Hoka Arahi 8 Review

Comfort and Fit

The Arahi scored below average for comfort and fit due to two key issues. First, the materials of the shoe caused rubbing in multiple places. The rougher material at the heel caused abrasions on the lower Achilles, which required wearing taller socks to avoid. The double-layer jacquard upper material rubbed against the edge of our foot, causing irritation there as well. Second, the overall fit of the Arahi 8 runs narrow. The toe box is slightly narrower than average, with an accentuated taper from the outside of the foot towards the toe. This location is where the rubbing on the edges of our feet occurred. The midfoot feels cramped, partly due to the upper shape and partly due to the under-arch support of the midsole. The heel is rigid and supportive, but feels a little more spacious than the rest of the shoe. Hoka offers the Arahi in a wide and extra-wide fit, and for those with slightly wider-than-average feet, we strongly recommend trying on different width options.

Cushioning

The cushioning of the Arahi provides a significant amount of support and stability, which is its primary purpose. However, it only provides a mediocre amount of protection. The midsole is made of EVA, and quite honestly, it feels outdated. It protects feet from the road, but does little to provide the protection we've come to expect from modern foams. It feels dull and lifeless, like trying to dribble a deflated basketball. As a result, legs feel a little more beat up after long runs in these shoes than they did in some other options.

While the foam is disappointing, the Arahi does roll very nicely. There's an early rocker geometry, which makes the transition from heel to toe smooth and easy. There's a moderate amount of midsole (we measured it at 35mm), which is split between foams with varying densities. The H-Frame foam is firmer, designed to provide structure and guidance as your foot touches down. This firmness is very noticeable, bordering on hard, along the inside and outside of the foot's arch. This resulted in uncomfortable runs and sore feet afterward.

However, the H-Frame does its job. The Arahi feels planted and stable. It doesn't allow much lateral movement on landing, and it even controls the motion of the forefoot well. For runners who require a moderate level of support, this design could be a great option.

Breathability

The Arahi is not the most breathable shoe we tested. The double-layer jacquard mesh upper material provides a good amount of support, but it failed to keep feet cool. On moderately warm summer days, we experienced noticeably sweaty feet.

Traction

The Arahi 8 features a rubber outsole that covers the majority of the forefoot and heel. It's grooved and has lugs of different shapes. It performs well on looser surfaces like crushed gravel, but we slipped on cold and wet pavement, which was especially noticeable at faster paces.

Should You Buy the Hoka Arahi 8?

If you prefer a snug shoe with ample support during your runs, we think the Arahi may be a good choice. However, we believe better options exist for most runners, including some dedicated stability shoes that offer more comfort than the Arahi without sacrificing support.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?