Even Die-Hard Hoka Fans Are Switching to These Less Expensive Sneakers from Brooks, Asics and New Balance
And they start at just $43.
We love Hoka shoes—the Hoka Skyflow is a favorite cushioned walking shoe, and the Hoka Mach 6 is our writer’s podiatrist father-in-law’s go-to. But $160 for the Skyflow or $140 for the Mach 6 can add up when you’re replacing them regularly. Luckily, Amazon sleuths have tracked down a few pairs that feel like Hokas for a fraction of the price. The Brooks Launch (on sale for $84!), Asics Gel-Contend and New Balance Fresh Foam all made the list, with ultra-cushioned midsoles, grippy outsoles and overall supportive designs that shoppers say “are more comfortable than the Hokas I had.” Read on for nine popular Hoka alternatives, starting at just $43.
Best Hoka-Like Running Shoes at Amazon
- Brooks Launch 11 Neutral Running Shoe$84 (was $120)
- Nike Revolution 8 Road Running Shoes$60 (was $75)
- Asics Gel-Contend 9 Running Shoes$65 (was $75)
- Avia Verge Sneakers$43 (was $50)
- New Balance Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoes$60 (was $70)
Nike Revolution 8 Road Running Shoes

$75 $60 at Amazon
On sale for $60, these Nike shoes are comfortable, flexible and breathable. “They are more comfortable than the Hokas I had,” wrote one shopperadding that they didn’t require a break-in period like their Hoka shoes did. Another person said that Hokas made their bunions hurt, but these shoes are “perfect.”
Asics Gel-Contend 9 Running Shoes

$75 $65 at Amazon
Shoppers love how comfortable and stable these Asics sneakers are, noting that they’re great for wide feet. “I was tired of buying Hokas or other expensive shoes, and I tried these,” one shopper wrote. “They hold up great, and I don’t have any pain.”
Bronax Wide Toe Box Road Running Shoes

$56 at Amazon
These $50 Bronax running shoes have more than 4,400 perfect ratings. Friends have told one reviewer that their shoes “look like Hokas,” yet they’re a third of the price. “These are perfect if you have wider feet and want the room in the toes that comes with Hoka sneakers without the price tag!” another happy customer wrote.
New Balance Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoes

$70 $60 at Amazon
These New Balance sneakers have a minimalist design and neutral color options, but the support is what we’re most interested in. One reviewer “fell in love” with them, thanks to their lightweight, comfortable design. Another person remarked that the shoes have a similar fit to the Hoka Cliftons for “half the price.”
Skechers Max Cushioning Endeavour Canova Running Shoes

$84 $67 at Amazon
Ultra-cushioned and lightweight, the Skechers Max “fit like a glove” and are “squashy like Hokas for a fraction of the cost.” One shopper said they were “surprised and impressed” to have “no leg or foot pain” after a 12-hour shift. And right now, you can grab a pair for just $65.
Avia Verge Sneakers

$50 $43 at Amazon
Go for a walk or hit the pickleball courts in style with these under-$50 shoes that a customer said are “worth the cost.” Another person noted that the shoes are “as good as Brooks or Hoka,” while a third reviewer mentioned that wearing them is “like walking on a cloud.”
Brooks Launch 11 Neutral Running Shoe

$120 $84 at Amazon
While Brooks shoes are often priced comparably to Hoka, the Launch 11 is on sale for less than $85 and is a favorite of first responders and Amazon shoppers alike. Buyers who would buy again called them “magic” and “worth every penny.” “I recently got back into running and have always been a Hokas girl,” one customer wrote. “I made the switch to Brooks, and I won’t ever look back.”
Nortiv 8 Walking Shoes

$71 $59 at Amazon
These stylish sneakers certainly have the cushioned look of Hokas, but how do they perform? According to one customerthey’re comfortable enough to wear all day and “stylish enough to get stopped on the street.” One person dealing with plantar fasciitis reported that they “feel better” than Hokas, even after walking all day at Disney.
Skechers Glide-Step Altus Slip-Ins

$73 at Amazon
As someone who likes to get up and go, I appreciate that the Skechers Glide-Step Altus are easy to slip on. I haven’t had a chance to try them for myself, but I’m inclined to believe they are as “unbelievably comfortable” as the reviews say. “I have worn Hokas for a few years, and these are my first pair of non-Hokas,” one buyer wrote. “They are actually more comfortable!”
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