Hoka Stinson 8: Specs, Fit and What Has Changed

The Hoka Stinson 8 is the most cushioned road-to-trail shoe Hoka makes, and this version is a ground-up redesign built around a more stable, more planted ride without losing any of the plushness the Stinson is known for. If you want one shoe that will carry you along the canal towpath, out onto a gravel forest loop and back again in real comfort, this is the model in the range built for exactly that. It is also the lightest Stinson to date, which for a shoe carrying this much foam underfoot is no small achievement.

Below we cover what has actually changed from the Stinson 7, the full spec, how it fits, where it works best and who it suits. If you already know the Stinson and just want the headline: more stable, slightly taller, noticeably lighter, and the same easygoing 5mm drop.

What has changed from the Stinson 7

The redesign is most obvious underfoot. Hoka has added a softer layer of CMEVA foam beneath an updated H-Frame midsole, so you get more give at ground contact while the H-Frame keeps the platform steady through the stride. The upper is new as well, with a breathable mesh and a supportive moulded cage that wraps the midfoot and holds the foot in place over uneven ground. The outsole has been reworked with an updated lug design and orientation for cleaner grip across both road and trail. And despite the taller stack, Hoka has trimmed roughly 40 grams over the Stinson 7, which is what earns the 8 the title of lightest Stinson yet.

Hoka Stinson 8 specifications

A quick word on those stack figures. The Stinson 8 sits firmly in maximum-cushion territory, a touch taller than the outgoing model, yet keeps the same gentle 5mm drop, so the ride feels level and protective rather than aggressive. The weights above are for a men's sample; the women's build comes in lighter again at around 272 grams.

How the Stinson 8 rides

The character here is comfort and stability rather than speed. The CMEVA midsole is soft and shock-absorbing, closer to a plush cruiser than a springy racer, and the combination of the H-Frame and the deep, cradling midfoot means your foot settles down into the platform and stays held. A rockered geometry helps roll you through each step, so all that cushioning never feels flat or dead. On easy runs and long days out, that adds up to a shoe you can happily stay in for hours. It is not a propulsive, carbon-plated tool, and it is not trying to be. What it does brilliantly is soak up the miles.

Road, trail, or both

The Stinson has always been Hoka's road-to-trail all-rounder, and the 8 leans into that brief. The all-terrain rubber outsole and moderate lugs give you enough bite for gravel, packed dirt, forest track and the kind of mixed Irish ground where a run starts on tarmac and finishes on a trail. It is not a technical mountain-racing shoe for steep, muddy, rooty ground; for that end of the spectrum you would want a more aggressive trail shoe with deeper lugs. But for everything up to and including packed trails, it is genuinely versatile. If your running is mostly on tarmac, Hoka's road line such as the Clifton is the more natural home, and you can compare the options across our road running shoes.

A lot of runners cross-shop the Stinson against the Hoka Speedgoat, so it is worth being clear on the difference. The Speedgoat is the grippier, more technical trail shoe, built for rougher, steeper, more committed off-road running. The Stinson is the max-cushion all-rounder: more at home on road, gravel and packed trail, and more forgiving on easy miles and long days out. If your weeks are mostly mixed-surface and comfort-led, the Stinson is the one; if you are regularly heading for rough mountain ground, the Speedgoat earns its place.

Fit and sizing

The Stinson 8 comes up true to size, so order your usual Hoka size. The moulded midfoot cage and dual-sided gusseted tongue lock the foot without pinching, and the wide, stable base gives a planted, secure feel underfoot. We stock it in standard width and UK sizing, with men's colourways in Black/Outer Orbit and Frost/Black, alongside a women's build. If you are between sizes or moving across from another brand, our in-store teams are happy to size you up in person.

Who the Stinson 8 is for

This is a shoe for runners who value protection over pace: easy and long training days, recovery runs, higher-mileage weeks, and any time on your feet where cushioning matters more than turnover. It suits heavier runners, anyone easing back from injury, and walkers who want a genuinely plush, stable shoe for long days out. If your priority is a soft, secure, do-it-all cushioned ride that moves happily from road to trail, the Stinson 8 is one of the most comfortable options in the range.

Looking after them

A little care keeps a cushioned trail shoe feeling fresh. Knock off dried mud after wet runs, rinse the outsole under a cold tap if it is caked, and let them air dry away from direct heat, as a radiator or hot press can harden the foam and shorten the life of the midsole. Loosen the laces and pull the tongue forward between runs so the upper keeps its shape.

Ready to try a pair? Browse the full trail range below and find the Stinson 8 in your size.