Why is Trendy Triumph a trusted source? To assist you in making the perfect shoe choice, we are analyzing and reviewing the leading running shoe companies, including Hoka, Brooks, Asics, and Nike. The website's revenue from monetizing ads.
Hoka vs New Balance: Which One Should You Pick and Why?
Hoks is a new shoe brand compared to New Balance. But both the brands are up to the standard when offering shoes for multiple needs. Hoka shoes come with maximum cushioning, but New Balance considers ultimate comfort for a few shoe models but emphasizes support and durability a lot, and here comes the difference.
You will find immense comfort, no matter what Hoka shoes you buy for what purpose. The extra thick, multi-layer midsole makes the shoes well combined and a bit bulky at the same time. Credit should go to the Active Foot Frame™ and the MetaRocker™ technology.
The Rear crash pad makes Hoka running shoes a bit more stable but not as much as the New Balance. But, due to the satisfying comfort and higher stack height, Hoka running shoes are suitable for everyday running, training, hiking, or for people who are going through recovery sessions.
You can have some iconic and visible tech aesthetic running shoe models from New Balance. The shoes offer minimal cushioning but ensure superb stability. For example, the Fresh Foam X midsole, rocker profile, and rollbar technology are crucial in making smooth transitions from heel to forefoot.
New Balance running shoes are also lightweight and supportive, and that’s why the brand can be a choice for trail runners or those who need ultimate speed and responsiveness, sacrificing a bit of comfort.
Hoka vs New Balance: Comparison Chart
| Comparison Chart | Hoka | New Balance |
| Best for | Every day running, training, lost distance running, walking, service working. | Aggressive running, trail running, short-distance running, and overpronator. |
| Cushioning | More cushioned | Minimal Cushioned |
| Durability | Last around 300-350 miles | Last around 400-450 miles |
| Support | Less supportive | More supportive |
| Weight | Lightweight | Lightweight |
| Size | 3-16 | 4-20 |
| Fit | Narrow Fit | Wide fit |
| Responsiveness | Less responsive | More responsive |
| Design | Aesthetic | Traditional |
| Average Price Range | $140-$180 | $130-$150 |
What Are the Brands’ Shoes Best For?
You should always choose the shoe based on the purpose for which you will use it. Hoka running shoes are known for maximalist cushioning. The extra thick midsole tells us the story.
According to the New York Times, Hokas are widely known for being the most comfortable shoes ever. And that’s why the shoes provide enough comfort for the long-distance runner or people in recovery.
Due to EVA foam and technologies like Meta-Rocker™, the shoes provide a more plush and comfortable running experience. A good number of service workers worldwide also choose Hoka Shoes for a soft midsole with decent stack height- for example, the Hoka One One Clifton 8. This shoe is also good for neutral runners.
On the other hand, New Balance offers shoes for various purposes. But compared to Hoka, New Balance shoes don’t come with that extra cushion. Rather, the brand focuses on support and stability because of the medial sole. People who have pronation issues would love New Balance running shoes for that.
Now let’s hear from a nurse named Sheridan, who remarked that,
The shoes are great. As Sheridan is a nurse, she has to work for around 12 hours a day. She was not satisfied with her previous shoes. But once she started wearing New Balance, things became easy. The shoes are comfortable, and Sheridan thinks her feet don’t ache day by day.
One of the customers review from Amazon.
The Fresh Foam X and FuelCell technologies make the New Balance running shoes for ultimate stability. Why not wear suitable New Balance shoes if you are fond of speed, aggression, or trail running? The wide base and flared outsole are also what you need for that type of running.
What About Durability?
A good pair of running shoes should last up to 500 miles, and it is good to replace the shoes once the period is exceeded. Hoka and New Balance offer the durability you expect due to the rich and quality mid, outsole, and upper construction.
But the midsole of Hoka shoes is supposed to compress a lot. Due to this, the components wear down faster. On the other hand, New Balance running shoes don’t have this kind of issue and have dual-density midsoles. Moreover, most New Balance running shoes have more rubber than Hoka.
Then again, experts recommended purchasing shoes that are made for specific use purposes. Now, let’s have a look at some long-lasting shoe collections from Hoka and New Balance.
Hoka
New Balance
- New Balance Fresh Foam 108.
- New Balance Fresh Foam 880.
- New Balance 860v13.
- New Balance Beacon v3.
Weight
The Hoka and New Balance shoes come with a wide range of weight. If you have the heaviest and lightest shoe options from the brand. For example, the Hoka Marc 5 comes with a weight of 7.1 oz, and the New Balance 1080 v12 comes with a weight of 9.5 0z. But this is not the overall picture of the shoe’s weight.
One of the most trending Hoka running shoes is the Bondi 8, which weighs 10.80 oz. If we compare this with the New Balance More v4, the shoe weighs 10.90 oz. The good thing about the brands is you can have many options to choose from regardless of the type of shoe you purchase.
Fit and Size
Most of the Hoka running shoes are narrower. On the other hand, you can expect to have more toe space with the New Balance shoes. But the brands provide fit and size charts so customers can choose the most suitable pair of shoes.
We see Hoka shoes come in sizes ranging from 3 to 16. But you can also find New Balance shoes in bigger sizes. Most of the shoes range from 4-20.
Price
On average, Hoka shoes are more expensive than New Balance shoes. But we have seen some of the premium segments of shoes introduced by both brands that cost up to $250-$260. Here is a pricing table for your consideration;
| Hoka Shoes Price (Approx) | New Balance Shoes Price (Approx) |
| Bondi 8 – $131.99- $165.00 | Fresh Foam 108 – $160 |
| Clifton 9 – $145 | Fresh Foam 880 – $140 |
| Marc X – 180 | FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 – $249 |
| Arahi 6 – $111.99 | FuelCell Rebel v3 – $103 |
| Hoka Rocket X 2 – $250 | Fresh Foam Roav V2 – $91 |
What Are Some of the Best Hoka and New Balance Shoes?
You should not purchase any random shoes. Chances are you buy a shoe that will not meet your purpose. The list below can help any customer to choose the right pair of shoes for their needs.
| Purposes | Hoka Shoes | New Balance Shoes |
| Walking | Bondi 8, Clifton 9, Moabi LS Sun Top, Gaviota 5, Arahi 7. | FuelCell Walker Elite, 928v3, Fresh Foam X 840F Slip Resistant,Fresh Foam X 840F. |
| Training | Kawana 2, Solimar, Kawana | Minimus TR BOA®, FuelCell Trainer v2, MX857V3, 608v5, MX608V5 Slip Resistant |
| Trail Running | Speedgoat 5, Stinson 7, Challenger 7, Challenger 7 GTX, Speedgoat 5 Mid GTX, Speedgoat 5 GTX, Tecton X 2 | Fresh Foam X Hierro v8, Fresh Foam X More Trail v3, Fresh Foam Garoé, 2002RX Gore-Tex®, Fresh Foam X More Trail v3, Tektrel |
| Lifestyle | Mafate Speed 2, HOKA x END. Kaha Low GTX, HOKA x END. Mafate Speed 2, All Gender Mafate Speed 2, Transport GTX | 574 Core, Made in USA 990v6, 9060, 860v2, 2002RX Gore-Tex®, Made in USA 998 |
