HOKA Stinson 7 Review | Worth It In 2025?
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 2025.
Unlike the “sponsored” reviews out there, I purchased the Stinson 7 with my own money and zero bias.
I’ll be sharing my critical scoring with 10 years of experience as a professional trail runner, and outdoors enthusiast.
After logging over 100 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.
Hoka Stinson 7 Review In Short
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 this as Hoka’s best technical trail runner.
The shoe is crafted with quality materials enhance the longevity so you can enjoy years of trail running in this shoe. They compete very well against the Salomon Speedcross 6, Hoka Speedgoat 6, Brooks Cascadia 18 and even the brand new Hoka Challenger 8.
Hoka Stinson 7 Pros and Cons
- 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
- 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 current retail price for the Stinson 7 sits at $135-170 on Hoka.com, positioning it competitively within the maximalist trail shoe market.
Order Here for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
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.
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 of 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.
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 states the drop is 5mm but we measured it at 7mm. It’s great for heel and mid foot strikers.
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 previous 12 year experience of trail running would tell 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 maximilist trail shoe representation.
This structural element embedded within the midsole creates incredible stability that defies expectations for such a high stack platform. While it does not perform outstanding on technical trails, the stability is quite surprising for such a high stack shoe.
During testing on uneven terrain, the shoe resisted the tippy feeling that plagues many other maximalist designs fall short of.
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 100m heel width really give a WIDER stable base than most trail shoes. The 100m heel width is actually the biggest we have measured to date!
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.
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 Mafate X.
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 running, the sides began to delaminate.
Similarly, the heel padding began to depress over time, losing some of that well-wanted plush-feeling.
These durability concerns represent potential weak points for runners planning extensive mileage such as our team during testing.
Outsole durability performed much better during testing. After extensive trail use, outsole wear was very minimal to none. The grip still holds excellent to this day without any overlying issues.
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
Order Here for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
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! the Stinson 7 is rated as our Hoka technical trail runner.
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 100 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 12 years of experience as a professional hiker, competitive trail runner and outdoors expert.
