Hoka vs. On: The Sneaker Showdown That Could Change Your Run Forever – Which Brand Truly Dominates?

Ever wondered why so many runners swear by Hokas as their first serious step into the running world? I mean, is it just the cushiony bounce, or is there something more magical going on with these shoes? Our editor Brady Langmann—who’s not just your average marathon hobbyist but a full-on shoe evangelist—puts the spotlight on the Clifton, now in its sleek 10th edition. It’s the chameleon of the Hoka family: light jacquard uppers that hug your foot like a glove and a plush sole that practically begs you to keep moving. And the best part? You don’t have to look like you’re about to sprint a triathlon to rock these around town—they pair surprisingly well with jeans or even some wide-leg slacks. Now, sure, the jump from Clifton 9 to 10 might look like a whisper rather than a shout—just a modest heel-to-toe drop adjustment—but for those sensitive to every footfall, it’s a game changer. The brand doesn’t reinvent the wheel every time—they stick to a winning formula that’s proven on the brutal stages like the Badwater 135 ultra. When a fleet of racers chooses Hokas out there, you know it’s more than hype. Curious to know if these kicks deserve a spot in your rotation? LEARN MORE

Hokas are one of the first thing you get in a running journey. Our entertainment editor, Brady Langmann, runs marathons and swears by the brand. His model of choice, and the most popular in the Hoka lineup, is the Clifton, now on its 10th iteration. The Clifton is the all-rounder of the Hoka lineup. The upper is a lightweight jacquard, which locks the foot in place. The sole is big and bouncy, one of the brand’s most plush. The heel to toe trop is 8mm, similar to some of the more race-day models, which helps give you that push forward feeling while running.

But to add to all of that, the look isn’t so serious. You can wear these around town—even with jeans or trousers, though I’d go wide leg to match the heavy shoe—and look perfectly normal.

The jump to Clifton 10 was a modest update, but it’s a near perfect shoe, so I get it. Hoka added added 3mm to the heel-to-toe drop from the Clifton 9, totaling 8mm now. The foot feel of the two shoes is almost identical as far as I’m concerned, but that does help it slightly when you’re running. You might feel a touch more support underfoot, but that’s only for the especially sensitive.

Hoka saves its big changes for its big models, but even on those it’s pretty indistinguishable from model to model. That’s OK. The brand has a winning formula, and that’s what matters. When we sent a reporter to asses the running shoe situation at the Badwater 135 ultramarathon, he noted that a majority of the pack was wearing Hokas. That’s the only endorsement you need.