Brooks Vs Hoka For Walking: 6 Key Differences

If you are a nurse, doctor, lawyer, chef, or in any kind of profession where you spend a lot of time walking or standing then having comfortable shoes is a must. Without a good pair of shoes, you will hurt your feet and you can even cause damage to your ankles, legs, and spine. Having the right pair of shoes can make your life easier and even help you do your job better.

Brooks and Hoka are two very popular brands when it comes to trainers. Each has its own pros and cons. In this article, we will compare these two shoes according to different metrics such as comfort, style, durability, and more.

Are you ready to find out which type of shoe will give you the best possible results?

Stay with us till the end to get the full picture.

6 Differences When You Wear Brooks And Hoka For Walking

In this section, we are going to look at how Brooks and Hoka compare for 6 important shoe characteristics. These things are even more important when you are looking for a pair of shoes that you are going to be wearing for several hours on end. Let’s get started.

1. Comfort and Fit

Brooks shoes will fit true to size. Typically, these shoes have a narrower toe box. This makes them great for people with narrow or normal-width feet. Spacious toe boxes are a highlight of Hoka shoes. They are far more spacious than Brooks and work very well for people with wide feet. These bigger shoe boxes also make these shoes a great choice for people with conditions such as bunions or nail psoriasis. Brooks does offer wide models in their shoes so it is still possible to find something that will fit wider feet. 

Hoka offers plenty of support and cushion. Unlike Brooks, Hoka packs in plenty of cushioning in the sole to achieve a more comfortable product. This is very apparent when you see the thickness of the sole on any Hoka shoe.The extra cushioning on Hoka shoes is very useful if you have conditions like plantar fasciitis.

Brooks shoes offer more support and stability than comfort. Most models will use technologies such as DNA Loft or BioMoGo. This gives the shoe a more supportive midsole which helps support the foot arch and provide stability. The heel fit with Brooks shoes is also quite sturdy. You will not experience any heel slippage or excess movement when walking.

2. Traction and Stability

Brooks shoes are great for flat surfaces while Hoka is the right choice for rough terrain. 

Brooks shoes are designed to give you good stability on urban surfaces. The outer soles on Brooks shoes often feature carbon rubber along with deep grooves. These features make them excellent for paved surfaces and also improve multi-directional traction. On most Hoka shoes you will notice thick lugs on the outside of the shoe. This helps to provide better stability on rough trails and uneven surfaces.

If you are playing a sport where you are making quick turns, the Brooks sole design certainly helps. The high-quality materials used in the sole means that they don’t wear out very quickly. The solid materials also help prevent tread marks from forming quickly. Deep tread marks can change how the shoe feels and performs. Brooks shoes have a medium midsole. This gives you a good mix of balance, responsiveness, comfort, and stability.

Hoka has a number of technologies, such as the Meta-Rocker geometry, that help to achieve improved traction. With Hoka, you also get a much thicker and sturdier midsole that helps to absorb shock and dampen the impact on uneven surfaces. 

Brooks shoes also have a rather low tapered heel bevel. This helps to keep the foot movement more natural and keep the gait in a neutral position. Both Brooks and Hoka offer specialized models for certain characteristics such as overpronation or supination.

3. Weight

Brooks shoes are lighter than Hoka shoes. Brooks shoes typically weigh 10-12 ounces. Hoka shoes typically weigh 11-13 ounces and some models can weigh even more than this average. The lower weight of Brooks shoes largely due to a sleeker design. 

The soles on Brooks shoes are thinner and the material used on the top of the shoe is also thinner but still durable. The lightweight of Brooks shoes makes them ideal for people who want to walk or run long distances. The lightweight also makes them quite comfortable if you need to be wearing the shoes for several hours on end.

With Hoka shoes the midsole is thicker and the sole is beefier. While these features do provide comfort and grip, they add weight to the shoe. Some people may see this as a minor weight difference as compared to Brooks but the weight does make a difference. These shoes are perfect for brief use but will be less appropriate for long walks or long use.

4. Design  and Style

Brooks offers shoes in a lot of different styles. They use a wide variety of materials including higher-end materials like leather. They also use budget materials like faux leather, luxe fabrics, and other materials on certain models. Their shoes come in a variety of styles and designs. These range from high-end sophisticated designs to rugged and even street-style designs.

Hoka shoes have a unique design to them. Over the years, the standout design of Hoka shoes has become a hallmark of their products. Many people invest in Hoka shoes simply because they like the chunky design that they have. These are large shoes with thick foam midsoles and mesh uppers. To accompany the loud design Hoka often uses eye-catching color combinations.

With Brooks shoes, the color choice is a little muted. They arent very flashy shoes and can easily be used for different settings like work, play, training, business, and even travel. Overall, they are shoes with an athletic appearance but with technology that makes them suitable for a variety of tasks.

People who like this loud design enjoy it but it can be a bit overwhelming for people who want something that isn’t as eye-catching. Hoka does offer some muted design options but generally, the shoes are of a less conventional design. They are better suited to people who dont mind adding a touch of flair to their wardrobe.

5. Durability and Lifespan

A pair of Brooks will last longer than a pair of Hoka shoes. 

There are a few reasons why Brooks shoes are more durable. The most prominent reason is the denser and firmer midsole. The denser midsole allows the shoe to retain its cushioning properties for a long time. 

With a Brooks shoe, you can easily expect it to last 500-800 miles worth of use before you notice any serious changes in its performance.

Brooks shoes also feature high-density rubber soles. These are designed to last a long time even when used in harsh environments. The durability of both the midsole and the rubber sole means these shoes will retain their durability and traction.

Hoka shoes will typically last 300-500 miles of use. They are designed for comfort and performance on rough surfaces. This comes at the cost of durability. To achieve comfort and performance Hoka shoes utilize thicker but softer midsoles. 

With extended use the midsole compresses and loses the bounce and comfort that it initially had.

Factors such as walking habits, environment of use, and weight of the user will also impact how long Hoka shoes last. Hoka also uses soft rubber soles that are excellent for shock absorption but they wear out faster. Also, the softer rubber is more prone to breaking, chipping, and cracking under heavy use.

6. Price and Value

Both Brooks and Hoka shoes are typically priced between $100 and $150. For this price, you get incredible value considering the quality of the shoes and how long they last. 

Brooks shoes are well-known as durable shoes that can withstand a lot of use without compromising performance. Since they don’t shoe signs of wear and tear very quickly they also have high resale value. You can sell a preloved Brooks shoe without losing a lot of money. If you are looking for a long-term investment with your next shoe then a Brooks shoe will be a great option.

Hoka shoes are not as durable and will not last as long as a pair of Brooks. This is largely because of the difference in construction. Hoka shoes are designed to deliver great performance right out of the box. The softer materials that provide this performance will wear out faster. The performance loss will be evident sooner with these shoes. 

Similarly, these shoes don’t do too well when it comes to resale value. The softer materials, especially the mesh uppers, are prone to getting warped and de-shaped. With extensive use, they could even tear and get damaged beyond repair.

While we’ve delved into the specifics of using Brooks and Hoka for walking in this article, if you’re interested in a broader comparison of these two powerhouse brands, check out our in-depth analysis in ‘Brooks vs Hoka‘ where we discuss their overall performance, comfort, and value.

Brooks Vs Hoka Which Is Better For Standing All Day?

Brooks is the better choice for standing all day. 

Brooks shoes are designed to give excellent support and stability. The firmer midsole and the denser rubber on the sole help to spread out the load across the foot. It also gives you a consistent level of support no matter how long you are standing in these shoes. 

Hoka gives a more plush cushioning in the sole. While this is great for bumps and rocks it isn’t ideal for standing on flat surfaces. With a Hoka your weight is more fluid across the sole of the foot and the compression can be uncomfortable for some users.

When choosing between these shoes it is also important to consider foot characteristics. If you are flat-footed or need more arch support then a firmer shoe will be better. It will also help prevent overpronation when you walk. 

Also, if you prefer lighter shoes then the Brooks will be a good option. If you don’t mind a bit of extra weight but want the extra cushion then the Hoka will be a good choice. Keep in mind, that the Brooks shoe will also last longer than the Hoka when used on hard surfaces for extended periods of time.

Hoka Vs Brooks For Nurses, Which One Is More Suitable?

Brooks will be an excellent choice for nurses. 

In all shoes by Brooks you will notice that they have a very sound structure without being too big and bulky like Hoka counterparts. Moreover, the Brooks shoe design also helps with problems such as overpronation and supination. Brooks are a great choice for medical professionals as these shoes perform best on flat/paved surfaces. They also work great on wet surfaces so one remains surefooted at all times.

These shoes will not be as plush and comfy as a Hoka but it does offer excellent support and stability. These features may be more desirable by a user given the condition of their feet. Even if you have weak arches or flat feet, you can find specialized Brooks models that will help with these issues.

Hoka provides plenty of cushioning which is not ideal for flat surfaces. Nurses have to walk around a lot and the extra height can make these shoes a bit unstable. With Hokas’ high shock absorption features nurses can reduce the strain on their feet, ankles, legs, and overall posture. 

However, Hoka midsoles also compress over time. A shoe that starts off as extremely soft and comfortable can be the exact opposite once it has compressed and de-shaped. A shoe in poor condition will do more harm than good. If you want to use Hoka shoes then make sure they are in good condition.

Conclusion

Both Brooks and Hoka offer some amazing shoes. Each has its pros and cons and what will work best for you boils down to what you need. This depends on the condition of your feet and your intended purpose for these shoes. Ideally, you should go to a good shoe store where you can try out each type and see what feels right on your feet. If you have flat feet or other foot conditions you need to find a shoe that will meet those needs. Having shoes that fit right and are built for the task at hand will give you the best results.