The Hoka Tecton X 3. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The Hoka Tecton X 3 ($275) is the present mannequin within the model’s Tecton X line of carbon-plated, maximally cushioned path trainers. Key adjustments to this model embody the addition of winglets to the shoe’s carbon plates for elevated stability, two layers of PEBA foam within the midsole, and a knit ankle gaiter. Hoka additionally tweaked the outsole lug design, added a pair extra millimeters to the shoe’s stack top, and gave the toebox a bit extra wiggle room. The shoe has a 39-millimeter stack top on the heel for the ladies’s shoe, and 40 millimeters for the lads’s model. The shoe has a 5-millimeter heel-to-toe drop and an precise weight of 9.3 ounces (265 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9.
This shoe is designed for each technical trails and extremely distances. Over the summer season, I put practically 300 miles on the Tecton X 3, and it turned my go-to for each exercises and lengthy runs as I educated for a fall 100 miler. I used to be typically happy with the shoe, and it nonetheless appears to have some life left.
Yow will discover the Tecton X 3 in our Finest Path Working Footwear information, in addition to our Finest Cushioned Path Working Footwear information.
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iRunFar’s Bryon Powell runs in a pair of Hoka Tecton X 3. Picture: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Hoka Tecton X 3 Higher
A lateral view of the Hoka Tecton X 3.
The Hoka Tecton X 3 makes use of the identical Matryx textile higher that debuted within the Hoka Tecton X 2, and it has confirmed snug, safe, and sturdy. The foremost change to this model is the addition of the knit gaiter, or collar, that additionally connects the tongue and higher as one unified piece. Initially, I used to be skeptical — if not a bit of grumpy — to see this transformation. If I needed gaiters, I might put on gaiters!
Regardless of my early grumbles, I’m bought on the brand new higher after taking the shoe on a number of laps on South Sister in Oregon this summer season, which is understood for filling footwear with its dusty, abrasive volcanic scree and requiring a mid-descent shoe dump. The gaiter-tongue combo saved these pesky bits of pumice out and eradicated the necessity for a cease. I nonetheless suppose the gaiter appears dorky — particularly paired with crew socks — however I’ve to confess, it really works.
I additionally seen that the shoe felt a bit of stiff out of the field, was not notably straightforward to get on — and might be much more difficult for somebody with a excessive instep — and the tongue cloth over the instep may simply wrinkle underneath the laces, inflicting a possible for warm spots. Nevertheless, the shoe turned simpler to placed on over time, and I by no means skilled discomfort the place the material wrinkled on prime of my foot.
The opposite change I seen in comparison with the earlier model was a bit of further room within the toebox. I used to be very proud of this, as a result of I believed the Tecton X 2 toebox was only a bit too cosy, at the least for ultras when my toes would swell. The Tecton X 3 retains the midfoot lockdown, leading to a really secure-feeling match, even on steep, unfastened rock, with more room for the toes to splay.
After about 300 miles, the knit collar is exhibiting some put on across the within the ankles, however the remainder of the higher is in fine condition, which is spectacular.
Hoka Tecton X 3 Midsole
A medial view of the Hoka Tecton X 3.
New with the Hoka Tecton X 3 is using two layers of PEBA midsole foam, with a carbon plate sandwiched within the center. PEBA is a thermoplastic elastomer — a compound that’s each versatile and straightforward to mould — that’s identified for being light-weight and bouncy with a excessive power return. The upside is that it could make a operating shoe really feel gentle, responsive, and environment friendly, whereas the drawbacks are that it’s costly and probably much less sturdy than different midsole supplies.
On this newest Tecton X mannequin, the parallel carbon plate additionally bought a redesign. With the addition of winglets to the shoe’s carbon plates, Hoka addressed runners’ complaints that the prior mannequin lacked stability. Certainly, even with a slight increase to the shoe’s stack top, it felt sufficiently steady on all kinds of trails, together with descents down unfastened dust, rubble, and talus.
My pal was additionally operating within the Tecton X 3 over the summer season, and he put upward of 350 miles on a pair. He famous that the midsole foam and plate misplaced their stiffness earlier than the outsole tread wore down, however the footwear served him nicely for 16 hours of pacing on the Ouray 100 Mile. I by no means wore my pair longer than eight or 9 hours at a time. After lacing up the Tecton X 2 for a bit of Western States 100 in 2023 and regretting it, I opted for the tried-and-true Hoka Speedgoat 6 in my 100 miler this yr. Nevertheless, I imagine I may have worn the Tecton X 3 and been proud of that selection.
As I method 300 miles on this shoe, I’m nonetheless happy with the responsiveness of the midsole foam and carbon plate. I really feel the midsole reveals typical put on that you simply’d anticipate from this quantity of mileage.
Hoka Tecton X 3 Outsole
The outsole of the Hoka Tecton X 3.
The Hoka Tecton X 3 outsole has a redesigned lug sample however in any other case continues with the Vibram Megagrip with Litebase materials and design, and a 4-millimeter lug depth. The outsole has a bit extra protection than the Tecton X 2, in addition to Vibram Traction Lugs, that are tiny bumps across the exterior of every lug for extra traction on unfastened dust. The lugs are shallow sufficient for the shoe to work as a road-to-trail choice.
Throughout testing, I principally wore the Tecton X 3 on dust trails and gravel roads, with the occasional stretch of pavement within the combine. The lug depth and design labored nicely for a variety of surfaces, and I by no means had any traction points on steep trails, unfastened rock, or creek crossings. On the similar time, the footwear don’t really feel clunky or overly grippy on asphalt. Since I examined these footwear by the summer season and on principally dry trails, I can’t communicate confidently to their efficiency in critical mud or on snow.
Hoka Tecton X 3 Total Impressions
A prime view of the Hoka Tecton X 3.
The Hoka Tecton X 3 is a light-weight, responsive, but cushioned path operating shoe designed for extremely distances and technical trails, and it performs nicely on nearly any floor. I discovered it to be an ideal shoe for mid-week exercises and races, and though I used to be hesitant to make use of it for a 100 miler, I feel it might be an ideal choice.
With a excessive stack top, it is a extremely cushioned shoe that can inevitably be an excessive amount of for runners who prioritize feeling the bottom with their toes. Moreover, this shoe has a hefty price ticket in comparison with mid-range footwear in the marketplace, and it merely received’t make sense as an entry-level or on a regular basis operating shoe. Lastly, the ankle gaiter could also be a dealbreaker for some of us, but when your operating contains periodic stops to dump particles, you may find yourself fairly proud of it.
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- What’s your favourite Hoka path operating shoe?
- Have you ever tried the Hoka Tecton X 3? What do you suppose?
- What are your ideas on carbon plates in path footwear, built-in gaiters, and different present shoe traits?
Our Favourite Path Working Footwear
Be taught extra about our present favourite path trainers in our Finest Path Working Footwear information.