By Marnie Kunz,

If you’re wondering how Hoka vs. New Balance running shoes stack up against each other, this guide will cover the benefits, similarities, and differences between both shoe brands. As a running coach and lifelong runner, I have run in many different running shoe brands and models, with New Balance and Hoka shoes being some of the brands I’ve logged the most miles in. For this comparison, I also dive into the technical specs of the shoes to look at the numbers and find out what the difference in materials and construction is and most importantly, how this translates to running support. The decision on what running shoes will serve you best can be overwhelming, and this guide can help you determine if Hoka or New Balance shoes may be the perfect fit for you.

Hoka began as a shoe that was designed to help people run down mountains in the French Alps. The company was founded in 2009 by two passionate trail runners and former Salomon employees, Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard. At the time, minimalist running shoes were a big trend and Hoka created just the opposite - shoes with oversized midsoles, called “maximalist” shoes. These high-cushioned, lightweight shoes became popular with ultra marathon runners for their support and stability even in rough terrain.