The Hoka Zinal 2 ($160) was launched in summer season 2023, and though it acquired much less fanfare than its predecessor, my hunch is that that is primarily attributable to a really crowded light-weight path working shoe market.
The unique Hoka Zinal — see additionally our Hoka Zinal evaluate — launched in summer season 2021 as a light-and-fast racing shoe for “quick” distances (as much as 50 kilometers), in addition to speedy runs the place nimble footing and responsiveness is paramount. The shoe was well-received and iRunFar positioned it in our Finest Light-weight Path Operating Footwear information.
However as increasingly more path footwear with carbon plates have appeared at specialty working shops over the previous yr, I’ve puzzled whether or not light-weight footwear just like the Zinal line, which doesn’t have a carbon plate, nonetheless have a spot in a path runner’s shoe rotation. After placing greater than 100 miles on the Hoka Zinal 2, my quick reply is sure, this shoe nonetheless has a spot.
My lengthy reply, nonetheless, is extra difficult. Though the Zinal 2 is a superb path shoe for a selected class of runners, it’s a distinct segment model in an area that’s solely gotten extra crowded over the previous two years, for the reason that authentic Zinal was launched. In consequence, it’s simple for this shoe to get misplaced within the noise — particularly when that noise contains buzz about carbon plates.
On the identical time, not everybody needs a plated shoe — or to speculate $250 of their racing shoe. For these runners, the Hoka Zinal 2 supplies an interesting various with its comparatively affordable $160 price ticket.
The Zinal 2 maintains a reasonably related weight, drop, stack peak, match, and really feel to its predecessor. The Zinal 2 clocks in with an precise weight of 8.0 ounces (227 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9, which shaves a half ounce off the primary version. It has the identical 5-millimeter drop, and a reported a stack peak of 30 millimeters on the heel and 25 millimeters on the toe, which is 2 millimeters lower than the unique.
Whereas the overall specs are related, the Hoka Zinal 2 has developed in lots of its particulars. Let’s take a deeper dive.
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The Hoka Zinal 2. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Hoka Zinal 2 Higher
The Hoka Zinal 2 has a really related match to its predecessor, although the higher materials is sort of completely different. Wanting again on the authentic Hoka Zinal, it had a easy and easy skinny mesh higher with few TPU overlays — and it match like a glove. The higher was pretty minimalist with out feeling flimsy, and it supplied sufficient help to securely lock down the foot with out feeling too constraining.
The mesh on the Hoka Zinal 2 feels ever-so-slightly thinner and noticeably stiffer — nearly crunchy, like thick paper. I had some preliminary apprehension about this new higher’s consolation and sturdiness, but it surely softened after the primary couple runs. It nonetheless has a papery really feel, but it surely feels extra supple and is proving to be a lot sturdy with none indicators of wear and tear.
Hoka additionally changed the unique Zinal’s partially gusseted tongue with a single-piece stretchy knit cuff. Once I first examined these footwear, I preferred the aesthetic of this new design however doubted the cuff’s effectiveness at protecting any particles out. As soon as once more, the Zinal 2 proved me largely unsuitable — whereas it’s not going to carry out like a gaiter, the knit cuff retains out extra pebbles and path mud than I initially anticipated.
Moreover, Hoka changed the normal flat laces of the previous design with tubular laces. With little or no materials between the laces and the highest of the foot, I suspected that this new design would compromise consolation. Whereas I had no points with the laces or the shoe’s consolation, somebody with the next arch or extra delicate instep could really feel an excessive amount of strain and never sufficient padding between the laces and the highest of their foot.
The Zinal 2’s higher feels mild and breathable, but sturdy sufficient to lock down the foot and stand up to rugged trails. Regardless of the modifications, it has a really related match and really feel to the unique — hugging the heel and midfoot and giving the toes some wiggle room.
I really like this match, and Hokas usually have a tendency to suit my toes very properly, however not everybody will agree. Runners with huge toes or a excessive instep could discover the match too constricting. Nevertheless, for individuals who beloved the primary Zinal, the Zinal 2 feels related.
A lateral view of the Hoka Zinal 2.
Hoka Zinal 2 Midsole
With the Hoka Zinal 2 midsole, Hoka once more departed from the unique design by dropping the ProFly midsole and changing it with a lightweight and responsive EVA foam. The ProFly midsole, which is shared with the Hoka Torrent 3 — learn our Hoka Torrent 3 evaluate — supplied a barely softer cushioning than the present EVA midsole, although the distinction is sort of imperceptible.
Hoka additionally shaved 2 millimeters off the stack peak, however once more, few if any runners would have the ability to detect such a small change.
What I’ve seen is that the Hoka Zinal 2 has extra floor really feel than its predecessor — or some other Hoka I’ve worn. Not solely does my foot really feel nearer to the bottom, I can really feel extra of the path’s floor, together with rocks. This could be a good factor for runners who’re transferring quick and wish to really feel each little bit of floor beneath their toes.
However, it’s not a great shoe for plodding by means of a protracted simple run, and it’s not my first selection for bombing down a gravel street. Nonetheless, the midsole contributes to the Zinal 2’s total mild, nimble, and responsive really feel. This can be a shoe that likes to fly.
Lastly, evaluating the Zinal and Zinal 2 aspect by aspect, I can see that the newer shoe has much less sole flare than the unique. When a shoe’s midsole will get barely wider between the platform immediately beneath the foot and the outsole, it might probably assist supply some mild stability. Whereas the Zinal 2’s design moved away from this flare with a extra straight up and down midsole design, I couldn’t detect any compromises in stability whereas working on this shoe. My hunch is that it’s because my foot feels nearer to the bottom within the newer mannequin.
A medial view of the Hoka Zinal 2.
Hoka Zinal 2 Outsole
The Hoka Zinal 2 retains the identical outsole materials — Vibram Megagrip with Litebase — which is a light-weight, high-performing compound that grips properly on quite a lot of slick surfaces, from moist rocks to unfastened scree. This outsole compound has for years been the business commonplace for its mixture of tremendous grip and ridiculous sturdiness.
Probably the most notable replace to the Zinal’s outsole is a deeper lug design. Whereas the lugs on the earlier mannequin have been pretty shallow, the brand new outsole has 5-millimeter lugs. Moreover, the outsole now covers all the shoe backside, whereas within the earlier model it solely coated about half.
The slight enhance to the lug depth and full outsole protection offers the Zinal 2 dependable grip with out feeling like overkill on non-technical or hard-packed trails.
The shoe additionally maintains a slight rocker profile that helps propel the foot ahead.
I used to be proud of the unique Zinal’s outsole, and the Zinal 2 builds on a superb factor with enhanced grip and sturdiness whereas sustaining the shoe’s easy really feel on on a regular basis trails.
The outsole of the Hoka Zinal 2.
Hoka Zinal 2: Total Impressions
Whereas Hoka overhauled the design, the up to date Hoka Zinal 2 carries ahead the match and really feel of the unique. The Zinal 2 securely hugs the midfoot and heel, whereas giving the toes room to splay. Deeper outsole lugs add some grip, and a brand new knit cuff helps preserve path particles from getting contained in the shoe. Whereas I initially doubted the sturdiness of the stiff higher materials, it’s holding up properly after greater than 100 path miles.
The Hoka Zinal 2 is a shoe that’s going to allow you to really feel the bottom. For mild and quick working on rolling, reasonably technical trails, this shoe is a blast. It’s additionally nice for powering up steep hills throughout an uphill race or a exercise.
Nevertheless, its lack of cushion turns into obvious on lengthy descents, particularly on rocky terrain. Right here, a plated shoe with extra cushioning just like the Hoka Tecton X 2 — learn our Hoka Tecton X 2 evaluate — outperforms the Zinal 2.
Lastly, the Zinal 2 has a comfortable, glove-like match that feels nice when you’ve got a protracted, standard-width foot, slim heel, and medium arch. It might really feel too cosy on huge toes and excessive insteps.
With all of this, the Zinal 2 is a specialised shoe that has a reasonably slim utility. For runners who preserve a quiver of footwear in rotation, the Zinal 2 positively has a spot.
Nevertheless, it’s not a great each day coach for many runners — there are cheaper and extra versatile choices obtainable. Moreover, it’s not the kind of racing shoe that may compete with the likes of the Hoka Tecton X 2 and Nike Ultrafly — see our Nike Ultrafly evaluate — particularly for races which might be 50k or longer.
Nonetheless, runners who need a mild and quick shoe that’s not plated will avoid wasting money whereas having loads of enjoyable on this shoe. To see how the iRunFar workforce ranks the Hoka Zinal 2 amongst the opposite high light-weight path footwear, take a look at our our Finest Light-weight Path Operating Footwear information.
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Name for Feedback
- Do you’ve expertise with the Hoka Zinal or Zinal 2? What do you suppose?
- Are there particular particulars that you just like or don’t like in regards to the Hoka Zinal 2?
- Do you suppose mild and quick footwear just like the Zinal 2 are nonetheless related within the age of carbon plated footwear?
[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]
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A high view of the Hoka Zinal 2.
