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Imagine this: You’re halfway through a trail race, weaving through a maze of jagged rocks, sloshing through slippery mud, and tackling grueling uphill climbs. Your legs are on fire, your breath is coming in ragged gasps—but your shoes? They feel like an extension of your body. They grip the ground with every step, giving you a spring in your stride – that’s the dream, right? The perfect shoe that makes even the toughest trails feel just a bit more forgiving.
Now, meet the HOKA Tecton X 3 – It’s a trail racing shoe that’s been creating quite the buzz lately, with its promise of speed, stability, and durability. But here’s the catch: at $275, it’s a big investment. So, is it really equipped to handle rugged terrain and relentless miles? To find out, I took these shoes for a test run over everything from brutal climbs to flat-out sprints, and steep gnarly descents. Keep reading this HOKA Tecton X 3 review to learn what I discovered…
Key specifications
- Price: 🇺🇸 ($275 at HOKA.com) / 🇬🇧 (£220 at Sportsshoes.com)
- Midsole: Dual-layer PEBA foam with a carbon fiber winged plate
- Upper: MATRYX fabric with built-in gaiter-like sock extension
- Outsole: Vibram Megagrip with Litebase and Traction Lug technologies
- Heel-to-toe drop: 5mm (medium drop)
- Weight: 9.4oz / 266g for a men’s US size 9 (my pair)
- Fit: True to size, medium width
Fit and feel
Right out of the box, the Tecton X 3 delivers that classic Hoka comfort with a true-to-size fit and a medium width that should accommodate most feet types. The dynamic Vamp toe box offers a stretch that allows for a natural toe splay, particularly helpful during climbs and flats, contributing to a more powerful stride and efficient biomechanics.
I did notice however that around the outside edge of my big toe, pace was limited somewhat, I feel like the very end of the toe box needs a shape rework to improve fit in this area.
However, there are a couple of quirks in the design which do affect comfort a little. The integrated gaiter-like sock extension, which is designed to keep debris out, can cause a bit of discomfort where it attaches to the collar of the shoe. Although it performs exceptionally well in keeping dirt and scree at bay, you might feel some slight rubbing around the back and collar, which could potentially become more noticeable over longer distances.
This ended up being a bit of a non issue for me after running in them for a while but I have to point this out because depending on the shape of your feet, it may affect you more than me.
The shoe’s MATRYX upper, a fabric known for its breathability, durability, and quick-drying properties, ensures a comfortable run without compromising too much on ventilation, even with the built-in gaiter which is made from more of a knit material. It’s a feature that makes the Tecton X 3 stand out in terms of upper design.
I really want Hoka to bring out a version of this trail racing shoe without the gaiter, it would improve comfort overall, and also breathability in hot conditions. I bet i’m not alone in wanting this – not everyone needs of wants built in gaiters – especially when you can simply by gaiters and add them to your shoes already.
However, I do feel like an additional finger loop at the heel would make slipping the shoes on and off much easier.
HOKA Tecton X 3 Performance Review
Before i get stuck into how they perform on the run, here’s a quick reminder that you can also watch my video review to get more insights, by tapping the image below – Don’t forget to give the video a like if you enjoy it (that really helps our channel), and subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more reviews of the latest running shoes :).
On flat terrain
From the moment your foot hits the ground, you can feel the speed potential of the Tecton X 3. Thanks to the dual-layer PEBA foam midsole and the carbon fiber plate running through it, the shoe offers a unique combination of responsiveness and cushioning. This balance is crucial for maintaining a springy, bouncy feel while providing enough protection from sharp objects on the trail.
The shoe feels agile, allowing you to maintain a fast cadence and stride, which is essential for flat sections during races with undulating hills or long, flat stretches.
The midsole’s design helps you feel the trail without overexposing your feet to its harshness. You get the tactile feedback needed to control your pace and maintain stability on technical trails, while the cushioning softens and protects your feet from the impact of any jagged rocks or roots underfoot. Running flat sections in the Tecton X 3 is just an awesomely fast and fun experience – the shoe encourages you to open up your stride and enjoy the ride.
Climbing and descending
When it comes to climbing, the Tecton X 3 performs outstandly here too. The shoe’s winged carbon fiber plate provides excellent torsional stability, which helps maintain control and confidence on technical terrain. The plate’s unique ‘winged’ design reduces torsional flex, giving you better stability, especially on steep ascents and descents. Combined with the extra space in the toe box, this allows for a natural toe splay that maximizes power output during climbs.
The dual-layer PEBA foam midsole has minimal compression under the forefoot, which is precisely what you need when tackling steep inclines. It doesn’t absorb your energy; instead, it provides a solid platform for powerful takeoffs. This is further enhanced by the shoe’s low stack height, which keeps you closer to the ground and offers better control and response.
On descents, the Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole with Traction Lug technology comes into play. It delivers exceptional grip and confidence, even on the trickiest downhills. The traction is superb, and the stability provided by the winged carbon plate ensures that you remain sure-footed, even when speeding downhill over unpredictable surfaces. You can see just how much I have been enjoying these in my video review on Youtube.
The protective underfoot cushioning absorbs shocks from sharp rocks and debris, making technical descents much more enjoyable over longer distances too.
Stability and control
Stability, for me, is a key highlight of the Tecton X 3 – the combination of the carbon fiber plate and dual-layer midsole offers a stable ride that reduces unwanted lateral foot movement within the shoe, providing excellent control over varied terrain. The Vibram Megagrip outsole, known for its best-in-class traction, ensures that you feel secure, whether you’re running on loose dirt, wet rocks, or slippery leaves. What does all that give you when it comes to running in them? Well, confidence on the trails…
One minor drawback, however, is the toe box design. Some runners might find that the slightly tapered shape causes a bit of pressure on the big toe – and in fact some of our Youtube subscribers have described the same sensation that I noticed myself.
This could potentially be an issue during ultra running events, but it can be mitigated by adjusting the lacing system to provide a more secure fit and prevent sliding forward.
Are they worth buying?
At $275 from hoka.com, the HOKA Tecton X 3 is undeniably a premium-priced shoe. But for those who are serious about their trail racing, especially over ultra-distances, it offers a unique combination of speed, stability, and comfort that is hard to beat – and actually very hard to find elsewhere. The shoe’s exceptional performance across various terrains – flats, steep climbs, and technical descents – makes it a versatile option for competitive trail runners.
While the gaiter-like sock extension and the slightly narrow toe box may not be perfect for everyone, the overall design and performance of the Tecton X 3 make it a compelling choice for those looking to tackle tough trail races at speed. If you’re after a shoe that excels in ultra running racing on varied terrain, the Tecton X 3 is certainly worth considering.
The best alternatives right now
If you’re looking for alternatives, consider the Nike Ultrafly, which is another top trail racing shoe but falls short in comparison to the Tecton X 3’s overall performance. For more options, head over to our Best Trail Running Shoes roundup, where we categorize the best shoes for every type of trail running scenario.
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