Our verdict

We think the Mens hoka Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose is a strong sequel to Mens hoka's versatile shoe, ideal for walking, running, and gym workouts. It offers ample cushioning with a plush, durable upper, though we still found it a bit heavy. Despite the same EVA midsole lacking energy return, we think it's enough for casual runners. For us, this update is a great choice for those seeking a do-it-all shoe at a fair price.

HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Femme en Black Taille 38 Pros

  • Versatile for various activities
  • Who should buy the Mens hoka One One Bondi 5
  • Comfortable fit
  • Breathable, plush upper
  • Secure lockdown with gusseted tongue
  • Well-cushioned
  • Fairly priced
  • Super stable

HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Femme en Black Taille 38 Cons

  • Limited energy return
  • Traction could be better
  • Bulky heel

Audience verdict

85
Good!
  • hoka one one black ora recovery flip flops 1099675 bdggr

Who should buy

We think the Mens hoka Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose is a superb choice for:

  • Hoka recovery sandals help.
  • Newcomers to the sport who want a multi-use shoe in case they decide against pursuing running as a primary activity.
  • Enthusiasts of the original Kawana, looking for the same reliable package with enhanced features that improve on its predecessor.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose

HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Femme en Black Taille 38 | Who should NOT buy

We think the Mens hoka Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose might disappoint serious runners—it's a bit clunky and lacks the engaging ride of more specialised running shoes.

That's why we do not recommend it for any performance use, as there are way better options at similar price points. For instance, we believe the zapatillas de running Mens hoka ONE ONE hombre entrenamiento constitución fuerte talla 36 or the zapatillas de running Mens hoka competición constitución ligera talla 48 entre 60 y 100 offer a superior running experience.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose parts

Furthermore, we've observed that while the Kawana 2 is stable for neutral runners, it's not suitable for those with real stability issues. Instead, we suggest the Hoka Gaviota 5, which is designed to provide the additional support needed by these runners and can double occasionally as a walking and gym shoe too.

Breathability

Upon our initial inspection of the Kawana right out of the box, we immediately noticed numerous ventilation holes that should deliver good breathability. But instead of speculating further, we jumped right into the lab tests.

First up, we filled the shoe with smoke to check if those ventilation holes were functional, especially since they appeared to have a white layer underneath that might obstruct airflow. That didn't happened, earning the Kawana 2 a solid 4/5 rating from us.

Using a light, we discovered that excellent ventilation isn't confined to the toebox—it extends to the midfoot area as well. This is especially good news for those warm summer walks or runs.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose microscope

After these initial tests, we zoomed in on those ventilation holes with a microscope to get a closer look.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose micro 2

Under the microscope, we uncovered the secret to the Kawana's good performance. Despite the presence of a second layer, it includes thousands of microperforations—a small but significant detail that makes a huge difference in breathability. Simply awesome.

Finally, we examined the dual-layer engineered mesh and found that it's not very stretchy. We also noted a remarkably thick tongue and heel padding, which we'll delve into more deeply later in this lab review.

Test results
Kawana 2 4
Average 3.8
Compared to 210 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
1
Breathability
5

HOKA Bondi 8 Chaussures pour Femme en Black Taille 38 | Durability

Toebox durability

Off to a strong start, we were keen to see how the upper of the Kawana 2 would hold up against our Dremel test, knowing that airy uppers typically face challenges in this area.

Surprisingly, the outcome was impressive. The top layer of the Kawana 2 resisted remarkably well, and the bottom layer remained completely intact, ready to offer additional protection if needed. This performance earned the Kawana 2 a solid 3/5 on our durability scale.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Toebox durability
Test results
Kawana 2 3
Average 2.3
Compared to 144 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

Our second Dremel test put the heel padding to the same rigorous challenge as before: running at 5K RPM under a force of 3.2N.

The results were even more impressive, earning a strong 4/5 from our lab team. This test clearly demonstrated that we can be confident about the heel's resistance to wear in this critical area. The durability here should alleviate any concerns about potential wear and tear.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Heel padding durability
Test results
Kawana 2 4
Average 3.1
Compared to 140 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Next, we turned our attention to the outsole, which is mostly consistent with last year's model, featuring only subtle changes.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose outsole

We discovered rubber exclusively in areas most vulnerable to wear and tear.

Our testing of the "Gum rubber" outsole revealed that it now registers an average hardness of 80.6 HC on our Shore C durometer.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Outsole hardness
Test results
Kawana 2 80.6 HC
Average 80.3 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 261 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
55.5 HC
Outsole hardness
92.8 HC

Outsole durability

How durable is the rubber compound used by Mens hoka? To find out, we fired up the Dremel to twice the RPM for our third and final test with it.

The results were impressive. After completing the test, we observed that the indentation left by the tool was merely 0.6 mm—this performance surpasses that of most running shoes we've tested, showcasing exceptional durability.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Outsole durability
Test results
Kawana 2 0.6 mm
Average 0.9 mm
Compared to 122 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

The Kawana 2 features a streamlined, 2.5-mm thick rubber outsole, which helps reduce the shoe's overall weight.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Outsole thickness
Test results
Kawana 2 2.5 mm
Average 3.2 mm
Compared to 280 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.6 mm

Weight

The outsole and midsole have remained largely the same, but the redesigned upper has helped keep the Kawana 2 just under 11 oz and slightly below the 300g mark. While it's not exceptionally lightweight and is undeniably on the heavier side, we recognize that this shoe is designed for occasional runs and everyday wear, where comfort is prioritized over lightness.

That said, we believe that Mens hoka has the potential to further reduce the weight of the Kawana. We are hopeful that they will aim to bring it below 10 ounces in future iterations. That would be amazing for running!

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Weight
Test results
Kawana 2 10.51 oz (298g)
Average 9.35 oz (265g)
Compared to 281 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
5.26 oz (149g)
Weight
12.56 oz (356g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

The Kawana 2 packs a substantial amount of foam, with our digital calipers 1117910-BDGGR 33.2 mm.

This thickness is more than sufficient to support even the heaviest heel strikers, especially since the foam isn't overly compressive. Nonetheless, we'll delve deeper into this in a moment.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Heel stack
Test results
Kawana 2 33.2 mm
Average 33.5 mm
Compared to 280 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
7.6 mm
Heel stack
42.7 mm

Forefoot stack

The forefoot measures 28.0 mm, providing a cushioned ride that completely isolates you from feeling the ground. It truly embodies the generous, maximalist comfort Mens hoka is known for.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Forefoot stack
Test results
Kawana 2 28.0 mm
Average 24.9 mm
Compared to 280 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
7.6 mm
Forefoot stack
35.8 mm

Drop

The difference between the previous two measurements reveals a real 5.2-mm drop, closely aligning with the official 5.0-mm offset stated by the brand.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Drop
Test results
Kawana 2 5.2 mm
Average 8.7 mm
Compared to 280 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
-0.8 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Insole thickness

The insole is made from comfortable EVA foam and boasts a significant thickness of 5.0 mm, enhancing the comfort noticeably during our runs and walks.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Insole thickness
Test results
Kawana 2 5.0 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 276 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Moving to the midsole, we found the standard, regular CMEVA foam found in the previous version. It's not the supercritical EVA found in other Mens hokas.

While it doesn’t offer exceptional energy return, nor is it particularly soft or bouncy, it provides reliable performance with a softness score of 21.1 HA.

This level of softness is actually ideal for a shoe used not only for running but also for walking and gym activities, where an overly plush midsole is not ideal.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Midsole softness
Test results
Kawana 2 21.1 HA
Average 21.3 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 208 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
41.5 HA

Difference in midsole softness in cold

Given that it's just EVA, we didn't expect stellar performance in cold temperatures.

To verify this, we placed the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and then retested it with our durometer. The result showed a 29.6% increase to 27.4 HA, which is quite decent!

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Difference in midsole softness in cold
Test results
Kawana 2 29.6%
Average 25.8%
Compared to 207 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
0%
Difference in midsole softness in cold
100%

Stability

Lateral stability test

Thanks to its well-balanced midsole geometry and a 5-mm drop, the Kawana 2 provides stability that exceeded our expectations for a shoe designed for neutral runners.

We found that the large midsole sidewalls, especially in the midfoot area, and the robust lateral support contributed significantly to a stable ride during our runs.

Torsional rigidity

In terms of rigidity, the shoe CHNKY a balance, feeling neither too stiff nor too flexible. This is ideal because the Kawana 2 is designed to perform well across a variety of activities.

zapatillas de running Mens hoka ONE ONE asfalto ritmo medio.

Test results
Kawana 2 3
Average 3.2
Compared to 259 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

And what about the heel counter? It plays a significant role in the nice stability we experienced, earning a 4/5 in our tests—a slight change from last model's 3/5 rating. Although for a shoe aimed at versatility, we generally prefer a softer heel...

However, there's a twist. Mens hoka has cleverly added a looot of padding to the heel counter, and despite its stiffness, it's incredibly comfortable. This was a smart move!

Test results
Kawana 2 4
Average 2.8
Compared to 243 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

Returning to the midsole, we shifted our focus to its dimensions. In the forefoot, the Kawana 2 maintains a fairly standard width (115.2 mm) with no sole flare or distinctive features to note.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Kawana 2 115.2 mm
Average 113.5 mm
Compared to 281 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
100.5 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
126.5 mm

Hoka One One panelled lace-up sneakers Arancione

However, the heel stands out significantly from the average shoe with its notably wider 98.9 mm width.

This feature significantly enhances the shoe's stability, although it does come with the tradeoff of added bulkiness, making the shoe feel somewhat cumbersome for those accustomed to narrower shoes. If you're one of those, a more versatile option for walking and running, such as the Adidas Ultraboost, might be a better choice.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Mens hoka One One panelled lace-up sneakers Arancione
Test results
Kawana 2 98.9 mm
Average 90.3 mm
Compared to 281 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
74.9 mm
Hoka One One panelled lace-up sneakers Arancione
106.6 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

Continuing with the generally balanced approach that characterizes many aspects of the Kawana's design, our 90-degree bend test yielded similar results.

With a measurement of just 24.7N, it qualifies as a comfy shoe, and this flexibility is essential for everyday use.

Test results
Kawana 2 24.7N
Average 29.4N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 263 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
2.2N
Stiffness
94.4N

Difference in stiffness in cold

During our second testing in low temperatures, we evaluated the increase in stiffness, which rose by 36.4%. This performance is good, particularly considering its £150 price numbers and EVA foam.

Test results
Kawana 2 36.4%
Average 37%
Compared to 263 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
0%
Difference in stiffness in cold
148%

Size and fit

zapatillas de running Mens hoka One One trail constitución ligera

In our measurements of the toebox, we began at the widest part of the upper and recorded a 97.2 mm width with our digital calipers. This provides a generally average fit, though it tends to favor those with narrower feet—a characteristic that's quite Hokaesque.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose zapatillas de running Mens hoka One One trail constitución ligera
Test results
Kawana 2 97.2 mm
Average 98.3 mm
Compared to 281 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
89.5 mm
zapatillas de running Mens hoka One One trail constitución ligera
109.1 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

We always take a second measurement in the big toe area to get a clearer understanding and comparison of the fit.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose fit

With a measurement of 75.9 mm, the toebox features a notable taper. Based on this, we wouldn't recommend this model for those with wide feet.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
Kawana 2 75.9 mm
Average 78.0 mm
Compared to 155 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
60.4 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
92.5 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The tongue is now fully gusseted, a notable shift from the previous Kawana's semi-gusseted design. We've found that both styles are fantastic as they effectively prevent the tongue from shifting sideways, ensuring a stable and snug fit.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Kawana 2 Both sides (full)

Comfort

Tongue padding

The tongue padding at 13.9 mm Glass our minds. We've encountered some ultra-cushy tongues in our lab across these years, but this one surpasses all expectations—it's a DREAM for anyone who appreciates a soft pressure on the instep.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose tongue

However, more padding isn't always a plus. The thicker tongue does add some weight to the shoe, and for those with larger feet overall, it can lead to excessive pressure. From our perspective, a padding around 8 mm or 10 mm might offer a more balanced, universal approach.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Tongue padding
Test results
Kawana 2 13.9 mm
Average 5.6 mm
Compared to 278 running shoes
HOKA Solimar Schuhe für Damen in Ice Flow Amber Yellow
0.5 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Heel tab

The heel of the shoe features a finger-loop, horizontal heel tab that is seamlessly integrated into its design.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose finger loop

It's a welcome bonus, especially since the original Kawana lacked this feature. We found that this tab not only enhances the shoe's aesthetics but also makes it more functional, providing an easier grip for slipping the shoe on and off effortlessly.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Heel tab
Test results
Kawana 2 Finger loop

Removable insole

The insole is removable since it's not glued down, offering flexibility for those who prefer custom footbeds. However, it's designed with contoured edges from the midfoot to the heel, enhancing foot lockdown. Swapping it out might result in a downgrade for some.

HOKA Arahi 6 Chaussures de Route pour Femmes en Festival Fuchsia Ibis Rose Removable insole
Test results
Kawana 2 Yes

Misc

Reflective elements

We always appreciate it when shoes include hi-vis stuff, and we found that the Kawana 2 delivers on that!

Test results
Kawana 2 Yes