Hoka Arahi 7

£130 | hoka.com | Tester Holly

The fit

The Arahi 7 feel very plush and the flat knit upper offers great support. The fit is close, but the shoe is nice and breathable, so this doesn’t become a problem. I have wide feet and I tend to go up about half a size with Hoka shoes normally, but I’d actually recommend going up at least a full size in these are they do feel quite snug.

The comfort

They are supremely comfortable – I generally get on really well with Hoka shoes, so it may not be a huge surprise that the Arahi 7 has become another go-to shoe for my long easy runs. There’s a definite responsiveness; they’re not quite as plush as something like the Hoka Bondi 8 but they’re soft underfoot.

Who and what they’re for

These are a great shoe for road runners and their relatively reasonable price means they’d be a good choice for beginners. They are designed specifically for stability, so if you’re a runner who overpronates, they’re definitely worth a try.

On the run

I’ll start by saying that I generally wear a neutral shoe. That said, I still found these to be a fantastic road shoe and I found them incredibly comfortable, despite not needing the extra support. The upper is plusher, a bit thicker and definitely offers a little more guidance than the previous HOKA Arahi 6 (which I also loved, incidentally!). I found it strange to start with as I’m loyal to my old Arahis, but with added breathable mesh I now prefer the new upper.

I don’t think they’ve got quite the level of energy return I’d be after for technical sessions, but I’ll be wearing them throughout my current training block.

Should you buy them?

The price is really appealing, and this is a pretty versatile shoe. I’d just be cautious about getting the sizing right, as they felt more snug than my other Hoka shoes. There’s a wide fit option and a range of half sizes so plenty of scope available.