Can I go straight from the Hoka Arahi 5 to the Arahi 7 and skip the Arahi 6?

Yes. Going Arahi 5 to Arahi 7 skips the Arahi 6, and neither update changed the ride, so you land on the same shoe two refinements later. The midsole is the one real difference: Softer compression-molded EVA with a firmer EVA J-Frame to Compression-molded EVA with a firmer EVA J-Frame.

How much did the weight change across these two updates?

It nets out. The Arahi 5 and the Arahi 7 both weigh about 9.7 oz in a men's US 9, though the Arahi 6 sat at 9.3 oz in between.

Is the Arahi 6 the better buy than either of these?

On paper it splits them: 9.3 oz against 9.7 oz for the Arahi 5 and 9.6 oz for the Arahi 7, on a 29 mm heel and a $140 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Arahi 6 update actually did, which the section above works through.

Did the Arahi get taller between the Arahi 5 and the Arahi 7?

Heel stack went 29 mm to 35 mm, by way of 29 mm on the Arahi 6. Drop held at 5 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.

Where does the Arahi 7 sit in the Arahi lineup now?

Two versions on from the Arahi 5, and already replaced itself: the Arahi 8 arrived in 2025. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Arahi 7 against it before deciding.

Hoka Arahi 5 vs Arahi 7

Two versions apart. Updated October 14, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.

Amazon links on this page pay us a commission. It never changes your price. Details

THE SHORT ANSWER

Two updates and 3 years separate the Hoka Arahi 5 from the Arahi 7. Net change: 6 mm more heel stack, a new midsole, $15 more at list. Neither update in between changed what the Arahi is, so this is the same shoe refined twice rather than a new one.

Hoka Arahi 5Sizes running outWomen's
Hoka Arahi 7Sizes running outMen's at Amazon Women's

Availability last checked Oct 14, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.

Arahi 5 · 2021

Arahi 7 · 2024

The two updates in between

Each step has its own page with the full change list and the verdict on that update.

Step 1Arahi 5 to Arahi 62022Refined, same shoe
Arahi 5 vs 6 What replaced the Hoka Arahi 5?
Step 2Arahi 6 to Arahi 72024Refined, same shoe
Arahi 6 vs 7 What replaced the Hoka Arahi 6?

Arahi 5 vs Arahi 7: every spec, side by side

The net of both updates. Per-update change notes stay on the step pages above, because they explain changes measured from a different starting point than this table uses.

Spec	Arahi 5	Arahi 7
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	9.7 oz	9.6 oz
Widths	D, 2E	D, 2E
Upper	Open engineered mesh with a structured heel and flared collar	Zonal flat-knit upper with a dual-gusseted tongue and midfoot ghillies
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	29 mm	35 mm
Forefoot stack	24 mm	30 mm
Drop	5 mm	5 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	Softer compression-molded EVA with a firmer EVA J-Frame	Compression-molded EVA with a firmer EVA J-Frame
VALUE
List price at launch	$130	$145

Or buy the Arahi 6 instead?

The Arahi 6 is the value play if you find it discounted. It carries most of what the Arahi 7 added while selling as an older model, and moving one version at a time is the smaller adjustment.

Buy the Arahi 6

Sizes running out

Discontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.

Men's: Check remaining stock Women's: Check remaining stock

Availability last checked Oct 14, 2026.

Questions runners ask

Can I go straight from the Hoka Arahi 5 to the Arahi 7 and skip the Arahi 6?: Yes. Going Arahi 5 to Arahi 7 skips the Arahi 6, and neither update changed the ride, so you land on the same shoe two refinements later. The midsole is the one real difference: Softer compression-molded EVA with a firmer EVA J-Frame to Compression-molded EVA with a firmer EVA J-Frame.
How much did the weight change across these two updates?: It nets out. The Arahi 5 and the Arahi 7 both weigh about 9.7 oz in a men's US 9, though the Arahi 6 sat at 9.3 oz in between.
Is the Arahi 6 the better buy than either of these?: On paper it splits them: 9.3 oz against 9.7 oz for the Arahi 5 and 9.6 oz for the Arahi 7, on a 29 mm heel and a $140 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Arahi 6 update actually did, which the section above works through.
Did the Arahi get taller between the Arahi 5 and the Arahi 7?: Heel stack went 29 mm to 35 mm, by way of 29 mm on the Arahi 6. Drop held at 5 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.
Where does the Arahi 7 sit in the Arahi lineup now?: Two versions on from the Arahi 5, and already replaced itself: the Arahi 8 arrived in 2025. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Arahi 7 against it before deciding.