Hoka Tecton X 2 trail running shoes

The Hoka Tecton X 2 trail running shoe is a fast, relatively lightweight trail running shoe designed for lighter, easier terrain or for runners who run on mixed terrain (asphalt and cross-country) on a single run. Because of its speed and the technological features of the shoe, it is recommended primarily for experienced runners. Its versatility comes not only from its ability to run on a variety of terrain, but also from its suitability for fast short runs and longer runs. Compared to the first version, the upper is the only thing that has changed, the sole structure has not been significantly modified.

The upper of the Hoka Tecton X 2 trail running shoe is a mesh material made from Matryx fabric. The Matryx fabric is a high tensile strength material, and presumably Hoka is using this fabric because the previous version had a lot of criticism for not having a durable upper. The new upper is more comfortable, lighter, more durable and provides better foot support, with extra layers on the outside for better foot protection. The toe is protected by a separate rubber layer on the forefoot. It has a traditional lacing system, but the top holes are laced to fit better over the tongue, giving a better, more secure foot hold. The tongue of the shoe is chunky, cushioned well to protect against debris and is comfortable. The Tecton X 2 is a little tighter and narrower, which is good because it holds the foot more firmly, but bad news for those with wider feet, because they may not be comfortable. The heel cushioning has also been improved, with more cushioning and better heel support.

The midsole of the Hoka Tecton X 2 trail running shoe hasn’t changed much, but it’s worth talking about in more detail because it incorporates a number of technological advances. The midsole is made up of two different foams, a harder foam on the bottom and a softer CMEVA foam on top, a combination that has been given the name Hoka Profly-X. The foam construction is both dynamic and comfortable. In between the two layers are two parallel carbon plates, which do not stiffen the sole of the shoe as if there were a whole plate inside, retaining the soft, comfortable feel of a shoe without carbon plates. Hoka is the only brand to use this solution, no other running shoe brand uses a similar technical solution. These two carbon plates are not straight, they follow the edges of the foot, almost converging at the front and moving away from each other in an X shape at the back (see gallery for a picture of this solution), allowing the midsole to remain flexible. The midsole has a rocker geometry to help it roll over and a 5 mm drop, which is low but is particularly advantageous for off-road use, giving a more stable feel. The midsole is not extremely high, as the average sole thickness is 29.5 mm for the latest trail shoes, which adds to the stability, but despite the two carbon plates and the not very high midsole, the Tecton X 2 is not very stable.There is no rock protection in the midsole, but with the two carbon plates, it is probably not necessary.

The outsole of the Hoka Tecton X 2 trail running shoe features Vibram® Megagrip rubber Litebase, which is lightweight, extremely grippy and doesn’t wear out quickly. The height of the spikes on the sole is 4 mm, which performs very well on lighter terrain, but not on harder, more technical terrain. The reason for this is that Hoka wanted to make a universal shoe that could be used on asphalt when they created the Tecton X 2, but I don’t understand why. To be able to use the outstanding technical features of this shoe on asphalt, this sole is not the best solution. The 4mm spikes and the weight are great for asphalt. If they had raised the height of the spikes a bit and chosen a slightly more aggressive pattern, the Tecton X 2 could have coped with the more difficult terrain.

Over all, the Hoka Tecton X 2 trail running shoe is a fast, dynamic, comfortable trail running shoe. Versatile, it’s suitable for fast runs but enduring long runs. Its technical solutions are unique and are reflected in the performance of the shoe. It’s primarily for more experienced runners who want a suitable trail running shoe for racing or record breaking. The shoe doesn’t perform as well on harder terrain, but it’s also great for running on asphalt.