Which should you buy?
Choose the Arahi 8 if you find it at a good discount and it already suits you.
Choose the Arahi 9 if you want the latest version and its updates.
The Arahi 8 is 19 g lighter than the Arahi 9.
Side by side
| Spec | Arahi 8HOKA | Arahi 9HOKA |
|---|---|---|
| Review score | 86/100 (1 review) | 82/100 (1 review) |
| Type | Stability | Stability |
| Weight (men's UK 8.5) | 259 g | 278 g |
| Heel stack | 39 mm | 39 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Cushioning | Balanced | Balanced |
| Bounce | Lively | Calm |
| Plate | No plate | No plate |
| Support | Stability / support | Stability / support |
| Fit | True to size | True to size |
| Widths | standard, wide | standard, wide, extra wide |
| Waterproof version | No | No |
| UK RRP | £140 | £140 |
Weights are for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5. Prices are UK RRPs; shops often sell for less.
What the critics say
The reviews comparedReviewers rate both as supportive easy-mile shoes rather than speed tools. Fleet Feet's Caroline Bermel called the HOKA Arahi 8 the softest Arahi yet, and RunRepeat's Carlos Sánchez found it lighter than the Arahi 7, though he wanted better wet grip. He found the HOKA Arahi 9 stable without feeling rigid, with a very durable outsole, but low on energy and heavier.
Arahi 8
- The softest Arahi yet
- Lighter than the Arahi 7
- Support that holds up on both sides
- Higher 8 mm drop than before
- Not built for speed sessions
Scores from RunRepeat.
Arahi 9
- Stable without feeling stiff
- Smooth transitions for easy miles
- Very durable outsole with improved wet grip
- Heavier than the Arahi 8 and a little pricier
- Muted, low-energy ride
Scores from RunRepeat.
Paraphrased from published reviews.
What's new in each
HOKA Arahi 8: Adds 3 mm of heel cushioning (drop rises from 5 to 8 mm), replaces the J-Frame with a new H-Frame for support, and gets a new last and upper. Slightly lighter.
HOKA Arahi 9: Mainly a new engineered-mesh upper with more toe-box height, plus better wet grip and a later forefoot rocker; slightly less stack and a little heavier than the Arahi 8.
About each shoe
About the Arahi 9
Replacing the Arahi 8, the Arahi 9 is HOKA's mid-weight stability trainer for daily road running, aimed at runners who overpronate. It offers less support than the Gaviota 6, the brand's most structured shoe, and serves as a supportive alternative to the neutral Clifton 11.
Guidance comes from HOKA's H-Frame, in which a firmer foam is moulded into an H shape to support both sides of the foot within a two-layer CMEVA midsole. The main update is a redesigned engineered-mesh upper, and the outsole pairs exposed foam with thick rubber pods in a new compound. The forefoot rocker now begins slightly later than on the Arahi 8, while the heel keeps its curvature, and the stack is slightly lower than before. HOKA lists an 8 mm drop and a 39 mm heel stack. The shoe comes in standard, wide and extra-wide fittings.
Specs and features from runrepeat.com and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
Arahi 8 vs Arahi 9
In short
The HOKA Arahi 9 replaced the HOKA Arahi 8 in July 2026. What's new: Mainly a new engineered-mesh upper with more toe-box height, plus better wet grip and a later forefoot rocker; slightly less stack and a little heavier than the Arahi 8.
- Better reviewedArahi 8
- LighterArahi 8
- BouncierArahi 8
- More widthsArahi 9
Get the full story
HOKAEverything on the Arahi 83 video reviews, scores from 1 published review, what critics loved and didn't, fit and sizing advice, full specs and today's prices.Explore the Arahi 8
HOKAEverything on the Arahi 93 video reviews, scores from 1 published review, what critics loved and didn't, fit and sizing advice, full specs and today's prices.Explore the Arahi 9More comparisons
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