Hoka Torrent 5 vs Merrell Nova 4

Hoka Torrent 5

$129.95

Merrell Nova 4

$135

Quick verdict

Hoka Torrent 5

$129.95

The better pick if you want:

A higher overall score (94 vs 75)
To spend $5 less
A lighter option (6 g less)
More cushioning (35 vs 29 mm heel stack)
A lower drop (5 vs 8 mm)
Deeper lugs for grip (5 vs 4 mm)

Merrell Nova 4

$135

The better pick if you want:

No clear advantage on the specs we track.

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 173 products in Shoes on the site: the further out, the more it stands out in that spec (lighter, cheaper…).

Center: lowest in the category · Edge: highest

Hoka Torrent 5· leads in 3

CushioningLightnessGrip

Merrell Nova 4· leads in none

Tied

Affordability

Cushioning
35 mmTop 43%
29 mm
Lightness
264 gTop 20%
270 gTop 27%
Grip
5 mmTop 13%
4 mmTop 50%
Drophigher isn't better or worse
5 mm
8 mm
Affordability
$130Top 22%
$135Top 23%

Technical Specifications

Compare features between Hoka Torrent 5 vs Merrell Nova 4

Best value in this comparisonOnly differences (16)

Essentials

$129.95

$135

June 2026

2025

264 g

270 g

Overview

Trail Running Shoe

Mixed and rough trail terrain

Trails and varied outdoor surfaces

Daily trail running, shorter races, rough and technical trails

Trail running, outdoor adventures, varied terrain

Cushioning

5 mm

8 mm

35 mm

29 mm

30 mm

21 mm

EVA foam with a lower-profile, ground-connected ride and no rock plate

FloatPro™ foam for lightweight, durable cushioning

Balanced cushioning with good ground feel

—

Grip & protection

High-abrasion rubber with 5 mm multi-directional lugs

Merrell Quantum Grip™ rubber for confident traction

Protective toe rand; the foam absorbs rock impacts

—

5 mm lugs for grip on loose, muddy and rocky trails

—

Upper & fit

Engineered mesh with perforations for breathability and a protective rand

Breathable engineered mesh and TPU

—

50% recycled removable EVA foam with recycled mesh footbed cover

Gusseted tongue and padded heel collar for a secure midfoot

Traditional lace closure with elastic lace keeper

Ready to buy?

On the terrain

How Hoka Torrent 5 vs Merrell Nova 4 should behave on each kind of ground, estimated from lug depth, stack height, weight and outsole rubber. Pick a ground to see what decides it.

Pick a ground							Average
Hoka Torrent 5							65
Merrell Nova 4							55

FlatPacked, runnable trail

Cushioning and low weight make the kilometres easier; very deep lugs squirm on hard ground.

Hoka Torrent 571

Cushioning31/40
Lightness23/35
Smooth roll17/25

Merrell Nova 467

Cushioning20/40
Lightness22/35
Smooth roll25/25

A model built from the specs to compare shoes, not a lab measurement.

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Video Reviews

Watch real-world YouTube reviews from content creators and the Trail Running community.

See all 5 video reviews

Hoka Torrent 5

No YouTube reviews available for this product yet.

Merrell Nova 4

Visual Comparison

See the differences between Hoka Torrent 5 and Merrell Nova 4 in a side-by-side slider comparison.

Comparison Questions

Answers based on product data and key differences.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which offers better value: Hoka Torrent 5 vs Merrell Nova 4?

For value comparison: The Hoka Torrent 5 ($130) offers better affordability compared to the Merrell Nova 4 ($135). Consider your budget and the specific features that matter most for your trail running setup.