Hoka has some great trail shoes, no question about it. We have a long been fans of shoes like the Challenger and the Speedgoat, but I’m not sure any of us we were were expecting to like the brand new Tecton X 2 as much as we did. Not only did we enjoy the ride, but we felt ourselves going back to the shoe more and more instead of any of the others in the lineup, so what makes the shoes so good well, we will tell you.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- Weight – 8.8oz or 249g for a US Men’s 9, 7.4oz or 210g for a US Women’s 7
- Cushion – 38mm of cushion and a 5mm heel/toe drop
- Pricing – $225 USD
- Colors – 2 colors
Performance Review
Hoka was one of the first trail shoes we ever bought back in the day. It was the gateway shoe when folks were making the transition from road to trail and shoes like the Hoka Challenger were mainstays for runners who wanted to maintain a road-like ride on the trail. Then the Speedgoat emerged, and with its pedigree, delivered one of the best distance trail shoe experiences out there, garnering a ton of attention, but some still didn’t love the platform. Somewhere in that time, on the road side, the Mach emerged as a contender as a different kind of road shoe, and Hoka took everything that worked there and said we need a new trail shoe and thus, the Tecton X arrives.
The first one was good, but the Tecton X 2 is better and is more like the new Mach X as a trail shoe. It’s still retains the carbon plate, sandwiched inside layers of PROFLY-X midsole foam, which delivers a responsive, fast ride, but its base is stable enough that it can handle decent amount of single track, including tight cornering, rocky surfaces, and are genuinely quite nimble. It is also paired with their Vibram Megragrip outsole which is not deeply lugged, but grips really well and seems to handle lots of different material underfoot… mud will kill them though. Also at 38mm of cushion, with a carbon plate, you also don’t really need a rockplate because the shoe kind of eats everything up.
If the midsole sounded good, then the upper will sell you even more. Their new Matryx material is light and breathable yet wicks water well. Collar and heel padding is light to medium levels and the gusseted tongue is great BUT could use some additional padding to adequately avoid lace bite. It also has a nice wide stance and that paired with the overlays they have used, gives you plenty of lateral support.
So at under 9oz and with almost 40mm of cushion, the Hoka Tecton X 2 is our new Hoka trail golden child. We REALLY dig this shoe and for runs 50 miles and under, as well as trail races, it is really solid shoe.
Construction and Materials
Upper
The HOKA Tecton X 2 features a Matryx® fast-dry upper, meticulously designed to offer lightweight breathability, keeping your feet cool and comfortable during your runs. Additionally, the gusseted tongue effectively mitigates trail debris, preventing it from entering the shoe and ensuring a hassle-free off-road experience.
Midsole
The HOKA Tecton X 2 incorporates PROFLY-X™ construction, which is specifically engineered to provide forgiving landings and enhance propulsive toe-offs, ensuring a balanced and responsive running experience. Complementing this design, carbon fiber plates are strategically placed within the shoe to deliver a propulsive ride, maximizing energy return and helping you achieve your best performance on the road or track.
Outsole
The HOKA Tecton X 2 features Vibram® Megagrip with Litebase, a specialized outsole designed for optimal performance on trails. Built to prioritize speed, precision, and efficiency, it provides reliable traction and durability, ensuring a confident and enjoyable trail running experience.
Overall Conclusion
The new Hoka Tecton X 2 has us shaking our head a bit as we aren’t sure which of the Hoka trail shoes we like best, but this has our vote right now. It may not be our choice for maximum distance, but it is definitely where our hand goes first on the shoe rack. The midsole is fast and yet still well, cushioned, and that upper keeps you stable and protected. We aren’t sure if every shoe needs a carbon plate, but it works here. The biggest problem is the price tag, of course, but it does deliver, and it is a great ride.
Learn more on the Hoka website
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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.
