Hoka - Tecton X 2.5

Have tried a few and here are my thoughts Saucony endorphin edges Very similar to endorphin pro 3s in ride. They are a fast shoe but let down badly by the grip (atrocious on wet rocks) and i struggled with the upper. Go half a size up to normal for these Brilliant for open firetrail Speedland SFD Is it carbon plated? Well they are in there but they offer the least assistance of any i have tried. Broad base and good grip with the absolute highlight being the lock down from the boas. Down side is they drain like shit without cutting the plug out and if you do that they let water in from any wet ground. Price is absurd for what you get Adidas terrex speed ultra This shoe is fast! Probably the quickest trail shoe i have used BUT They are incredibly unstable on anything even remotely uneven, hit a rock wrong and goodbye ankle. The instep rubbed my arch badly so only got 30k in them before passing them on l Hoka tecton x2 These have been an absolute workhorse for me. 400ks in my first pair and they have tons of life left in them. Maybe not the quickest ride but they are on par with the speedlands for stability but much lighter (cheaper too) Highlight for me is the way they drain Downside would be the tongue could be longer and thicker. Had issues with lace bite early on but got the fit dialed now. Great shoe for up to 50ks for me so far. Hoka tecton X3 Very bouncy ride, for me the most on par with road going super shoes. Took me a little to like and trust these shoes but now my go to race shoe. The grip is easily the best of all I have used including the X2s (can't beat vibram megagrip imo) They are wearing well and the ride settled down a touch to not throw me on bad landings( note it still will a bit) Down side, the lacing system not allowing a heel lock. Have to use thicker socks than normal (i prefer steigens) to mitigate the heel not locking 100% The upper is thicker than the X2s and doesn't drain quite as well but on par with most others

I use mafate speed 4s for most my runs but with use tecton x2s or tecton x3s for races depending on terrain.

Few are duplicate pairs because i like the shoes that much. 3 pairs of hoka mafates and 2 pairs of tecton x2s

Not easy at all as each has its own roll to play really. For speed and versatility it's hard for me to go past the hoka tecton X2. Has been incredibly hard wearing, easy to hold quick paces in and yet to find terrain that is to much for it.

Tecton x2 is one of my favourite trail shoes. Not a soft ride and not the quickest I have used but does everything I want really well. Is hard wearing too. Personally I would say the tecton x3 is the quicker shoe. Much bouncier ride though does sacrifice some stability for it. Adidas speed ultra. You dont have issues rolling ankles? You will in these shoes. Fastest shoe ive tried on open fire trail but you hit the slightest bump wrong and it tries to murder you. Definitely not for heel strikers. Fit didn't agree with me either so gave them away. I will echo other that the prodigio pro might just be the best all round shoe I have used on the market. Not plated but holds speed just as well and handles technical terrain with ease. Sizing can be tricky with them though Have tried the metafuji trails on and the heel felt wildly squishy and unstable. Seeing them used on trails confirmed that for me. Everyone I have seen using them collapses in badly through the heel once they get off the forefoot

If you back yourself to navigate the mud relatively well I’ve found the Tecton is the best shoe I’ve worn for jumping between techy/rocky trail and running on the road. I’m also England based and have used it in the mud a lot (obvs) and while it’s not ~great~ it holds up well enough that the benefit you get on other surfaces is worth it.

I’m ~800 miles deep on a pair of Tecton X2s

I’m on my 3rd season of switching to trail runners over hiking boots. Everyone may have a different experience but for me, my feet have never been happier (Hooka, Speedgoat 5).

Curious what do you consider less technical? I feel like my tectons handle it better than most shoes I’ve ran with the wings and vibram outsole.

\^\^\^ agreed on both the Tecton X2 and X3. Great combo of propulsion and ground feel, which usually don't go together. In super technical terrain I'd steer clear of all the carbon(ish) shoes, but these are as good as they come.

I love the Tecton X3s and like others said if it’s working for you then maybe don’t mess with it. That said, $275/pair adds up quickly when you’re doing a lot of miles. For gravel / fire roads I usually run in Nike Ultraflys which have a plate and more or less the same foam, but go on sale for $160. I also do a lot of miles in whatever Tecton X2s I can still find for sale and actually feel more comfortable in them on single track.

Can confirm. Jim wore the 2.5 not this. Looks similar but not it.

It took me awhile to figure the shoes out, but once I got the proper insole and switch the laces, they have become my go to long distance shoe. I’ve used the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro’s for my short distance mountain races and the MTC T1 for my long distance runs and races. I just finished RRR 50 in them, and they handle every element I ran into great, my feet were me tired or sore, zero black blue toe nails. I also PR’d by an 1h30min, 6th overall female and 1st in the Masters. Previous shoe was the Hoka Tecton.

I’ve switched almost entirely to trail runners including on a lot,of rugged terrain. I did find that when I was using Hokas that I had an increased tendency to roll my ankle after about ten miles. I like the padding, but have found lower drop shoes to be better for this. Altras are good, but I destroy them in about 300 miles. Trying Topos right now. Not as padded, but low drop with a wide toe box and they seem to be holding up better.

Trail runner will be fine. I was talking to a guy recently that said the AT requires real boots. But even by his argument, trail runners will be fine. The thing with trail runners is when you are tired, it is easier to roll your ankle. I have only found this to be a concern when I was using Hoka. Altras and Topos have less to zero drop and they don’t have this occur for me. Though Altras kind of suck for durability (expect 300 miles unless they fixed things). And Topos have less padding and are not as comfortable.

Love my Tectons as well.