Hoka One One Arahi Shoe Review

Hoka One One Arahi Review

Hoka One One Arahi

image courtesy of JackRabbit.com

Hoka One One finally has a true stability running shoe! As soon as I heard about the Arahi, I was excited. I was a fan of Hoka a few years ago, but ever since they started narrowing the forefoot, my feet have been less than excited about this change. Enter the Arahi, which has a wide model, one of the few Hoka models made with a wide version.

As I mentioned, I was excited to give this shoe a try. I recently have run in the Asics GT-2000 and really like the feel and stability of these shoes. I bought these in hope to replace them.

Having worn Hoka’s for years, I have completely stopped wearing them because of the width of the shoes forefoot they have recently been producing. I was hoping that the wide Arahi model would be wide enough for my feet.

Below is my review of about the Hoka One One Arahi and my experience running in them. I will continue to update this review if anything changes with my experience with these shoes.

The Hoka One One Arahi men’s and women’s model each have three colors to choose from. The color used for this review is definitely not the color I wanted, but it was the only men’s color in a wide version.

I recently received another pair of the Hoka Arahi in a D width in gray color and wanted to include some pictures of those shoes along with a few updates to the review based on my experience with the normal width model.

Hoka One One Arahi Verdict

If you want a lightweight and supportive stability shoe, I would recommend giving the Hoka One One Arahi a try!

After a few runs in this shoe, it is the closest shoe I have found to the original Clifton, which happens to be one of my favorite shoes.

The lightweight support, rocker technology, and fit really impressed me.

Even though the shoe is slightly over-sized, the Meta-Rocker technology helped give a smooth transition on each step. The wider toe box allowed my toes plenty of room for comfort.

If you want a maximum support stability shoe, you should definitely try the Hoka Arahi. If you need a wider shoe, make sure to order the wide model. You won’t be disappointed.

Where to Buy the Arahi »

Pros Cons
  • Lightweight Support
  • Responsive Feel
  • True Sizing
  • Clifton like 🙂
  • Durability
  • Expensive ($130)
  • Color Options

Here are a few pictures of the Hoka One One Arahi that I wore for this review.

Hoka One One Arahi Initial Thoughts

Being able to try the latest Hoka stability shoe was something I was pumped to do. I expected a lightweight stability shoe with a Clifton like feel.

When I opened the box, I immediately noticed that the color scheme for this shoe was ugly. The blue and gold were something that I wasn’t a fan of but liked the overall feel of the shoe and the design. Unfortunately, this was the only color that I could find in the wide (2E) model. I did try the gray color in width D and it felt just as great, but not as wide as the wide (2E) model.

On a positive note, the shoe was lightweight and was extremely comfortable the first time I put them on. I immediately thought these were like the original Clifton’s but didn’t want to jinx it.

I started walking around the house in these shoes and noticed the rocker on this shoe. It has been awhile since I have worn Clifton’s so I forgot about the feel of this feature. It feels weird to walk with the rocker technology but really helps propel you forward.

Hoka One One Arahi Shoe Details

  • Weight: 9.5 Ounces (Men’s size 9), 8.1 ounces (Women’s size 9)
  • Shoe Category: Stability
  • How It Fits: True to Size (based on normal D width)
  • Offset: 5mm heel to toe offset
  • Forefoot Width: Medium (wide model available)
  • Forefoot Height: 24mm forefoot height
  • Heel Height: 29mm heel height
  • Previous Model: First version

Hoka One One Arahi Overview

If you are looking for a maximum support shoe, look no further. The Hoka One One Arahi is one of the lightest max support shoes on the market at under 10oz.

The Arahi reduces overpronation by using a new EVA J-Frame Construction. The Arahi comes with an active foot frame, which helps runners looking for a stability shoe by reducing overpronation.

The printed mesh upper offers excellent breathability and reduces weight. This shoe is ideal for runners looking for maximum support.

Hoka One One Arahi Sole

When I first put on the Arahi, it looked very similar to the Hoka One One Clifton shoe. When I put the shoe, the one thing I noticed was the Early Stage Meta-Rocker sole. With each step, it really felt like it was rocking me forward. It was a nice feature that I haven’t experienced since I ran in the Clifton model.

One of the new shoe technologies that the Arahi has is the EVA J-Frame. This lightweight feature has a firm EVA foam along the medial side of the shoe and around the heel to support and guide the foot. You will definitely notice it the first time you put it on. I noticed it mostly near the arch when I started walking in them.

The sole is made of high abrasion rubber will improve durability.

If you are unfamiliar with the Early Stage Meta-Rocker technology, Hoka One One describes it as being “specifically engineered with a low heel-toe differential and a sculpted outsole radius in the heel and toe, creates a unique fulcrum effect and encourages a guided foot gait cycle.” This technology is used in a number of Hoka shoes, including the Hoka Clifton line.

Below are a few pictures of the Arahi sole.

Hoka One One Arahi Upper

The Hoka One One Arahi upper was one of the first things I noticed when I put the shoe on. The printed mesh upper looked cool, conformed to my foot, and kept my feet cool during my runs for this review.

Another thing I noticed about the Arahi was the tongue. The tongue on this shoe was more padded and comfortable than some of the other shoes I have recently tried. The tongue on the new Hoka One One Bondi 5 was so uncomfortable that I had to cut the tongue.

The Molded Ortholite Sockliner helps with odor management and provides extra support.

The Arahi had a wider fit due to the wide model I ordered and actually felt better than the other recent Hokas I have recently tried running in.

Where to Buy the Hoka One One Arahi

JackRabbit.com » | JackRabbit.com (Womens) | Amazon.com | Holabird Sports | REI.com | Road Runner SportstheActiveGuy.com Shoe Finder

Running and Fitness Discounts

Let me know what you think of the Hoka One One Arahi running shoe!

If you need help finding deals on this shoe, contact me.

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Hoka One One Arahi Ratings
  • 9.3/10
    Overall Rating - 9.25/10
  • 9/10
    Upper - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Sole - 9/10
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User Review
2.91 (33 votes)

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20 comments

  • Hi, So very excited to hear you compare these to the Cliftons! I’m wondering if you, or any of your readers that tried this shoe, wear orthotics and if you do are they even necessary in this shoe?

    Thanks

    • Hey Judie, great question. I do not wear orthotics and are unaware of any fellow readers who have tried them with this shoe. I did get the wide version of the shoe, which did seem to help me as the Clifton 2’s and 3’s were too narrow for my feet. Let me know what you think if you get these!

      • Hi – Finally bought the Arahi’s about a month ago. After such a bad experience with the Clifton 2 & 3 and Bondi wide I was reluctant to give Hoka another try. I am so glad I did, I love this shoe! You are so right, they are very similar to the original Clifton. It’s been a long time since I came in from a run and don’t want to immediately kick off my shoes! Just wish they made the wide in the same colors as the regular as I have never like dark color shoes. And just as an FYI with my orthotics I had been wearing an 8 1/2. I tried these in an 8 and they fit just fine. I don’t seem to need the orthotics with this shoe, but would get the 8 1/2 if I were to wear them. Also just read your review of the Gaviota and will be trying those as well. THANK YOU for your great reviews and help

        Judie

        • Jude, so happy that you like them! I have had plenty of bad experiences with Hoka lately so it’s nice to hear that others have as well. Let me know what you think of the Gaviota. Thanks again for the comment. Happy running!

  • I currently wear the Hoka Challeger ATR 3 & I like it for light trails plus all my road training. I’m just a very moderate over pronator & will the medial stability of this Arahi model be too much for me. I can handle the Asics GT-2000 -4 model, but I don’t need a stiff medial post. Thanks

    • David, thanks for the question. If you can handle the Asics GT-2000 4 you should have no problem with the Arahi. I was running in the GT-2000 4 for awhile and really like the Arahi. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions!

  • I had the hoka vanquish 3 and quickly bought these for the stability. Massive difference and although the vanquish were my 1st Hokas that i tried it was just bad luck that a stability shoe was released a couple of weeks later which to be fair the running shop i was in should have told me!!! Anyway chuffed to bits with 99% of the Hoka.
    I only find them not breathable and anything over 5 miles gets a bit toasty.
    Having just read the review on the new stability shoe from Hoka the Gaviota i was happy to see the stunning vibrant orange as i agree Hoka can be a bit drab and that they were rated good for breathability.
    Wife gonna go mad but already shopping around for a pair and so far have found a lowest price of 120 euros despite the Hoka site retailing at 150 euro.
    Pain free and awesome cushioning in a shoe which goes against everything i have ever known about trainers however so far is living up to the hype.
    Not sure i will ever totally ditch Mizuno however these are great shoes as part of my rotation and very comfortable if you gotta do a lot of walking.

  • Hugo Sequeira

    I’m thinking to try the Hoka Arahi…did you experience any blisters??

    • Hugo, I personally haven’t had any blisters with the Arahi, but then again I normally don’t get them. I have worn them on a few runs and they have felt great. I haven’t done any really long runs in these but would add bodyglide to my feet if I were going to do that. What socks do you wear to run in? I think those can impact blisters as well.

      • Hugo Sequeira

        That’s my doubt…the Arahi would be to do the long run’s. Now I’m using the Clayton’s 2 in size 10…would the size in the Arahi (D) the same?

        • Hugo, thanks for the question. The sizing of the Arahi for me was the same as my other shoes. I would expect them to be the same for the Clayton. If you order these let me know how they work out for you!

    • I’ve just bought my first pair of Hoka shoes. The Arahi model was recommended as I pronate. I was quite sceptical at first particularly because of the rolling heel which feels a little weird until you get used to it. However so far I’m really impressed. Very light, with great cushioning. I took a chance and ran a marathon in them 3 days after purchase without any problems. In fact I’ve never felt as good after a long run before (and I PB’d). Slight issues were minor rubbing without blister formation on one little toe and one blackened toenail. Though this was probably due to the newness of the shoe, certainly it feels fine now a week or so later. Think that these are going to be my standard road shoe from now on.

      • Mark, that is great to hear! Did you order your usual size or did you order a 1/2 size up? Keep me posted as you continue to wear them. Congrats on the PR!

  • Bought a pair of Arahi in April. I have only run 89 miles in them and already the black section of the outside sole section has worn down. Not happy with this.

    • Lynne, sorry to hear about this. I have about 75-80 miles on mine and have some wear, but not to the point you are describing. Are you a heel striker? I wonder if you could reach out to the place you bought them or Hoka to see if they can do anything for you. Where did you buy them?

  • Mark Mackenzie

    How dose the sizing of the Hoka Arahi 2 compare to the sizing of the Clifton 4?

    • Mark, thanks for the question. With regards to sizing, I would order a 1/2 size up in both the Arahi 2 and Clifton 4. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!

  • With the Clifton 1’s out right now, would you say the Arahi wide is slightly wider than the OG Clifton’s? Im a low-moderate pronator coming from Mizuno’s paradox but am having issues finding wide width shoes. The Clifton 1 is soo comfortable (and are suppose to be wide in the toe box) but am thinking after a couple runs, my feet do feel like they are bulging out in the Midfoot. thanks!

    • Hey Krystina, thanks for the question. I would say that the Arahi wide is a little wider than the original Clifton. I will say that the wide version felt a little loose in the heel for me in the Arahi. I loved the original Clifton and had trouble with some of the other versions being too narrow. Hope this helps!

Let me know if you have questions, comments, or feedback!

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