Kit & Gear

The Range Explained: HOKA Trail 2024

In this article we look at the HOKA Trail running range, which in recent years has built up a huge following across trail audiences from elite ultra-distance athletes such as Jim Walmsley, to the everyday runner on their local tracks & trails.

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We have structured this article in price order from highest to lowest:

Please note: If it's your first venture into the world of HOKA, then we generally find their shoes fit half a size smaller than expected, so you may need to size up.

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The Range: In Brief

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The Range: In Detail
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HOKA TECTON X 3

For Pinnacle Performance

A top of the range shoe offering split parallel carbon fibre plates to aid propulsion.

Improved from the Tecton x 2 with updated lug shape and positioning, an upgraded PEBA midsole compound, a new plate design/positioning and a new gaiter-like tongue/collar design.

The Tecton X 3 is suitable for all distances including 100k+ ultra-distance marathons.

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Weight: Men's 286g / Women's 223g

Lug depth: 4mm

Drop: 5mm

Stack height: Men's 40mm/35mm, Women's 39mm/34mm

Width: Available in standard fit only.

Key Features

• MATRYX UPPER: Offers a secure fit that hugs the foot for optimum comfort and flexibility, whilst remaining highly breathable to maximize both weight savings and performance.

• EXTENDED GAITER DESIGN: Gaiter-like extended knit collar for added comfort and to repel debris and loose stones.

• DUAL-LAYER PEBA MIDSOLE: Ensures cushioning, comfort and most of all propulsion.

• TWO PARALLEL CARBON FIBRE PLATES : Designed to deliver a smoother transition throughout the gait cycle. The carbon plates minimise energy loss, increase propulsion and deliver an abundance of structural support.

• VIBRAM MEGAGRIP WITH LITEBASE OUTSOLE: High-performance, durable rubber with zonal rubber placement ensures traction and grip where you need it the most.

• 4MM MULTI-DIRECTIONAL LUGS: For excellent grip on varied terrain.

HOKA Zinal 2

For Lightweight Speed

Built as a shorter distance trail racer, the Zinal 2 features a Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole with a 5mm aggressive lug. A lower to the ground feel which some runners prefer especially on steeper more technical off road terrain. Best suited to shorter faster races, ultra-runner Jim Walmsley also refers to the Zinal 2 as his 'Strava Segment Shoe'. It's worth adding that this shoe is also suitable for anyone who suffers with achilles problems as the sock-like fit and ultra-thin vamp mesh doesn't irritate or put too much pressure on your heel.

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Click here to read our detailed shoe review.

Click here to watch the Zinal 2 in action, as our athlete Ben Mounsey takes on a daredevil Strava Challenge whilst wearing the shoes.

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Price: RRP £159.99

Weight: Men's 227g / Women's 189g

Lug depth: 5mm

Drop: 5mm

Stack height: Men's 30mm/25mm, Women's 29mm/24mm

Width: Available in standard fit only.

Key Features

• VAMP MESH UPPER: Ultra-lightweight and highly breathable to maximize both weight savings and performance.

• STRETCH-KNIT COLLAR: With a sock-like design will help to prevent dirt and debris from entering for constant comfort.

• EVA MIDSOLE: A lightweight, responsive EVA midsole compound provides great levels of cushioning and comfort underfoot. The cushion bed of the Zinal 2s are low-profile to keep your foot closer to the ground and help you feel more connected to the trail.

• VIBRAM MEGAGRIP WITH LITEBASE OUTSOLE: High-performance, durable rubber outsole. All of this grip and traction power is wrapped up in a lightweight, slim package, with it being up to 30% lighter than other Vibram outsoles and up to 50% thinner - for excellent speed and proprioception, all without reducing performance.

• 5MM MULTI-DIRECTIONAL LUGS: Newly updated 5mm lugs to dig deep on softer surfaces and provide you reliable traction for fast, responsive movement.

HOKA Mafate Speed 4

For Technical Trails

Effectively the Mafate Speed 4 is a Tecton X 2 without the carbon fibre plates, plus a 5mm lug as opposed to the 4mm lug of the Tecton X 2 . A fantastic shoe built for technical long distance trail racing and training, with a perfect blend of grip and cushioning.

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Click here to read our detailed shoe review.

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Price: RRP £159.99

Weight: Men's 295g / Women's 241g

Lug depth: 5mm

Drop: 4mm

Stack height: Men's 33mm/29mm, Women's 31mm/27mm

Width: Available in standard fit only.

Key Features

• WOVEN JACQUARD MESH UPPER: Tough and durable, this woven upper hugs the foot offering lightweight support whilst strategically placed overlays across the midfoot help to lock the foot down in the shoe keeping you feeling secure and locked in for a stable and supportive fit.

• RUBBER TOE CAP AND GUSSETTED TONGUE: A rubber toe cap for shielding against hard knocks and bumps and a gusseted tongue has been added to the upper to provide next-to-skin comfort. This prevents any dirt or debris from entering the shoes, whilst also providing ventilation to your feet, for ultimate confidence with every stride.

• PROFLY+ MIDSOLE: A lightweight, responsive compound that provides cushioning and shock absorption in key areas of the shoe, helping to stabilise the foot and keeping you firmly on your feet.

• VIBRAM MEGAGRIP WITH LITEBASE OUTSOLE: High-performance, durable rubber outsole that ensures traction and grip on varied terrain.

• 5MM MULTI-DIRECTIONAL LUGS: 5mm lugs adorn the outsole to provide flexible and sticky multi-directional traction as you tackle awkward ascents and daring descents.

Stinson 7

For Max Cushioning and Support

Whilst the two £160 options above offer a fast light racer in the Zinal 2 and a long distance legend in the Mafate Speed 4, the Stinson 7 is now a super-stacked highly cushioned all-rounder. From street to summit, the Stinson 7 is most suitable for someone looking for the highest levels of cushioning in a shoe for any run involving trail, gravel, pavement.

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Price: RRP £159.99

Weight: Men's 365g / Women's 305g

Lug depth: 4mm

Drop: 5mm

Stack height: Men's 42mm/37mm, Women's 40mm/35mm

Width: Available in standard fit only.

Key Features

• ENGINEERED JACQUARD MESH UPPER: Provides maximum comfort and breathability.

• H-FRAME TECHNOLOGY: Designed to help stabilise your stride on uneven terrain and is ideal for runners looking to prevent and combat over-pronation.

• DEEP ACTIVE FOOT FRAME TECHNOLOGY: Increases responsiveness and has been further enhanced with wrap-around side walls for a secure and stable feel.

• CMEVA MIDSOLE: A compression-moulded EVA midsole provides cushioning and stability to increase impact protection. A higher bed of soft cushion is designed to provide a forgiving impact and ride.

• ZONAL RUBBER OUTSOLE: Strategically placed, this sticky rubber outsole assists with certain movements, like takeoffs, landings, and sudden changes of direction.

• IMPROVED 4MM LUG PATTERN: Delivers improved traction on uneven terrain and a smoother ride on the road.

HOKA Speedgoat 6

For All-Round Performance

Arguably the best selling trail shoe on the current market. A great all rounder, built for and named after the original Speedgoat, HOKA athlete Karl Meltzer. A workhorse for technical terrain, this recent reissue was refined with a breathable woven textile upper, a higher midsole stack, a higher drop (now 5mm), a foot-hugging internal chassis, plusher dual gusset tongue, and revised lug orientation inspired by the hoof of a goat (what else?)

The Speedgoat 6 offers a great blend of cushioning but still with a Vibram Megagrip sole with 5mm lugs. Suitable for most trail runners needs. However, if you feel this does not offer enough then move up to the Mafate Speed 4 or the top-of-the-tree carbon plated Tecton X 2.

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Price: RRP £139.99

Weight: Men's 278g / Women's 232g

Lug depth: 5mm

Drop: 5mm

Stack height: Men's 40mm/35mm, Women's 38mm/33mm

Width: Soon to be available in standard and wide fits.

Soon to be available with GORETEX upper, a GORETEX upper and tungsten spikes and also available in junior sizes.

Key Features

• LIGHTWEIGHT WOVEN UPPER: More lightweight and breathable than its predecessor.

• RUBBER TOE CAP AND GUSSETTED TONGUE: A rubber toe cap for shielding against hard knocks and bumps and a plusher gusseted tongue has been added to the upper to provide next-to-skin comfort.

• INTERNAL SUPPORT CHASSIS - Locks the foot for a more stable and secure fit.

• LIGHTWEIGHT FOAM MIDSOLE: A lighter, more responsive midsole compound that provides cushioning and shock absorption in key areas of the shoe.

• VIBRAM MEGAGRIP OUTSOLE: High-performance, durable rubber outsole that ensures traction and grip on varied terrain.

• 5MM MULTI-DIRECTIONAL LUGS: 5mm lugs with a revised lug orientation for supreme grip on varied terrain.

HOKA Challenger 7

For Gravel and Light Trails

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The Challenger 7 is a great all-rounder, built for those runs involving small parts road, gravel & light trails. The smaller sibling to the super-size Stinson 7.

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Click here to read our detailed shoe review.

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Price: RRP £129.99

Weight: Men's 252g / Women's 207g

Lug depth: 4mm

Drop: 5mm

Stack height: Men's 31mm/26mm, Women's 29mm/24mm

Width: Available in standard and wide fits.

Also available with GORETEX upper.

Key Features

• BREATHABLE ENGINEERED MESH UPPER: Containing recycled content, the updated engineered mesh upper of this new iteration offers more improved breathability whilst remaining lightweight.

• CMEVA MIDSOLE: A compression-moulded EVA midsole delivers non-stop comfort and plush underfoot feel; designed to help each stride feel more comfortable than the last.

• INCREASED STACK HEIGHT: Although lighter than the last iteration, the Challenger 7 features an increased stack height to offer even more added cushion.

• DURABRASION RUBBER OUTSOLE: For durable grip and traction on road, gravel and light trails.

• IMPROVED 4MM LUG PATTERN: Delivers improved traction on uneven terrain and a smoother ride on the road.

HOKA Torrent 4

For Lightweight Comfort and Speed

Light and nimble, the Torrent 4 is a good entry into HOKA's trail range, best suited to shorter distances with its lower stack height.

This latest version has had a major update and is now softer, bouncier and more stable than it's predecessor, with an improved outsole pattern and more aggressive 5mm lugs.

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Price: RRP £119.99

Weight: Men's 279g / Women's 236g

Lug depth: 5mm

Drop: 5mm

Stack height: Men's 33mm/28mm, Women's 32mm/27mm

Width: Available in standard fit only.

Key Features

• BREATHABLE SINGLE-LAYER MESH UPPER: Ensures lightweight breathability.

• SINGLE-LAYER EVA MIDSOLE: Provides lightweight, responsive cushioning.

• ACTIVE FOOT FRAME: Nestles the foot securely.

• AGGRESSIVE 5MM LUGS: With a new shape and orientation for extra traction.

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