Hoka vs New Balance: 7 KeY differences

I don’t even remember a time I never saw Hoka and New Balance in the top 1000 best running shoe lists. They are just iconic. But when it comes to choosing one, even I used to scratch my head like you. After tons of research, I’ve come to this:

Both New Balance and Hoka are great shoes and have a presence of their own. But in comparison, New Balance takes one step ahead in width ranges, support, and stability. Hoka is more popular for its cushioned and maximalist categories and is not as versatile as New Balance. But Hoka has a return shoe policy, which everyone can benefit from.

But this isn’t enough. I have more reasons in support of both shoes. Read on to know.

A Quick Primer on Hoka and New Balance

To compare both Hoka and New Balance, we need to know what both have all-in-all. 

Hoka Running Shoes Overview

Originally launched as running shoes, Hoka was invented by two French trail runners, Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, in 2009. The whole idea was to create shoes that were highly supportive and cushioned to runners, which was ignored at that time. The idea worked well, and Hoka became popular for its maximalist shoes, with ample cushioning to absorb shock comfortably.

Hoka started embedding innovation in its making over the next years and came up with premium technologies. All this made Hoka add value to its brand in terms of both cost and quality. For example, the Meta-Rocker system was added to improve the rolling motion of the foot.

Hoka then also made shoes for walking and hiking and hit the jackpot after meeting Deckers Outdoor Corporation in 2013, a bigger footwear company popular for acquiring brands like Teva and UGG. Within a decade, Hoka’s existing quality and Deckers’ cool marketing services made them a revenue of $1 billion in recent years! 

New Balance Running Shoes Overview

Unlike Hoka, New Balance isn’t that young or New, in literal terms. It was founded in 1906 in Boston by an English immigrant, William J. Riley, as the New Balance Arch Support Company. It actually became popular because of its model Trackster in the 1960s, before which no one had seen running shoes in various widths.

The brand took its turn in expanding its line and developed shoes for several purposes other than running, like basketball and cross-training. And in terms of technological development, New Balance was no less than Hoka. The ABZORB and ENCAP cushioning, coupled with its popular Fresh Foam technology, are just a few things that made NB stay focused on comfort and fit.

Hoka vs. New Balance:  7 key differences

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at some key factors to consider when choosing between these two excellent brands.

1. Cushioning and Support

I know cushioning and support are a deal breaker for any running shoe. Let’s see how Hoka and New Balance play their part in that:

Hoka’s Cloud-Like Cushioning

Hoka is pretty much known for its proprietary foam midsole technologies, the PROFLY and RMAT. PROFLY, as the name would suggest, is stacked with dual density and cushioning, which is firmer in the meta and softer in the heels. Every step brings tons of cushioning and impact, giving you a literal pro-flying experience. The balanced shock absorption and plushed energy return make you give a smoother toe-off during runs.

Now, when it comes to RMAT, I like how it’s not just an EVA foam but is combined with rubber for extra durability — very lightweight and cushioned, I must say! This RMAT is what makes the J-Frame a midsole-supportive feature, which covers the medial side and heels. The frame is built with a steadfast and denser foam, which aligns with your feet in the shape of a J. This shaping helps you balance your gait, especially in overpronation.

Even the EVA foam of Hoka is made with compression molding techniques, hence termed CMEVA.

New Balance Varies Cushioning for Different Needs

When it comes to midsoles, New Balance actually offers more than just EVA. There are many types of midsole technologies offered by New Balance:

Midsole	Properties
Abzorb	It blends Polyolefin Elastomers (Engage®), thermoplastic elastomers (Dupont™), and slip-resistant rubber to maximize durability and ride.
Acteva	It is 12% lighter than standard EVA foam and has a midsole and inserts.
Acteva Lite	Weighs 24% less than regular midsole foam and incorporates DuPont™ Elvaloy® and DuPont™ Engage® to resist compression.
Acteva Ultra Lite	Weighs 32% less than standard midsole foam and has DuPont™ Elvaloy®
Fresh Foam, and Fresh Foam X	EVA-based midsole is softer than regular midsole and gives tons of cushioning. The Fresh Foam X just gives it more than Fresh Foam.
Fuelcell	A TPU-based midsole infused with nitrogen
ENCAP	EVA midsole blended with TPU rim, which sits like a durable, cushioned, supportive wedge under the heel.

Unlike Hoka, which is primarily known for its maximalist shoes, New Balance offers midsoles for both maximalists who want soft cushioning and minimalists who prefer firm.

2. Weight

The weight of a shoe can greatly impact comfort and performance. Any shoe that weighs above 10.5 ounces and less than 8 ounces is considered heavy and lightweight, respectively.

Let’s explore how Hoka and New Balance compare in terms of weights:

Light as Air: Hoka’s Low-Weight

It might sound weird, but despite how stacked Hoka looks with their soles, they are surprisingly light. They weigh around 6.5 to 11.5, where most models in the 8-9 oz category are found. 

For instance, in Hoka Clifton, you will feel as if you are walking on the clouds –thanks to the lightweight midsole that gives the step-in feel. However, the cushioning does not always stay compressed. It’s still firm enough to kick you off, providing a stable platform with protection as if you are floating down the road.

It’s actually because of the RMAT foam, which is very light and responsive.

New Balance Varies from Light to Heavy

It’s not just the materials that decide the weight of the shoe; size matters a lot as well. And since New Balance has a range of sizes available, the weight range varies with a great margin. 

New Balance shoes generally weigh around 14 ounces (for a size 12), but the value is different for different types and models too. For instance, with a few exceptions, the running shoes in New Balance are comparatively lighter than the other New Balance shoes. 

Generally, New Balance weights usually start from around 6.5 oz. (New Balance MT 1010v2)  to around 14.5 oz (New Balance MW840). The lighter ones are mostly designed as trail running shoes, while the heavier ones have more of a walking purpose. All-in-all, New Balance has weight ranges for almost every type of sneakerhead.

3. Fit and Sizing

As someone with a short height, I can’t emphasize much how difficult it is to find the ideal shoe size and fit. If it doesn’t, it’s a big fail. So, here’s what I found for both shoes:

Hoka Runs True to Size (Snug Fit)

They are on the true-to-size side but fit snugly. Like, if you find half sizes in your model, I recommend sizing up. And since some styles run narrow in the toe box, you can also go for the wider sizes as well. For women, it’s the width size B, for men, D, and for All-gender shoes, it’s  C/D widths. 

New Balance Runs True to Size

Compared with Hoka, New Balance has a wider range of widths (from X-Narrow to XX-Wide). Let me summarize them in a tabular format:

Men’s Shoe Widths
2A	B	D	2E	4E	6E
X-Narrow	Narrow	Standard	Wide	X-Wide	XX-Wide

Women’s Shoe Widths
4A	2A	B	D	2E	4E
X-Narrow	Narrow	Standard	Wide	X-Wide	XX-Wide

Kid’s Shoe Widths
B	D	2E
Standard	Wide	X-Wide

Now, this gives us a clear picture that New Balance shoes are made for almost all types of feet. And they even have half sizes, so you surely can find your right fit. Talking about fit, New Balance fits true to size due to their wider toe box and stretchy upper. However, there are a few exceptions. For instance, the 574 runs a bit small, while the Made in USA collection runs a bit bigger than the mass production category.

4. Running Types and Surfaces

No matter how similar they look, each running shoe is made for a specific track to run on. 

Here’s how Hoka and New Balance stack up:

Hoka Excels on Roads and Trails

Most of the Hoka shoes are designed for trail running and hiking. The Meta rocker bottom helps move you forward, making it easier for the hikes. But one thing I like about Hoka is that they are very padded and cushioned. Some Hoka shoes, like the Bondi 7, are great for long-distance running on hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt. 

It’s not just the lightweight and cushioning that makes such Hoka shoes easier on the road, but the lugged sole provides the necessary traction. Though Hoka has its own line of walking shoes, you can still use those hiking and trail running shoes for walks.

New Balance Good for All-Around Use

When it comes to deciding the one track New Balance is solely made for, I can’t answer. New Balance has a shoe for almost every pavement, from track to trail and rugged terrains. And when we talk about pavement, we primarily talk about sports. You can’t wear the same skateboarding shoes to your tennis court, and New Balance has separate shoes for that, too. Let me arrange:

• Training
• Walking
• Running
• Lifestyle
• Basketball
• Hiking & Trail
• Baseball
• Skateboarding
• Tennis
• Pickleball
• Soccer
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Sandals
• Work Shoes

The soft-soled ones are made for the indoor courts while the hard-soled are for the outdoor games. But you will still find Fresh Foam technology in almost all categories for smoother and more stable rides.

5. Lifespan and Durability: How Long Before Saying Goodbye?

It’s not just the shoe’s build responsible for the durability factor, but the way you carry it plays a massive role, too. By carrying, I mean your running track, your weight, shoe-cleaning techniques, and usage duration.

Both Hoka and New Balance claim to be durable and last for 300 to 500 miles. 

However, I have observed that Hoka shoes aren’t as good on the roads as they are on the trails; the rubber can’t handle the road-made friction and tends to wear out.

In contrast, New Balance is designed for various types of feet, weights, and purposes and is quite known for its durability in almost all models.

6. Price Point: Is it Worth the Investment?

No matter how much you hear about a product, the low-to-high price filter always takes the list of priorities when buying. So, like you, I tried this before looking to buy New Hoka and New Balance, and here’s what I found out:

	Hoka One One	New Balance
Original site	$80-$250	$69.99-$244.99
Amazon	$115-$241	$64 – $190

As you see above, New Balance and Hoka One One are sold almost at the same prices on their original sites. However, on Amazon, since it holds a mixture of both true authentic resellers and dupe sellers, the prices vary. There, Hoka is far more expensive than New Balance.

Actually, Hoka mostly features maximalist shoes with tons of cushioning. This cushioning is portrayed by foams and premium (expensive) features like PROFLY and RMAT. And that’s why Hokas are so expensive. So yes, they are still worth the price for that.

However, if you are just up for wide widths and pronation control, I recommend choosing New Balance for a budget-friendly, quality option.

7. Brand Reputations and Branding:

It’s not always the material that adds to the expense in both brands; branding and reputation play a massive role, too. And that’s only because things stop when they meet fashion. Both Hoka and New Balance have made their mark in putting up their own versions:

Hoka’s Cool, Modern Vibe

Chunky, bold and vibrant. Hoka One One carries a very modern and funky vibe in its shoes. They mostly lie in the streetwear category and give very modern vibes. Besides being popular among celebrities, Hoka One One has a great marketing strategy (better than NB) and was recently featured in the documentary 26.2 To Life.

New Balance’s Heritage and Consistency

Over the past years, New Balance has come out of its ‘dad shoes’ reputation. It’s now more versatile, classic, and yet more sporty, benefiting sneakerheads from every field. The multicolored funky look does give them street-style vibes like Hoka, but the options are pretty higher in number than Hoka.

Which brand offers more styles and colors?

It’s a tough question. Personally, I have seen that both Hoka and New Balance have an incredible range when it comes to colors and style, which is more or less the same. But in comparison, Hoka is more vibrant than New Balance shoes. And regarding style, Hoka is more focused on runners and hikers. However, New Balance has a greater range of styles and types and offers models for various purposes.

Hoka vs. New Balance for nurses

If you search for the best shoes for nurses, you will always find Hoka and New Balance on the list. But when it comes to choosing one of the two, I would vote for New Balance, especially the Fresh Foam series. 

Thanks to its ultimate cushioning, the foam does a great deal in reducing heel pain and inflammation. I have seen nurses wearing NB Fresh Foam 1080s for more than 3 years, and they always have no pain in the heel, hips, and back. The signature cushioned midsole is layered with tons of padding, and we know how hard-to-walk some hospital surfaces can be. The padding molds to your feet, letting them absorb the impact and secure your feet.

This security minimizes falls and keeps away the bunions nurses face from a long work day. 

Another reason is the range of widths New Balance has. Their widths range from narrow (2A) to extra-extra-wide (6E), which is best for nurses, as no one has time and stamina to bear the pain experienced during breaking in shoes.

However, it doesn’t mean that Hoka shoes are not that great for nurses. I have seen healthcare workers like Dr. Jay reviewing Hoka Bondi 8 as worthy during shift hours. They are good for an all-day walk or roaming in a limited place. It’s the cushioning and the rear crash pad/internal heel counter that make them feel very orthotic, to be very honest. The only concern is the weight; it may be too heavy for some nurses.

However, I have seen nurses recommending switching between Hoka and New Balance (having two pairs instead of one) as a part of the routine.

Hoka Vs. New Balance for Walking 

Though both New Balance and Hoka are comfortable in their own way, New Balance provides a better walking experience because of more arch support and a wider range of widths. Another thing is that unlike running, walking feels more comfortable in shoes offering less cushioning. 

Why? Because walking gives less amount of stress to feet than running. And that’s why most people, including me, prefer evenly cushioned shoes instead of the heavily-heeled stacked ones. Yes, you know what I am talking about; Hoka shoes are rockered and super cushioned. Though they do a great job in making runs comfortable, for walking, it’s New Balance for me. They do have a separate line as Walking shoes and have different levels of cushioning.

But in places where you require tons of cushioning and long walks, like stadiums, Hoka Arahi does a great job of giving a walk-on-the-cloud experience.

Hoka or New Balance for Plantar Fasciitis

Surviving pain in plantar fasciitis means keeping your arch stress-free. And that only happens when there is enough arch support in your shoe. Though podiatrists worldwide recommend both Hoka and New Balance for plantar fasciitis, the smartest decision aligns with the one having the best arch support and pronation control.

Hokas do help with plantar fasciitis but with those requiring no arch support. Plus, their sole shape is very specific, which does not work with all kinds of foot shapes. So, if you are going for Hoka shoes for PF, I recommend getting them measured from a local shoe store. However, the durability comes as a question as the foam loses its softness with time. 

New Balance has plenty of arch support and enough room to fit in custom insoles. However, New Balance can numb your feet if you have extremely high arches.

I recommend trying both to see if they suit your feet. And since Hoka comes with a return policy, there’s nothing to lose during the trial.

Conclusion

Both Hoka and New Balance have a class of their own and have different reasons to be liked. However, in terms of stability, size variety, and durability, New Balance takes one point more than Hoka One One. But if you are just up for maximalist and bold-colored shoes, go for Hoka One One.