HOKA Stinson 8 review

We recommend the HOKA Stinson 8 for:

• Big or heavy runners who need plenty of cushioning and good durability.
• Runners with overpronation who struggle to find trail shoes that provide enough support without feeling unstable.
• Anyone looking for a max-stack shoe that can handle slow runs, hikes, and walks on easy terrain.

The lack of a Vibram outsole is a bit disappointing given the Stinson 8's high price, and for some runners, it could be a true deal-breaker. If that's the case for you, we'd recommend checking out the HOKA Speedgoat 7 or HOKA Mafate 5.

We also think the Stinson 8 won't work well for runners who prefer to avoid maximalist shoes. If that's you, we'd recommend the ASICS Trabuco 14 instead.

The incredible size of the HOKA Stinson 8 suggests record-breaking shock absorption, but that's not what we found. With 132 SA in the heel and 123 SA in the forefoot, it still delivers above-average numbers, especially in the forefoot, but the lack of a more advanced foam limits its full potential in this area.

As with shock absorption, the EVA foam limits the shoe's potential here. Energy return is far from impressive, with just 53.4% in the forefoot and 50.5% in the heel.

While Stinson users rarely pick up the pace and typically use this shoe for relaxed runs or even walking, we still think more bounce would be welcome, especially at a price that sits near the high end of the market.

What makes the Stinson series such a polarizing shoe is its massive midsole, and it just keeps growing. With version 8, HOKA added even more stack height, bringing it up to 41.9 mm.

We don't know if HOKA plans to keep adding more foam indefinitely, but in our opinion, this starts to feel like a true sweet spot for a maximalist trail shoe. And we don't think going closer to 50 mm would make any sense here.

For midfoot and forefoot strikers, who distribute pressure more evenly across the midsole instead of concentrating it in the heel, the shoe still offers plenty of cushioning, with a stack height of 33.3 mm in the front.

The drop sits a bit higher than what HOKA states in its spec sheet, but this comes as no surprise. We've seen this with most shoes from the brand, likely because HOKA measures the forefoot closer to the midfoot instead of following the World Athletics measurement points.

With 8.6 mm of drop, the ride works well for most footstrikes and feels more appealing to us than the 5 mm HOKA declares. This is especially important for a shoe that focuses heavily on adding support and cushioning around the heel.

HOKA brings a dual-foam configuration to the Stinson 8, with a softer layer at 34.9 AC in the bottom section to provide pleasant cushioning during landings, and a firmer 41.6 AC layer above it to add support and stability.

We also put the shoe in our freezer for 20 minutes to see how it handles cold temperatures, and we found a 25% change, which is consistent with what we typically see from EVA-based foams.

The Stinson 8 features a rocker that's not overly aggressive, but instead feels progressive, creating a smooth sensation that gently rolls the shoe forward without pushing too hard.

We think this is a good choice because a shoe with such a high stack needs some rocker, but a more aggressive design would have made it less practical for walking and hiking.

HOKA shoes tend to favor a snugger fit, but the Stinson 8 seems to break that trend. In our first run, we found the fit more spacious than expected, so it was time to put that impression to the test.

We traced a replica of the forefoot and found that its width expands to 97.1 mm, surpassing our current lab average. That's a highly-unusual result for a HOKA shoe and confirms that the Stinson 8 offers a notably roomy fit.

Afterwards, we checked the toebox and found 77.6 mm of width. If you want a HOKA shoe and have wide feet, we don't think it gets much better than this.

To finish our fit assessment, we checked the toebox height. Here, we found a more expected result at 27.0 mm.

That's enough for most runners, although it's worth noting that the protective overlays around the toebox limit how much the upper can stretch.

One area where we expected an upgrade but didn't get one is the outsole rubber. HOKA decided to stick with its proprietary compound for the Stinson 8 instead of making the switch to Vibram Megagrip.

The difference is clear: while Vibram rubber consistently scores well above our current lab average and delivers impressive traction, the Stinson 8 managed just 0.59 in our forefoot traction test. It's not a major deal-breaker, especially if you mostly run in dry conditions, but at this price, we really think the Stinson 8 deserves Vibram Megagrip.

The Stinson 8 keeps the same terrain focus as previous versions, with a lug depth that's better suited to less technical and less challenging terrain.

We measured the bird-shaped lugs (nice detail!) at 3.3 mm, so we recommend sticking to gravel roads, easy trails, and hard-packed terrain with this shoe.

The outsole offers near-full coverage from heel to toe, with the only exposed foam sitting recessed from the main contact area. As a result, it should only pick up minor scratches from the occasional sharp rock.

The HOKA Stinson 8 comes without a carbon plate, but its gargantuan size and tank-like build create an ultra-stiff feel underfoot with very little flexibility. 

When we put it through our 30-degree bend test, we found one of the highest stiffness results we've ever recorded in our lab.

The HOKA Stinson 7's weight was ridiculous at 12.1 oz (342g), so we're glad to see HOKA moving in the right direction.

At 11.3 oz (320g), it's still a super-heavy running shoe that feels hard to move when picking up the pace, but the weight now feels more reasonable. And with a better foam, we think HOKA could make another big cut with version 9 while keeping durability intact.

The HOKA Stinson series has always been a haven for overpronators who need extra support on trail runs, and we found that version 8 stays true to that formula. It's broad and exceptionally stiff, and despite its high stack height, it quickly controls lateral movement. However, don't expect a subtle experience, as the support feels highly intrusive throughout the ride.

The HOKA Stinson 8 flexes and twists like it's made from steel. Therefore, another whopping result of 25.0 Nm should come as no surprise, further contributing to the incredibly stable feel we experienced with every stride.

However, if you want terrain adaptability and a natural underfoot feel, this shoe is the absolute opposite.

HOKA was clearly determined to make this shoe an ideal pick for runners with stability concerns, as the heel counter is one of the stiffest we've ever tested, earning an obvious 5/5 rating.

With 121.5 mm of midsole width, the HOKA Stinson 8 has a massive footprint.

It's a trademark feature of the shoe and something anyone buying the Stinson needs to expect: this shoe is huge in every direction.

The heel is probably even more impressive, as it measures 102.9 mm in width, making it wider than the average relative to the forefoot. And of course, another classic HOKA design feature is present here, as the midfoot barely tapers and provides an exceptionally broad landing base.

As is typical with the Stinson series, HOKA didn't cut any corners when it came to protecting the upper from abrasion, using large TPU overlays that also add extra stability to the shoe.

In our first durability test, the toebox held up well and earned a promising 4/5 rating from us.

The heel padding could be better than the 3/5 score, but it's still a reasonable result that doesn't raise any major concerns.

It may not grip like Vibram, but at least the rubber delivered similar durability. We recorded just 0.7 mm of damage, which is below our current average and suggests that the Stinson 8 should last longer than what you typically experience with on other models.

The outsole has a thickness of just 1.6 mm, which seems sufficient given the huge chunk of foam already provides plenty of protection underfoot.

And honestly, adding even more weight to this shoe feels like the exact opposite of what HOKA should be doing here.

There's nothing particularly special about the 4.5 mm-thick insole, which falls within the usual range found in most road and trail running shoes.

Taking out the insole is possible, although doing so means losing the perforated forefoot section that slightly improves airflow inside the shoe.

HOKA is usually one of the brands that does a great job with reflective elements, but it seems like whoever handled this feature was laying on the beach that day.

We found that HOKA combines the lacing system with a supportive cage that helps cradle the foot while also improving durability and preventing early tears. There's nothing fancy here, as it follows the familiar design used by many running shoes, and the laces are equally straightforward.

We liked the tongue padding. At 7.5 mm, it provides enough cushioning to protect the instep from unwanted pressure without feeling overly bulky or restrictive.

The fit stays secure throughout the run, partly thanks to the semi-gusseted tongue that HOKA brings over from its road running shoes. However, some runners may prefer a full-gusseted design to do a better job of keeping debris and dust out of the toebox.

The heel features a finger-loop tab that adds even more trail-running character to the shoe, and we also appreciated how carefully HOKA integrated it into the overall design.

The HOKA Stinson 8 sits at the higher end of the trail running shoe market, and we think that's becoming harder to justify without a more advanced foam or a Vibram outsole. At nearly $200, those are two features we believe HOKA should include to make the price feel more reasonable.