What replaced the Hoka Arahi 7?
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
The Arahi 8 replaced the 7 in July 2025 at $150 and ended the line's defining feature. Hoka removed the J-Frame for a centered H-Frame inside a dual-density EVA platform, raised the quoted drop from 5 to 8 mm, added stack, widened the fit, and softened the ride. It was a different stability shoe wearing the Arahi name.
- Hoka Arahi 7Sizes running outMen's at AmazonWomen's
- Hoka Arahi 8Men's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Oct 14, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
At a glance
- The Arahi 8 is 0.3 oz lighter
- 6 mm more heel stack
- Drop moved from 5 mm to 8 mm
- New midsole foam
- List price up $5
Every spec side by side, with the reason behind each change: Arahi 7 vs 8.
Stay on your shoe, or switch?
A different shoeThe 8 is the Arahi's identity break. It is softer, taller, roomier, and much less obviously corrective than every Arahi before it. That makes it friendlier to runners who only need mild guidance, but it is not a safe blind replacement for someone buying the line specifically for its low-drop J-Frame. Treat the 8 as a new shoe and try it on.
Stick with the Arahi 7 if
- You depend on the J-Frame's noticeable medial and forefoot support
- You want the old 5 mm geometry or a snug, low-volume fit
- You already know the Arahi 6 works and can still find your size
Move to the Arahi 8 if
- The old Arahi felt firm, intrusive, or narrow
- You want mild centered guidance instead of a medial boundary
- An 8 mm drop and a softer, taller ride suit you better
Where the Hoka Arahi is now
Two updates on, the Arahi 9 (2026) is what sits on shelves today. Against the shoe you own rather than the one that directly replaced it:
- The Arahi 9 is 0.4 oz heavier
- 5 mm more heel stack
- Drop moved from 5 mm to 8 mm
- New midsole foam
- List price up $10
What loyalists said about the update
Sharply split. Newcomers liked the softer landing, roomy fit, and unobtrusive stability. Arahi 6 and 7 loyalists often called it too soft or insufficiently supportive, and reviewers flagged a clunky medial heel bevel, a warm upper, heel-counter friction, tongue movement, and early outsole wear.
Still want the original?
Buy remaining Arahi 7 stock
Sizes running outDiscontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.
Availability last checked Oct 14, 2026.
Ready to move on?
Beyond the Arahi 8, these come closest to what the Arahi 7 did.
- 10.6 oz
- 10 mm drop
- 37 mm heel
- $145 list
The Adrenaline is the more traditional option: a 10 mm drop, slightly more weight, and GuideRails that make the support easier to feel. The Arahi 9 is softer and centers the foot within an H-Frame, but costs $10 more.
Against your Hoka Arahi 7: 1 oz heavier, 2 mm more heel stack, 5 mm more drop.
- 8.9 oz
- 8 mm drop
- 37 mm heel
- $150 list
The GT-2000 15 is 1.1 oz lighter and $5 less, with a livelier FF Blast Max ride on the same 8 mm drop. The Arahi supplies a taller, broader platform and softer centered guidance.
Against your Hoka Arahi 7: 0.7 oz lighter, 2 mm more heel stack, 3 mm more drop, $5 more at list.
- 10.4 oz
- 10 mm drop
- 38 mm heel
- $145 list
Both replaced old-school medial posting with geometry. The Structure 26 is firmer and more direct on a 10 mm drop; the Arahi 9 is softer, more rockered, and 0.4 oz lighter, for $10 more.
Against your Hoka Arahi 7: 0.8 oz heavier, 3 mm more heel stack, 5 mm more drop.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Hoka Arahi 7 still available?
- For now. Amazon still lists the Hoka Arahi 7, but the size run is thinning and prices swing with remaining stock. If your size is there, this is the late window, not the early one.
- Is the Arahi 8 a downgrade from the Hoka Arahi 7?
- Treat the Arahi 8 as a new model that borrowed the name. Very little of the Hoka Arahi 7's ride carries over, so shop it against alternatives rather than buying on loyalty.
- How much lighter is the Arahi 8?
- 0.3 oz lighter in a men's US 9: 9.3 oz against the Hoka Arahi 7's 9.6 oz.
- Did the drop change from the Hoka Arahi 7 to the Arahi 8?
- Yes, from 5 mm to 8 mm. A drop change this size affects where your foot loads at landing, so plan a few easy runs to adapt.
- Is the Hoka Arahi still made?
- Yes. The current version is the Hoka Arahi 9, released in 2026, 2 versions on from the Hoka Arahi 7.
- What is the closest current alternative to the Hoka Arahi 7?
- The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25. The Adrenaline is the more traditional option: a 10 mm drop, slightly more weight, and GuideRails that make the support easier to feel. The Arahi 9 is softer and centers the foot within an H-Frame, but costs $10 more.