As someone who spends a large amount of time testing and writing about sneakers, I often get asked about my favorite brands. And for the last few years, my answer has remained the same: Hoka and New Balance.
As a runner, I've logged countless miles in shoes from both brands (in the last two years alone, the total is over 500). I ran my fastest half-marathon to date in a pair of Hokas and spent a majority of my training runs for the New York City Marathon in New Balance sneakers. But that's not all, I’ve also spent hours upon hours doing everything from walking to jumping and standing in shoes like the comfort-forward Hoka Cliftons, New Balance 1080s and so many more.
They're two powerhouse brands in the fitness and lifestyle space, and each has a wide range of sneakers to choose from. So, for anyone wondering how some of their bestselling shoes compare, I tried top options from both New Balance and Hoka to find the best ones for walks, casual runs and racing.
Keep in mind, everyone's feet and needs are different, so what works well for me might not be the best choice for you, especially if you're dealing with specific foot conditions. But below, I'm highlighting some of my personal favorites and some of the key differences between the shoes to help streamline your sneaker shopping experience. (You can also read my comparisons of Hoka vs. Asics, Hoka vs. Brooks, New Balance vs. Brooks and Hoka vs. On.)
How I tested
I've been consistently wearing Hoka and New Balance's sneakers for the last three years, trying many different models and iterations of the brands' bestsellers in that time.
All of the shoes mentioned below, I have been wearing for anywhere between two months to nearly a year. I am currently training for the Chicago Marathon and am averaging more than 20 miles a week, spread out over multiple runs. I ran a New York City half-marathon earlier this year and I am also an avid walker who spends much of my free time roaming the city on foot. So in the time that I’ve owned all of the below sneakers, I have worn them for some of these long and short training runs, walks and gym sessions.
Best everyday sneakers
Best for standing:
Hoka is known for its max-cushioned shoes, but its Bondi sneakers take that to the next level. The brand says that they deliver "peak plushness," and as soon as you put them on, you can tell it's the truth. Each time you take a step, you can feel how squishy and responsive the cushioning is, almost like you're walking on a giant marshmallow.
The shoe has both a wide base and an active foot frame that's focused on the rear portion of your foot, which helps to cradle your foot and make it feel more secure and stable. (If you're looking at the shoe, you can actually see it, in the way the soles slightly rise along the side as they get closer to the heel of the shoe.) However, it doesn't do much to counteract overpronation, so if that is an issue for you, I would suggest looking for a true stability shoe.
I've been wearing them around the city and brought them along for a nearly week-long trip to Costa Rica. Personally, I have found them to be too heavy and clunky for long runs, but I do appreciate how comfortable they feel when I'm jogging a couple of miles. But the plush cushioning was perfect for everyday wear and kept me comfortable throughout the trip, when we were spending long days on our feet, walking and exploring.
However, at times they can feel too plush and don't quite have the responsiveness that I would want from a running shoe, which is why I prefer them for walking or standing.
Given all of that, it's not surprising that the Bondi line is a top choice for nurses. In fact, one podiatrist previously told us that they're a good pick for those with plantar fasciitis, thanks to their wide design and the memory foam material that provides good shock absorption.
Best for walking:
Throughout my years of testing sneakers, I have yet to find an everyday shoe that I love as much as the New Balance 1080s. I have been wearing this version consistently for over a year now, and was a huge fan of the iteration before it, too.
The brand says that if it only made one running shoe, it would be the 1080s. And while I love them for runs — both long and short — I also always find myself reaching for them for walks in the park or days spent running errands.
The shoe is an ounce lighter than the Bondis, and you can really feel the difference when you're running. Your steps don't feel clunky, instead, they feel bouncy and smooth, thanks to the cushioning and the rocker profile that helps guide your steps.
They feature the brand's Fresh Foam X cushioning in the midsole, which is squishy and responsive but still feels structured enough to give you some support under your feet, so you don't feel like you're sinking in. (I previously owned the v13 of the shoes, which were a bit softer, but for walks and runs, I appreciate how these feel just a bit firmer and more responsive.)
While they do run a little small (I find that many of New Balance's shoes do), they have a range of fits, including wide, extra-wide, narrow and standard to fit a wide range of foot sizes.
Best overall: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 V14
While the Hoka Bondi 9s are next-level comfortable and plush, making them perfect for running errands, standing all day or walking or running shorter distances, the extra support that the New Balance 1080s provide makes them slightly more versatile and take them just a step above. Plus, the wide sizing options mean that plenty of people can find the right fit for their feet.
Best casual running shoe
Best for longer distances:
New Balance just dropped the newest version of its popular Rebel running shoe at the beginning of the season and this was my first introduction to the model. I received a limited colorway, but there are nine different colors to choose from.
As an everyday running shoe, it pretty much checks all of the boxes. It features a blend of PEBA and EVA foam cushioning that feels comfortable, yet bouncy and supportive, a mesh upper that lets your feet breathe and it's super lightweight overall.
In fact, I almost couldn't believe how lightweight it was the first time I put the shoes on (the women's size 7 weighs just 6.3 oz.). It makes it so you can easily run short or long distances in the shoes and you don't even think about the sneakers you're wearing the whole time — which is just what you want.
Typically, with a lighter-weight shoe, you lose some of the additional cushioning, but these still feel soft and bouncy. And that bounce helps propel you forward with each step. While it's plush, it does have some structure, which helps when you're trying to up your speed during a run.
The top of the shoe is made from barely-there mesh material, which lets air in to help cool your feet on hot, sweaty runs. Though anyone who is used to having padding on the tongue and upper might miss that in this shoe.
Best for easy runs:
Hoka's Clifton sneakers are some of its most popular shoes — I've tried multiple iterations of the shoes and loved each one. In fact, I've put them up against some other popular maximally-cushioned sneakers and found that the Cliftons are my clear favorite.
The shoes have a slightly larger heel-to-toe drop, which is the height difference from the heel of the shoe to the forefoot. A higher drop can help with the momentum during running, and tends to be favored by people, like me, who land on their heels, while a lower one is often preferred by people who land on their midfoot or the front of their feet.
The shoe is super plush — it features a compression-molded EVA foam midsole that envelops your feet with every step. While I don't have the issue when walking, when running, like with the Bondi, the cushioning feels almost too soft at times.
The inside of the shoe is roomy and I never feel like my foot is being too tightly enveloped, and there's ample space in both the toebox and heel area. The tongue and the collar of the shoe are also padded to help prevent rubbing and I haven't had any issues with blisters while wearing the shoes.
Best overall: New Balance Women's FuelCell Rebel V5
Both shoes feature a wide base and springy cushioning that make them perfect for your everyday runs. For me, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel V5 just barely claimed the top spot for a couple of reasons. Since I'm currently training for a marathon, most of my casual runs exceed 5 miles, so I really appreciate the light and bouncy yet supportive feel of the shoe, as well as the breathability of the mesh upper — especially in the summer heat. While they're marketed as an everyday trainer, I could easily see someone wearing the shoes on race day.
For someone who likes that plusher feel in an everyday running shoe, the Clifton 10 is a great choice. As someone who struggles with pain from arthritis in one of my feet, the shock absorption and max-cushioning do a great job of keeping those issues at bay. These shoes are a versatile option that I often use for shorter, easy runs as well as walks.
Best long-distance running shoe
Best for speed:
Hoka's Mach X 2 shoes are one of my favorite race-day and long-run shoes that I've tried — and at this point, I've tried quite a few.
They're built for speed, with a propulsive Pebax Rnew plate, which the brand says is softer than standard carbon alternatives. (Plates are often used in speed and racing shoes to boost energy return and give them a springy feel.) That, combined with the PEBA foam-topped midsole and rocker design, makes each step feel responsive, like you're being propelled forward with each stride. Basically, it feels like you're using less energy to go further and faster – which is greatly appreciated when you're running 13+ miles at a time.
For those who are used to plush cushioning, these shoes might feel pretty firm under your feet at first, but I found that I quickly got used to it, and appreciated how the extra structure actually made my feet feel more supported.
Thanks to the high level of energy return, I love using this shoe for speed training and tempo run days — but I've also used it for long training runs and even a couple of races. (I ran my fastest half-marathon to date in these shoes.)
I have very few complaints about this shoe — the only thing that I'll note is that the heels of the shoe are not very comfortable. The whole upper is made from a woven mesh material, which makes it super breathable. And while there's a little cushioning added to the back, it's mostly just the mesh. I had some issues with it bending and rubbing against my heel, causing blisters. So whenever I set out for a long run in the shoes, I always make sure to cover up my heels with a bandage or two.
Best for everyday training:
New Balance's SuperComp Trainer falls somewhere in between its FuelCell SuperComp Elite racing shoe (a sneaker that I've enjoyed running in in the past) and an everyday trainer. It's made specifically for marathon and half training, and has ample cushioning and a carbon fiber plate to boost the energy return and take it a step above your average training shoe.
It features Energy Arc technology, with a hollow portion of the sole that starts in the middle and runs to the back, reducing the weight of the shoe and adding to its energy return. While it felt pretty firm when I first put it on and broke it in a bit, the New Balance FuelCell foam was bouncy and cushioned enough to keep your feet comfortable, without letting them sink too far in.
Even with its cushioning, the shoe is pretty lightweight. That's in part thanks to its angular design, which not only gives the sneaker its unique look but also helps to reduce the weight, the brand says.
The mesh on top is soft, yet breathable, with enough cushioning for comfort but not too much to add weight.
While the brand says that most customers claim the shoes fit as expected, I found them to run small overall. The toe box, in particular, is pretty snug — even after sizing up, so after longer efforts, I had some soreness in the area.
Best overall: Hoka Mach X 2
These shoes are pretty well-matched and either one would be a great choice for long training runs, speedwork or even race day. But the Hoka Mach X 2 is just slightly more versatile, responsive and bouncy, increasing your speed with less effort.
Best overall: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 V14
Both brands make some of my favorite shoes on the market, and every sneaker on this list falls into that category. As you can see above, there's an option for almost everyone, whether you're looking for something to keep you comfortable on your feet all day or are running a marathon. However, the New Balance Fresh Foam x 1080 V14 is the one that I reach for the most, for easy jogs, 10+ mile training runs, errand days, walks and more. It's one of the most versatile shoes that delivers on comfort and support — when anyone asks me for a recommendation for an everyday sneaker, this is the one I give. And if I could only own one pair of sneakers, it would be these.
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Emma Stessman is a writer for Shop TODAY. She has over a decade of experience in digital media — with nearly half of that time being focused on the health and wellness space. She regularly interviews podiatrists and other experts for her coverage around sneaker trends, foot health and top shoe brands. At Shop TODAY she covers a range of topics, from wellness products to expert-approved beauty trends.
She is a runner and has previously run the TCS New York City Marathon and multiple half marathons in the city. She is currently training for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October.
