Shoppers Say These $50 Sneakers Are ‘Just as Comfortable’ as $180 Hokas—and They Even Help Relieve Plantar Fasciitis

I’ve had foot surgery twice, so when it comes to sneakers, I tend to forgo style in lieu of comfort. But one thing I can never fully sacrifice is the price point, and with recent tariffs, ever-rising prices, and a family to support, I can’t seem to seal the deal on another pair of name brand shoes. I love my Hokas; I got them as a Christmas gift last year, but now that I’m looking for a second pair of walking sneakers, I can’t justify another pair of Hokas. Instead, these Amazon lookalikes have caught my eye, and with a $130-cheaper price point, I can’t unsee them. (And nor will you!)

With my previous pair, my feet stay comfortable even while I make a fool of myself at pickleball open court night, push a stroller, and more, so this second pair needs to meet those standards, too. The Nortiv 8 Lightweight Hiking Shoes definitely fit the bill, and look strikingly similar, too—and for only $50.

Nortiv 8 Lightweight Hiking Shoes

Credit:

Amazon

These sneakers are billed as hiking shoes, and one hiker in the reviews section mentioned that the Nortiv 8s took them “all the way to the top of Angels Landing in Zion National Park” and were “light, comfortable, and slip resistant.” Despite the “hiking shoe” label, they’re actually great for everyday wear, too. (You don’t need to get to the top of Zion to appreciate their breathability or long-lasting comfort.)

The Nortiv 8s weigh only 9.7 ounces, so it’s not hard to see why hikers love them. (Who can forget Reese Witherspoon chucking her heavy hiking boots in Wild?) Because they are so lightweight, these sneakers don’t put any extra strain on your feet and help reduce fatigue since your foot doesn’t have to work as hard to lift them. For the same reason, they’d make great gardening shoes, too—plus, they’re waterproof.

Comfort aside, the shoes are easy to put on and adjust thanks to the quick-to-use cord-lacing system that doesn’t require any tying at all; simply reach down, pull the cord, and you’re good to go. The shoe also features a durable Oxford cloth upper with reinforced, super flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) overlays, a material known for its abrasion resistance, flexibility, and fortitude against wear and tear—especially for outdoor performance. Whether you’re on the trail or down in the soil with the flowers, these shoes promise to provide all-day cushioning as well as better traction regardless of the terrain.

You can also experience that same deep level of comfort indoors, too. One nurse in the reviews called them “waterproof [and] comfortable for 12-hour shifts.” Someone else who walks over 28,000 steps a day and stands on their feet for long periods of time attested to the shoe’s durability. They said “the bottom part is still good, the inside part is very comfortable.”

Most importantly (for me, anyway), these shoes are even approved by reviewers who also suffer from foot pain. One reviewer with plantar fasciitis wore these sneakers through multiple excursions during their Alaskan cruise and called them “super comfortable.” They were particularly impressed with how the shoes kept their feet dry. “These even helped to relieve that [plantar fasciitis pain]. I would definitely recommend!” Another reviewer called them “just as comfortable as Hoka,” and said they were “looking for a Hoka alternative and these hit the mark.” They added that the shoes have “good cushion for less money.”

Someone else that compared the Nortiv 8s to pricier brands said these shoes “offer excellent support and comfort” and that these shoes “help make your feet feel as comfortable as if they were walking on a cloud.” Another commenter chose these as their gardening shoe and said, “When I walk in the dewy grass or water the garden, dry feet!” They “even noticed great support around my ankles which is good since I had a prior ankle injury.”

The Nortiv 8 Lightweight Hiking Shoes protect your feet while hiking, gardening, walking, or standing all day long, and though they have a similar look to the ever-popular Hoka sneakers, these cost $130 less. Grab them now while they’re on sale for $50 at Amazon, and check out more great, inexpensive shoe choices below.