How are your ankles? Are you a runner who makes time for energy workout routines, mobility, and extra? If you’re, then you’ll enjoyment of utilizing the brand new Hoka Tecton X 2 ($225) on every kind of path terrain.
However in case you’re like me and have a tendency to only run and wing the remainder of the mechanical obligations of the well-rounded athlete, then you definately won’t be the very best candidate for this shoe on all terrain. I’ve rolled my ankles thrice within the Hoka Tecton X 2 when the path will get a bit extra technical — fortunately with no severe sprain or worse — and but there’s nonetheless a lot to like about it that I’ll proceed to make use of it, albeit on extra benign off-road routes.
For those who liked the unique Hoka Tecton X — learn our Hoka Tecton X overview — or in case you are cautious of the often-maligned carbon-plated path footwear, you would possibly discover the Tecton X 2 a worthy choice for a really light-weight shoe that gives glorious turnover and underfoot safety. It weighs in a bit of heavier than the earlier mannequin with an precise weight of 9.1 ounces, or 258 grams, for a U.S. males’s dimension 9.
We like this shoe a lot that it obtained our vote as “most comfy light-weight path working shoe” in our greatest light-weight path trainers information in addition to the “greatest maximal path shoe” in our greatest cushioned path trainers information.
You’ll simply need to be aware that the carbon plates and normal stack top would possibly masks your foot’s skill for floor really feel on uneven terrain, so we suggest this shoe to be used on nontechnical terrain.
Store the Males’s Hoka Tecton X 2Store the Girls’s Hoka Tecton X 2
The Hoka Tecton X 2. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Hoka Tecton X 2 Higher
Probably the most distinguished replace within the Hoka Tecton X 2 — versus the debut Hoka Tecton X — is the Matryx higher. In probably the most light-weight and costly footwear, that is turning into the usual. Suppose the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 2, — right here’s our Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 2 overview — Arc’teryx Norvan SL 3, and Nnormal Kjerag, that are all choosing this materials.
The know-how behind Matryx is within the coating of the yarn. The place different footwear sometimes will use a totally coated textile, Matryx coats every yarn individually. At a structural stage Matryx is a weave of polyurethane-coated recycled polyester wrapped round a nylon core. Maytrx is hydrophobic, which means it repels water, though it isn’t going to present Gore-Tex a run for its cash anytime quickly by way of “waterproof-breathable,” for my part.
I haven’t observed a dramatic enchancment in breathability with Matryx in comparison with different footwear’ higher supplies, however by way of sturdiness it brings a brand new stage of respectability to the Hoka model. For years we decried Hoka’s poor sturdiness, in mild of its wildly constructive efficiency and working enjoyment. We have been all the time blowing out the sidewalls, or ripping off the heel pull tabs, or carrying off the logos earlier than the froth and outsoles deemed a correct retirement. Now with the Matryx higher, we now have a Hoka shoe — albeit not in all fashions — that ought to final the correct amount of time.
Whereas it comes with a premium price ticket, in 200 miles of testing thus far, there’s not a unfastened thread or worn spot to talk of.
Whereas erring on the slender aspect, the Matryx higher is extra giving than, say, the brand new Hoka Zinal 2. And for all of Matryx’s sturdiness, it’s really fairly versatile and accommodating. My toes aren’t solely large, however I even have bunions on the insides of each, and although they push out, the shoe materials is giving sufficient in order to not be uncomfortable on the insides and outsides of my toes.
The unique Hoka Tecton X bore an higher with a few issues, which have all been addressed on this Tecton X 2. Within the authentic mannequin, the laces prolonged manner down the forefoot, which means there was much less room with the laces cinched on your toes to unfold out. And the tongue was neither gusseted nor effectively made. It didn’t take lengthy for the Hoka brand on that shoe to begin peeling off and flapping round. The tongue was liable to falling to the aspect and required some actual lace lockdown efforts to maintain in place. Happily, the Tecton X 2 has stopped the laces a bit shorter now and has a gusseted tongue. Each factors are large enhancements for the consolation and value of the footwear.
A lateral view of the Hoka Tecton X 2.
Hoka Tecton X 2 Midsole
On the appropriate floor and in a straight line, the Hoka Tecton X 2 throws down. It makes use of what’s turning into customary in a whole lot of footwear now, which is a two-foam entrance; one comfortable on prime with a firmer layer beneath it for absorbing touchdown forces. Hoka sticks its two, parallel carbon fiber plates between this dual-density sandwich to place ahead propulsion within the combine. It is a dreamy midsole mixture, dubbed ProFlyX, that isn’t simply comfy and a shoe you need to do your whole coaching in — however one that’s worthy of working arduous intervals, even on the street, or in quite a lot of totally different race distances.
Though I didn’t have a tough time controlling the unique Tecton X, I discover the Tecton X 2 to depart from the nice stability of its predecessor. This must be a results of the change in stack top, as a result of the heel-to-toe drop is similar, at 5 millimeters. Now the Tecton X 2 has a stack of 38 millimeters within the heel versus the unique’s 33 millimeters, and it’s usually simply not as related to the bottom as the primary model. As I stated earlier than, I’ve rolled my ankles in these footwear a number of occasions, whereas I by no means did within the authentic Tecton X.
However when the path is easy, you possibly can zone out and revel within the velocity you generate. Whereas different light-weight footwear produce a grinding-down impact to your legs on something past 20 miles, the Tecton X 2 remains to be comfortable and comfy for 50 kilometers or 50 miles; maybe extra.
A medial view of the Hoka Tecton X 2.
Hoka Tecton X 2 Outsole
The Hoka Tecton X 2 outsole is precisely the identical as the unique with its just-right, road-to-trail inviting lug depth of 4 millimeters. The sample is just not very aggressive however directional lugs help in braking within the rear and gripping for pushoff within the entrance.
The rubber is once more Vibram Megagrip Litebase — a light-weight compound in comparison with customary Megagrip. Traction is incredible on quite a lot of surfaces and within the moist and dry. You received’t confuse it for a mud shoe by any means, however within the damp it is ready to shed mud and retains from constructing what would possibly really feel like an uninvited fourth midsole layer. The center part of the outsole is just uncovered foam, however it has but to develop into cracked or in any other case broken. Although it’s a shoe particularly for quick path working, it has glorious road-to-trail traits — and even simply street.
The outsole of the Hoka Tecton X 2.
Hoka Tecton X 2 General Impressions
The Hoka Tecton X 2 most likely received’t convert runners already skeptical of carbon-plated footwear — for that they need to search out the primary model — as a result of, for me a minimum of, management on technical terrain really takes a step backward on this model in comparison with the unique. However for a lot of runners, this must be one other standout light-weight path racing shoe, that’s significantly better geared up for lengthy distances in comparison with the opposite similar-weight footwear we’ve examined, which was why we named it “most comfy light-weight path working shoe” in our greatest light-weight path trainers information. We additionally named it “greatest maximal path shoe” in our greatest cushioned path trainers information, as a result of, as talked about, it has maximal stack top and could be worn to run fairly lengthy and much. With these added mileage benefits, mixed with significantly better sturdiness within the higher, the Tecton X 2 is a shoe extra deserving of its $225 price ticket.
Store the Males’s Hoka Tecton X 2Store the Girls’s Hoka Tecton X 2
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried the Hoka Tecton X 2? How did you discover it?
- Did you discover it unstable in comparison with its predecessor?
[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]
Our Favourite Path Working Sneakers
Try our Finest Path Working Sneakers article to find out about our present favourite path trainers!
A prime view of the Hoka Tecton X 2.
