HOKA ONE ONE Stinson ATR 6 Review
Miles of Cushioning
Likes
- Great for Roads and Trails
- Cushioning
- Upper lockdown fit
Dislikes
- Slightly unstable on technical trails
- Minimal traction
What's New
Continuing to utilize HOKA ONE ONE's softest cushioning technology, the Stinson ATR 6 provides a highly cushioned trail running experience that keeps your legs fresh on high-mileage runs. To improve the overall experience of the Stinson, HOKA made some tweaks throughout to make it lighter, bouncier, and more stable than previous iterations. HOKA rounded out the update with a new upper that uses a lightweight recycled yarn. This gives the Stinson a more environmentally friendly footprint while still allowing the upper to be both breathable and durable.
The Bottom Line
It's no surprise that the HOKA Stinson series has been a favorite among ultra-marathoners and trail goers looking for maximum cushioning. Featuring one of the thickest midsoles in the brand's trail shoe lineup, the Stinson is all about providing comfort on all types of terrain. Despite the shoe's generous cushioning, minor changes to its midsole give version 6 a softer, springier, and more stable ride than previous generations. Distance runners who need more volume in their shoes will love the fit, and people who like a structured upper to hold their feet in place will appreciate how the Stinson ATR 6 wraps the foot. Overall, HOKA has refined the Stinson ATR 6 to keep runners comfortable on trails and roads alike for hours on end.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium to Wide |
| Arch Height | Medium to High |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 11.6 oz (size 9) | Women's: 10.4 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | Men's: 39 mm (Heel), 34 mm (Forefoot) | Women's: 38 mm (Heel), 33 mm (Forefoot) | 5 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
As the most cushioned trail running shoe in HOKA's line up, the HOKA ONE ONE Stinson ATR 6 continues to offer a plush underfoot experience on the trails. Our testers found that it kept them comfortable after prolonged efforts and during moments that would have placed additional stress on the joints.
Liese: "The Stinson ATR 6 is the holy grail of soft trail shoes. I don't mean shoes for soft trails, but soft shoes for hardpacked trails! Your feet with thank you as the miles tack on."
Billy: "This is one of the softest trail shoes I've tried. Despite its plushness, the Stinson ATR 6 never felt unstable. The extra cushioning was great on descents and toward the later stages of a run."
Ride/Energy Returni
Our testers were pleasantly surprised by the springiness of the Stinson's midsole. They felt it enhanced the overall running experience and kept the shoe from feeling heavy or bulky.
Billy: "Although these shoes are soft, the cushioning doesn't sink in or pack down. It adds a spring to your step, and there is a feeling of being propelled forward as you run."
Liese: "Even though there is so much softness underfoot, the Stinson ATR 6s remain springy. They are great on fire roads and do well at long distances with a mix of road and trail surfaces."
Underfoot Protectioni
Despite not having a rock plate, the HOKA Stinson 6 ATR offers top-notch underfoot protection. Our testers agreed that the high level of cushioning protected their feet from hardpacked surfaces, while the traction gave them peace of mind on non-technical trails.
Liese: "These shoes truly offer maximum cushioning! Plus, the grippy outsole adds durability, and the lugs add grip for trails that aren't too technical."
Billy: "The Stinson ATR 6 is nothing if not comfortable over most terrain. Its cushioning keeps missteps from causing your feet undue discomfort, and it has a noticeably plush ride, even on steep descents."
Flexibilityi
Having a thick midsole limits how flexible the Stinson ATR 6 can be. However, the combination of HOKA's rocker technology and outsole flex grooves gives the Stinson ATR a smooth and natural feel as you run.
Billy: "Despite the extra thickness, the Stinson ATR 6s are surprisingly malleable, particularly in the forefoot. They are not the most flexible shoes I've run in, but they felt very elastic."
Liese: "Even though the stack height is so high, the foam is soft, so these shoes remain somewhat flexible. I definitely feel like I can flex and point my toes without difficulty, which is necessary on ascents and descents."
Upper Supporti
The Stinson's recycled mesh upper allows for a comfortable and breathable hold of the foot. To increase durability on the trails and reduce tearing, HOKA incorporated overlays around high-abrasion areas. Our testers concluded that the upper had enough structure around the foot to make them feel secure with every step they took.
Liese: "HOKAs are typically snug on me. I went up a half size in these Stinson ATRs since they don't come in a wide, and I'm glad I did since I needed the width. I just pop on a padded sock, and I'm golden. The upper was structured with an internal midfoot lockdown. This allows the shoes to feel secure, which I liked since I felt a bit high off the ground due to the stack height."
Billy: "The upper holds my foot very securely without feeling too stiff. This was a highlight for me since I was worried that the extra height might cause me to twist an ankle on varied terrain. As it was, I didn't have to crank down on the laces to keep the shoe in place."
Individual Thoughts
I think these shoes would be great for trail runners who go long distances on hardpacked trails and fire roads. I was excited to try them since I love my road HOKAs so much, and I've never run in HOKA trail shoes before. Due to the nature of the types of trails that I love — rocky, windy, steep, loose, cliffside — these took some adjusting to. I am used to minimal, low-to-the-ground trail shoes. At first, I was worried I'd twist my ankle or go over the side of the rocky cliff. I slowed down and decided to stick to training runs on hardpack, fire roads, and long weekend adventures where I'm not dealing with steep, rocky, or super technical terrain.
The outsole is very durable, and I felt like these shoes would last for hundreds of miles. So, even at $159.95, the Stinson ATR 6s feel like a more economical choice than some of the softer, less-expensive HOKA trail shoes. In regards to the type of runner who would be buying this type of shoe, ultra-marathoners are one that comes to mind. You may power through a few pairs of either the Torrents or Challengers by the time you wear out a single pair of Stinsons in the training leading up to your race.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I'm not typically drawn to maximally cushioned trail shoes, but the HOKA Stinson ATR 6 was a very pleasant surprise. Despite the extra thickness of the midsole, these shoes did not feel clunky or burdensome, and I wound up really liking the increased cushion toward the latter half of my runs. The unobtrusive security of the upper is comforting, and I really appreciated the lack of slop, especially on varied terrain. My only real complaint would be the lack of traction on loose surfaces, which is the typical trail condition in my area. While this may take the Stinson ATR 6 out of contention as the first shoe I grab for shorter runs, the increased comfort will keep it in my rotation for longer distances or for when my feet just feel old.