Hoka Tecton X 3: The Legend Continues

Introduction to the Hoka Tecton X 3

TAYLOR: We’ve covered this before, but we’ll say it again here: if you grew up in the ‘90s, then X was the letter of choice for the new generation. From Generation X to the “X Games” to Xzibit to “X Factor”, the letter marked the spot for anything a bit edgy.

Over the past several years, Hoka has adopted the now-grown letter X, using it as a signifier for all their shoes with a carbon fiber plate. From the race day Rocket X 2 to the supremely fun Cielo X1 to the trail racing gem in this review, all have the lightweight and reactive carbon material wedged into the midsole. 

Since its inception, the Tecton X has been a sharp arrow in our trail quiver. A few years ago its parallel carbon plate design in a lightweight package was a unique idea and that waves through the trail running community. It not only was a great trail shoe, it was one of Hoka’s best shoes overall– road, trail, or otherwise. It redefined that idea of what a trail shoe can be.

While versions one and two were fairly similar, we’ve seen a top to bottom overhaul in the Tecton X 3. The upgrades include winged carbon fiber plates, dual layers of PEBA foam in the midsole, redesigned lug shapes with Vibram MegaGrip with Litebase on the outsole, a Matryx textile upper, and a knit collar that works as a gaiter to keep out dust and debris. Those premium goods come with a premium price tag; in this case, $280– a 22% increase over the last version of the shoe. 

That said, a custom version of this shoe (the Tecton X 2.5) was good enough to give Jim Walmsley the win at both UTMB and Western States. Can it do the same for you? Probably not, but one can both dream and feel good at the same time.

MATT:  As Taylor mentioned above, the Tecton X has already made a name for itself in the trail running world, with the OG version being one of the first models to apply carbon plate technology to the trails. Hoka not only was one of the first brands to offer a carbon plated trail racer, but many would argue that the Tecton X set the benchmark for carbon plated trail shoes.

The Tecton X 2 built on the initial hype of the shoe, without not dramatically disrupting the formula. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it seemed to be an effective approach and the Tecton X 2 was once again a big hit. Soon after, Hoka stirred things up when images of the ultra limited Tecton X 2.5 started circulating online, right before it was seen on some of the top athletes at Western States.

The predominant feature in this new version was the upper that now included a built in bootie that extended above the ankle. Hoka had announced that the Tecton X 3 would share a lot of the design elements of the 2.5, and unlike the exclusivity of the 2.5, the X 3 would be available to the masses.

So would the bold move to shake up the shoe pay off? 

What We Like About the Hoka Tecton X 3

TAYLOR: The burning question. Is the bootie worth it? And the potentially pleasing answer is: yes, in some ways. 

Comfort is the main reason it’s a positive. Having a sock-like knit material closest to the foot is always a win. There’s no other material that’s quite as soft and can contour so nicely. I felt that way with the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3 and the Brooks Catamount Agil. Now, the Hoka Tecton X 3 took it to a whole new level. In fact, when paired with the Matryx upper (also well mapped around the foot) and the toe box’s vamp, Tecton X 3 is certainly the most agreeably fitting shoe in this trail “super shoe” category. 

Of course, another benefit of the bootie is keeping debris out. I didn’t get a lick of anything inside my shoes and I was in some gnarly and gritty terrain. It also provides a degree of ankle support.

The Matryx upper also has multiple benefits. It adds a splash of technicality to the comfort forward package.  It’s an extremely durable material that can be constructed in a way that’s breathable and secure. On the Tecton X 3, Matryx wraps from the medial side of the toe box all the way around the heel to the lateral side. The structure it provides in this package is paramount, and I actually wish there was more of it. 

Time for the juicy stuff! At first glance, PEBA and carbon fiber on the trails sounds like a locomotive riding on rails of pool noodles. It is such a supple and energetic material, as anyone who has worn a premium road racing shoe can attest to. But it’s inherently unstable. For a trail shoe to have PEBA, it’s almost imperative that the foam is stabilized by blending or layering it with a different midsole material. 

That is not the story with the Tecotn X 3. Two thick layers of PEBA, totaling a 40/35 mm stack, are sandwiched around two side-by-side carbon fiber plates. The parallel plate design is similar to the past versions (think independent suspension), but a bit different in that the visible wings on the medial and lateral sides of the shoe attempt to corral the foot a bit more. We’ve seen this type of mechanism in The North Face Vectiv Pro 2 as well, and it’s a very smart move.

When I was on smooth to moderate terrain where I could put some energy into the ground and stride out, everything that is to love about this midsole and plate scenario was apparent. The initial soft squish. The sweet release of energy through the stride. It felt awesome! The Tecton X 3 truly feels like a super shoe on the right terrain. Even though there are a ton of working parts underfoot, the Tecon X 3 boasts an uber efficient ride. 

A Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole will broaden the terrain options for the Tecton line. Previously, small, claw-like lugs gave a decent level of grip in a lighter package. The same rubber compound is used in this shoe, however, the lugs are deeper, chevron styled, and contain micro-traction knobs on the side of each lug (as in the Nika Ultrafly or Nike Zegama 2) to breed more confidence. This alteration may have added more rubber (and weight), but it now has the added benefit of more grip and durability. I was very satisfied with its performance in a variety of conditions and terrain here in the Rocky Mountains.

MATT: Call me Sir-Mix-Alot because I love a nice bootie. Had to say it. Now that I got that out of my system, let’s actually talk about one of the defining changes to the Tecton X 3, which is the overhauled upper and bootie extension.

Over the years of my reviewing, I have found that two of the most risky upper designs are using a knit material, or including a built-in bootie/sockliner. Some shoes have failed miserably (like the Naked T/R), while others have been brilliant (the Brooks Catamount Agil). If you nail the material and design, it can be the most amazing and comfortable fit, like a glove for the foot. But if it’s just a bit off, the shoe will lack all stability and the midsole will feel like it’s just hanging off your foot. Blisters may abound. The whole experience will suck.

Hoka has tried and failed in that regard with the Carbon X 2, with its all-knit upper. That upper idea was one-and-done, presumably because it was so bad. On the flip side, I recently reviewed the Brooks Catamount Agil and thought they did an amazing job with the bootie designed upper, so it can be done. Hoka’s design for the Tecton X 3 not only matched what Brooks did with the Catamount Agil, but it definitively surpassed it, producing maybe the most comfortable upper fit I have tested this year.

I was worried that I would have lock-down issues, or that I would not have enough padding under the laces to protect the top of my foot, but after about 40 miles on these shoes, I have had zero issues. As Taylor mentioned, the comfort of the bootie portion of the upper is perfectly complemented by the stability and protection of the Matryx upper. I have run a variety of rooty and rocky single track and haven’t had a single misstep or near ankle roll.

I also felt like this version now has a bit more room through the forefoot and toe box, whereas the first two versions ran a bit narrow. This will come as a welcome upgrade to most runners, though some customers have thought that it’s too much room. You can’t please everyone all the time.

Hoka has also figured out the proper formula for carbon plate application to the trails. The single plate formation used on the roads really just serves as an expensive rock plate when used on technical trails, but the dual wing shaped plates add the right mix of stability when needed, but can also provide that added propulsion when you hit a stretch that allows you to open things up a bit.

I would be remiss to not mention the outsole, as it might not be as sexy as the other upgrades, but Hoka’s use of Vibram Megagrip with Litebase is a perfect fit. As Taylor mentioned, while the compound is the same as previous versions, Hoka beefed up the lugs and formation on version 3 and you can rally feel the stability and security. The shoe feels wider than it actually is when landing, giving confidence that the shoe can handle the terrain no matter what you throw at it.

What We Don’t Like About the Hoka Tecton X 3

TAYLOR: Is the bootie worth the booty? We’ve already talked about the comfort it provides, but there’s always another side to the coin. In this case, the insecurity that will cause some anxiety on speedier and technical trails. 

Watching Walmsley tear up a course like UTMB and Ludovic Pommeret do the same at Hardrock made me think that this shoe must be incredibly secure. Part of their success was the overall pace they were running, and part of it was the fact that they are simply incredible athletes sponsored by the brand. But the other part is that, really, this shoe is best suited for courses and terrain that is moderately technical at most– especially if higher end speed will be involved.

The “central stripe” of the Tecton X 3 is very soft. The knit bootie extends through the midfoot as the tongue. The forefoot has a mesh vamp that also has some flex. When lateral forces were applied to the shoe, the “central stripe” stretched a lot more than I hoped. This caused my heel to dance around in the shoe. Issues like Achilles blisters and overall confidence presented themselves. Even steep uphills could be problematic at times because my foot would pull away from the footbed. That’s even with tying the shoe uncomfortably tight. 

Downhills, even moderately technical ones, were controversial too. I found it difficult to fully commit because of the same reasons. Underfoot was rock solid at keeping me upright, but the upper stretched so much in these high-energy situations. Faster cornerings resulted in the same.

I wouldn’t call this an outright negative, just more of a slight disappointment. When running on easier terrain, I did not experience the stretching nearly to the degree as I felt on more technical terra firma.

MATT: I did not experience the same issues with upper stability that Taylor had to deal with, but I also realize that Taylor is running in some different terrain out West than me on the East coast.

I do consider much of what I run on as technical terrain, but that is more due to the windy single tracks that are full of exposed roots and rocks. While there is plenty of vert to be found, it does not compare to Taylor’s Colorado backyard. That being said, everyone’s foot shape and running styles are unique, and it wouldn’t be the first time that a shoe provided problems to one of us and not the other.

I really did not have any glaring issues with this shoe, but if I were to pick it apart I would call out that it is a bit heavier that some other carbon plated trail racers on the market, such as the super nimble Brooks Catamount Agil, or the Salomon Pulsar Pro. I really dont look at the weight as an issue though because I see the Tecton X 3 as an ultra distance racer, while those two models mentioned above are more suitable for short course racing.

Final Thoughts on the Hoka Tecton X 3

TAYLOR: I could go on and on about this underfoot concoction or the upper’s unique composition, but what’s most notable isn’t the energy, stability, or comfort alone, it’s how the sum creates an uber efficient ride. It’s just easy, from all angles, to cruise in the Hoka Tecton X 3. 

Keep in mind that this shoe has some apparent technical limitations. It will work best on terrain where runners do not have to plot every footstep along the way or speed through every single curve. 

When considering that this shoe is built for ultra trail racing, efficiency and comfort is what will take runners through to great finishes and personal bests. The Hoka Tecton X 3 could be that shoe that does it for many.

MATT: I know it’s only August, but I am already preparing my notes to include the Tecton X 3 in our end-of-year awards because the shoe is just that good. As Taylor mentioned above, what makes the shoe work is the sum of all the parts, like it was created by a mad scientist in the Deckers X Lab. Which, it probably was.

This shoe is built for going long distances, keeping you comfortable, but also providing that pop for when you want to kick things up a notch. I would trade the added weight for the improvements to the upper and outsole every day.

You can pick up the Hoka Tecton X 3 on for $275 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.