Featured-packed Hoka footwear are actually on sale and prepared to your biggest problem
We take HOKA’s newest off-road mannequin for a take a look at run to expertise all the pieces this premium path shoe has to supply.
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When Jim Walmsley of the US received the UTMB race in 2023 many eyes had been on his footwear in addition to his beautiful efficiency.
His footwear had been a prototype mannequin, which has now gone on sale and named the HOKA Tecton X3.
Like all of the model’s carbon-plated footwear, the X within the title signifies they include a carbon plate, or on this case two. Twin carbon plates run aspect by aspect the size of the shoe embedded inside layers of PEBA foam.
HOKA Tecton X3
The dual carbon plates act like these in lots of road-going fashions and add some propulsion at toe-off, however right here, by being separated alongside the centre of the shoe, in addition they enable it to adapt to the uneven terrain and contours of an ultra-distance mountain race.
The 2 layers of PEBA cushioning have completely different densities. The highest layer sitting straight beneath the foot is smooth for a step-in consolation and a smooth cushioned really feel. The underside layer, whereas nonetheless comparatively smooth is a bit more secure for a extra assured footing on the paths.
The responsive cushioning is most noticeable on firmer trails and I seen a large amount of ‘energy-return’ on highway and gravel stretches of my take a look at runs. As soon as on softer floor, the carbon plate appears to be extra noticeable and corporations the journey up a bit making for a pleasant mixture of cushioning and management.
HOKA Tecton X3 – Vibram outsole
The Tecton X3 encompasses a Vibram Metagrip Litebase sole. That is Vibram’s lighter off-road sole unit and provides 4mm deep lugs. On the path encountered for over 100 miles round Chamonix, these had been clearly sufficient for Walmsley, so fingers crossed they’ll be ample to your native trails.
I’ve discovered the greater than sufficient for the various routes I’ve tried them on they usually’ve coped nicely sufficient in any situations. In deep mud, they could battle, however then you definately in all probability received’t be carrying a carbon-plated shoe on such floor.
The higher encompasses a bootie-style design with a stretch ankle sock-like part to the shoe. It’s simple to drag on however keep in mind to put on a barely longer sock. I went for a crew-length sock to keep away from it sliding down throughout the bootie higher and take away any risk of rubbing across the ankle. This labored completely for me.
The MATRYX higher is bolstered for sturdiness however stays smooth and versatile across the foot and proved protecting sufficient from the undergrowth on my native trails.
READ MORE: UTMB preview
The HOKA Tecton X3 has proved to be an amazing multi-terrain shoe for me and one which I’d fortunately select for any size of path race even when that received’t fairly be the 100-plus miles of the UTMB.
Take a look at the HOKA path operating vary right here
HOKA Tecton X3
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