HOKA Tecton X3 – Jim Walmsley's UTMB shoe

27/08/2024 12:15

Featured-packed Hoka shoes are now on sale and ready for your greatest challenge

We take HOKA's latest off-road model for a test run to experience everything this premium trail shoe has to offer.

This piece contains affiliate links which means we may receive a small commission when you purchase using these links.

When Jim Walmsley of the United States won the UTMB race in 2023 many eyes were on his footwear as well as his stunning performance.

His shoes were a prototype model, which has now gone on sale and named the HOKA Tecton X3.

Like all the brand's carbon-plated shoes, the X in the name indicates they contain a carbon plate, or in this case two. Twin carbon plates run side by side the length of the shoe embedded within layers of PEBA foam.

The twin carbon plates act like those in many road-going models and add some propulsion at toe-off, but here, by being separated along the centre of the shoe, they also allow it to adapt to the uneven terrain and contours of an ultra-distance mountain race.

The two layers of PEBA cushioning have different densities. The top layer sitting directly beneath the foot is soft for a step-in comfort and a soft cushioned feel. The bottom layer, while still relatively soft is a little more stable for a more confident footing on the trails.

The responsive cushioning is most noticeable on firmer trails and I noticed a great amount of 'energy-return' on road and gravel stretches of my test runs. Once on softer ground, the carbon plate seems to be more noticeable and firms the ride up a little making for a nice combination of cushioning and control.

The Tecton X3 features a Vibram Metagrip Litebase sole. This is Vibram's lighter off-road sole unit and offers 4mm deep lugs. On the trail encountered for over 100 miles around Chamonix, these were clearly enough for Walmsley, so fingers crossed they'll be adequate for your local trails.

I've found the more than enough for the varied routes I've tried them on and they've coped well enough in any conditions. In deep mud, they may struggle, but then you probably won't be wearing a carbon-plated shoe on such ground.

The upper features a bootie-style design with a stretch ankle sock-like section to the shoe. It's easy to pull on but remember to wear a slightly longer sock. I went for a crew-length sock to avoid it sliding down within the bootie upper and remove any possibility of rubbing around the ankle. This worked perfectly for me.

The MATRYX upper is reinforced for durability but remains soft and flexible around the foot and proved protective enough from the undergrowth on my local trails.

READ MORE: UTMB preview

The HOKA Tecton X3 has proved to be a great multi-terrain shoe for me and one that I'd happily choose for any length of trail race even if that won't quite be the 100-plus miles of the UTMB.

Check out the HOKA trail running range here

» Subscribe to AW magazine here

The post HOKA Tecton X3 – Jim Walmsley's UTMB shoe appeared first on AW.