Hoka Tecton X 2 Review

The Tecton X2 is Ultra comfortable and insanely quick on cross-over gravel and road terrain. This model will feel more propulsive than the rest. Despite its premium price, I am inspired by its brilliant features—a stable, cushioned, and dynamic ride.

The Tecton X 2 has been designed with a brand-new Matryx upper. This performance shoe is comfortable to run with. It has a surprisingly lightweight design for its size.  It features a dual-density midsole & twin carbon plates in parallel. I mainly like the MATRYX upper, which combines breathability with durability. It is an ideal choice for serious trail runners seeking top-tier performance across all seasons.

Tecton X 2 is for skilled athletes & situations where time matters. I frequently need to run on crossover surfaces & need to save seconds. In this situation, this is the best shoe.

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Hoka Tecton X2-Trail Running Shoes Designed for Speed            

HOKA Tecton X 2 are designed for speed on race day. The iteration continues to expand from the first model. There is a new upper material. Let us follow the review.

First Impressions

The Hoka Tecton X2 running shoe creates interest in runners familiar with other brands. Yet, at first look, the sneaker’s comfort, design, lightness, & quick lacing adjustment abilities leave a positive impact. A few problems might be the width which may seem excessive for runners with long, thin feet.

The Upper: The Most Noticeable Improvement

The first thing I have noticed with the Tecton X 2’s is its updated upper. The Tecton X 2 has an updated “Matryx” upper mesh that is lighter & more breathable, due to its reinforced Kevlar threads, while also being more water resistant. The upper is significantly improvement from the preceding model. The Matryx upper has a micro-ribbed mesh and feels more durable when subjected to rough elements & debris.  

I tested these shoes on trails in an unusually wet winter. The Tecton X 2 uppers kept a cozy wrap on my foot while keeping my feet dry & not loosening the overall integrity of the fit. 

Comfort and Fit

This is one of the most comfortable uppers have tested. The new Matryx material is slimmer than the previous model, with the toebox being more pointed. The previous complaints concerning this shoe only revolved around the upper, and Hoka adapted the model perfectly. The X 2 is any narrower as the toebox seems to have gotten most of the redesign. The tongue is excellent & offers minimal padding while being ultralight.

The ground feel & running comfort is great too. Huge cushioning decreases any harshness made by the carbon plate. We found long-run comfort due to the compressive nature of this model, & the high foot protection continuously decreases foot impacts and fatigue.

On the flip side, off-camber terrain does not feel great, given the lateral stiffness, and users who want an easy run may feel like the X 2 does not relax. For the most comfort, we would recommend keeping this shoe on buffed or less technical terrain. While it can tackle more advanced terrain, it will need constant focus; perhaps not an issue for race day but for easy runs, this shoe can feel easily overbuilt.

During the run, the Hoka Tecton X2 impresses with comfort, mainly at the heel. Some runners might initially feel clumsy due to the shoe’s width, but this can be adjusted through lacing. It takes time to get familiar with the shoe due to its different comfort levels, responsiveness, grip, & drop differences. However, when familiarized, runners find the shoe reliable, mainly regarding stability.

Lightweight shoes are my favorite

At 9.64 ounces per shoe for size 10.5, it is one of the lightest shoes, which is impressive. Hoka is known for its light cushioning, and the extra carbon insert does not add much over some of the similar models. This is a blend of the Speedgoat & Torrent series. This weight allows for easy turnover & creates a lightness when moving uphill.

The propulsion properties have the Tecton X 2 feeling energized & lively. Some can find this model to be a bit excess for easy runs as the shoe can tend to overpower. Often light shoes need lots of input from the user to feel fast, but the Tecton needs significantly less ground input to still feel lively and agile. At this weight, all kinds of events are possible, from fast sprints to ultra-distance.

Water-resistant and Breathable

 Hoka Tecton X2 looks similar to the first model. The upper has been upgraded to use Matryx fabric. It is a lightweight mesh fabric. Good ventilation & they do not absorb water. Complete with TPU construction lines to support the fit and strength of the upper.

It is a good fit for the foot. A higher heel supports the Achilles tendon & soft padding inside that locks the heel. It does not slip while running & the open ankle design delivers high mobility. 

Performance Analysis

Hoka Tecton X2 has a ProFlyX midsole structure, which uses foams with various densities. PROFLY plus foam is moulded into a critical pattern, providing softness & good shock absorption. PROFLY+ foam is placed on the upper floor for cushioning & responsiveness when running, & firm EVA foam on the lower layer provides stability. A carbon fibre sheet in the mid part between the two foams improves response for speed. 

A 5 mm drop is not very high. It sticks to the floor quite well.  You will be very impressed with the softness of the foam on the top layer. The forehead has an early phase MetaRocker curved shape that offers natural movement.

Stability

The stiff, wide platform & low drop of the X 2 contribute to the feeling of stability. This is more than sufficient on flat terrain wherever the foot can be suitably planted. On technical terrain, the higher stack is visible and can sometimes feel uneven. The split carbon fiber plate assist with this increased feeling while under torque, yet we could never tell that the carbon fiber plate under was split. While we appreciate the benefits of carbon fiber plates, they aren’t perfect for everyday runs, in our opinion.

This high rigidity of the X 2 adds support to the ankles, knees, & hips without feeling overly supportive. This is due to the high level of cushioning & responsiveness that keeps the shoe feeling fast & agile. Several shoes that are overly supportive tend to be dull & slow feeling, far from the case with this model.

While this would not be our top pick for technical terrain, we still think it is appropriate on most types of trail. For users heading into the mountains & tackling a lot of off-camber landscapes, we would look for something with less stack. Your experience level will determine the kind of trail you can tackle, with more skilled runners being able to push into more technical terrain.

Superb Reactivity and Dynamism

The shoes are ultra-responsive with their carbon plate. You will feel a remarkable ‘boost’ in propulsion on downhill & flat terrain sections. Yet, this does not demand more muscle effort. To summarize, the effort remains the same, but the speed is higher.

Who Should Buy the Hoka Tecton X 2?

An advanced runner who wants speed should buy the Hoka Tecton X 2. While not appropriate for everybody, there is no better-performing model for individuals who run focused on crossover terrain. For the most advanced runners, you can take this shoe on rough terrain due to your ability to focus & be specific even when fatigued. 

 Over time we found the X 2 to become more comfortable, & we think it is a great addition to a quiver for tempo days.

Cons of this Brand

With any carbon-plated shoe, the capability to perform on technical terrain is in question. I would not take the Hoka Tecton X 2’s on any higher alpine scrambles or routes with risky footing. Naturally, these shoes want to remain on a comparatively stable trail, which can limit their use.

Though I enjoy the stability a dual plate brings to the shoe, it somewhat lacks the fast “snap” feel of a traditional carbon racer. This means that in spite of the propulsion the plates will offer, you may not feel the snap. The crossing design of the plates in the heel does not feel super necessary and can lead to some weird response if you land on your heel, but you typically would not experience this if you are not on technical terrain.

Conclusion

The Hoka Tecton X 2 does not have significant changes compared to its precursor. The shoe holds the double carbon plate design, ensuring brilliant energy return. Hoka includes Matryx technology into the upper of the Tecton X 2, a material already used in other models from the brand. This will improve durability, mainly in the mesh.

This shoe performs best while moving fast through low to intermediate terrain. The Hoka Tecton X 2 is comfortable sufficient to take out on your long, slow days when you want a little extra energy in your cruiser miles. The outsole delivers super light but reliable traction that will handle pretty much anything aside from deep mud.

The Tecton X 2 lives up to the hype & is a classic example of a shoe brand addressing complaints without altering what makes the shoe good. If you are looking for a plated shoe that can do both daily training & race speeds, the Tecton X 2 is for you.