HOKA Arahi 7 vs Arahi 8

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

HOKA Arahi 7
HOKA Arahi 8

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Nov 07, 2025 09:32 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Apr 09, 2026 01:15 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon
HOKA Arahi 7 Picture

Track

HOKA Arahi 8 Picture

Track

Our Verdict

HOKA Arahi 7

HOKA Arahi 8

The HOKA Arahi 7 and HOKA Arahi 8 are both light stability shoes, and though both serve the needs of most overpronators well, there are a few important distinctions. The Arahi 7 is the lighter, previous iteration of the line, and is slightly more stable. The mid-drop is best suited to midfoot strikers, but it can accommodate all types of runners. The Arahi 8, on the other hand, is a key overhaul. It has much more stack underfoot, and is way more cushioned through the heel, making it the better option for heel strikers. It's a softer shoe with more cushion and responsiveness. Despite the hit to stability, we'd still recommend most runners go for the Arahi 8 unless there's a significantly better deal on the Arahi 7.

0 

Variants

  • Arahi 7 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Arahi 7 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Arahi 8 (Asphalt/Gravel - (Men - US 9))
  • Arahi 8 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

5.0
6.5

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

1.9
5.6

Heel Stack Height 
 

34.9 mm
39.7 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

28.9 mm
33.0 mm

Heel Energy Return 
 

0.8
2.3

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.0
5.8

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 7 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 7 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

261.7 g (9.23 oz)
266.7 g (9.41 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 7 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

34.9 mm
39.7 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

28.9 mm
33.0 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.0 mm
6.7 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

5.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
HOKA Arahi 7 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
HOKA Arahi 8 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
95 mm (3.7")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

87 mm (3.4")
86 mm (3.4")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

116 mm (4.6")
115 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.70
2.39

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

4.01
3.48

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
HOKA Arahi 7 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
HOKA Arahi 8 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

277 mm (10.9")
281 mm (11.1")

Internal Heel Width 
 

65 mm (2.6")
61 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

92 mm (3.6")
95 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 7 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

0.8
2.3

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 7 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

63.2%
68.5%

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

1.9
5.6

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 7 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

67.7%
72.8%

Heel Cushioning 
 

5.9
7.8

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 7 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 7 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.45 J
3.30 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

7.40 J
9.79 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

14.02 J
16.82 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.6
7.6

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 7 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
HOKA Arahi 8 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 7 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.46 J
4.36 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.23 J
8.26 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.19 J
12.57 J

Heel Firmness 
 

6.2
5.0

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 7 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

69.5 N/mm
48.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

124.2 N/mm
103.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

209.7 N/mm
228.2 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.8
7.5

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 7 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
HOKA Arahi 8 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

100.1 N/mm
97.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

196.1 N/mm
189.7 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

407.7 N/mm
364.9 N/mm

HOKA Arahi 7

HOKA Arahi 8

Comments

  1. Comparison

HOKA Arahi 7 vs HOKA Arahi 8: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Members have direct access to buying advice on our member forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones