How to Choose a HOKA Trail Running Shoe

If maximum comfort is your priority, the HOKA Speedgoat is your perfect match. With nearly 40 mm of foam underfoot, the Speedgoat is the most cushioned shoe in HOKA's trail line. Carrying the nickname of Karl Meltzer, the record holder for winning the most 100-mile (160,93 km) trail races, the Speedgoat is designed to tackle technical trails and go the distance in comfort. A versatile option for a variety of runners, from the ultra-marathoner to the casual jogger or hiker, the Speedgoat offers a plush experience in a relatively lightweight package. It's no wonder the Speedgoat is HOKA's most popular trail running shoe.

While the Speedgoat offers more cushioning and aggressive traction, the Challenger still provides a high level of comfort in a lightweight and versatile package. You can expect a soft and smooth ride from this "Clifton of the trails." Many runners find that the Challenger hits the sweet spot, offering enough comfort for almost any run or hike without feeling bulky or heavy underfoot. Featuring 4-mm lugs, it is also designed for use on either road or trail, which is a nice bonus!

If you want a trail running shoe that you can use for everything from speedwork to long runs, it's hard to go wrong with the Torrent! This shoe feels fast and fun on the trails, but even with its nimble nature, the Torrent still provides a soft landing at impact. With a grippy, aggressive outsole, this shoe inspires confidence on a variety of trails, making it a great candidate for best all-around HOKA trail shoe.

The zippy HOKA Zinal should be your pick if you're in the market for a speedy, bouncy, and responsive option. With a lower stack height than other trail models from the brand, you can expect more of a connected-to-the-ground experience that will have you feeling nimble on technical trails. Yes, this may be a far cry from the max-cushion, "marshmallowy" feel HOKA shoes are known for, but we find that the Zinal still offers enough comfortable cushioning for everything but the longest trail runs. The Zinal will really thrive on faster, shorter runs on technical terrain where speed is the name of the game.

The Mafate Speed is a little more of a niche option than the Speedgoat or Challenger, but it has a loyal following all the same. Designed as a race-ready shoe that can handle the most technical of terrain, the Mafate Speed features a high level of responsive cushioning and an aggressive Vibram outsole. The grip might be the most loved feature of this shoe! The Mafate Speed has plenty of protective cushioning for your longest runs while providing some "pop" when you want to pick up the pace.

The HOKA Tecton X is a trail racing shoe developed for speed and comfort. The shoe has the new ProFlyX midsole that is light and responsive. The ProFlyX is aided in propulsion by parallel carbon fiber plates contained in the midsole. Together these features give the shoe a responsive yet cushioned ride, ready to take on trails at speed. The upper of the shoe is an engineered jacquard mesh that provides an excellent hold through uneven terrain. Tecton X is an exciting new trail shoe that will propel your trail runs to new heights.