A lot of people know Swiss-based MBT, but most of them would never associate them with running shoes. They bill themselves as physiological footwear with a focus on support and natural movements and historically you find them in certain industries that put a heavy burden on feet, posture, etc. They are most recognizable by their dramatic rocker and typically high stack heights and while they have had “running” shoes in the past, the Huracan-3000 brings them back into the market in a more definitive way and they are looking to make a splash.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- A ton of technology packed into this and shoe and some really compelling features.
- Best for heel strikers and for those who need a bit more stability than what is offered currently.
- Weighs in at X.Xoz or XXXg for a US Men’s 9, X.Xoz or XXXg for a US Women’s 7.
- Retails at $199.00 USD and comes in 3 colors for Men and Women.
Run Test
We always love to test out something new and Innovative and when we had the chance to check out the Huracan 3000 we were definitely curious. Most of us know someone who has used MBT shoes in some other walk of life and typically it is someone who spends a lot of time on their feet or has existing feet/knee issues. How MBT could translate their model into a running shoe is an exciting thing to see, so we dove in.
First off, you have to know that the patented curved sole technology paired with their PivotAxis tech is really such an odd feeling to experience. Now we test a lot of shoes with heavy rockers that want to throw you over the toes, but that is so minor compared to this. Literally, it feels like your foot is on a roller, and even standing still you can kind of just rock back and forth on them like a rocking chair. It’s frankly quite comfortable while also being totally new and disconcerting… and fun. There is also quite a bit of cushion here given the size of the stack, and it is fairly responsive, so don’t expect a pillow even though it looks huge. Next, the upper does give you plenty of room for your foot and the heel holds you fairly well between the internal heel counter and external overlay. There is a weird sensation as your foot sinks down in the shoe where it feels like your foot is spilling over the sides of the midsole which turns out to be visual more than physical.
As we get into the run portion, I think we need to be clear that the shoe is really only going to be for a certain audience. The price point is so high and they are trying to bite off so much, but within that niche, who they are selling to now and even those who require a bit more stability, there is something here. Don’t get us wrong, the shoe doesn’t run badly, it’s just too much for those who don’t need it. It weighs too much and there is simply too much is going on in the shoe. Additionally, if you are a midfoot to forefoot striker, you won’t be getting everything out of it. Sure it’s still a nicely cushioned experience, but that heavy pivot rocker almost never gets used.
The bottom line here, there is definitely an audience for this shoe. For people who face challenges running because of foot or knee issues or need those who need additional and are heavy heel strikers, the Huracan makes the sport a bit more accessible. We think MBT can do a lot more to improve the visual aesthetic of the shoe, but there are some options that work. If you do need this level of support or if you’re going to be on your feet all day long, then it’s worth a look. We can imagine people who are working on their feet all day (not running) might actually prefer this to some of the other MBT Shoes. It also does make for a very good walking shoe because your natural footfall is a heel strike, so pretty solid market there as well.
Construction: Upper
The upper on the Huracan is a jacquard mesh which keeps it light and breathable. It does feature a reinforced toe which is odd on a road shoe but not unheard of. It features a gusseted tongue which does expand quite a bit allowing for easy entry on and off. The collar is memory foam and does hold you quite well preventing any sort of slippage. There is an internal heel counter, but that is coupled with what they call an EXO-Heel counter which adds additional structure to hold you in place. It also features reflective elements in the stitching and the logo.
Jacquard mesh upper 
Lacing column and breathable tongue 
Heel, collar, and the counter
Construction: Midsole
The midsole is obviously where a significant part of the technology exists on the Huracan. First off, it is composed of three different densities of EVA between forefoot, midfoot, and heel. The heel uses what they call SensorTechnology which is supposed to give you the sensation of walking on a sandy beach. Frankly, we have felt softer midsoles, but this is trying to replicate nature more than a cushioning level which is an interesting sensation. We did mention PivotAxis which is a rolling point that exists just past mid-foot and helps with that transition from heel to toe.
Midsole – Lateral rear 
Midsole – Lateral front 
Midsole – Medial front 
Midsole – Medial rear
Construction: Outsole
The outsole on here is a technology they called M.I.D.S. which is supposed to help with shock dissipation and stability throughout the run. Basically, it is supposed to push the force to the sides instead of underfoot helping alleviate some support issues.
Outsole overhead
Style & Aesthetics
Visually, It needs a lot of work and the black is frankly just orthopedic looking. It feels like work wear for those that can wear black shoes. For the men, the green version is a lot stronger as is the blue for the women. We only mention this because it is almost off-putting enough that it will deter people from buying it and this is slightly disingenuous, but there is no question it needs help in this department.
Overall Conclusion
Overall with the Huracan 3000, MBT has created a much-improved version of their shoes specifically targeted to runners. We still feel it is a bit too out there for mainstream runners both from a technology standpoint as well as the high price point. However, for those that require additional support and those other stability shoes in the market just don’t cut it, then the Huracan is definitely interesting, really anything to get more people running. It does suffer in a few areas including weights and aesthetics and puts a focus on heel striking, but for those that need it, the Huracan 3000 can be an interesting gateway into the running world. We do see it a lot of ways that MBT can take this first foray and iterate in a way that does make it feel more accessible to the entire market. The PivotAxis technology for instance is really compelling and they are using a lot of smart elements overall, so time will tell.
