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Now Available: Hoka’s Best Trail Runner Gets Exciting New Tech

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

Hoka

By Jack Seemer

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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 X 2, 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 all changing with the all-new Tecton X 3, announced last month and now available for purchase.

Hoka Tecton X 3

The first thing most runners will notice about the new-and-improved Tecton X 3 is its gaiter-style collar, designed to offer ankle stability and ward off trail debris.

Hoka trail running shoe
The gaiter-style collar is reminiscent of a prototype worn by Jim Walmsley during last year’s UTMB race.
Hoka

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 X 3.

But what really sets it apart from the Tecton X 2 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 X 3 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 X 2’s lightweight, breathable, quick-drying upper. Those features should be present on the Tecton X 3, as well, thanks to the shoe’s high-tech Matryx material.

Hoka trail running shoe
Crafted from Matryx, the upper of the Tecton X 3 promises to be lightweight, breathable and fast-drying.
Hoka

Availability and pricing

Now available, the Tecton X 3 carries a price a tag of $275, making it one of the most expensive trail-running shoes on the market. Last year’s Tecton X 2 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.

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