HOKA Tecton X 3 review

We believe the HOKA Tecton X 3 is an outstanding trail shoe for:

• Those who prioritize performance over price and want a true trail supershoe packed with top-tier materials—perfect for both training and racing on rugged terrain.
• HOKA fans who liked the Tecton X 2 but wanted more energy return—this edition’s full-PEBA midsole solves that issue.
• Trail runners with narrow feet who need maximum cushioning and impact protection.

We think runners with wide feet should avoid the HOKA Tecton X 3, as its snug toebox leaves little room for natural toe splay. Even those with average-width feet who experience swelling during long races might find it restrictive. For a more accommodating fit, we suggest the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon, which provides a foot-shaped toebox while still offering race-ready performance.

Additionally, we believe the Tecton X 3 isn't the best choice for those seeking a shoe for easy runs or hiking. Its aggressive design and high price make it excessive for those activities. Instead, we recommend shoes like the HOKA Speedgoat 6 or the Saucony Peregrine 14, which offer a more balanced blend of comfort, flexibility, and durability at a much more reasonable cost.

This shoe is built to dominate ultra races, where plush cushioning is essential. Maximizing foam underfoot reduces muscle fatigue—especially in the heel, which, even for forefoot strikers, takes a beating in the final miles of long efforts.

That’s why we were thrilled to measure 37.8 mm of heel stack, reinforcing the Tecton X 3 as a superb choice for ultra racing on trails.

The forefoot measured 30.9 mm—shorter than HOKA's advertised 35 mm but still more than enough for any runner. And it stands out in impact protection because the foam is the same high-energy PEBA compound found in the Rocket X 2, now making its long-awaited debut in the Tecton series.

When it comes to drop, we found a familiar pattern with HOKA. We always measure at World Athletics-designated points, and their shoes almost always exceed the advertised offset—often by 2, 3, 4, or even 5 mm. This time, we recorded 6.9 mm instead of the stated 5 mm.  

Heel strikers will appreciate this adjustment, as it provides a more forgiving landing compared to the lower offset listed by HOKA.

The real highlight of this update is the midsole. In our lab review of the Tecton X 2, we criticized its EVA-based cushioning, and HOKA finally made the switch to an ultra-responsive PEBA midsole in the Tecton X 3. Frankly, asking over $200 for anything less than premium foam would be non sense today’s market.

We discovered that HOKA achieved a good blend of softness and stability, and as expected from any PEBA foam, it delivers exceptional energy return. Our durometer reading of 16.0 HA places it in the sweet spot—plush but not mushy, ideal for running on easy trails.

We gave the Tecton X 3 a quick 20-minute Spanish-style nap in the freezer (though a real siesta would be longer), and it returned 22% firmer. Not a bad result, but we expected better from a PEBA midsole.

The insole of the Tecton X 3 feels average for a trail shoe but a bit thick for a racer at 4.6 mm.

Coming from HOKA's recent trend of ultra-rockered designs, we feared the same for the Tecton X 3.

But no—this time, they kept it reasonable, avoiding an exaggerated curvature that, in our experience, tends to cause issues on anything but flat terrain when running on trails.

The Tecton X 3 might as well be called the "Walmsley X 3" in the trail running world—designed almost exclusively to fit Jim Walmsley's needs to conquer the most prestigious races. However, we found that it also borrows high-performance features from HOKA's top-tier road racers.

While it retains the signature parallel dual-plate design of its predecessor, Hoka tweaked it with side-stabilizing midsole wings for added balance—just like they did with the Cielo X1. And if you want to spot the shape of each plate, just follow the line where the two foam layers meet.

HOKA has a reputation for crafting narrow shoes, so we turned to our signature gel test to determine whether the Tecton X 3 continues this trend.

After measuring the widest part at just 92.2 mm, we’re convinced that wide-footed runners won’t be racing with this one. Even those with average-width feet will need to embrace a snug fit.

On the bright side, this streamlined design enhances lockdown—especially on descents—keeping the foot securely in place during fast, technical sections.

After the ultra-narrow first measurement, the second one offers a slight improvement for those seeking a bit more toe splay, coming in at 73.1 mm.

Still, we classify this as a narrow shoe—and as a high-end racer, a 2E option was never on the table. It is what it is—either you embrace the snug fit or look elsewhere.

When it comes to toebox height, it’s reasonable.

We measured 26.4 mm, which is close to the average and shouldn’t cause issues on the run. In fact, for a speed-focused shoe, excessive vertical space could be more of a drawback than a benefit.

While the midsole is undoubtedly the standout upgrade in the Tecton X 3, stability also sees a solid improvement. HOKA ensured this version feels more grounded than its predecessors by expanding the landing platform and adding supportive wings to the dual carbon plates, among other tweaks.

Despite packing two carbon plates in parallel instead of one to improve flexibility (think of a single plate just cut in half) we found superior stiffness in the Tecton X 3, and it earned—like most carbon-plated shoes—a max score of 5/5.

In our testing, we found that the Tecton X 3’s heel counter mirrors that of a road supershoe—ultra-minimal and highly-flexible, offering almost no structure or support. It scored a 1/5 in our lab, making it a dream for those craving a race-day feel.

The forefoot is remarkably wide at 117.0 mm—a major shift from HOKA’s other trail racer, the Zinal 2, which prioritizes agility for shorter races. Here, HOKA sacrifices nimbleness for a stability-focused design, making it a better fit for flatter, less technical trails.

In our testing, we found that the ultra-flexible heel counter slightly compromises stability for rearfoot strikers, but HOKA countered this with a notably-wide 96.5 mm heel.

Seems that Jim Walmsley pushed for a trail supershoe with ultra-stable landings to handle the final miles when muscle fatigue takes its toll...

We expected an ultra-stiff result in our bending test—especially since it felt as rigid as steel on the run. And we were right, measuring an immense 44.8N, far beyond the average stiffness for trail racers.

For us, the biggest downside of v3 is weight. Despite switching from EVA to PEBA, HOKA couldn’t manage to shed any grams—in fact, it’s heavier. It jumps from 9.05 oz (257g) to 9.7 oz (275g).

Likely not a deal-breaker for anyone, but definitely a step back.

One of the standout features of the Tecton X 3 is its MATRYX upper, a material that, on paper, blends durability and breathability in a way few others can. Naturally, we put it to the test here in the lab to see if it lives up to the hype.

Hooking up our smoke machine, we measured airflow and found it offers decent ventilation, earning a 3/5 rating. While this might fall short for road racers, it’s actually good for a rugged trail shoe, where protection clearly take priority over maximum airflow.

Shining a light through the upper, we uncovered its carefully engineered design. Thin MATRYX sections balance breathability, while substantial TPU reinforcements ensure longevity. In our view, HOKA could have pushed this upper to a 4/5 or even a 5/5 by reducing protective layers, but we believe that trade-off wouldn’t be ideal.

We were pleased to discover that the insole is perforated—a small yet essential detail at this premium price point, but one that not all brands bother to include.

A closer look under our microscope revealed that there are no dedicated ventilation holes. 

Instead, air escapes through minuscule gaps between the tightly woven fibers. This construction boosts durability while still allowing for some airflow, even if it’s not the most breathable option.

That said, MATRYX is a premium-and-pricey material, and HOKA didn’t just use it—they made sure it stands out. Oh, and it’s water-repellent, a huge bonus for runners tackling wet or unpredictable race conditions.

As we mentioned, MATRYX is designed to strike a balance between breathability and durability—and based on our findings, it delivers. When we put the upper through our Dremel test, it scored an impressive 4/5, a standout result for any running shoe.

The heel padding performed reasonably well, securing a 3/5—far from exceptional but certainly sufficient for this shoe. With its race-ready design, we don’t anticipate runners wearing this area out too quickly.

What we really love about the HOKA Tecton X 3 is its premium-quality materials from top to bottom, and the outsole is no exception.

Instead of a generic rubber compound, we found the iconic Vibram logo—signaling best-in-class grip and long-lasting durability with its Megagrip Litebase rubber.

In terms of traction, we found it quite solid, with increased outsole coverage compared to its predecessor. However, HOKA retained several cutouts to shave off as much weight as possible. As expected, hardness is on the higher end, measuring 88.0 HC in our lab tests.

When it comes to durability, Vibram consistently delivers, and our test confirmed it once again. We measured just 0.5 mm of wear—an outstanding result.

Based on our findings, any durability concerns would likely arise only in the exposed foam areas.

The outsole is thicker than we anticipated for a racer, measuring 2.0 mm. HOKA might consider shaving it down slightly in the Tecton X 4 to trim some weight.

The lugs are well-suited for most ultra-race environments, offering 4.0 mm of depth, which makes the Tecton X 3 a reliable option for easy and moderately technical terrain. This setup balances grip and efficiency without adding unnecessary weight.

We discovered that HOKA made slight design tweaks to the lugs, incorporating an asymmetric chevron shape along with Vibram’s "Traction Lug" technology. This includes textured edges that enhance grip even further, improving traction beyond what we experienced in previous iterations.

This ranks among the most expensive trail shoes ever, and for many runners, price alone might be a dealbreaker. We agree, it’s freaking steep, but it’s also a true supershoe, packed with world-class materials from top to bottom. So while the cost hurts, we can’t call it unfair.

We would’ve loved to see some reflective details on the upper—especially for ultra races with night segments—but Hoka had other plans.

The lacing system gets the job done, though purists who favor traditional punched eyelets may not love the full lace-loop design. Since there’s no option for a runner’s knot, some might worry about lockdown—but with the snug, one-piece upper, we found it unnecessary.

Designed for peak performance, we expected a featherlight tongue, and here it is. At just 1.5 mm thick, it's really pushing the limits of comfort. For this reason, we advise caution when tightening the laces to avoid unwanted pressure on the instep.

The Tecton X 3’s tongue features a wonderful sock-like design that shields the interior from debris while ensuring a secure fit. This is exactly the kind of detail we expect in a high-end trail racer!

Ankle gaiters are often an extra add-on for trail shoes, but Hoka took a bold step with the Tecton X 3, integrating a super-high ankle gaiter—an huge shift from the Tecton X 2’s minimalist approach in this area.

Thanks to this built-in gaiter, we found that debris has almost no chance of sneaking into the shoe. However, those who dislike a sock-like, enclosed fit may need to look elsewhere for a more traditional trail racer like the Nike Ultrafly.

Hoka went all-in with this shoe, even incorporating Durapontex foam for the insole—undoubtedly contributing to the Tecton X 3’s retail price. However, if you prefer a more traditional insole without the flared heel, this one is fully removable.