HOKA Tecton X 4 Review

Ryan

Ryan: Spoiler alert…there’s so much good going on here. I’m going to try and contain myself, because this shoe has me absolutely psyched. The nice thing about the Tecton X 4 is that HOKA didn’t really change a ton. They made some minor adjustments to a shoe that many have absolutely loved.

To start, I want to chat heel really quick. I am one of those runners who have become obsessed with how brands treat their heel structure, especially on trail running shoes. In past years, we have seen brands try and mess around with a minimal, almost no-padding design. This drives me nuts. Most of the time, they tend to rub my Achilles raw, especially as our feet shift around so much out on the trail. Well, friends, I can excitingly say that the Tecton X 4 is the solution. This is hands down the best heel padding/structure I have yet to encounter. A blend of soft cushion and structure, but enough to hold your heel in place. In just shy of 50 miles, I have had zero issues with the heel, which I had a decent amount of rubbing in my Tecton X 3s.

If HOKA were to have kept the rest of the shoe the same and only updated the heel, I would have been happy. However, we get even more goodness from some of these intentional updates. The next sweet spot is that midsole. Still utilizing a dual-layer of PEBA, I find this compound to be just a touch softer. It’s still that fast racer you’re used to and that you want, but it just takes a teeny tiny bit off the impact on the knees. I love this compound in the 4, it’s dialed perfectly.

Do you dream of just absolutely sending it on a sketchy downhill section? Looking like you were a mountain goat born from the backcountry? Well, let the Tecton X 4s be the hooves that allow you such moves. The 4 somehow gains stability with a combination of the new PEBA compound and dual plates. I had two rolled ankles in the 3s, so I decided to take my 4s on that same route…a 13-mile loop with a 5-mile downhill section littered with rocks and roots. I had zero issues whatsoever. I felt confident and locked in to the ground. Able to feel the ground, but gaining protection from the plate so rocks weren’t stabbing into my feet.

The last piece of good I wanted to cover was the weight. The X 4 sees a little drop in weight. For a size 12, my Tecton X 3s weigh 11.3 oz, while the 4s come in at 10.8 oz. This remains one of the most stable, responsive, and lightweight options in such a protective package. So much goodness from the Tecton X 4.

Blake

Unlike Ryan, I had never tried the Tecton X before, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but even after my first run I was very impressed. It strikes a really nice balance between speed, stability, and technical trail performance. The tweaked parallel plates provide noticeable side-to-side stability on uneven terrain while still giving the shoe a little extra pop as you move forward.

It's also surprisingly nimble for a plated trail shoe. I could easily tiptoe around bigger rocks when needed, but the shoe was also capable of rolling over smaller rocks without throwing me off balance. That combination makes it feel confident without being overly rigid or cumbersome.

The dual density Peba foam wasn't too soft either. The top layer was soft enough to feel comfortable and cushioned, and provide a nice bounce, while the firmer bottom layer seemed to help with stability and durability. I never felt like the shoe was too wobbly even on rocky technical terrain.

The grip was another highlight. The Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole felt secure while cornering, climbing, and descending, and I never had concerns about traction on the sand, gravel, and rocky terrain I tested it on.

The upper also did a good job keeping dirt and debris out, and it feels durable enough that I wouldn't be worried about beating it up on the trails. This is thanks to the built in gaiter keeping pebbles out, and the new Matryx Micro upper which felt breathable and sturdy.

Ryan

Ryan: I am going to struggle to honestly put anything here. I really mean it. There’s only one thing I can think of, and that’s the tongue. While it hasn’t bothered me much, it’s literally only the knitted gaiter fabric between the laces and your sock/foot. I’ve seen options like the norda 055 and the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro add in some padding, but HOKA keeps it minimal here. So far, I’ve been ok, but I would get some gnarly lace bite if I were to crank the laces down. Just something to look out for.

Ok, just one more thing, I wish they put those rigid race laces on this. I love those so much, that just would have been a sweet addition.

Blake

The biggest issue I had was the fit. The shoe felt just a hair short and pointed in the toe box. It's not nearly as restrictive as the Speedgoat, but on steep descents my toes were right at the end of the shoe. I'd prefer just a tad more room up front.

While there was more padding added around the ankle, there still wasn't any where a tongue normally would be, meaning if you tie the laces too tight you might get some lace bite (pressure from the laces).

I also haven't had the chance to test it extensively in deep mud, so that's one area where I'm still unsure how well the outsole will perform with its 4mm lugs.

Ryan

Ryan: You’re going to want these. I just know it. If you were a lover of the 3s, the 4 just gets even better. In fact, this is the best Tecton that HOKA has ever made. Period. It gains thoughtful adjustments from the 3 that put it ahead. My wide foot friends will love this shoe. Great volume in the toe box, perfect width in the midfoot and heel, and that new Matryx Micro upper moves with your foot to allow splay. In about 50 miles, I never had a bad run. Only good vibes in this shoe. If you’re looking for an all-day, fast, and protective shoe that you can just set and forget…I think you found your weapon of choice.

Blake

The Tecton X 4 is a fun and fast trail super shoe. The parallel plates provide stability without making the shoe feel stiff or cumbersome, and the outsole grips almost anything with ease. I found it hard to take it easy in this shoe because it felt so fun and fast I'd accidentally pick up the pace.

It's not quite as snappy as the Rocket X Trail, but it's more nimble and better suited to technical terrain. My biggest complaint is the slightly short and pointed fit, but overall, the Tecton X 4 is an excellent option for runners who want a versatile trail shoe for their next race.

Ryan

Ryan: $275…dude, what trail racer isn’t in this price range now? If you want a trail racing shoe, you’re somewhere between $250 and $300 easy. That’s just where we are at now. Does it suck? Yeah. It sure does. That’s a lot of cash. If you’re willing to spend this amount on a shoe that will probably get you between 400-500 miles (my guess), then I think the HOKA Tecton X 4 is a fantastic choice for your arsenal. You get premium materials in a premium package that is ready to rock and roll on technical terrain as well as simple days on fast single track or service roads.

Blake

Yes, I think this is a top-tier trail super shoe. If you're looking for a fast trail shoe that can handle technical terrain without sacrificing stability or agility, I think the Tecton X 4 offers a compelling package. The combination of the parallel plates, excellent grip, and nimble ride gives it a versatility that makes sense for runners who want one shoe for both fast sections and technical trails.