Trying across the begin line of almost any ultramarathon on the earth, it turns into abundantly clear that the model HOKA has created a line of sneakers cherished by these seeking to run lengthy distances within the mountains. It’s additionally truthful to say that the brand new HOKA Tecton X 3 has come a great distance for the reason that model launched its first shoe in 2009, the HOKA Mafate — a shoe that arguably popularized maximal cushioning in a path working world that was obsessive about minimalism on the time. How issues have modified previously 15 years!
The third version of this carbon-plated high-performance path shoe acquired some distinctive upgrades over the HOKA Tecton X 2, some presumably coming from suggestions from HOKA athlete Jim Walmsley, who’s a self-proclaimed fan of the built-in gaiter. Different upgrades on this shoe embrace a brand new midsole foam, a change within the design of the twin carbon plates, and up to date lugs.
The unique HOKA Tecton X, launched in mid-2022, was one of many first carbon-plated path sneakers to come back available on the market. The progressive dual-plate design was impressed by the motion of the tectonic plates within the earth’s crust, and meant to harness the propulsive energy of carbon plates whereas addressing the problem of their lateral stiffness — which was positive for highway working, however posed stability points on the path. The 2 plates, which might transfer considerably independently of one another, allowed the shoe to deal with uneven terrain.
Whereas the brand new HOKA Tecton X 3 maintains the core thought of utilizing dual-carbon plates to create an lively race shoe that can carry out on the paths, updates make it a higher-performing shoe than both of its predecessors. Following, we’ll check out the specs of shoe, a number of of the adjustments that make an enormous distinction, and what it’s prefer to run with them on mountain trails.
The HOKA Tecton X 3. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
HOKA Tecton X 3 Fundamental Specs
Let’s check out the specifics of the HOKA Tecton X 3.
- Precise Weight: 265 grams (9.3 ounces) for U.S. males’s 9
- Drop: 5 millimeters
- Stack Peak: 40/35 millimeters heel/toe
- Higher Materials: Matryx textile with overlays bonded easily right into a knit built-in gaiter
- Lacing System: Ghillie lace development
- Tongue: Extension of Matryx textile higher, which is related to the higher from the gaiter to the top of the laces to maintain errant path particles from working its method into the shoe
- Midsole: Two layers of premium PEBA foam sandwich parallel carbon plates with winglets that present extra lateral stability
- Outsole: Vibram Megagrip Litebase with deeper and extra aggressive Traction Lugs than earlier variations of the shoe
The built-in gaiter is the obvious improve to the HOKA Tecton X 3, however there’s rather more to it. Picture: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Particular Options of the HOKA Tecton X 3
A number of key adjustments to this shoe proceed to push the envelope of carbon-plated path shoe efficiency. When folks first noticed Jim Walmsley working in a mysterious model of this shoe at UTMB in 2023, it was almost universally assumed that one thing related would come to market. On the 2024 Western States 100, HOKA launched a restricted variety of the HOKA Tecton X 2.5 on the market, which was basically a one-off of the shoe line, they usually offered out instantly.
What can solely be referred to as a sibling shoe to the Tecton X 2.5, the Tecton X 3 has arrived as a path shoe designed to go actually quick on reasonably technical terrain for a very long time. The beneficiant stack peak ought to present ample safety, the Matryx higher is presupposed to be sturdy and breathable, and the up to date outsole appears to be like to supply nice grip with new Traction Lugs in an aggressive design.
A detailed-up view of Jim Walmsley’s 2023 UTMB sneakers. Picture: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Constructed-In Gaiter
The largest visible change within the HOKA Tecton X 3 is the addition of a built-in knit gaiter. This almost certainly got here from Jim Walmsley wanting a shoe that he might run in over any sort of terrain with out worrying about particles in his sneakers. For path runners who hate the seemingly common inside debate on whether or not to cease and take off a shoe to take away an offending pebble, or simply attempt to transfer it to a special a part of the shoe in order that it’s not as annoying, the gaiter shall be a welcome addition.
The gaiter extends over and hugs the ankle. It additionally extends because the shoe’s tongue, reaching all the best way all the way down to the top of the laces. This sealed system appears to stop rocks and pebbles from working their method into the shoe. The gaiter transitions seamlessly into the ankle collar of the shoe to maintain materials from bunching up and creating scorching spots.
The Matryx higher was launched to the shoe line with the Tecton X 2. This materials wraps every nylon thread in a polyurethane-coated polyester as a substitute of simply coating the ultimate knit materials on the floor. The coating is hydrophobic, which ought to maintain some stage of moisture out, whereas maintaining the higher sturdy and breathable.
The ample midsole of the HOKA Tecton X 3 strikes a steadiness between responsiveness and cushion. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Twin-Layer PEBA Foam Midsole
HOKA has created a brand new midsole made fully with premium PEBA foam. Whereas earlier variations of this shoe used dual-density EVA foam for the midsole, which the model dubbed ProFlyX, the Tecton X 3 makes use of a dual-layer PEBA foam as a substitute. The brand new foam is lighter and extra responsive than ProFlyX EVA foam, and is utilized in different high-performance HOKA sneakers, together with the HOKA Rocket X 2. When in comparison with the ProFlyX foam, which has a popularity for sturdiness, the brand new shoe is considerably extra responsive.
Whereas the general shoe weight is a mere seven grams lighter than the predecessor, the midsole weight have to be considerably lighter, given the extra weight of the gaiter.
The 40-millimeter stack peak, which is slighty greater than the HOKA Tecton X 2, positions this shoe firmly within the maximally cushioned class. What the shoe could lack in floor really feel as a result of that stack peak, it should hopefully make up for in consolation. In relation to lengthy distances, a mixture of each cushion and propulsive energy is ideal.
Carbon Plate Winglets
Whereas the fundamental design of the twin carbon plates stays the identical as in older variations of the shoe, the addition of two small and almost vertical wings on the skin of the foot, simply again from the midfoot, provides extra stability to the shoe. Whereas a small addition, the winglets scale back lateral movement within the rear of the shoe and supply extra management over technical terrain. The carbon plates enhance the propulsive power of the shoe, and their capability to maneuver semi-independently of one another permits them to deal with technical terrain with out making the shoe really feel tippy.
The HOKA Tecton X 3 are efficiency sneakers able to go quick. Picture: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Outsole Updates
The outsole of the HOKA Tecton X 3 considerably differs from prior shoe variations. The Vibram Megagrip Litebase development is well-known and well-loved within the path working world and a staple in HOKA shoe traces. The Megagrip rubber grips nicely on quite a lot of surfaces, each moist and dry, tough and clean, and the Litebase development solely places rubber the place it’s wanted, shaving weight with out compromising on efficiency. The Litebase development additionally reduces the general thickness of the rubber, resulting in a fair better weight discount.
As you’ll be able to see within the pictures beneath, outsole protection will increase within the HOKA Tecton X 3 in comparison with the Tecton X 2, particularly within the midfoot space.
For this shoe, HOKA has additionally added their Traction Lugs. These are usually not solely formed and positioned in another way than the lugs on prior Tecton X variations, however in addition they have added rubber dots round their perimeter, which provides extra floor space to every lug and due to this fact theoretically will increase their grip. Traction Lugs are presently additionally used on the HOKA Speedgoat line of sneakers, together with the HOKA Speedgoat 6.
They’ve additionally made the 4-millimeter lugs a millimeter deeper than the earlier variations, now 5 millimeters tall, which can not seem to be a lot at first look, however is a 25% enhance. When mixed with the brand new outsole protection and lug design, the general enhance within the aggressiveness of the outsole ought to really feel noticeable. When in comparison with the prior version, this outsole ought to present improved grip on uphills, and higher braking energy on the downhills with reverse lugs close to the heel.
The brand new Traction Lugs on the HOKA Tecton X 3 Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The outsole of the Hoka Tecton X 2 for comparability. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Operating within the HOKA Tecton X 3
Members of the iRunFar gear take a look at crew are placing the HOKA Tecton X 3 by means of the paces now. Amongst our crew, Bryon Powell, iRunFar’s founding editor, took the HOKA Tecton X 3 out for a primary run on the native trails and grime roads round Silverton, Colorado. HOKA has developed a popularity for creating sneakers that run nicely out of the field, and this shoe is not any totally different.
Whereas initially, it might appear that placing the on the shoe with its gaiter might flip right into a wrestling match, they slip on simply — extra simply than some other shoe with a built-in gaiter system. And as soon as on, the gaiter stays cosy across the ankle with none sort of bunching or slipping.
iRunFar’s Bryon Powell taking the HOKA Tecton X 3 for a run exterior of Silverton, Colorado. Picture: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
This can be a shoe that appears to nail the mix between cushion and responsiveness. Whereas the beneficiant PEBA foam midsole gives loads of cushioning to guard your toes because the miles rack up, there’s not a sensation of working on marshmallows or different overly squishy supplies. It’s a shoe able to go lengthy distances the second the Vibram Megagrip outsole hits the grime.
The newly upgraded outsole with its Traction Lugs are a welcome addition for many who frequent rocky and unfastened trails — like these round Silverton. The shoe grips on the rocks, however the lugs aren’t so overbearing that they make the little bit of pavement and grime highway working to the paths disagreeable.
Total, it is a shoe designed to go the gap — and to do it quick.
[Editor’s Note: This article is sponsored by HOKA. Thank you to HOKA for its sponsorship of iRunFar, which helps to make iRunFar happen and free for all to enjoy. Learn more about our sponsored articles.]
