Hoka Zinal 2 review

The Hoka Zinal 2 is an ideal trail running shoe for:

• Hoka enthusiasts looking to incorporate a lightning-quick shoe into their trail lineup for speed workouts or races.
• Trail runners who prefer a sock-like upper in a lightweight design and aren't aiming for ultra races.
• Those with narrow feet who often struggle to find comfort in typical trail running shoes.

If you have wide feet, the Zinal 2 is not going to be the best trail shoe for you, despite its appealing lightweight design. It might become uncomfortable just a few miles in or even as soon as you warm up in them. Consider the Saucony Peregrine 13, which we found to offer a lightweight feel paired with a more accommodating upper.

For those eyeing ultras, the Zinal 2 will also fall short. It's tailored for shorter trails and it also lacks a rock plate. For long runs or ultra trails, we are encouraging you to consider cushioned alternatives like the Nike Wildhorse 8 or the New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3.

In our measurements, we clocked 29.8 mm in the heel area. Considering that the Zinal saga is crafted for blazingly fast trail races, there's no need for an excessive amount of foam.

Approaching 30 mm, this height is consistent with the previous version. Moreover, it's a testament to the idea that there's no need to fix what's already been working wonders!

We measured the forefoot and found it to be a tad thinner than we anticipated, registering at 22.6 mm. This thickness isn't a significant concern for short runs. However, it does somewhat limit the Zinal's suitability for longer distances.

The shoe isn't crafted for long-distance purposes, but if someone had hopes of using it for extended workouts or races, we'd advise caution.

The 7.2-mm heel-to-toe drop seems beneficial for nearly everyone, regardless of how your foot strikes the ground during a run. However, this is a noticeable deviation from Hoka's stated 5 mm drop.

Curious about why such discrepancies occur? We've written an article that delves into this topic. In it, we also discuss our commitment to following the official World Athletics guidelines—a standard some brands choose to overlook.

The 2nd-generation Zinal registers a 12.9 HA on our durometer. This makes it significantly softer than the original version, which came in at 20.0 HA. Nonetheless, it's important to keep in mind that the lugs usually mute the cloud-like feel and give a firmer feel in trail shoes.

This shoe also lacks a rock plate and the cushioning isn't very thick. Given these factors, we recommend opting for smoother trails and steering clear of areas with sharp rocks.

Unfortunately, the CMEVA foam doesn't perform well in colder conditions—it becomes significantly firmer.

We placed the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and then re-tested it. Our results showed a concerning 23.3 HA.

This represents an 80.5% increase from our initial measurement and ranks among the most significant changes we've observed in our lab tests. And it's discouraging for a $180 shoe.

Nonetheless, the shoe retains a balanced feel—not leaning towards overly firm. So, if this isn't a major concern for you, it's still a solid pick.

Our measurements show the insole at 4.8 mm. This is pretty standard and does the job well. It doesn't increase the shoe's weight significantly, and it ensures comfort on trail runs—even if we decide to run a bit longer than planned.

Building on the snug-fit theme we discussed just before, the shoe's upper tells a similar tale.

Measuring at 95.4 mm, it's far from wide-foot friendly. Narrow-footed runners will love it, average-footed folks will experience the race-tight sensation, while wide-footed individuals should steer clear of this Hoka.

We measured the area for the big toe and found it to be somewhat more accommodating at 75.7 mm. It's close to the average, but the design still leans toward race day!

Don't count on superior stability. The shoe's lower stack height lends a helping hand, yet with its minimalist design and upper, we found it's tailored for neutral runners.

Hoka made a sensible decision here, with the Zinal 2 scoring a 3/5 in our lab's torsional rigidity test. They avoided making the shoe overly rigid, which could lead to discomfort. Yet, we understand that a high-speed trail shoe shouldn't be too flexible either.

We found that the heel counter is ultra-minimalist—it lacks structure and bends easily. This is precisely what we expect from a shoe of this type, almost as if there isn't a heel counter at all!

We discovered that the Zinal 2 boasts an incredibly narrow platform. Measuring at 106.7 mm, it reminds us of a kart on a track—agile and fast, designed for the quick turns. This design emphasizes speed over stability, which is why we've mentioned its speed-focused construction.

We measured the heel and found that it's designed with the same approach. At just 83.4 mm, it's narrower than most other trail shoes we've seen in the lab.

In our lab, we conducted our classic 90-degree bend test to measure the force required to bend the shoe to this angle.

We found that the Zinal 2 needed less force than usual (17.2N), highlighting its flexibility and design for agility and comfort.

We placed the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and then took another measurement in our lab. We discovered that the stiffness had risen to 29.5N.

The stiffness shot up by 71.4% in colder temperatures. We think this is excessive, and it'll be quite evident during those chilly trail runs.

When it comes to weight, this shoe truly excels.

While the impressive 1st generation Zinal already turned heads with its feather-light 8.4 oz (239g), Hoka has outdone themselves with this release, crafting an out-of-this-world lightweight 7.5 oz (213g) shoe.

In the lab, the moment we got our hands on the Zinal 2, we were amazed by how light it felt. And lightness usually hints at top-notch breathability. So, does this Hoka deliver?

Absolutely! We discovered that the Zinal 2 offers outstanding breathability. While it didn't snag our highest rating, it surpasses many others, proudly earning a 4/5. This score makes it a solid pick for nearly any trail run.

One of the reasons for this impressive breathability is the ultra-thin upper in the toebox and medial area. Out of the +200 running shoes we've tested in the lab, few have an upper as thin as this one. It's so thin, in fact, that light passes through it almost effortlessly.

Under our microscope, we found the real magic. Rather than a traditional upper with ventilation holes, Hoka chose a consistent design with tiny gaps.

These microscopic openings ensure smooth airflow. However, if you look at close-up images, it might not seem that way. But trust us, as you can see in the video below—it's there!

An ultra-thin upper that boasts breathability and durability is akin to a rare gem. With high hopes, we decided to test this with the Dremel, wondering if Hoka had truly delivered.

To our disappointment, the tool easily tore a significant hole in the toebox. This outcome means a score of 1 out of 5 from us.

For those runners who often find holes in the heel padding after some weeks, the Zinal 2 is a solid pick. 

It boasts a commendable 4/5 rating in this test, placing it ahead of most other trail shoes on the market.

When we examined the outsole of the Hoka Zinal 2 in our lab, we were thrilled to discover it features the renowned Vibram Megagrip Litebase rubber—often considered the gold standard for trail shoes.

Consistent with our expectations, we measured the Vibram's composition to be quite hard, registering an 83.6 HC on the durometer.

We gave the Dremel one more go in the lab and discovered that it removed 1.5 mm from the Vibram Megagrip outsole. 

Though the result isn't ideal, it's not too concerning. The test is really hard and the lugs have enough thickness to ensure durability.

We've accurately measured the v2 Zinal's razor-thin outsole and found just 1.1 mm of rubber. Far from an issue—this is precisely what we expect from a lightweight trail racing shoe.

The Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole features Traction Lugs technology with varied patterns and placements for better grip. In the lab, we measured these lugs at 3.7 mm, making them suitable for smooth and easy trails. However, for muddy trails, these lugs may be a little bit short.

Why skip the reflective elements? Every gram counts in the lightweight game!

We measured the tongue area and found it has a maximum thickness of 1.9 mm. While this might seem thin, it's essential to understand that this shoe is all about lightness. 

However, because of the paper-thin tongue area, you could encounter some issues if the laces are tightened excessively. Just keep this in mind in your next race, and you'll be good to go!

In the Zinal 2, we found that the tongue is part of a sock-like upper with ankle gaiter.

This design stops small rocks and debris from getting into the shoe, ensuring nothing interrupts your race. It fits snugly and even contributes to a better heel grip.

A practical finger-loop heel tab is present at the back of the Zinal 2. Considering its sock-like upper and the pliable heel counter, the heel tends to fold easily. This heel tab is a game-changer for us, ensuring smooth foot entry every time.

Even though we were able to remove the insole without any issues since it's not glued down, remember that the Zinal 2 has a notably narrow design. This made it challenging for us to fit many third-party insoles or orthotics inside.