Hoka Tecton X 3 Review

[@alexkhan2000]

I got the Tecton X 3 a little over a week ago and I'm already up to 50 miles over 4 different runs and will take it out on a 15-mile run later today when the temperature here in SoCal cools off a bit. Obviously, I love this shoe and I feel like this has ruined by other trail shoes. Haha. Well, it's the honeymoon period and I had a similar feeling when I first started running in the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra. This being said, the Tecton X 3 really does feel like another level up and I guess that justifies the price tag. It took a few runs for me to dial in the fit with the ideal balance between comfort and lockdown. It's TTS but feels a little roomy in some areas and a little tight in others, which is compounded by left foot being a little narrower and lower in volume compared to my right foot. The toe box feels roomy enough for the toes to splay, but the side of the forefoot section feels a bit narrow. I was also getting a little bit of heel slippage going uphill but eventually got that taken care of with slightly thicker socks and tightening the laces more in the ankle area and getting more comfort in the forefoot by loosening the laces slightly there. It definitely took some dialing in but, now that it's done and I have four good long runs under my belt, I can say this is the best trail running shoe I've ran in and I've had and still have many very good trail shoes. It has that bounciness reminiscent of Hoka's Cielo X1 and Skyward X road shoes that makes it super fun but is also very stable. Initially, I ran with caution due to the stack height and the softness of the midsole - especially going downhill on mildly technical terrains - but I was very encouraged by how stable it felt and was able to pick up the speed more and felt very confident by my third run. My fourth run of 13.5 miles was just awesome. The upper has conformed to my feet for a very comfortable and secure fit and the midsole has broken in really nicely and I know how it will react now no matter what the pace is or the terrain I'm running over. On the flats, it feels like a road racing shoe or fast super trainer; on the hills, it feels like a lighter well-balanced and nimble trail shoe with surprisingly good traction. It's no Nnormal Kjerag for technical terrains, but I found it better for such terrains than the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra and on par with the Salomon S/Lab Genesis. In terms of the highly subjective fun factor, the Tecton X 3 is at the very top for me. Maybe the Speed Ultra is a little more propulsive on the flats but it's hard to tell. I can say the Tecton X 3 is bouncier and more comfortable underfoot. It also feels great on asphalt pavement that I need to run on to get to the trails or in between them. One thing to note is that there are two independent carbon plates running parallel in each shoe instead of one wide carbon plate. This allows more torsional flexibility, which is obviously very helpful on uneven terrains of the trails. I tried some carbon-plated trail shoes in the past and didn't like the slappy feel when going downhill and the side-to-side stiffness when running on uneven technical terrains. It was very intrusive feeling and I felt like a carbon plate just isn't necessary for trail shoes. Then I tried the Agravic Speed Ultra with the plastic rods and that felt good. The rods felt unobtrusive while providing stability and some amount of propulsion although it's hard to say how much. The carbon plates do not feel obtrusive at all in the Tecton X 3. I do feel them but more as a stabilizer although I can feel them pushing me forward as well when picking up the pace. It's just that their effect is not as obtrusive as I felt on Tecton X 1, Endorphin Edge, and NB's SC Trail. The Tecton X 3's parallel carbon plates seem ideally placed and balanced within the two layers of the PEBA foam. I feel nimble when skipping between rocks and boulders and there is good lateral flexibility, which I did not feel with other carbon plated trail shoes. It's still not what I'd consider a "nimble" trail shoe; it's best at going fast on relatively flat and smoothened dirt/gravel trails, but it handles steep terrains and technical sections better than I expected. All in all, I think the Tecton X 3 is a great trail shoe with loads of fun factor. The fit may take a bit to dial in as it was with me. It probably won't work with runners with wide feet even though the toe-box is roomy enough. Heel slippage may happen and that took some amount of fiddling with the lacing to dial out. I can say that it all came together for me on the fourth run and I did not want to stop after 13.5 miles. I'm 59yo and I don't know if I'll ever run an ultra (maybe 50K someday), but I feel like I can easily go out on a 20-mile run and enjoy it in comfort and have a lot of fun. For serious trail ultra runners, I can see this shoe being a godsend.

[@trailandkale]

Such great trail running shoes. Love seeing so many top of the line component brands going into these.

[@sparkymalarky4322]

I purchased the agravic ultras first, they are very quick but if the terrain is slightly unstable you run the risk of rolling your ankle which I did 2 times in 2 runs due to the rocker being so narrow, I purchased the X3's and they are so much better suited to my foot, the comfort and ride is alot better, for my first set of Hokas I am impressed.

[@trailandkale]

This is something that’s very common with Hoka shoes. They know how to please most runners with their accommodating shoe shapes. I love the brand 👍🏼

[@derekturner744]

Great review. How does the Hoka x3 compare against the new Asics Metafuji trail?

[@trailandkale]

Thank you! Haven’t reviewed the Metafuji trail yet unfortunately so can’t speak to that one. Hopefully I can get hold of it soon though.

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

Thanks for your review. Hope you had a great trip! Ordered the X 3s; used the original X in a 200-miler of mostly buffed trail with some roads and it worked incredibly well - until my feet swelled around Mile 135 and the shoe would no longer fit! The X 2 was slightly roomier in the toes and I’ll be interested to see if the X 3 fits even better. Would be interested in your comparison of the X 3 with the forthcoming Speedland GS:SVT. Speedland is for me the best all-around trail-running line; the Michelin outsoles are (at the risk of being declared a heretic!) as good as Vibram Megagrip. And the Speedland fit and uppers are the very best. Much as I like Hoka the durability just isn’t there and the fit can be iffy.

[@trailandkale]

lol I enjoyed that heretic comment. The fit is great apart from the two issues mentioned, which may or may not be a problem for some. I still need to get hold of some Speedlands for review, thanks for the reminder!

[@tommilam6320]

@@trailandkale I can confirm as well with Speedlands. I've run in the GS:PDX, and have pre-ordered the SL:PDX (non-gaiter version-bigger lugs and lower stack height). The GS is a great shoe, with the ultimate customization - plate or no plate...you get to choose! They are very comfortable, and I've run one of the knarliest 27 mile loops in CO - Pawnee/Buchanon Loop and they held up really well considering stack height. They are heavier tho than the X3's and not quite as bouncy. It will be interesting to try these out and compare.

[@SarahG-l1h]

Hi! I have watched many of your videos but am still having a tough time figuring out which trail shoes best fit my needs. I cani-cross with my dog. Have you heard of it? Its very fast for a short distance. I currently use the salomon thundercross but the sole is just to stiff and I don't feel any help from the shoe at all except the incredible grip. I am being pulled very hard by a 50 pound dog who wants to run! Grip, responsiveness, cushion and wide toe box would be nice. The trails we run on would be similar to local parks. A bit of gravel, or mostly just dirt with the odd root. I would love to hear your thoughts :)

[@trailandkale]

Hey Sarah 👋🏼 I have Cani-crossed with Kepler quite a lot! He’s also 50lbs and a border collie. The shoes that fit this kind of running are what I would class as minimal trail racing shoes ideal for technical, fast trail running. My favorites in this range are the MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYvdnZWbadSanZIsi=uroBRQf1P7wNKQwa ), Hoka Zinal 2 ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3m5XmubeMalaposi=pg-23_5tsLNKx4iJ ) and also the Brooks Catamount 3 ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHWumXqge76Fh8Usi=Y_OnjoCWzmy8drPd ). Three fantastic trail running shoes that are ideal for what you want. Hope that helps! :) -Alastair

[@58lp2002]

Thanks for the review. I love the Tectonic 2’s and they are my fav trail shoe. For the 3, loose the gator, bring down the price, and add other colors and I’ll get them.

[@trailandkale]

I recon others will be thinking the same

[@jaspervanbruggen]

Thanks fo the review, they definatelly seem like an interesting option and very cool shoes. I will be running Transgrancanaria next year, do you think I should consider these? Right now I am using the Salomon Slab Genesis, lovely shoes but sometimes the outsole is not performing as good as Vibram or AsicsGrip. Any other shoes you think I should consider for Transgrancanaria?

[@trailandkale]

Great choice! That was my first ever trail race years ago!! Beautiful place! These would be great for that race. You should also look at the Hoka Speedgoat 6, or the Arcteryx Sylan. Both reviewed on the channel ✌🏼

[@danielsilvester4242]

H do you feel these over more forefoot space than the X2? I went up a half size in those and still feel it on my big toe like you mentioned in this video. Also interested to hear your thoughts on the comfort of the X3 compared to the x2? Am looking for a multi day shoe for mountainous and desert trails. Looking for a fast shoe and a cruiser. Any recommendations would be great. Have a slightly wide foot but do not need to order wide unless a narrow shoe (like Speedgoat). Thank you

[@trailandkale]

Hey 👋🏼 these feel just as comfortable as the X2, maybe more so to some degree due to the sock like style of the upper. If you sized up in the x2 I’d go with the same size for these. I personally didn’t have to size up in either but found them to both be consistent with sizing. And yes, these are fantastic fast cruisers! ✌🏼

[@alredalred]

Got a pair for 25% off. Should be here next week. Interested to see if they are worth it. My main concern I can see is in the Southeast US, where I am, it's so rocky and rooty, it could negate all the benefits of this super shoe.

[@trailandkale]

I’ll be interested to see how you get on with them! Let me know

[@alredalred]

@@trailandkale Took them for a 5 mile easy run this morning. They are pretty good! I was surprised how well they handled technical terrain. My only real complaint so far is they seem to run short for me.

[@trailandkale]

@alredalred hmm that’s interesting regarding the fit! I’m glad you’re enjoying them though.

[@alredalred]

@@trailandkale Yea, it might have to stretch out maybe but I noticed on downhills my toes were hitting the front of the shoe.

[@trailandkale]

Ah that’s not the size so to speak, it’s the upper not doing the best job of locking your foot in the shoe.

[@trailandkale]

Let me know if you have any questions or if you’re just not sure which running shoes you need and need some pointers, just let me know your situation and I’ll get you hooked up with the best running shoes for you. Your loyal running shoe expert, Alastair.

[@mattisemil]

I am curious about sizing: Are they true to size? If you compare the X3’s to other Hoka’s, i.e. The Speedgoats, how are the X3’s?

[@trailandkale]

Yep, true to size, and consistent with the Speedgoats and other Hokas I’ve reviewed.

[@MrTCFIRE]

I've had some back and forth with the X3, first off I purchased the shoes retail at my regular size that I've run in 3 pairs of X2s and found the X3s were too small, so I sized up a half size, which seemed to do the trick. Also, on my sized up pair the outsole on the left shoe, big toe side (below the exposed carbon plate) delaminated after 4 miles of running in Boulder. Just got a replacement pair, but for $300 I'm hoping these shoes last longer than 4 miles. I tried the original Tectons back in the day and I also had major problems with quality/delamination/etc., so I'm hoping this isn't a return to that...time will tell...

[@trailandkale]

4 miles? that has to be a defect… back when the original Tecton was roaming Hoka had a bit of a bad rep for quality but that has since gone for quite some years now.

[@MrTCFIRE]

@@trailandkaleFor sure…I did return it and got a new pair…I’m a bit harsh on my shoes but my X2s have done really well…

[@trailandkale]

Let’s hope the new pair is better for you!

[@scottwiggans6292]

This or metafuji trail for light trails

[@trailandkale]

I just got the metafuji trail in for review! I’ll know the answer to that very soon ✌🏼

[@YouTubedarek]

Do you think someone could use these as an everyday trail shoe or would it wear out quickly? It’s it only for long runs/workouts and races?

[@trailandkale]

You could definitely use these as a daily trail shoe if you like. Being a trail racing shoe however, they do generally perform better on harder efforts, meaning they’re better paired with a more appropriate daily trail shoe like the speedgoat 6 for example

[@JohnM-xr6ch]

I felt a lot of pressure on the outside of the big toe, even on a 0.5 size up, which then had heel slip.

[@trailandkale]

Not just me then! Although mine wasn’t a crazy amount thankfully. Thanks for sharing.✌🏼

[@JohnM-xr6ch]

@@trailandkalegreat review though btw, in depth, objective, practical!

[@trailandkale]

Thank you! Appreciate that! 🙏🏻

[@trailandkale]

I’m using those descriptions for my channel description now! 😄

[@WaveyJay]

Are those good for basketball outside

[@trailandkale]

I don’t play basketball so not an expert there but these don’t have the high ankle support you may be used to. Also the carbon plate may not be great for foot flex. The grip is fantastic though.

[@Not_So_Common_Sense]

Hoka please get rid of the built-in gaiter and I'm sold. You can always attach a gaiter for when it's needed but you can't remove a built-in one (for those of us who rarely if ever use gaiters).

[@trailandkale]

I agree, although I think they should run 2 versions side by side

[@brianogrady9883]

The gaiter completes the perfect lockdown. Zero heel movement because of it

[@trailandkale]

It’s certainly a bit of a double edged sword

[@trailandkale]

🗡️

[@Not_So_Common_Sense]

@@brianogrady9883 maybe so but it also adds weight makes the shoe less breathable and it dries slower