Hoka’s Fastest Trail Running Shoe Gets a Long-Awaited Upgrade

The king of the mountain finally has a foam worthy of its reputation.

Published July 24, 2024

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Few of today’s runners would bat an eye seeing a carbon-plated shoe on the trail. However, the category was very much in its infancy when Hoka debuted the Tecton X in the summer of 2022.

That shoe, equipped with the kind of carbon plate that was helping to break records on the road, garnered rave reviews upon launch, and it ushered in a new era of race-day-ready runners that prioritized performance above all else.

The original Tecton X ushered in a new era of race-day-ready runners that prioritized performance above all else.

When Hoka released the follow-up version of the shoe in 2023, the Tecton X2, the company received additional accolades. But something about it has always seemed a bit behind the times: its use of EVA instead of a premium foam like PEBA, as found in many of today’s advanced running shoes.

Well, that’s changing with the upcoming Tecton X3, which looks ready to conquer your local FKTs when it hits trails next month.

Hoka Tecton X3

$275 at Hoka

Hoka Tecton X3

The first thing most runners will notice about the new-and-improved Tecton X3 is its gaiter-style collar, designed to offer ankle stability and ward off trail debris.

If it looks familiar, that’s because the knitted material is carried over from a prototype of the Tecton X worn by Jim Walmsley to win last year’s 108-mile UTMB in a record time of 19 hours, 37 minutes, 43 seconds.

About an hour into this documentary chronicling his win at UTMB, Walmsley visits the original Hoka office in Annecy, France, to provide feedback on a prototype of Tecton X3.

But what really sets it apart from the Tecton X2 of yesteryear is Hoka’s adoption of PEBA, a foam made famous by Nike, which uses the trademarked version, Pebax, in its super shoes.

Now used by a variety of brands, from On to New Balance, PEBA offers superior energy return (up to 95 percent) and extra cushioning over longer distances.

PEBA foam offers superior energy return (up to 95 percent) and extra cushioning over longer distances.

The Tecton X3 features two layers of the stuff, which work together with a redesigned carbon-fiber plate to propel runners forward without sacrificing stability.

Not everything is getting overhauled, however, which is just as well for runners who loved the Texton X2’s lightweight, breathable, quick-drying upper. Those features should be present on the Tecton X3, as well, thanks to the shoe’s high-tech Matryx material.

Availability and pricing

When it arrives on August 15, the Tecton X3 will carry a price a tag of $275, making it one of the most expensive trail shoes on the market. Last year’s Tecton X2 went for $225, while Nike’s carbon-plated, Pebax-infused Ultrafly goes for $260.

Tecton X’s price hike may do little to deter trail runners who want the latest and greatest in equipment when tackling ultramarathons and the like. Look for it on the feet of those competing in this year’s UTMB, which takes place on August 30.