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While fitness enthusiasts know it’s a no-brainer to get specialty shoes for running, lifting, or other modes of training, people often overlook getting comfortable everyday wear—one of the reasons we made our list of the best shoes for standing all day.
Wearing cushioned insoles and supportive shoes during the day can certainly have an impact on your joints and comfort, as a study in 2023 showed1, where participants with knee osteoarthritis were given sports shoes either with or without cushioning; after three months, the individuals with cushioned shoes felt less knee pain.
HOKA is a brand that’s well-known for providing cushioned and stable shoes. Their latest shoe, the HOKA Transport, is touted to be a great walking shoe for everyday wear, but does it stack up to our testing? In this HOKA Transport review, I’ll take a look under the hood—er, upper—of these shoes and what they’re best suited for. Read on to see if these HOKA shoes can transport your fitness—or comfort—to the next level.
Over 90 Shoes Tested and Reviewed
From the best weightlifting shoes to the best running shoes, we’ve tested dozens of top brands and gym shoes for any type of training. Our team of experts comes from different backgrounds, with certified personal trainers, CrossFit-L1 coaches, past and present gym owners, and competitive athletes.
Our diverse backgrounds make for decades of experience in the fitness industry, so you can trust our expertise in trying out the latest shoes. For the HOKA Transport, our product tester has been using them since their initial release in 2023. He’s given the shoes a score from 1 to 5 on several important features, including:
- Appearance and design
- Construction and durability
- Stability and performance
- Adjustments and comfort
- Price and overall value
HOKA Transport
Hoka Transport
Product Highlights
- Combination lifestyle and performance shoe designed for commuters
- Vegan and uses recycled materials
- Recommended for hiking, walking, and general lifestyle wear
- 13 colorways for women’s sizing and 10 for men’s sizing
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Available in regular and wide
- No shoe tying—features quick-toggle laces (traditional laces also included)
- Weatherproof version (GTX) and Crossover version (X) for everyday life
- American Podiatry Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- Hoka account required for 60 day return period
- Heavy at 9.10 oz/11.20 oz
- Not a lot of variety in colorways - very neutral
- Customer reviews found the shoes noisy
Bottom Line
The Hoka Transport is a commuter shoe that combines a lifestyle and performance sneaker. Hoka recommended these shoes for hiking, walking, and lifestyle. Most customers shared that they purchased the shoes for extended periods of walking at work or for leisure. These shoes are heavier than a typical running shoe. The customers reviews were largely positive, however, some did find them extremely uncomfortable and noted that they exacerbated their existing leg pain.
A Quick Look at the HOKA Transport
HOKA is a popular brand amongst runners and other fitness enthusiasts, providing solidly cushioned, supportive running shoes in shoes like the Arahi 7, Bondi 8, and the HOKA Clifton 9.
Unlike their running shoes, the HOKA Transport is designed as more of a commuter shoe—a comfortable shoe for walking around the city and hitting light trails. With a lower heel-to-toe drop of 5 millimeters, the Transport still has the well-known thick cushioning and rocker midsole that HOKA is known for (although I couldn’t find exact specs for the stack height).
The midsole of the shoe is a molded EVA foam constructed with 30% sugarcane. For those with sustainability in mind, the shoe is vegan-friendly and uses recycled materials.
Before You Buy
- If you’re looking for more weather resistance, you can opt for the GTX model, which uses GORE-TEX fabric to repel water. The regular Transports are treated to repel water, but not to the extent of Gore-Tex.
- The shoes come in regular and wide sizes, although we wouldn’t say this shoe has a wide toe box.
- These sneakers are predominantly for lifestyle wear. The neutral stability and balanced cushioning may not be ideal for trail running, but long walks should feel nice and comfortable.
Are the HOKA Transports Worth It?
At $150, the HOKA Transports are a bit pricey, especially considering that they are designed more for leisure and lifestyle wear. The Saucony Cohesion comes in at $65 for the latest iteration, and the Brooks Hyperion Max—while its suggested retail price is $170, is often on sale for around $110. Many Asics shoes are under $100, and even adidas has some decent shoes priced competitively compared to the Transports.
According to our product tester, however, the shoes come at an impressive cost when you look at the materials. “The Cordura upper and the durable Vibram outsole alone are more intended for performance footwear, so getting these kicks for under $160 is great value,” he says. He rates the overall value a 4.5 out of 5.
Still, these shoes aren’t made for everything; they won’t be an ideal running shoe or for weight training. You can be active in these shoes, but should consider them more for everyday wear.
Great for:
- Walkers with a neutral gait
- Everyday wear
- Walking on tightly packed trailways or loose gravel
Not recommended for:
- Trail running
- Versatile weight training or CrossFit use
- People needing budget-friendly shoes
HOKA Transport Specs
| Price | $150 |
| Weight | 11.2 oz (Men’s), 9.1 oz (Women’s) |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 5 mm |
| Upper | Cordura abrasion-resistant textile |
| Midsole | Compression molded EVA midsole with 30% sugarcane |
| Outsole | Vibram EcoStep Natural outsole made with 90% oil-free ingredients |
| Size range | Men’s sizes 7-15; Women’s sizes 5-11 |
| Colorway options | 8 (Men’s); 8 (Women’s) |
Using the HOKA Transport
Our expert product tester has had the HOKA Transports for about as long as they’ve been available—since 2023. As of this writing, he’s been wearing them for several months and has used them primarily as HOKA markets them (an everyday lifestyle shoe).
He’s put them through their paces on all-day errands to the grocery store, as well as airport trips. These have also been his dedicated walking shoes for strolls through his neighborhood and nearby parks.
Our tester rates the stability and performance of the HOKA Transport a 4.5 out of 5. The stability feels great in use, although it’s important to note that these shoes are made for walking. “The Transports have felt supportive during my walks, but I don’t think they’d be as comfortable or efficient going beyond a fast-paced walk, like rushing to catch a bus or flight.”
He felt that the shoes run true to size, although the Cordura fabric is pretty rigid. “Expect a bit of a break-in period,” our tester warns.
Appearance and Design
The HOKA Transports come in eight different colorways for both men and women, which are fairly neutral across the board. Even the brighter colors—blues, oranges, and pinks—are muted to give a more understated look.
Our product tester likes the colorways available, especially since these are geared more for lifestyle wear. He explains, “The HOKA Transports take a more minimalist approach with a lot of earth tones and neutral hues. I prefer this as it helps them stand out across your wardrobe without feeling too obnoxious.” He rates the appearance and design a solid 4 out of 5.
Construction and Durability
The HOKA Transports shine in their construction and durability, earning a 5 out of 5. Although the pair of shoes is marketed as lifestyle shoes, the Vibram outsole and Cordura fabric make it a durable and rugged exterior, capable of doubling as hiking shoes—so long as your hikes are on established trails.
“The outsole tread reminds me of a hiking shoe, albeit with less aggressive lugs,” our product tester says. He feels confident in taking them on packed trails or loose gravel, but doesn’t think they’d work as well as a solid pair of hiking boots for the great outdoors and unexplored woods.
RELATED: Best Trail-Running Shoes
As for durability, our product tester confirms their solid build by saying, “I’ve yet to notice any fraying or breakdown across these sneakers even after owning and wearing them for multiple months.” However, he warns that the Cordura fabric can make for a necessary break-in period.
Adjustments and Comfort
The HOKA Transports come with a quick-toggle lace that allows for quick tightening after you slip on the shoes. If you prefer classic laces over elastic laces, no worries: traditional laces are included. Sizes run from 7 to 15 for men’s sizing and 5 to 11 for women’s sizing.
Our product tester rates the adjustments and comfort of the Transports a 4.5 out of 5, saying, “I’ve been fairly comfortable in the HOKA Transports since getting them.
“I do appreciate the fact that the shoes feel lighter than their listed 11.2-ounce weight,” he adds, “as this helps reduce any fatigue I’d feel from long days on my feet—like at the airport or hustling around the city for errands.”
HOKA Transport vs KURU QUANTUM 2.0
Kuru Quantum 2.0
KURU QUANTUM 2.0
Product Highlights
- 8.5 mm heel-to-toe drop
- Wide design
- Plenty of cushioning in the midfoot
- Available in men's and women's colorways
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Supportive heel cushion
- Wide design and toe box
- Available in both men's and women's colorways
- 8.5 mm heel to toe drop
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulkier and heavier than many other shoes
- 8.5 mm may feel unusual to those used to minimalist shoes
Bottom Line
The KURU QUANTUM 2.0 is specifically designed for walking, providing exceptional cushioning and support. It's not a great choice for runners or weightlifters, but versatile enough for most casual daily activities.
If you’re not entirely sold on the HOKA Transports, there are other walking shoes that might better suit your interests. Take the KURU QUANTUM 2.0, for example. KURU takes pride in designing shoes that help alleviate heel pain, and the QUANTUM 2.0 is no different.
RELATED: Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
The patented KURUSOLE cups your heel in a cushion, providing heel support with each step. Someone dealing with heel pain may want to consider a bit more support from a shoe like the QUANTUM.
The HOKA Transport still has decent support through its EVA and sugarcane midsole, so if the extra cost of the QUANTUM 2.0 deters you, the Transports are still a solid option. Plus, the durable materials make it a long-lasting shoe, too.
You can get a more in-depth look at these supportive walking shoes in our KURU QUANTUM 2.0 review.
| HOKA Transport | KURU QUANTUM 2.0 | |
| Price | $150 | $165 |
| Weight | 11.2 oz (Men’s), 9.1 oz (Women’s) | 13.05 oz (Men’s), 10.8 oz (Women’s) |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 5 mm | 8.5 mm |
| Upper | Cordura abrasion-resistant textile | Open-weave mesh |
| Midsole | Compression molded EVA midsole with 30% sugarcane | KURUCLOUD cushioning |
| Outsole | Vibram EcoStep Natural outsole made with 90% oil-free ingredients | Rubber |
| Size range | Men’s sizes 7-15; Women’s sizes 5-11 (wide widths available) | Men’s sizes 7-14; Women’s sizes 5-12 (wide widths available) |
| Colorway options | 8 (Men’s); 8 (Women’s) | 3 (Men’s); 5 (Women’s) |
Customer Experience
The HOKA Transports earns a 4 out of 5 for its customer experience, which is a combination of customer support and policies on returns and warranties.
HOKA offers 30-day returns for you to try out and see how your shoes fit. (HOKA members, however, can enjoy a 60-day return window instead.) HOKA also covers manufacturing defects for one year after receiving your shoes.
Ordering the HOKA Transport
The HOKA Transports can be purchased directly from their website; since they’re a newer shoe, you won’t find them on Amazon. You can pay the full price upfront or make four interest-free payments through AfterPay.
While the Transports were delivered to our product tester through the HOKA marketing team, we’ve ordered and received quite a few pairs of HOKA shoes and rarely experience any delays or issues. These shoes came promptly without any damage to the shoes or shoebox, leading us to rate the purchasing and delivery a 5 out of 5.
Customer Reviews
As of this writing, the HOKA Transports have earned an average of 4 out of 5 stars from 611 customer reviews. Many positive reviews love the comfort of the shoes, as well as their versatility.
Negative reviews complain about using them as hiking shoes. While they can work for some established trails, these aren’t going to be ideal for loose ground or non-packed trailways.
Another common complaint is that the fit was narrow. HOKA does provide wide sizing, but it’s unclear if these customers purchased a wide size or a regular size. If you tend to find shoes a bit narrow, though, it’d be good to go with the wide sizing.
Final Verdict of Our HOKA Transport Review
The HOKA Transports are a new walking shoe that provides excellent comfort for everyday wear, as well as trail walking in or outside the city. While it’s made for neutral stability, the shoe can still provide good support to users who need it. It’s still a pricey shoe at $150, so here are a few things to consider before making your final purchase:
- The shoes are made with durable materials, such as a Vibram rubber outsole and a Cordura fabric upper.
- With a durable outsole and tread, they can be great on loose gravel or packed trailways, although we wouldn’t recommend them for unformed trails or lots of hiking.
- These are primarily a walking or lifestyle shoe—made for everyday wear, but not an ideal running shoe for most.
HOKA Transport Rating
HOKA Transport
In our HOKA Transport review, we look at the build and versatility of these walking shoes designed for everyday and lifestyle wear.
Product Brand: HOKA
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 150
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.44
HOKA Transport: FAQs
Are HOKA Transports easy to clean?
The HOKA Transports are constructed with a topically applied PFC-free water repellency treatment, meaning they’ll repel the moisture pretty well if you happen to step into a mud puddle. They’re easy to hand-wipe, just keep in mind that HOKA recommends not putting the shoes through a washing machine.
Are HOKA Transports good for plantar fasciitis?
HOKA shoes are, in general, great for those who struggle with plantar fasciitis, as many of their shoes have a supportive arch and plenty of cushioning. The same goes for the HOKA Transports.
What is the difference between the HOKA Transport Regular and the GTX?
The main difference between the two Transports is that the Transport GTX is built with a Gore-Tex layer to provide a more weather-resistant shoe. The GTX also adds a touch more responsiveness and stability to the shoe than the regular HOKA Transport—with a higher price tag.
References
- Schwartz, I., Ofran, Y., Bernovsky, S., Kandel, L., Rivkin, G., Karniel, N., Seyres, M., & Portnoy, S. (2023). Cushioned Footwear Effect on Pain and Gait Characteristics of Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blinded 3 Month Intervention Study. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 23(3), 1375. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23031375
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