If we were to take the brand logos off some of these shoes, they’d look pretty similar. Daily trainer next to daily trainer. Stability shoe next to stability shoe. Big cushioned shoe next to big cushioned shoe. But when you run in a HOKA vs. a New Balance, there are some pretty noticeable differences.
In our experience, HOKAs tend to do a bit more of the directing. The rocker is usually more obvious and the geometry plays a bigger role. New Balance usually feels a little less insistent. The ride is often more flexible and traditional, and what most runners would probably say feels a bit more “natural.” That doesn’t mean it’s boring. In fact, once you get into the FuelCell side of the lineup, there are a ton of lively New Balance options.
For that reason, we decided not to do a basic brand comparison, but instead pit model against model, looking at everyday trainers, stability shoes, max cushion options, tempo trainers, and race day shoes, with each matchup focused on shoes that fill roughly the same role.
Everyday Trainers – HOKA Clifton 11 vs. New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15
These are the two shoes a lot of runners end up in when they just want something reliable for most of the week. Similar price range, similar job description, but not the same ride. The Clifton 11 still feels like the more shaped, more guided option, while the 880v15 lands closer to a traditional daily trainer, even if New Balance pushed it higher and firmer than older 880s.
HOKA Clifton 11
The Clifton 11 still does the Clifton thing on v11, just with a little more cushion for the pushin’. It has a high stack, a heel-striker-friendly setup, and the kind of broad, stable platform that lets it feel pillowy without the sloppiness that comes from an overly soft shoe.
The wider toe box is one of the more useful updates from the prior version for us wide-footed folk. It’s also one of those daily trainers that works just as well for walking as it does for easy mileage, which is part of why so many people end up living in it. From the padded engineered mesh upper to the plush underfoot ride, the Clifton 11 is all about lasting comfort.
The tradeoff is the same one the Clifton always flirts with. You get protection and a smooth roll, but not much feel for the ground. The foam is not especially lively either, which tracks, considering it’s really a daily trainer for runners who want to take the edge off.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15
The 880v15 isn’t as easy to sum up as the older 880s. It still sits in that “everyday-trainer” lane, but New Balance decided to move it up in stack, and now it feels closer to a lower-cost 1080 than the old balanced 880 formula.
It has a secure upper, decent cushioning, a stable ride, and enough comfort for longer miles, but the feel underfoot is firmer and stiffer than some runners will expect from the Fresh Foam X name.
That said, it still makes sense for the runner who wants something simple. It’s nothing wildly innovative, not especially playful, and not the most flexible shoe in this group, but for familiarity’s sake, it’s hard to think of something better.
The Clifton 11 definitely has more personality, but the 880v15 is the one more runners will feel at home with right away, even if this version is a little less classic than the name suggests.
Stability Trainers – HOKA Arahi 8 vs. New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15
This is a pretty clean contrast. The Arahi 8 is the lighter, more modern-feeling stability shoe, while the 860v15 still leans into that classic workhorse role (there you go again, New Balance), even if the brand has made it more cushioned and more guided than it used to be.
HOKA Arahi 8
One of the first things we thought when we saw the Arahi 8 was that it does a bang-up job at hiding the fact that it’s a support shoe. It feels impressively light for the amount of foam and structure you’re getting, and the heel shock absorption is a real step up from the last version, which makes it easier to trust beyond short daily jogs.
The H-Frame gives the shoe firmer lateral support without that old posted-shoe feel, so the ride stays controlled. It also has a wider fit, taller stack, higher drop, and more pronounced Early-Stage Meta Rocker than the Arahi 7, which makes it feel a bit more current.
That rocker is part of why it feels so much smoother than a lot of stability shoes, especially for heel strikers. The main downside for us is the upper. It’s super durable and comfortable, but in hot weather, it’s a sweat blocker.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15
The 860v15 is still the shoe for runners who want obvious support. New Balance changed the formula here, though. It’s a bit higher, stiffer, more cushioned, and more structured than the 860v14, with a firmer “stability plane” that replaces the old medial setup. There’s decent room in the toebox and forefoot as well, which has definitely garnered some love from our reviewers who found older versions cramped.
Underfoot, the Fresh Foam X cushioning keeps things comfortable. Though the bigger story is still control. It’s ultra-stable from the second you put it on, so there’s no doubt you’re getting what you came for. But the tradeoff is that it’s less fluid than the Arahi and still better suited to easy miles or general long days on your feet than anything remotely uptempo.
For most runners who dislike traditional stability shoes, the Arahi 8 is the more appealing option. It’s one of the best HOKA running shoes on the market right now. It feels lighter, less corrective, and more natural to run in. The 860v15 makes more sense for the runner who wants that classic “the shoe is helping me” feeling and doesn’t mind a little extra stiffness to get it.
Max Cushion – HOKA Bondi 9 vs. New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15
If it’s premium comfort you’re after, you have a few options between HOKA and New Balance. The Bondi 9 is the more structured shoe overall, with a massive platform and a controlled ride. On the other hand, the 1080v15 is softer, more flexible, and much more natural through transition.
HOKA Bondi 9
The Bondi 9 is huge, even by max cushion standards. It measures 41.3 mm in the heel and 32.2 mm in the forefoot, and the platform underneath it is enormous at 123.2 mm up front and 104.2 mm in the heel. That is why it feels so planted for such a tall shoe.
HOKA also switched it to a supercritical EVA midsole, which gave it a little more bounce than older Bondis, even though it still isn’t a lively shoe. It weighs 10.7 oz, the foam is on the firmer side, and the whole thing still feels like it was built for the daily jog or recovery days.
Runners who prefer something lighter or less controlling may find it a bit bulky.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15
The 1080v15 comes at comfort from the other direction. It uses a new supercritical Fresh Foam X compound with a lightweight, open-cell structure, which has more of a cloud feel.
The foam is much softer than the Bondi, and the shoe is also lighter at 9.0 oz.
With that said, the stack is still generous at 37.0 mm in the heel and 30.6 mm in the forefoot, but the ride feels less blocky because the shoe is more flexible and uses a moderate forefoot rocker with a big heel bevel instead of relying on a giant platform to control the ride.
It’s the more fluid shoe, the more natural shoe, and probably the one most runners looking for straight-up comfort will like right off the bat. The catch is stability. New Balance left this one much less planted than the Bondi, and the softer ride won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
Tempo Trainers – HOKA Mach 7 vs. New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
This is a fun match-up because neither shoe feels overloaded. No plate and no massive slab of foam. Just two lightweight trainers for keeping up the pace.
The difference is that the Mach 7 feels more like a cleaner, sharper tool, while the Rebel v5 feels like a shoe we’d grab if we want something lighter and more playful.
HOKA Mach 7
The Mach 7 can pretty much do it all, which is why it’s so popular with HOKA fans. Supercritical EVA, 37/32 stack, 5 mm drop, and a ride close enough to the ground that you don’t feel disconnected.
It doesn’t have that deep, squishy sensation a lot of modern speed trainers lean on, however, which makes it a good shoe for tempo work. We think it does its best when runs are on the shorter side.
New Balance Rebel v5
The Rebel v5 is the more playful shoe of the two. It’s very light and has a few updates based on the biggest complaints people had before, particularly better shock absorption and a heel collar that doesn’t feel irritating.
We love the roomy fit and flexible design, which is a big part of why the shoe blurs the line between daily trainer and speed shoe so well. On foot, it feels springier and more relaxed than the Mach, and that softer FuelCell setup gives it a much more fun personality.
Of course, fun always comes with a tradeoff. It is not as planted or as controlled as the Mach, the airflow isn’t great, and upper durability is still a concern. But it’s a shoe with more personality. We’d only recommend the Mach 7 if you wanted a sleek, clean-cut trainer.
Race Day Shoes – HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 vs. New Balance FuelCell SC Elite v5
Race shoes are all trying to do the same thing, which is to get you to the finish line faster. The interesting part is how differently they can go about it, and these two shoes are the perfect example.
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0
The Cielo X1 3.0 is the more extreme shoe here. It weighs less than the previous version and still comes in with a towering, highly rockered setup, huge shock absorption, strong PEBA energy return, and a ride that, in traditional HOKA style, really wants to roll you forward. That is the appeal. HOKA very clearly built this shoe for long, fast road racing rather than general versatility. At 6.8 oz, it’s also legitimately light for how much shoe is under you.
The catch is that it can feel like a lot. The fit runs tight, the geometry is aggressive, and the ride may be a bit too specialized for some runners. If you like a super shoe that takes over a bit, this is certainly the more interesting option.
New Balance SuperComp Elite v5
The SC Elite v5 is one of the best New Balance running shoes for long-distance running. It’s still a serious marathon shoe, but the ride is more fluid and a little more familiar for most runners. The big improvements are the most obvious: it’s much lighter than the last version, the plate curvature was redesigned for quicker transitions, the upper is more breathable and race-ready, and the toebox is roomier than a lot of carbon racers.
It also gets very close to the legal stack limit with a 39.3 mm heel.
It’s not the most aggressive super shoe on the market, and the narrow heel can chip away at stability a bit, but for more runners, this is probably the easier racer to get along with. The Cielo wins on pure aggression. The SC Elite v5 is the one we’d trust to work for a broader group on race day.
HOKA vs New Balance: Which Brand Is Right for You?
We aren’t firm believers in brand loyalty, especially when it comes to health and exercise. If you find that a shoe from one brand just works better for you, go for it. The only reason you should choose a shoe is if it feels good to you ride-wise, not because of the logo on the box.
HOKA running shoes tend to make more sense for runners who like a more rockered, guided ride, while New Balance running shoes often land better for runners who want something smoother and more natural, especially in the daily trainer categories.
If you’re deciding between the two, the best move is to try them on at your local Marathon Sports. Our Right Fit process can help narrow things down based on your goals, preferences, and how you like to run.. And whether that’s a HOKA shoe, New Balance shoe, or something different, our experienced staff will guide you through your options and help you find the perfect choice for all your running needs.
