ON THE RUN
Sidney: Tornado sirens, frizzy hair, and an overwhelming number of muggy runs — just a few staples of a Michigan summer. When you’ve got a 6am run on a July morning, you better gear up for the mug and the bugs. The deer flies and gnats thrive—dive-bombing your mouth, swarming your ears, and biting you wherever they please.
Every run leaves me with frizzy hair, welts from deer fly bites, and the feeling of failure because that “easy” run of a zone 2 pace, jacked my heart rate up similar to the adrenaline rush of a bear chase. My legs drag on as I pass runners with the same look on their face as mine. The redness around the eyes, the look of despair, of longing for just a sip of water or some shade.
When lacing up for these runs, there’s not much you can do to help yourself. Okay, maybe an ice bandana—but it feels a little dramatic for a neighborhood loop before sunrise. When I’m about to go out for one of these runs I ask myself what shoe will give me the boost I need. This particular morning I thought I knew the Arahi would not be that shoe.
I didn’t want to throw on the Arahi but then I asked myself a very important question, “What would a good shoe reviewer do?” And off I went on a Kensington loop with the Arahi 8 on my feet.
Joe: The phrase “next, best thing” doesn’t always hold up—whether it’s the "healthy" Cocoa Puffs of today compared to those of my childhood dreams, or that long-expected movie sequel that doesn't quite measure up, here's looking at you Space Jam 2. But with the Hoka Arahi 8, the next is genuinely better.
Coming off a lackluster Arahi 7, Hoka had some trust to earn back. And with the Arahi 8, they’ve made significant strides—literally and figuratively. Gone are the overly rigid midsoles and unforgiving uppers. In their place: plush cushioning, adaptive support, and a smooth underfoot feel that aligns the Arahi more closely with its neutral sibling, the Clifton. This is stability reimagined—not overbearing, not bulky, just smooth guidance mile after mile.
THE FIT
Sidney: As I mentioned earlier, the Arahi feels like that “do-it-all, for-everybody” kind of shoe—which is exactly why it doesn’t scream stability to me.
That’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s great to have options like this. For the light stability runner, the Arahi 8 might just be a perfect choice. It has a place and a purpose—it just might not be the answer for those who need a true stability workhorse. (That said, the stability category is changing, and the Arahi fits right in with the evolution.)
I bring this up because the arch support in this shoe feels just right. It’s there when you need it, but never intrusive. Think Cinderella’s slipper—seamless and barely there. Add in the roomy toe box and a lightweight, breathable upper that still manages to feel supportive, and you've got a shoe that nails comfort without overdoing it.
Joe: The fit of the Arahi 8 is one of its most noticeable upgrades. I had zero issues with the standard (D) width—it hugs the foot just right without feeling restrictive. The new jacquard mesh upper is a standout, offering a breathable, foot-conforming feel that handles even the muggiest Michigan-summer miles without suffocating your toes. The ventilation? On point.
The heel collar also deserves some praise. Hoka borrowed the best from the Clifton’s design—secure lockdown without digging into your Achilles. It’s a thoughtful touch that you don’t realize you appreciate until mile five when your heel still feels fresh and supported.
THE FEEL
Sidney: If you’re from the local area, you know what a good loop around Kensington is like, sometimes it flies by and other days it drags on. When it’s 90 degrees with 50% humidity that loop feels like a death trap. As I said before when I looked at my weartest line up there were other options that could have given me a little more oomph for this “fun” run. I laced up the Arahis anyways as a good reviewer does hoping for the best.
The lightness in this shoe is wild—especially for something labeled as a stability option. That said… I’m still not totally sold on how stable it actually is. More on that in a bit.
On foot, it feels easy. Light. There’s just enough room up front for your toes to breathe, but the heel? Locked in and comfy. No slipping, no digging—just that smooth, do-no-wrong kind of fit that reminds me a bit of the Brooks Ghost.
And just like the Ghost… the Arahi doesn’t really blow me away. It’s reliable, sure. Supportive? Yep. But the foam just kind of sits there—neither soft nor springy. It's a perfectly fine ride, but nothing crazy exciting.
This isn’t to say that’s a bad thing, though. I mean, the Ghost is a wildly popular shoe for a reason—people love that kind of dependable, no-fuss feel. And honestly, I’ve enjoyed running in the Arahi 8 for similar reasons. It’s comfortable, light, and gets the job done. It’s just… not a “wow” shoe. It’s steady, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Joe: This is where the Arahi 8 really shines. The new H-Frame™ stability system replaces the previous J-Frame, and the difference is immediately noticeable. It’s less intrusive and more adaptive, allowing the shoe to offer light guidance without forcing a gait correction. Cushioning is classic Hoka—soft, responsive, and consistent. If the Clifton and the Arahi had a baby, this would be it. The dual-density compression molded EVA midsole delivers a smooth ride that feels balanced and natural underfoot. As someone with a neutral gait, I don’t typically reach for stability shoes, but the Arahi 8 doesn’t overdo it. I have noticed the H-Frame on longer runs, but it’s a subtle presence, not a distraction.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Sidney: I’m here to be honest—the first impression of this shoe is… not great. The initial step-in feel makes the foam seem dead. There’s just not much pulling me in.
I remember trying on the Arahi when our reps brought it in for a sell-in meeting. The ride then was soft, smooth, and supportive. It reminded me of a slimmer, tamer, lighter Saucony Hurricane. It had that springy rocker feel without sacrificing support, and the weight (or lack thereof) was super impressive for the overall package.
I don’t know if I imagined it, but I swear they changed it after that. When my wear test pair arrived, I expected that shoe I’d fallen in love with—and it wasn’t what I got.
Now, that’s not to say the Arahi is bad—far from it. I’ve actually been wearing it almost daily. It’s really comfortable for walking, work, and easy runs. What I’m trying to say is, Hoka could have something really special here… but they’re still not quite there. Closer than before, but still not it.
Also worth mentioning: about a week in—15 running miles and a few days working in them—the outsole started peeling off at the back heel. Hopefully just a one-off, but I really hope this isn’t a sign of Hoka shifting away from the quality we’ve come to expect.
Joe: The Arahi 8 has earned its place in my daily rotation. I’ve taken it out for easy efforts and long, steady runs, and it hasn’t missed a beat. It’s not built for race day or aggressive tempos, but it can certainly handle a mid-run pace pickup without feeling bogged down.
For comparisons, think of it as Hoka’s answer to the ASICS Gel-Kayano 32 or even the Saucony Guide 18—but with a more fluid ride. The H-frame also puts it in the same stability-adjacent camp–it’s support without the excess, structure without the stiffness.
THE RUNDOWN
Sidney: I reviewed the Arahi 7 last year, and to be honest—I was hesitant to even publish that review. Outside of its looks, I struggled to find much to praise. But the Arahi 8? It’s a clear improvement. Still stylish, sure—but now it actually runs like a shoe I can recommend.
That said, I know diving into the nitty gritty might’ve made it sound like I’m not a fan. But I genuinely do like the Arahi 8—both for myself and for the right type of runner. I’m just being critical because I see how close it is to being great, not just good.
And truthfully? I’ve already worn mine into the ground, grabbing them nearly every day. So clearly, they’re doing something right.
Final verdict: the Arahi 8 is an upgrade worth checking out.
Joe: In short: Hoka nailed the update. The Arahi 8 corrects the missteps of its predecessor and brings the line back in line with what runners expect from the brand—comfort, performance, and innovation.
Would I change anything? Personally, and this is specific to me, maybe tone down the H-frame slightly to avoid the mild supination I experienced on longer efforts—but for daily miles, it’s near-perfect. The Arahi 8 is a dependable, versatile workhorse that delivers support without sacrificing the Hoka hallmark ride.
Whether you’re a longtime Clifton loyalist looking for a touch of support, or a stability shoe runner looking for something lighter, the Arahi 8 deserves a spot in your weekly rotation.
