Hoka vs. On: Who Makes a Better Sneaker?

• That famous Hoka cushion
• Great for long runs, good of long days walking
• Don't look half bad

• Don't have the cross-training benefit of an On Cloudsurfer
• If you want a firmer ride, go to On

Hokas are one of the first thing you get in a running journey. Our entertainment editor, Brady Langmann, runs marathons and swears by the brand. His model of choice, and the most popular in the Hoka lineup, is the Clifton, now on its 10th iteration. The Clifton is the all-rounder of the Hoka lineup. The upper is a lightweight jacquard, which locks the foot in place. The sole is big and bouncy, one of the brand's most plush. The heel to toe trop is 8mm, similar to some of the more race-day models, which helps give you that push forward feeling while running.

But to add to all of that, the look isn't so serious. You can wear these around town—even with jeans or trousers, though I'd go wide leg to match the heavy shoe—and look perfectly normal.

The jump to Clifton 10 was a modest update, but it's a near perfect shoe, so I get it. Hoka added added 3mm to the heel-to-toe drop from the Clifton 9, totaling 8mm now. The foot feel of the two shoes is almost identical as far as I'm concerned, but that does help it slightly when you're running. You might feel a touch more support underfoot, but that's only for the especially sensitive.

Hoka saves its big changes for its big models, but even on those it's pretty indistinguishable from model to model. That's OK. The brand has a winning formula, and that's what matters. When we sent a reporter to asses the running shoe situation at the Badwater 135 ultramarathon, he noted that a majority of the pack was wearing Hokas. That's the only endorsement you need.