Mike & Kaylyn look at the new Hoka One One Arahi 2.
We’ve had this shoe for a few weeks in both men’s and women’s sizes, and the feedback so far on this update has been overwhelmingly positive.
The Arahi is categorized as a stability shoe, since it’s designed to correct overpronation during the gait cycle. It inhibits your foot from rolling in toward the arch. Unlike traditional stability shoes that use a wedge of dense foam in the shoe’s midsole, the Arahi uses a J-frame construction which uses the active foot frame and the heel bucket seat area along with a J-shaped firmer density foam which wraps around the heel and then extends up the medial side. This approach to pronation control results in a lighter shoe with a very smooth ride for runners and walkers.
The Arahi’s upper uses a 3D printed textile which is very breathable and helps keep the weight down. If you run your hand along the inside, you won’t feel any seems and the upper feels light and smooth.
The Arahi 2 features a 5mm drop and early stage meta-rocker which allows for a smooth heel-midfoot-toe transition without putting a lot of stress on either metatarsal area or the achilles tendon. It also accommodates orthotics like SuperFeet Orange, Green or Berry and weighs 9.2 ounces in men’s size 9, 7.7 ounces in a women’s size 7.
This shoe retails for $130 and is available in several colors in both men’s and women’s sizes. If you’ve never tried the Arahi, we recommend that you try this one on and compare it to the shoe you’re currently wearing. You never know! You might be switched over to Hoka!