Hoka Arahi 8 Review
The Hoka Arahi 8 is a road running shoe designed for everyday use. It has anti-pronation support to help resist overpronation for runners who need a mild to moderate level of stability. A lot has changed in the latest version of the Arahi. The Arahi 8 has a new midsole, last shape, and upper. The heel-to-forefoot drop is now 8mm, and the midsole stack height has increased by 3mm—making the men’s Arahi 8 39mm at the heel and 31mm at the forefoot, and the women’s version 37mm and 29mm respectively. The foam is still a compressed EVA, but it’s been made softer to give a more cushioned ride.
When a runner’s foot hits the ground, the arch compresses to absorb shock. Ideally, it should reshape quickly so they can push off from under the big toe. If the foot is weak, the arch might not rebound fast enough. This causes the knee to drop inward, meaning the ankle, knee, and hip joints are slightly out of alignment. The runner may also push off from the inside of the big toe rather than the end. This can lead to wear and tear on the body. Common symptoms include blisters on the inside of the foot or big toe, shin pain, knee pain, hip pain, lower back issues, or discomfort on the outside of the thigh.
Shoes like the Hoka Arahi 8 are designed to resist this inward rotation and encourage push-off from the end of the big toe. That support comes from the midsole. The Arahi 8 features a firmer piece of material shaped like an ‘H’ within the midsole. This differs from previous versions of the Arahi, which had a ‘J’-shaped support piece. The ‘H’ shape—also used in the more supportive Gaviota—offers dual-sided support to help guide the foot through the gait cycle.
As with all Hoka shoes, the foot sits inside the midsole rather than on top of it. This gives the shoe inherent stability and helps guide the foot along the intended path. All Hoka models also feature a curved or rocker-shaped midsole, which reduces braking forces on impact and keeps the foot moving forward. This helps maintain a quick cadence, keeps the posture upright, and makes the runner feel lighter on their feet. It also reduces the tendency to bend forward at the waist when tired, helping to maintain pace. The rocker shape also reduces the amount of time the foot has to roll inwards or overpronate. The firmer outer edges of the ‘H’ frame don’t compress as easily, so the foot transitions quickly from landing to toe-off.
The 8mm heel-to-forefoot drop doesn’t necessarily promote a heel strike or increase braking forces compared to older Arahi models, which had a 4–5mm drop. What it does is allow for slightly earlier ground contact, giving the shoe more control over the gait cycle. Despite the soft midsole, there’s no notable braking. What I do notice is a slightly higher knee lift and a more upright running posture. The rocker feels less aggressive when just standing in the shoes, and the overall ride feels smooth and cruise-like.
The Hoka Arahi 8 is a training shoe and doesn’t respond well when you try to pick up the pace. The soft midsole takes away some ground feel, and while the rocker helps with posture and efficiency, it doesn’t exactly make you fly. But as a training shoe, it’s excellent. The Arahi 8 is comfortable and well-cushioned—ideal for easy runs when your legs are tired and achy, or for longer outings when you need a bit of extra protection from the road.
The outsole features patches of abrasion-resistant rubber in high-wear areas. This works well with the midsole to offer comfort underfoot and good grip on both wet and dry tarmac. The fit has changed quite a bit too. The Arahi 8 is built on a new last that makes it a bit roomier. The toe box feels less pointed, with more volume overall. The double jacquard mesh upper is soft and breathable. The heel cup and collar are nicely padded, and the Achilles tab curves away to reduce irritation and improve fit. The tongue is also well-padded—not gusseted, but held in place with a lace loop. There are two extra lace holes for heel-lock or butterfly lacing if needed.
Despite the extra foam and volume, the Arahi 8 is actually a touch lighter: the women’s UK 5 weighs 218g, and the men’s UK 8 comes in at 269g.
In terms of sizing, Hoka shoes are similar in length to New Balance, Karhu, Inov-8, and La Sportiva. If you wear Brooks, Saucony, 361, Topo, or Altra, we suggest going up half a UK size to get a similar fit. For example, a Brooks UK 11 is roughly equivalent to a Hoka UK 11.5. The Arahi 8 is available in two widths for both men and women, so you can get the right fit for your foot shape.
In summary, the Hoka Arahi 8 has had a complete overhaul. The cushioning now feels as soft and plush as the neutral Clifton 10, while the stability has been dialled up to provide better pronation support than the previous version. The ride is smooth and cruise-like—ideal for easy, everyday training runs.
Other Considerations
New Balance 860v14: A soft feel to the cushioning. Available in three width men’s and two with women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-860v14-review/
Saucony Guide 18: A very similar shoe although the toe box is a bit more pointed and the ride not quite a plus and smooth. The Guide 18 could be considered a quicker shoe guiding the foot from landing to toe off a little quicker than the Arahi 8. The Arahi 8 having more of a cruising feel to the ride. Available in two width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/saucony-guide-18-review/
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24: The 12mm heel to forefoot drop, pointed toe box and bouncy feel to the midsole make the Adrenaline GTS 24 a very different feeling shoe. Available in three width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-adrenaline-gts-24-review/
Karhu Ikoni 3: The Fulcrum in the midsole helps to promote a more upright posture reminding the runner to lift their heels up as they run. This makes you lighter on your feet. The ride is more responsive but still nicely cushioned. The Ikoni 3 is a shoe that you can use for some quicker running as well as easy running so it’s more versatile than the Hoka Arahi 8. The straight big toe line allows the feet to function more and provides a positive toe off. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-ikoni-3-review/
Topo Ultrafly 5: A broad rounded toe box and firmer more responsive feel promotes a more foot function inside the shoes. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-ultrafly-5-review/
361 Kairos 2: A very similar shoe to the Hoka Arahi 8, although like the Saucony Guide 18 the Kairos guides the foot through the gait cycle a bit quicker and has a firmer feel to the cushioning. This makes it more versatile than a shoe suitable for just easy running. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/361-degrees-kairos-2-review/
Altra Provision 8: A broad rounded toe box and zero drop gives the Altra Provision 8 a much more natural feel to the ride. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-provision-8-review/
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