Hoka Tecton X 3 Performance Review

Hoka returns with the third installment of the Tecton series, a super shoe built for speedy miles over the trail. With the first two shoes following a similar blueprint with minimal differences, the Hoka Tecton X 3 sees a large revamp, tuning in on an upgraded midsole experience, more reliable outsole, and an overall more comfortable fit. 

Midsole

The Hoka Tecton X 3 features a full PEBA, two-piece midsole with twin, symmetrical carbon plates running up and down the shoe stacked in-between the two layers. For those unfamiliar with PEBA, this is a foam typically used in racing/fast-paced shoes that is one of the most responsive and bouncy foams in the industry.

In general, I didn’t find that the midsole of the Tecton X 3 felt out of control. It’s soft – surprisingly soft – and very comfortable. You can take this shoe for any distance.

When I put some pep in my step, I definitely experience the PEBA responsiveness. So you can up your speed and strap in for a poppy ride. A full PEBA midsole is rare in the Trail Running world as the trampoline-like foam can, as you would imagine, lead to a less stable ride than you may want or need. I found that after a 50-70 mile break-in period, the shoes got more under control. I did take them higher into the alpine into what the average trail runner would call “technical” terrain; to my fortunate surprise, the midsole remained relatively controllable and fun.

Let’s talk about the carbon plate. As I mentioned, the Hoka Tecton X 3 uses a symmetrical, two-piece plate that runs parallel to each other down the shoe. Different than previous versions (see my Tecton X 2 review here), the Tecton X 3 plates feature a winged tip in the middle that’s actually visible on the side walls of the shoe. The purpose here is to attempt to wrangle your foot nicely into the footbed and allow for some off-plane running.

Think of the wing shape as a carbon cup that moves with the kilter of your steps. I’ve only run in one other carbon-plated trail shoe, so my comparison is somewhat lacking, but the split plate does seem to help stabilize your ride in the Tecton X 3. I’d wager that other plated trail shoes start to adopt this pattern as a single-piece plate will not provide the flexion a trail shoe typically necessitates. 

One thing of note – carbon-plated trail shoes are made to run fast and likely only suitable for experienced runners. With that in mind, a shoe like the Hoka Tecton X 3 can take some time to get used to. It has a different ground feel than a typical trail shoe, so the “break-in” period for this one can be as simple as learning to read the step cadence of the Tecton X 3.

Upper

The upper saw the largest and most noticeable change from the previous version. Hoka returns with a Matryx upper and sock bootie. Most notably, the sock bootie, which provides a built-in gaiter to keep debris out of the shoe. Putting a sock booty on a running shoe, in my opinion, is always a gamble. It takes careful consideration of many factors: stiffness, give, fabric, height, etc. If you get even one of these wrong, it can derail the whole upper.

Fortunately, that is not the case with the Hoka Tecton X 3. In fact, I would venture to say this is my favorite sock upper I’ve ever experienced – from soccer cleats to running shoes. Something about it is just comfortable. There’s enough stretch to slip your foot in without an issue, but over a 100 or so miles, I haven’t had too much give. The sock booty holds its shape. The lace pattern is straight forward. I had concerns initially with lace pressure on the top of my foot, but I haven’t had an issue yet. A nice overlay wraps the upper to maintain some protection in higher risk areas.

Although the shoe is extremely comfortable, I did find a slight issue with some stretch on technical terrain, particularly downhill technical terrain. The soft Matryx upper allowed for movement in the forefoot that made fast, technical downhills a little unstable. It’s not a shoe-ruining experience for me, but it’s something of note when considering what terrain you frequent and what you want out of these shoes. Over mild to moderate terrain, especially on flatter grades, this upper will keep you comfortable and stable.

Outsole

Again, the Hoka Tecton X 3 received an update to the outsole with a brand new Vibram Megagrip Litebase design. The lug pattern follows a triangle design with microlugs for extra grip. I’d consider this outsole design much more trail-ready than the previous two versions, with beefier lugs and seemingly more surface area. I’m not entirely sure if it’s a different rubber compound, but the new outsole design is, by test, an improvement. Nimble, fast, and confidence-inspiring. This outsole grip will ensure you aren’t burning out while striking hard over trails.

Is the Hoka Tecton X 3 wide foot friendly?

Surprisingly, I found that the Hoka Tecton X 3 fit my wider foot well. The softness/comfort of the Matryx upper makes this shoe friendly to wide feet.

Is the Hoka Tecton X 3 worth $275?

To answer this question, you must ask yourself a question first: do I want or need a performance-focused trail shoe with carbon technology? If so, the $275 price tag is worth the spend and you’ll enjoy the faster pace this shoe offers.

Cons

The biggest con for me was the experience with the upper on technical terrain. I found my foot moving around the bed and stretching with the upper, which leads to a less than stable ride. With that in mind, it somewhat limits where I’m willing to use this shoe, which can be a con dependent on your trail variability/preference. I also already have some tears in the Matryx fabric, which does seem a little odd for the typical durability of this weave. 

Again, the Hoka Tecton X 3 is meant to be a plated racer, performing best in ‘runnable’ environments where your steps are sure and stable. With that in mind, my con is derived from situations the shoe was likely not designed to be in.

Hoka Tecton X 3 Summary

Hoka took a gamble with the Tecton X 3 updates, and they paid off. This shoe is an improved experience from the previous versions. Behind all the technicalities is a shoe that’s built to move quick and efficiently over terrain. It’s a relatively smooth ride with a comfortable fit that suits miles and miles of distance. Hoka set out to create a super shoe that could handle some of the most physically demanding trail races. With that, their runners demanded a lot out of the shoe. The Hoka Tecton X 3 steps up and meets these demands. 

How does the Author Run?

Sam Lohse (age 28, 6’0″, 170 lbs): Runs daily, sometimes morning/night doubles, with one rest day a week (typically). Hangs right around 40-50 miles a week in general unless in race-specific training. Races distances from 50K to 100 miles, almost always on the trails. 

Disclosure

While Hoka did send pairs of the Hoka Tecton X 3 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.