HOKA Arahi 8 review

In our opinion, the HOKA Arahi 8 is a great choice for:

• Runners who found the Arahi 7 too firm and lacking in cushioning, since both issues are improved here.
• Anyone looking for a mild stability shoe that feels light underfoot.
• Heel strikers who avoided the low drop of previous versions.
• Those who want one shoe that’s comfortable (and stable) for daily wear and a few runs each week.

We believe that the HOKA Arahi 8 is not the best choice for runners training in hot climates. In our lab, the shoe’s poor airflow was clear, and a light colorway is not going to fix it. For a breathable alternative with mild stability, we recommend the ASICS GT 2000 13 or the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23.

We also think the Arahi 8 falls short in outsole grip. Based on our findings, it was a bit underwhelming on wet surfaces. If this is important for you, the PUMA ForeverRun Nitro 2 is a far superior option, offering a more confidence-inspiring traction in all conditions.

One aspect we found disappointing in the HOKA Arahi 7 was its limited heel shock absorption, especially at a time when most runners expect higher levels of cushioning.

This has been addressed in the Arahi 8, which delivers 138 SA in the heel compared to the previous 106 SA, making it far more suitable for long runs. Forefoot strikers are also well supported, with 113 SA up front.

With each new HOKA release, there is always the question of whether they will introduce the lively supercritical EVA foam from the Mach series or stick with the older and not-bouncy-at-all CMEVA. In the Arahi 8, it is the latter, which results in modest energy return: 54.4% in the heel and 60.9% in the forefoot.

In recent reviews we’ve pointed out that most brands keep raising stack heights in daily trainers, often going beyond 40 mm, and HOKA follows the same path. The Clifton 10 already passed that line with ease, and the Arahi 8 gets close at 39.4 mm. 

This means (obviously) more shock absorption and a cushioned, extra-protective ride with less ground feel. However, stability can take a hit if design tweaks are not made to compensate, so the question is whether HOKA managed that balance here... we'll find out pretty soon!

The forefoot stack remains nearly the same as its predecessor, which makes sense once you look at the new drop. Still, 28.1 mm hits a comfortable sweet spot that works well for this shoe.

HOKA was once very proud of its consistent 5 mm drop across the lineup, but that has shifted with the rise in stack heights. 

The Arahi 8, like other recent HOKA models, is listed at 8 mm in the official specs. However, our careful measurements showed a much higher drop of 11.3 mm, and the side profile of our cut-in-half shoe clearly reveals that this is a high-drop design that feels closer to a Nike shoe than to the earlier Arahi versions when running, and works much better for heel strikers.

Another major change in the Arahi 8 was long requested by many HOKA aficionados. The Arahi 7 came with a super firm 26.6 HA foam, but HOKA moved here to a softer (16.4 HA) EVA that feels far more pleasant underfoot.

As we mentioned with the increased stack height, this brings an important shift for stability, since a softer landing platform naturally adds some instability. Still, the ride remains steady, and we’ll explain in the stability section how these updates were managed with success.

We found that this shoe also uses a secondary foam that's a firmer at 24.0 HA. It's the main ingredient of the H-Frame stability system, so only a small amount is used.

The HOKA Arahi 8 uses what HOKA calls an Early-Stage Meta-Rocker, where the forefoot curves upward from the midfoot area, and the heel is bevelled to guide transitions. This rocker is more pronounced than the one in version 7, especially in the heel area.

Combined with the shoe’s high stack height, it minimises impact forces and encourages a rolling stride for heel strikers.

Sometimes brands make only small updates to justify a new version name, but that is not the case here—the Arahi 8 really feels like a full reboot, and a big part of that is the fit.

We crafted a gel mould in the lab to capture three detailed measurements and give a clear view. The first showed 95.3 mm of width, which sits right at the average and points to a more natural fit instead of the narrow snugness from most HOKAs.

The strongest evidence of the wider fit comes from the toebox, where we measured 73.6 mm. For comparison, the Arahi 7 reached only 70.0 mm in the same test.

This model also offers multiple width options in select markets.

When we tried the Arahi 8, there was no pressure on our toes at all.

Later in the lab, we measured 27.6 mm of vertical clearance, matching most daily trainers and fitting comfortably for a wide range of foot shapes.

HOKA has never stood out as a leader in grip with their road shoes, and the Arahi 8 confirms this. We tested it under the SATRA TM144 standard and discovered a score of only 0.36, which is even lower than the Arahi 7’s 0.40.

This outcome still performs reasonably on dry ground, but on wet or slick surfaces we found it a bit lacking.

The Arahi 8 outsole features durable rubber segments paired with exposed EVA foam, following a classic design in HOKA daily trainers. Thick rubber overlays target the zones where pronators apply more pressure, while cream-coloured foam stays visible in the midfoot and through the cutouts.

The HOKA Arahi 8 is not a flexible shoe, which is expected from a high-stack model built for stability. In our 30-degree bend test it scored 18.3N, placing it on the stiffer side, though still within a reasonable range.

While some changes in the Arahi 8 may be debated among longtime fans of the series, there is one area with no room for complaints: weight.

Despite carrying much more cushioning underfoot, the Arahi 8 actually drops some weight compared to version 7. We tested it at 9.1 oz or 259g in the lab, a reduction from the 9.4 oz or 266g of the Arahi 7. It’s a small but impressive change, especially given the added foam and the shoe’s role as a stability-focused model.

We found that the Arahi 8 uses a double-layer jacquard mesh upper that doesn’t look very ventilated. And it isn’t.

When tested with our smoke pumping machine, the upper scored only 2/5, showing poor airflow for warmer runs.

A second check with our powerful LED light confirmed that no light passed through, which suggests HOKA intentionally favoured stability and durability here.

Under our digital microscope, it became ultra-clear that air has almost no way to escape, with a tightly packed weave and no ventilation holes.

Still, the upper delivers surprising comfort for its low weight, and for runners in cooler climates, the Arahi 8 works as a cosy option that keeps feet warm.

The most significant update in the Arahi 8 is the switch from HOKA’s J-Frame to the new H-Frame stability system using a firmer foam to contain lateral forces. This change delivers greater support while also allowing for increased stack height and a softer foam underfoot.

Stability remains a strong point, consistent with the Arahi line. While it is not as extremely stable as the HOKA Gaviota 5 due to its more compact design, it still offers reliable support that will suit the needs of most overpronators.

The Arahi 8 shows minimal flex in every direction. When we tried twisting it by hand, the resistance was strikingly strong, leading us to give it a perfect 5/5 score for torsional rigidity.

The heel counter of the Arahi 8 feels more comfortable and less intrusive than in past versions. In our lab tests, it scored 3/5, which aligns with the most common result we record here in the lab.

The Arahi 8 makes it clear that it’s a moderate stability shoe rather than a full stability model through its dimensions. The forefoot measures 117.6 mm, very close to a neutral daily trainer.

This follows the common formula for mild stability shoes: a midsole sized between a standard trainer and a super-stable option, paired with subtle stability features. And it turns out this is enough for most runners with pronation issues, while keeping the shoe less bulky and more agile.

The same applies to the heel area, which measures slightly wider than our lab’s average at 96.3 mm. There’s no need for extra width here as models like the Gaviota series cover that, making this a solid middle-ground option.

It’s clear that the Arahi 8 has very low breathability, but this brings strong benefits in durability. In our rigorous Dremel test, we found an outstanding 5/5 score, thanks to the high-density jacquard mesh.

Two in a row for the Arahi 8, as the heel lining also performed exceptionally well against our tool. It earned another impressive 5/5, making this one of the toughest uppers we’ve tested in the lab.

The outsole had a tough challenge living up to the two previous tests, but the Arahi 8 pulled off a hat trick in true Mbappé style.

We measured a maximum indentation of just 0.5 mm... half the usual! It would take serious effort to break down this shoe.

HOKA used 3.3 mm of rubber for the outsole, a design clearly leaning toward the safe side by prioritizing durability. However, we’re a bit skeptical... why not choose 2 or 2.5 mm? The rubber is durable enough, and the shoe would have been lighter and more enjoyable to run in.

The insole is built from EVA foam and measures a standard 4.5 mm in thickness.

As with some stability shoes, the Arahi 8 includes a slight heel flare. However, if you prefer to replace it, feel free to do so.

The Arahi 8 still uses EVA foam, which means it lacks strong resistance to cold temperatures. In fact, we measured a 31% uptick after leaving it in our freezer for 20 minutes.

We really appreciated the generous use of reflective elements on the Arahi 8. While other brands often cut corners here, HOKA made the right choice by including plenty of them.

The Arahi 8 features a standard lacing system with flat laces threaded through reinforced eyelets for added durability, a design staple for this model. A set of extra top eyelets supports a wide variety of lacing techniques, while a lace loop on the tongue helps limit shifting.

HOKA clearly focused on comfort for both running and daily wear, and much of that comes from the plush tongue. Measuring 11.7 mm thick, it’s super comfy and we're impressed that the shoe remains so lightweight even with this generous padding.

The tongue is not gusseted, meaning it can shift slightly during runs. It's not a deal-breaker, but we really hope that version 9 changes this.

The Arahi 8 comes with a slight price increase over its predecessor, but in our view it’s justified. The shoe offers far more cushioning, outstanding durability, and remains well within its expected price range, essentially reflecting an adjustment for inflation.

The Arahi 8 features a lightly padded heel tab that curves slightly outward to reduce Achilles pressure and make entry easier.