Where Are Hoka Shoes Made? A Closer Look at the Brand’s Manufacturing
Hoka has become one of the most popular athletic footwear brands in the world, praised for its plush cushioning and performance-first design. But as the brand continues to grow, many fans and new buyers ask the same question: where are Hoka shoes actually made? In this article, we explore Hoka’s manufacturing origins, how it’s changed over time, and what it means for quality and sustainability.
Who Owns Hoka?
Hoka One One (pronounced “Ho-ka Own-ay Own-ay”) was founded in France in 2009 by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, both former Salomon employees. The brand was later acquired by American footwear giant Deckers Brands — the same company that owns UGG, Teva, and Sanuk.
Today, Hoka is based in California, USA, but the design and production of its shoes take place in various parts of the world.
Where Are Hoka Shoes Manufactured?
While Hoka is an American-owned brand, its shoes are primarily manufactured in Vietnam and China. These countries are known for their large-scale athletic footwear production, supplying shoes for many major brands including Nike, Adidas, and Asics.
Some specific manufacturing points:
- Vietnam: The majority of Hoka’s shoes are made here. Vietnam has a highly developed footwear manufacturing sector and is considered one of the world’s top producers of athletic shoes.
- China: Some models or components may still be sourced or assembled in Chinese factories, although many companies have shifted production to Vietnam due to cost and trade reasons.
Does Hoka Manufacture Shoes in the USA?
No — at the time of writing, Hoka does not manufacture any of its shoes in the United States. All production is outsourced to Asia, which is standard for most performance footwear brands due to lower manufacturing costs and supply chain efficiency.
Is the Quality Affected by Overseas Manufacturing?
Not at all. Hoka maintains strict quality control standards across its factories. In fact, many premium brands manufacture in the same Vietnamese and Chinese factories due to their skilled labour, advanced equipment, and cost efficiency.
Deckers Brands oversees Hoka’s production processes to ensure consistency, durability, and comfort — the core reasons customers trust the brand.
How to Check Where Your Hokas Were Made
You can find the manufacturing origin of your Hoka shoes by looking at the label inside the tongue or collar area. It will usually say:
- “Made in Vietnam”
- “Made in China”
This varies slightly depending on the model, batch, and production run.
Are Hoka Shoes Ethically Made?
Hoka, under Deckers Brands, claims to follow ethical sourcing standards. The company publishes annual corporate responsibility and sustainability reports, outlining their commitments to:
- Worker rights and safety
- Fair wages and ethical sourcing
- Reducing environmental impact
They also work with third-party auditors to monitor factory compliance, although full transparency on individual factory names and conditions is limited.
FAQs
Are all Hoka shoes made in Vietnam?
Most are, but some production may still occur in China, especially for older or less common models.
Is there any difference in quality between Vietnamese and Chinese-made Hoka shoes?
No — Hoka uses the same design specs and quality control regardless of country of origin.
Can I request Hoka shoes made in a specific country?
No — country of origin depends on distribution and manufacturing logistics. You cannot choose where your pair is made.
Final Thoughts
While Hoka is a proudly American-owned brand, the actual manufacturing of its shoes takes place in Asia — primarily in Vietnam and sometimes in China. This allows the company to scale production while keeping prices relatively competitive and quality high. So when you lace up a pair of Hokas, you’re benefiting from global craftsmanship with performance-driven design.