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HOKA Stinson 7 Review | Worth It In 2026?
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Hoka Stinson 7 review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT in 2026.
Unlike the “sponsored” reviews out there, I purchased the Stinson 7 with my own money and zero bias.
I’ll be sharing my scoring from 16 years as a professional trail runner and outdoors enthusiast, backed by 135+ miles of real testing in my own pair.
After logging over 135 miles across varied terrain in the Hoka Stinson 7, I can confidently say this maximalist trail shoe represents a significant leap forward in cushioned trail running technology.
Related: Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes
Editors Note: We updated this review on 12/26/25 with new durability insights after increased testing miles.
Our Verdict
The Stinson 7 combines HOKA’s signature high stack cushioning with innovative stability features that address the traditional weaknesses of maximalist trail shoes.
Stinson 7 stands as HOKA’s most ambitious entry into this space. With its towering 40mm heel stack and revolutionary H-Frame technology, this trail shoe promises to deliver uncompromising comfort without sacrificing stability on uneven terrain.
The high stack height does not hinder your sensitivity on the trail which is the biggest standout feature of the Stinson.I rated the Stinson 7 as HOKA’s most technical-capable max-cushion trail shoe I’ve tested. It’s still not my first pick for truly gnarly, high-speed technical terrain, but for a 40+ mm stack platform, it stays surprisingly controlled and confident.
One supporting detail I’ll mention up front: HOKA notes the Stinson 7 has the APMA Seal of Acceptance, which is a nice credibility signal if you’re buying this shoe for comfort-first miles and all-day wear.
The shoe uses quality materials that actually hold up, so it’s built for long-term trail miles not just a few Instagram runs. It competes very well against the Salomon Speedcross 6, Hoka Speedgoat 6, Brooks Cascadia 18 and even the brand new Hoka Challenger 8.
Overall, we rated the Stinson 7 an 8.2/10.
Hoka Stinson 7 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exceptional cushioning with 40mm heel stack height
- H Frame technology provides incredible stability despite high stack
- Versatile performance on roads, gravel, and light trails
- Durable, with quality materials
- Hoka’s best technical trail runner for maximalist comfort
Cons
- Heavy weight at 12.5 oz may feel sluggish
- Limited traction on wet rocks and technical terrain
- Less breathable than lighter trail shoes
HOKA Stinson 7 Price and Where to Buy
The Stinson 7’s MSRP is $175 on Hoka.com, but you’ll often see certain colors/sizes discounted depending on the season and inventory.
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest OBJECTIVE reviews.
Watch this Full Review on YouTube!
Comfort & Fit
I sized down a half size to a men’s 10 regular, which fit perfectly throughout my testing period. The generous toe box width I measured at 72 mm accommodates most foot shapes without feeling sloppy, even wide-foot runners will find this shoe nice and accommodating.
The high stack height doesn’t compromise trail sensitivity as much as expected. Despite the massive 40mm heel stack and 33mm forefoot stack, I maintained good ground connection on varied trail terrain. The CMEVA midsole construction with dual-density foam provides a plush yet responsive feel that excels during long slow distances.
On rolling singletrack, I could feel every little change underfoot. The CMEVA dual-density midsole stayed plush on the landings, then snapped back with enough response to keep me moving and aware of my stride length and angle.
The midsole has a slight “bounce” to it, but nothing that will hinder your performance on technical terrain.
The engineered jacquard mesh upper strikes an excellent balance between breathability, and comfort. The mesh does not have an internal “starchy” membrane as many uppers tend to do. There is a very thin sock liner that adds to the plushness of this shoe.
The heel counter provides secure lockdown without creating pressure points, even on recovery runs lasting several hours. I felt the heel padding was out of character for Hoka, they tend to be very thin on all their trail running shoes. The Stinson 7 is the exception to the rule, it has moderate padding throughout the heel collar.
HOKA lists the drop at 5mm, but on my pair I measured it closer to 7mm. Either way, it works well for heel strikers and midfoot strikers who want a smoother roll forward.
Hoka Early Stage Meta Rocker
The Stinson 7 has the early stage Hoka Meta Rocker, which is a subtle curvature in the midsole facilitating a nice heel to toe rolling motion enhancing your energy return on runs or walks.
I definitely noticed a difference in the “Early” stage rocker compared to normal Meta Rocker shoes like the Hoka Speedgoat 5. The efficiency and “lightweight” feel of the shoe was much more enhanced.
Comfort & Fit Score: 8.5/10 (20%)
Traction
The Durabrasion outsole performs admirably across most trail conditions I encountered during testing. Unlike the Durabrasion outsole in the Hoka Challenger 7, the Stinson’s outsole was much more firm.
The firmness of the outsole was what made the biggest difference in technical trail running for me. While the stack height is quite high, I didn’t feel the outsole squish or collapse down on me. A lot of max-cushion trails shoes tend to compress under pressure on uneven terrain, however you can keep the Stinson 7 out of that conversation.
The multidirectional lugs, measuring 4.0mm in depth, provide great traction on dirt paths, gravel roads, and light trails. Hoka placed more rubber material on high-wear areas, while reducing weight through exposed foam sections in the midfoot.
I noticed some limitations on wet terrain. While coming down a hillside in one of my favorite trails in West Hartford CT, I felt some minor slipping. I expected the mud to clog up all my traction lugs as a lot of Hoka shoes tend to do. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the Stinson 7’s ability to recover in wet terrain. While it’s not a mud-shedding beast, the shallow lug design definitely defies the bias of shallow-lug designs inability to shed mud.
My 16 years of trail running experience tells me that the durabrasion outsole would simply be unable to keep up with something like the premium Vibram megagrip outsole. However, this specific outsole design is special and Hoka really cooked up a great combination here.
Traction Score: 8.5/10 (20%)
Stability & Support: 9/10 (20%)
Now this is where Hoka really changed the maximalist shoe impression, The new H Frame technology represents a genuine breakthrough in the maximalist trail shoe representation.
This structural element embedded within the midsole creates incredible stability that defies expectations for such a high stack platform. It’s not a precision race shoe for aggressive technical trails, but the stability is genuinely surprising for a platform this tall.
During testing on uneven terrain, the shoe resisted the tippy feeling that plagues many other maximalist designs fall short of. This was one big issue I had with the Hoka Mafate 5, another maximalist shoe.
I felt the torsional rigidity was great, the stiffer upper provides a nice counter against excessive pronation or supination.
The wide platform of the forefoot and 100mm heel width really give a WIDER stable base than most trail shoes. The heel width is on par with the Hoka Mafate X, an extremely stable trail shoe.
The Active Foot Frame really overextends itself cupping your foot rather just abutting it, giving excellent lateral counter stiffness. This really eliminated the instability a lot of higher stack shoes tend to face, such as the Hoka Challenger 7.
For runners transitioning from road running or those who struggle with ankle stability on traditional trail shoes, the Stinson 7 provides unmatched confidence and support across varied terrain types.
Stability & Support Score: 9/10 (20%)
Weight
At 12.5 oz for a men’s size 10.5, the Stinson 7 carries significantly more weight than the average trail shoe.
This substantial mass becomes immediately apparent during faster-paced efforts and longer-distance runs.
During my testing, the weight penalty manifested most clearly when attempting tempo runs or navigating rocky technical sections.
The shoe feels noticeably clumpy compared to lighter alternatives, and the extra mass can contribute to foot fatigue during longer efforts, particularly for runners unaccustomed to carrying additional weight.
However, the weight serves a purpose within the shoe’s design philosophy. The substantial midsole foam, wide outsole platform, and structural H Frame elements all contribute to the overall mass while delivering the comfort and stability that define the Stinson 7’s character.
For comparison, the Speedcross 6 weighed at 13 ounces per shoe.
Weight Score : 7/10 (15%)
How’s The Overall Protection Of The Stinson 7?
The massive stack height eliminates the need for a traditional rock plate while providing exceptional underfoot protection, without any punctures.
During testing across varied trail terrain, the thick midsole absorbed sharp impacts effectively, though not with the pinpoint precision of dedicated rock-plated models, such as the Altra Lone Peak 9+.
The engineered mesh is thick and durable, and I didn’t experience any major scrapes or poke holes during testing.
The durable rubber toe cap proved valuable during my test runs, protecting against trail debris and low-hanging branches.
Overall Protection Score: 7/10 (10%)
Durability
The durable rubber toe cap proved valuable during my test runs, protecting against trail debris and low-hanging branches. However, I noticed some wear on the toe cap after 40 miles of testing, the sides were more friable.
Similarly, the heel padding began to depress over time, losing some of that well-wanted plush-feeling.
Outsole durability performed much better during testing. After extensive trail use, outsole wear was very minimal to none. The grip still holds up excellent to this day without any overlying issues. No impact absorption loss.
As always, construction quality impressed throughout testing – sole-to-midsole adhesion remained solid, and no premature breakdown occurred. The engineered mesh held up admirably without breakdown.
Hoka trail shoes come at a premium price, but you can always bet they put premium materials into their products.
Durability Score: 7.5/10 (10%)
Is The Stinson 7 Worth It?
At $170, the Stinson 7 delivers exceptional value within the maximalist trail shoe category. The combination of advanced technologies, premium materials, and unique design really trail blazes a new path for maximalist trail shoes.
You no longer have to take down technical trails with a lower stack height and deal with the painful joints, and uncomfortable feel you get with minimal stack trail running shoes.
The Stinson 7 really stands out as a unique shoe, getting it for $170 is a great deal in my opinion.
If you are still looking to take down technical trails with a more minimalist shoe, consider the Altra Lone Peak 9+ or, Salomon Sense Ride 5. For more well-cushioned trail shoes check out the Altra Olympus 6, or Hoka Mafate X.
Value Score: 5/5 (5%)
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort & Fit (20%): 8.5/10
Traction (20%): 8.5/10
Stability & Support (20%): 9/10
Weight (15%): 7/10
Overall Protection (10%): 7/10
Durability (10%): 7.5/10
Value (5%): 5/5
Total Weighted Score:1.70 + 1.70 + 1.80 + 1.05 + 0.70 + 0.75 + 0.50 = 8.20 / 10
Top RATED
8.2/10Our Score
Hoka's best technical trail running comes in at the top of this year. Great for light-technical trails with all the comfort and stability you need. Competitive with other maximalist trail shoes however has unique stability properties that puts it at the top of its game.
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest OBJECTIVE reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the heel-to-toe drop of the HOKA Stinson 7?
Per Hoka the Stinson 7 features a 5mm drop, though we measure it at 7mm.
Are the HOKA Stinson 7 suitable for technical trails?
Yes, for moderate technical terrain. For truly steep, rocky, high-speed technical trails, the Stinson 7 is stable for its class, but it won’t feel as precise as lower-stack trail shoes.
How does the Stinson 7 compare to the previous Stinson 6?
The Stinson 7 added the addition of H Frame technology for enhanced stability, refined fit characteristics, and improved overall platform design compared to the 6.
What type of runner should choose the Stinson 7?
Most trail runners looking for max cushioning with stability. Ultra distance runners would not prefer the 7 due to the heavier weight.
Are they good for road running as well as trails?
Yes, the Stinson 7 excels as a road to trail shoe, performing well on pavement, gravel roads, and smooth trail surfaces.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
This comprehensive Stinson 7 review reflects over 135 miles of testing across varied terrain types including packed dirt trails, gravel roads, rocky sections, and mixed road-to-trail surfaces. Testing occurred across multiple weather conditions to evaluate performance in both dry and wet environments.
We currently purchase the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or objective testing scores.
Tyler is our resident expert and author of this article, with 16 years of experience as a professional hiker, competitive trail runner and outdoors expert.
Tyler
Tyler is the founder Mountaineer Journey and a professional Mountain Guide with 15+ years of technical experience in trekking, mountaineering, and trail sports. Having logged thousands of miles from rugged alpine summits to urban paths, Tyler provides rigorous, field-tested insights on hiking, walking, and trail running gear. All reviews are 100% unsponsored and unbiased, ensuring you get honest scoring based on real-world performance. His mission is to help outdoor enthusiasts of all levels find reliable equipment that ensures comfort, safety, and performance on any terrain.
