Welcome to what could be one of the shortest reviews ever, but we will try to expound a bit to make it feel more interesting. Did you like Hoka One One Rincon like most of the running world? Well, then the Rincon 2 should be a welcome experience for you then since it is almost exactly the same shoe. Hoka did make some minor adjustments to the upper, but other than that… same shoe as before, just new-ish materials up top.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- Weighs in at 7.7oz or 218g for a US Men’s 9
- Has 29mm of cushion and a 5mm heel/toe drop
- Feels exactly like the original Rincon, just with a slightly new upper
- Retails at $115.00 USD and available July 2020
- Comes in 3 colors for Men and 4 for Women
Run Test
So first off, just go over and read the Hoka One One Rincon review. The Rincon 2 is really almost the identical shoe in every way. It even fills similar underfoot, but let’s take a second and imagine you are too impatient to read the other article and have just continued on. The bottom line is when you think of the Rincon you have to think big massive cushioned stack and a super light upper which means overall you have one of the lightest high cushioned shoes on the market.
The Rincon platform feels like it was designed for the summer or warmer climates. The upper is so breathable and light it is just perfect for those warmer days. The toebox has the same width as the Clifton which is also nice and fans of the Clifton will find a lot of similarities here. If you like that one, but could use something a little lighter up top, then you will probably love the Rincon.
In run, the similarities are even closer, as they sport the same level of cushion, 29mm, and the same drop or offset, 5mm. So running in them actually feels very similar, the only different honestly is the subtle weight difference and a touch different upper feel. It runs spectacularly well with the only real concern probably being around outsole durability which is just exposed EVA (almost no rubber), so they won’t necessarily last all that long.
Construction: Upper
The upper on the Hoka Rincon 2 features a double-layered of engineered mesh that has been sandwiched together. This provides a bit of durability, but more than that it gives a ton of breathability. It also sports a super-thin tongue and a huge heel pull for quick on and off.
A look at the padded heel and the pull The new mesh upper which looks very much like the original Hoka One One Rincon 2 front view Hoka One One Rincon 2 rear view
Construction: Midsole
The midsole on the Rincon 2 is traditional Hoka tech using a bit fat piece of full compression EVA. They also sport an updated Meta-Rocker that has been designed to promote acceleration over flat waist stability.
Midsole – Lateral rear Midsole – Lateral front Midsole – Medial front Midsole – Medial rear
Construction: Outsole
The outsole on the Rincon 2 is more EVA than anything. While there are some higher abrasion rubberized zones, you will be on the EVA midsole most of the time. You can very clear see it start to breakdown over time, but given the price point… maybe not a big deal.
Outsole overhead view Close up on the outsole and you can clearly see the wear and tear
Style & Aesthetics
Again, the Rincon just feels like summer to us, and maybe it’s the weight and breathability, but most of the colorways feel light and summery. While they do have darker options, we tend to gravitate toward the brighter.
Overall Conclusion
The Hoka One One Rincon 2 is an almost carbon copy of the original Rincon and we aren’t complaining. While Hoka did update the upper and tweak the rocker a bit, it still feels very much like the same shoe. If you are looking for a lightweight high cushion shoe, then definitely check it out. We do think the Clifton 7 is pushing hard against the Rincon platform is general, but offers a bit more durability, so to each their own.
Learn more on the Hoka One One website
Check Out Other Reviewers Thoughts
As always, we gather together some of our favorite reviewers so you can get a well-rounded view of the shoe. Here are our favorites.
