HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 5 Review
Arahi's Lightweight Stability is Still a Top Performer
Likes
- Lightweight and protective cushioning
- Inherent stability
- Spacious toe-box
Dislikes
- Long laces
- Low energy return from the midsole
What's New
The HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 5 has a host of new features that will have Arahi fans excited to hit the road. The updated EVA foam midsole is now lighter and is built to deliver a more responsive energy return. The upper is now more breathable than ever before, thanks to a complete redesign. Finally, HOKA has reconstructed the heel of the Arahi, utilising a new flared-heel design that reduces Achilles irritation and offers runners enhanced comfort.
The Bottom Line
The HOKA ONE ONE Arahi has long been one of the lightest and softest daily training shoes in the stability category, and the Arahi 5 once again continues that tradition. The modified design offers lightweight protection that is perfect for long or easy running. HOKA also included a J-Frame design along the medial side of the midsole to deliver stability that is suitable for moderate to excessive pronators. This J-Frame design is also surprisingly discreet and will not hinder neutral runners who fancy running in these shoes when they need a little extra guidance. In regards to fit, the Arahi provides a secure wrap through the midfoot and a more spacious forefoot, allowing room for toes to splay. The upper is now lighter and more breathable, creating an enhanced overall on-foot experience. This popular stability trainer is an excellent option for beginner runners looking for extra protection, pronators seeking added stability, or any runner searching for a reliable recovery shoe or long run trainer.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.6 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.1oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 35 mm (Heel), 30 mm (Forefoot) | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Moderate Stability | |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
The Arahi is well-known for its soft cushioning, and this version once again delivers the wonderfully plush cushioning runners have grown accustomed to. The J-Frame construction adds firmness to the medial side of the midsole and provides inherent stability without sacrificing the midsole's soft underfoot feel.
Kaleb: "You can feel the softness immediately once you step into the Arahi 5. These shoes provided me with great comfort while out on my training runs. I tested the Arahi 5 over a variety of distances, and the comfortable feel always held up."
Matt: "The Arahi 5 had a nice, soft feel that I really liked for my easy runs. I usually gravitate toward shoes on the firmer side, and the Arahi 5 had just the right amount of softness given my preferences. The Arahi 5 has a lower stack than the Clifton, so it never felt like I was swimming in cushioning."
Kaitlin: "The cushioning in this shoe is a little firmer than in previous models, especially through the midfoot. Touching down felt like I was landing on something compressed, which was protective but did not offer much energy return."
Ride/Energy Return i
The Arahi’s EVA foam midsole has been updated to be lighter and more responsive than previous versions of this lightweight daily trainer. Unfortunately, our testers did not experience a particularly snappy energy return from the midsole. Absorptive and protective, the Arahi 5 is best suited to long or recovery-day runs, as the smooth, cushioned ride will keep runners comfortable.
Kaleb: "Although this shoe was updated to be more responsive, I did not feel like I got a lot of return from the midsole foam. There is a slight bounce but not much. I think the ride is heavily assisted by the geometry of the shoe, as the early-stage Meta-Rocker created a smooth ride. I also liked the added support from the J-Frame stability system as my legs began to tire on longer runs."
Matt: "This shoe is made for daily kilometres. It has some bounce to it, but compared to other models that are known for their pop, the Arahi has a pretty basic and average energy return."
Kaitlin: "The underfoot feel of this shoe falls a little flat as far as energy return. It is not a bouncy shoe, but other features still make it feel nimble. When you touch down, it feels like your energy is absorbed well, but there isn't the spring back that you would expect."
Underfoot Protection i
The Arahi 5 is a superstar in terms of protecting runners' bodies from the impact of the road. With 36mm of soft foam underfoot, runners will have no issues remaining comfortable throughout their long runs and recovery-day jaunts. Durability is also not an issue as the Hi-Abrasion Lightweight Rubber outsole will last for kilometres.
Kaleb: "There is a considerable stack on the Arahi 5, which never failed to deliver protection on my runs. The shoes were excellent for tired legs and when my body needed that extra cushioning to help soften the impact of the road."
Matt: "With a sufficient amount of foam to land on, the Arahi 5 has some great protection from the pavement. I always felt protected when taking the Arahi out for my runs."
Kaitlin: "This shoe has solid impact protection while maintaining some awareness of the ground for balance. My knees and shins felt protected after long road descents and still felt fresh with back-to-back mileage."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The Arahi 5 has moderate flexibility, which is surprising given its substantial amount of cushioning. The flex of the midsole is combined with an early-stage Meta-Rocker design, which delivers a buttery-smooth heel-to-toe that helps runners easily roll into every stride. It may not be the fastest shoe on the market, but the Arahi 5 will deliver plenty of fun kilometres.
Kaleb: "I found the Arahi to be moderately flexible, and this flexibility combined very well with the early-stage Meta-Rocker design to create a wonderfully smooth ride that I really enjoyed for long runs and recovery runs. I also had no issues cruising at an easy pace, and I felt like the midsole was surprisingly efficient through the gait cycle."
Matt: "Compared to traditional stability shoes, the Arahi 5 does have some decent flex. But with the amount of cushioning and support in the shoe, it's no surprise that this isn't the most flexible option."
Kaitlin: "I wouldn't consider this a very flexible shoe, because it maintains enough rigidity to prevent a lot of medial or lateral foot movement. However, even with the stability and large stack height, it still provides a smooth forward roll when I'm running."
Upper Feel i
The Arahi’s brand new upper is a major highlight of this update. It is lightweight and breathable, successfully keeping feet cool and fresh throughout the entirety of the run. The fit is structured and secure through the midfoot, before opening up to a spacious toe-box that allows toes to splay. The new flare-heel design adds further comfort, cradling the wearer’s foot without any heel irritation. The only negative our testers found with the upper was the excessively long laces, which required creative knotting solutions to avoid having them bounce around everywhere.
Kaleb: "I really liked the upper on the Arahi 5. The engineered mesh design was lightweight and breathable, and my feet never overheated. HOKA shoes have always seemed to fit my feet well, and with a nice structured hold through the midfoot and roominess in the toe box, the Arahi 5 was very comfortable for me. I had no issues with lockdown, and I thought the flared heel (elf-ear, or whatever you want to call it) worked well at limiting any heel irritation."
Matt: "The upper was comfortable and had a nice look to it. I felt secure and locked down when running. The only issue I had was that the laces were way too long, and I needed to tie about four knots to get them to a reasonable length."
Kaitlin: "The Arahi 5's upper encompasses my foot without creating any irritation. Additionally, the semi-gusseted tongue provides a secure lockdown through the midfoot."
Women's HOKA Arahi Running Shoes
Men's HOKA Arahi Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
Though still not a fast shoe, I thought the Arahi 5 was highly protective and delivered an ultra-smooth ride that I really had fun running in for my long or recovery runs. The J-Frame design is less intrusive than more traditional posting systems, providing inherent stability that I appreciated as I began to tire on longer runs. I am a more neutral runner, but I have no doubts the J-Frame system will help support moderate to excessive pronators. The strategically placed rubber on the outsole has shown no signs of wear after 80+ kilometres, and I have no concerns about durability for the Arahi 5. This workhorse trainer will last for miles.
HOKA has redesigned the engineered mesh upper of the Arahi 5 to be lighter and more breathable, as well as more comfortable for runners, and I think they have nailed it. My feet never overheated and the shoes felt surprisingly lightweight on foot. The fit was enjoyably snug through the midfoot and roomy through the forefoot. I also really enjoyed the new flared heel. The laces were a little long, but nothing a runner's knot couldn't fix.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 5 was a great shoe for me on my easy runs. I looked forward to grabbing it between my workout days. I felt like it had a perfect amount of stack and protection that didn't overwhelm me with foam or material. It was light enough to hold decent paces, and the upper was comfortable enough for longer runs. I would say that the Arahi is a breath of fresh air in the stability category, and any runner who overpronates will appreciate the ride and the lighter feel.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I would not describe the Arahi 5's fit as wide, but the toe-box does feel roomy. With the adaptable upper materials, padded tongue, and curved heel collar, the Arahi 5 is very comfortable. The ride of the Arahi is very protective and absorbs the impact of the roads without difficulty. The J-Frame stability system effortlessly guides you forward as you progress through the gait cycle and is barely noticeable underfoot. The Arahi 5 was not the fastest shoe, though, and the cushioning was not as propulsive as I would like. However, the shoe feels surprisingly lightweight and nimble, delivering smooth heel-to-toe transitions that are excellent for a daily training shoe in the stability category.