses a high volume of EVA foam, resulting in taller stack heights compared to many traditional running shoes. This contributes to the signature cushioned feel.
New Balance's Fresh Foam is engineered using data collected from real runners, analyzing pressure mapping and force application to optimize cushioning and support where it's needed most. Fresh Foam aims to provide a plush and comfortable ride while still offering a degree of responsiveness.
Check out my full New Balance 860v14 Review.
Midsole Feel
The midsoles differ in Hoka vs New Balance shoes. Hokas often have a softer, more pillowy versus a firmer feel in some New Balance models. Hoka’s design involves a thicker midsole compared to traditional running shoes. The large volume of EVA-based foam in Hoka shoes is the primary reason for their plush feel.
New Balance shoes include unique geometric patterns and varying densities within the Fresh Foam midsole so some areas might be softer for cushioning upon impact, while others might be slightly firmer to provide stability or contribute to a more responsive push-off.
Stability Approach
Hoka’s wider platforms contribute to inherent stability, while New Balance offers specific stability models with features like medial posts. Both companies offer stability shoe models to provide support and control excessive pronation (when the foot rolls inward too much while running or walking).
Heel-to-Toe Drop
Hoka often features lower drops, while New Balance has models with varying drops.
Aesthetics
Generally, Hoka has a more distinctive, often bulkier appearance, while New Balance tends towards a more classic running shoe look.
Weight
Both brands have lightweight options, with variations depending on the exact model. The most popular Hoka models, the Clifton and Mach 6 shoes, weigh 8.80 ounces (for the Clifton) and 6.70 ounces (for the Mach 6). New Balance women's 1080v14 weigh 8.3 ounces and the New Balance 880v15 weigh 8.4 ounces.
Check out my full Hoka Mach 6 Review.
Check out my Hoka Speedgoat 6 Review.
Width
New Balance is known for its wide options for people with wide feet and also has a roomier toebox in its standard-width running shoes. As someone with slightly wide feet, I have always found regular New Balance shoes to be comfortable and roomy in the toe box.
Hoka also has some wide-fit options, depending on the shoe model. In my experience, the Hoka Mach 6 shoes have a comfortable toebox, while the Hoka Speedgoat 6 are more narrow in the standard size and if I got them again, I would order the wide option.
Pros and Cons of Hoka
Pros:
Excellent cushioning for impact protection and comfort, especially for long-distance runs or for runners with joint concerns. I have found Hoka running shoes to be especially well-suited for walking and running on concrete in NYC. Hokas are also great for recovery days, providing lots of soft cushioning.
Smooth ride and efficient transitions due to the Meta-Rocker technology.
Wider platforms can provide inherent stability for neutral runners.
Lower heel-to-toe drops can encourage a more natural foot strike for some runners.
Cons:
Maximalist design can feel bulky or less agile for some runners.
Softer cushioning might lack responsiveness for faster paces.
Aesthetics may not appeal to all runners.
Can be more expensive than comparable New Balance models.
Less variety of models than New Balance shoes.
Pros and Cons of New Balance
Pros:
Wide variety of models to suit different foot types, running styles, and distances.
Options for different levels of cushioning and responsiveness.
Often a more traditional and versatile aesthetic.
Can offer good value for money with a range of price points (check out Joe’s New Balance Outlet for good deals on New Balance shoes).
Cons:
The high number of models can be overwhelming for some runners.
Cushioning in some models may not be sufficient for those seeking maximum plushness.
Some models might feel less innovative in terms of midsole technology compared to Hoka. I found the New Balance 860 shoes to be less responsive/lacking springiness but this may be due to the model’s stability design with motion control features.
Limited aesthetic options if you like innovative looks and colors.
Which Brand Helps Which Runners?
Hoka is often a great choice for runners seeking maximum cushioning and impact protection. For instance, I live in NYC and am usually walking my dog and running on pavement and I love the Hoka’s soft, pillowy feel to keep my feet comfortable on hard surfaces. Hokas can also be supportive for ultra runners tackling long distances, older runners, those with joint problems, and people who have standing jobs. If you do long trail runs and want a well-cushioned shoe with a good grip, Hokas may be a great option.
Hoka may not be the best choice for runners who prefer a more traditional ground feel and high responsiveness, and those who find maximalist shoes bulky or unstable. Runners on a tight budget may also want to check out other shoe options asHokas can be pricey.
New Balance is often a great choice for runners looking for a versatile daily trainer with balanced cushioning and runners who appreciate a more traditional fit and feel. Although Hoka has more models available now, including for speed work, if you want the widest range of options for different types of runs and races, New Balance is a great choice.
New Balance may not be the best choice for runners specifically seeking maximal cushioning above all else and those who strongly prefer a pronounced rocker geometry (giving your foot a rolling feel. If you like unorthodox colors and designs, New Balance also may not be the best choice as they have more traditional colors and models.
Considerations - Shoe Brand Vs Model
As a running coach, people often ask me “What’s the best running shoe?” and I have to be honest and say no one brand has all the best models. A lot depends on the shoe model. For instance, I have some Hokas and some New Balance models that I love and other models from the same brands that are not so well-suited to my feet or training.
Ultimately, when you’re considering Hoka vs New Balance running shoes, take into account your specific needs - your training terrain, mileage, speed, and goals. I always recommend going to a running shoe store to get fitted and trying on shoes to find the best model for you. Being open to different brands and focusing more on the particular model can help you find the best running shoes for you.
Have you run in Hoka vs New Balance shoes? What’s your favorite running shoe? Comment below and follow and tag @Runstreet on Instagram to share your running journey and get cheered on. If you need a training plan to slay your next big race, visit the Runstreet Training Center.
Happy running to you - in whatever shoes you choose!
Related Articles: How Long Do Running Shoes Last?, Hoka Mach 6 Shoe Review, Hoka Speedgoat 6 Review, New Balance 860v14 Review
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified personal trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, NY. Marnie likes helping people get and stay active to enjoy a better quality of life. When she’s not doing fitness things, Marnie enjoys exploring with her dog, a mischievous rescue Akita.
