Hoka Tecton X 2 Review (2024): Ultimate Trail Shoes?

Aurore Rousseau

Published on 11/06/2023

Updated on 02/16/2024

Consensus

Introduction

When it was released, the Hoka Tecton X made a big impression on the trail-running community.

Light, fast, responsive, and high-performance, it brought a breath of fresh air and excellence to the still rather confidential world of carbon-plated trail shoes. Even the greatest ultra trail runners have adopted it. It’s THE shoe of Jim Walmsley, its trail ambassador!

Hoka has dared the unthinkable: to release an update just under a year after the 1st model. Sacrilege or stroke of genius? Read on to find out.

Grip

No change on this side of the Hoka Tecton X 2. It has Vibram Megagrip outsole rubber with Litebase construction that gets the job done in terms of grip on many of the brand’s models, as it did on the previous iteration. Why change a technology that works?

As a result, traction is excellent even on varied terrain despite the moderately deep 4 mm lugs, with a clear preference for dry to wet trails.

However, as with the Tecton X V1, users recommend avoiding extreme trail conditions such as sticky mud, steep trails, or more technical terrain because it is less efficient there – and so is your control of the situation! For these conditions, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 is an amazing shoe.

Last but not least, you can rely on the durability of the rubber, which is quite impressive on this outsole and already proven on the previous version – Tecton X V1.

Cushioning

Everything remains the same on this front as well. We find the Profly X construction, a little jewel of midsole technology that borders on flawlessness:

• 2 complementary foam layers: a soft, supple foam on the upper part for comfort; on the lower part, Hoka’s super-critical CMEVA foam for responsiveness, which is a little firmer.
• 2 carbon plates, inserted in the middle, with the dual aim of providing responsive, forward propulsion and stability.
• The rocker: which reinforces the effect of the plates.

The sole has lost 1 mm, but stack height remains optimal (32 mm under the heel / 27 mm under the toes), with a low heel-to-toe drop of 5 mm to maintain control over the terrain.

We’re not spoiling too much when we tell you that runners have once again voted for this combination, providing a good balance between soft cushioning, energy return, comfort, and ground feel.

We’ll look at how they felt on the trails further down.

Foot Lockdown

Hear ye, hear ye, sharp trail runners: the all-new Matryx upper arrives on the Hoka Tecton X 2! The mesh adds up to a whole host of bonuses to the great running pleasure of enthusiasts who have tested it: lighter, more breathable, more substantial, more durable, and more snug-fitting. It’s also hydrophobic and dries in a flash after stream crossings. The upper is full!

Runners have also noted improved locking. This is particularly due to the reinforced padding in the heel area, the new thin gusseted tongue that prevents debris from entering, and the optimized lacing. This makes venturing onto more technical trails or descents possible in complete safety.

Finally, the Hoka Tecton X 2 is very lightweight (8.9 oz / 252 g for men) for a trail shoe with so much protection. However, the bumper seems less robust but still gets the job done.

Trail runners’ reviews of the new Matryx stem are unanimous: it’s nothing short of revolutionary!

Ride

In the field, the theory behind the Hoka Tecton X 2 is matched by practice and the resulting sensations.

According to our testers, the ride is smooth, fast, responsive, protective, and versatile. In one word: efficient!

Comfort dominates out of the box and into the boot. This is due to the combination of its various technologies (Profly X, carbon plates, and early-stage meta rocker), tested and approved in the 1st version.

As with the Tecton X V1, the exceptional performance of this trail shoe is at its best on moderately technical terrain, when your legs can unwind and take full advantage of the carbon fiber. It’s also on this type of ground that the shoe is most fun.

The Hoka Tecton X 2 may also be a good option for ultra-long distances and more technical mountain-type trails, with its cushioning, moderate toe box width, improved fit, and excellent traction!

Conclusion

This Hoka shoe confirms the success of the carbon-plated shoes barely a year after the release of the first version. It strikes the perfect balance between cushioning and stability, safety and comfort, propulsion and rigidity, softness and responsiveness.

Hoka Tecton 2 has been redesigned to optimize the lightweight, high-end performance of the previous model, based on the same parallel carbon fiber plates, Profly X midsole cushioning, and new Matryx material in the upper.

Still haven’t made the transition from traditional trail running shoes to parallel carbon plate technology? The Hoka Tecton X 2 could be just the model to help you.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use

Comparisons

Hoka Tecton X 1

This very short chapter deals with the only part of the Hoka Tecton X that has been modified: the Matryx upper.

It’s made from an airy technical mesh with undeniable qualities: lightness, breathability, support, and robustness. The result is an even better fit for your foot and a secure lockdown that lets you tackle rough terrain. It’s a significant improvement over the 1st model, which was already excellent in its own right.

In the end, the dilemma of comparison boils down to a single question: are you prepared to spend a few dollars more for an improved version but not that much more? If not, the original model may still be available in your size at a substantial discount!

More comparisons

• Hoka Tecton X vs Speedgoat
• Hoka Tecton X vs Mafate Speed
• Hoka Tecton X vs Zinal