Greg's Gear Reviews - HOKA Tecton X3
After several months of anticipation, the HOKA Tecton X3 has finally arrived! We've been putting them through the wringer these last few weeks - analyzing with every step how they've been performing and holding up to the notorious White Mountain terrain that we find ourselves surrounded by. I've put about 60 miles on the shoes thus far with about 14k of vertical gain, which paints a good picture of where they are best suited for in the Whites. Test areas include the Northern Presidentials, Pemigewasset and Sandwich Wilderness, Carter Notch, and the Sawyer River area.
Before we dive in here are a few quick stats:
- Weight: 280g in Men's 9 / 260g in Women's 9
- Stack Height: 40mm heel/35mm toe - 5mm drop
- Lug Depth: 4mm
- Midsole: Dual layer PEBA (more on this later)
- Outsole: Vibram Megagrip compound with a Litebase finish
- Matryx upper throughout with a knit gaiter extension
- Winglets added to the two piece carbon fiber plate for increased stability
Cruising on the Wildcat River Trail
What I like about the X3:
Comfort - The shoes are far more comfortable that prior iterations thanks to the new PEBA midsole, which provides a luxurious feel from the moment you slip your foot in. This is the first time we have seen the PEBA compound in a HOKA trail shoe, and hopefully not the last. Even with the added stack height, this premium foam compound allows the shoe to retain its responsiveness without a sacrifice to the bottom of your feet.
A forgiving vamp also allows for plenty of foot splay, allowing me to go down a half size for a racier fit without jamming my toes on the downhills. The knit upper, which extends across the top of the foot upwards to an integrated gaiter, also contributes to the comfort of the shoe. It has a soft feel that stays upright and blends in nicely with your sock of choice. I was worried about lacebite with the lack of a proper tongue but have not experienced any to date, even after pulling them tight for a long descent.
Speed - Much like NASCAR legend Ricky Bobby, these shoes wanna go fast. The integrated carbon fiber plates along with the premium PEBA midsole combine to create a true super shoe. I've gone through a few pairs of the X2's and found these to be significantly snappier than their predecessor. They do very well in a linear motion on light to moderately technical trails (think 50/50 rocks and roots to dirt). Proper running form is required to get the most out of the carbon plates - I found the shoes lost their snap when I was caught flat footed and/or getting lazy. That being said, if you stay on your forefeet they will help you get through the end of your Pemi loop that much faster or propel you to victory in your next trail race.
Matryx Upper - The pinnacle of breathability. Matryx textile can be found on the sides and around the heel of the X3. This ultralight yet surprisingly durable material allows the shoe to vent exceptionally well, keeping your feet happy even after slipping off a bog bridge into a puddle of mud (which happened several times during testing).
Improved Grip - Although the X3 is a little ways off from the #bestgripontheplanet found in the VJ Maxx, it is a significant improvement from the X2 due to a redesigned tread pattern and deeper lugs. Due to some wet weather as of late this has come in clutch on those wet roots and mossy rocks.
The tread is still holding up nicely after some rock hopping
Weight - Weighing in at 280g the X3 is significantly lighter that other White Mountain workhorses such as the Speedgoat or Mafate. The PEBA allows them to retain a comfort level on par with the aforementioned shoes without an additional weight penalty. I've come to appreciate this on longer runs when I have a tasty treat waiting for me back at the car.
Putting the Matryx upper to the test in some local mud pits
What I wish they could do better:
Ankle Stability - This is the big one. The X3 has a very soft heel pocket and feel, providing minimal stability on slanted surfaces and while moving/stepping laterally. The lack of a lace lock system also contributes to this - I found some footbed movement when descending (especially on wet days). All of that being said, after a some time in the X3 I've become accustomed to their feeling and have more confidence on chunkier terrain.
Gaiter/Knit Upper - The gaiter does trap in some heat that would otherwise escape. The knit material also holds more water and dries slower than the Matryx section of the upper, somewhat limiting the overall breathability of the shoes.
Daily usage in the Whites - I'd love to take these on my next Presi traverse but do believe there are better options out there for our rugged above treeline terrain. They would be better suited atop Mt. Chocorua or along a Moat Traverse. A steep price tag and (user depending) limited use case in our area may keep some folks away.
So who are they suited for?
The Tecton X3 is primed and ready to carry you across the finish line of your next trail race or any event where speed is key. They were designed as HOKA's first trail "super shoe" and certainly behave as intended. I feel that a strong runner with confident foot placements in all terrain will have a broader use case for them here in the Whites compared to your average outdoor enthusiast. They still do have their place here but usage may be limited depending on the type of shoe and support you are used to. If you're willing to adjust to the feel of this new version the possibilities are endless.
I believe they would excel in terrain outside the Northeast where trails are compromised of more forgiving surfaces. After all, this is the terrain these shoes were designed to conquer. The gaiter would come in handy in such environments as well (the desert climates of the Southwest in particular come to mind here). Perhaps a trip to Colorado is in order to really give them a go!
Closing Remarks:
The X3 feels like an entirely different shoe compared to the X2 and I'm here for it. The more I run in the them, the more I've come to love them. Initial doubts about stability are slowly fading away (but likely won't disappear completely) and I am excited to see where they take us as we enter the back half of the running season here in the White Mountains. Durability is still up in the air give how new they are but no major red flags have presented themselves thus far.
I will update this review with any changes as the summer rolls into fall and I log more miles in various places. The only way to see if these shoes are for you is to come on in and try a pair!