Jeff V / Canice: The Razor Trail is a bit of an anomaly, with significantly more foam underfoot AND weighing a half ounce less in my size 10. The Bottom Line. The heel collar is low, well padded and semi flexible, but provides very good stability and security with no heel lift. FRContactDisclaimerCookie PolicyPrivacy Statement. for a US M9.0 (241 g)/ 7 oz. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign up today. Salomon and inov-8 have stepped into the maximal cushion game with both the Ultra Glide and the TrailFly Ultra G 300. The Hoka Zinal sits somewhere in the middle - somewhat of a hybrid that contains elements clearly pinched from racy road running shoes but fusing them with just enough off-road performance to ensure the wearer isn't sliding around like Bambi on ice. Jeff V: The Zinal is a hit, a rocket of a race shoe with very good response, a lightweight, agile and nimble feel, great protection underfoot, stability, excellent traction and a very secure fitting race like comfortable upper. I would hesitate to label it as a West Coast trail shoe, because I do think that it can handle the majority of what we can throw its way here out East. This makes for a slightly more reactive ride with a little bit of protection and a moderate amount of ground feel. The Zinals could be compared with Hokas Stinson, which also has a lower stack height than other Hokas. There is just enough added padding around the heel to help lock things in, and HOKA stuck with the super-thin tongue used on the Mach 4. Sam: Any shoe daring to name itself Zinal sets the bar high. All rights reserved. Grip was flawless everywhere even on tight steep switchbacks and descents. It has good breathability and excellent flexibility. He regularly competes in Expedition Length Adventure races with his longest race to date 600 miles as well as in traditional road races and triathlons. Sam: I agree with Jeffs assessment of ideal terrains for each above. heavier in my size 10 and has significantly more stack height and cushioning. The shoe sits wide and low to the ground (for HOKA, anyway). ROBBE: This is a really fun shoe, and probably my overall favorite HOKA trail shoe Ive run in. I put this on and my first thought was, Ill be darned, the Speedgoat and the Torrent made a baby and its THIS! Its light, yet has ample cushion and a springy feel. Save Hokas Speedgoat for those more rugged routes, and lace up the Zinal when you want to hit hard tempos off-road. Jeff has described the upper in great detail and I agree with his assessment. Dan,Regarding the Speed Instinct 2: the Speed Instinct would more directly compare to the Torrent, which has more mid-sole, more tread and more weight. Trying them on the day before the Ragnar Relay I was a perfect true to size with a very forgiving forefoot from the almost entirely unstructured upper with a gusset tongue, softer but quite extensive toe bumper and not totally rigid heel counter to hold the foot in place. The Speedgoat has a 5mm lug compared to a 4mm lug on Zinal. The more minimal nature and the smaller lugs allowed for a quick turnover and some fast miles when the trails opened up for longer stretches. And then you figure in the outsole into that weight and clearly the foams here are not the old stuff from Hoka. The higher stack and narrow heel landing keep the Flight on smooth and flatter terrain while the Zinal can go there and anywhere else. Ill always respect a companys commitment to being environmentally friendly. By eliminating these features that can weigh down a shoe, Hoka launched a lightweight, no-fuss trainer meant for speed and agility. The upper has a toe bumper as well as a gusseted tongue, which is designed to block out debris on loose ground. I think in that situation I would go back to one of the Adidas Ultra Speeds or Skechers Razor TRL. Since we're talking race day shoe - how does this compare to the Pulsar? The forefoot of the shoe is moderately stiff fore/aft with a long bend to the notable flex point across the very center of the shoe, yet lateral flexibility is good for contouring over rocks and terrain underfoot, with good trail feel. Testers note that the Hoka Zinal is durable enough to handle most impacts despite the lower stack height. Thethin mesh upperof the Zinal features threads coming fromrecycled materials. The extra foam in the midsole sort of smooths over some of the smaller rocks and roots, and made me more comfortable and feel faster.. Jeff V: The Zinal features a Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole with 4mm lugs, with the lugs covering 3 lengthwise strips over the forefoot and a horseshoe shaped U around the perimeter of the heel. . I grab my pair when my road-beaten legs are still spry for speedwork. I practically arm-wrestled with the Zinal to get a promising fit. The Hoka Torrent has been my second favorite trail shoe of all-time (the first iteration of the Salomon Slab Sense Ultra sits in that number one spot). RoadTrailRun receives a commission on purchases at the stores below. HOKA is marketing the Zinal as a lightweight trail shoe, geared towards speed and nimbleness. The RW Takeaway: The Zinal is for clocking fast-paced, short-distance runs on groomed trails. On one hand, I dont want it to be so wildly successful that its a Torrent-killer, but on the other hand I sort of want it to be even more amazing. The guys describe the upper well. The Hoka Tecton X is a lightweight, fast, and flexible trail running shoe for runners looking for ultra-performance on relatively dry and smooth terrain. I have concerns about how more challenging elements would wear down the structure of the shoe rapidly. These will release in July 2021 for $160. TAYLOR: The first half of 2021 has seen many brands in the trail game really branch out from their typical identities. Hoka did a great job of striking a Goldilocks balance here between those two things. Best use Best Use Learn More All Around All Around Fast Runs Fast Runs Surface Surface Learn More Rocky & Technical Trails Rocky & Technical Trails Any comparison to the Speed Instinct 2? A durable Vibram Megagrip outsole with 4mm lugs adds trustworthy traction, and a simple mesh upper with a gusseted tongue helps keep debris out. The Tecton X absorbs shock better for long distances like ultras, while the Zinal is barer. When testing this shoe, testers raved about theresponsive and energetic rideof the Hoka One One Zinal. Jeff V/Sam: Lightweight, responsive, protective underfoot, well cushioned, secure fit, stability, traction, Canice: Lightweight, great cushioning and very comfortable. Every Thursday at 6:30 PM. The Zinal is impressively light, yet simultaneously has a substantial and high quality feel that suggests a fast, yet robust shoe that will not require delicate prancing or cautious line picking. The Zinals have a soft upper midsole layer while a firmer lower layer balances rebound, protection and stability. What everyone else said! The Zinal is impressively light, yet simultaneously has a substantial and high quality feel that suggests a fast, yet robust shoe that will not require delicate prancing or cautious line picking. Canice: Jeff really nails the Zinal in his description above. This versatile shoe provides a nimble, low-to-the-ground feel that is wonderfully balanced from top to bottom. The ProFly midsole comes with a slightly firmer rubberized foam. Note that this model is not waterproof, but its mesh dries relatively quickly. I cant recall a trail shoe this light which delivers so much just right cushion and stability. Bare-minimum trail features feel just right on this lightweight and sleek trainer. PS. Ideally, a runner will wear them for a midweek training run, perhaps a speed workout, and races up to a half marathon. / 258 grams (US10), 8.73 oz / 247g (US10), Stack Height: 22 heel / 18 forefoot (4mm drop). But hey its a fast trail shoe, what do you want from it? Its one of the lightest trail shoes that you could slip your feet into. The Zinal felt great in a variety of trail situations, ranging from singletrack to packed dirt fire roads, to crushed stone and gravel paths. We usually consider 10 ounces a "medium" weight for a running shoe: less than 10 and we are entering the lightweight category and above 10 the shoes start to be heavy. Thank you! The protection offered is sufficient for short, and medium-distance runs without compromising the safety of the runners (the toe bumper does help a lot with that!). Sam: I agree with Jeff. The upper was airy and seemingly flimsy. Once again I fully agree with Jeffs assessment. I received my pair after Jeff and Canice and took them right out of the box for the Ragnar Trail Colorado Relay which included 3 courses of between 3.8 and 6.8 miles, with 500 to 1100 feet of gain per loop on smooth Colorado single track and some pavement. I cant recall a trail shoe this light which delivers so much just right cushion and stability. My outsole experience so far has been on the sandy sometimes loose and mostly obstacle free Ragnar course. The Hoka Zinal offers a decent grip on rugged terrain with rocks or sand. Lace up for each leg was once and done. Its hard to find a shoe that can handle all of that terrain with equal fervor, but HOKA believes the Zinal could be the one (obviously). Across various surfaces and, Not recommended for technical terrain like snow and mud, Not ideal for distances longer than half marathon. Not to mention the color way rocks and is visible from a Mile away. Seemingly not structured enough at first look for a trail shoe, the very pliable, thin but at the same time densely woven engineered mesh wraps the foot totally and securely with plenty of room (and even when wearing thicker socks at my true to size). The whole offers a combination of shock absorption, good underfoot protection, and a rebound. The breathable mesh upper made of 100% vegan, recycled materials has a modern woven look with a pattern that indicates structural foot mapping for the highest level of security and comfort. Shannon: Ive got one gripe and its right there with the Clifton 7, Rincon, and the Mach: while I cant speak to the mens version, in the womens sizing drop down a size. It's listed stack height is 26/18 plus sockliner and 2.5mm lugs in a full coverage outsole with a plastic midfoot shank with the Zinal 22/18 plus its sockliner and somewhat higher 4mm lugs in a partial coverage outsole.Both shoes are quite flexible. Its not as secure as a full gaiterI had to tolerate a few stowaway pebbles and empty them out postrun. Washington Road Race, and was 3rd at the 2014 World Mountain Running Long Distance Championship. Now when I see you feel the ground, you really feel the ground. The Hoka Zinal is a great solution for trail runners looking for a fast shoe. I love myself some ground feel and the Zinal has it in spades, especially compared to the king of trail, the HOKA Speedgoat. How does the Hoka zinal compare to the brooks cascadia 16 coming out later this summer? How does the Zinal compare to Kilian Jornets Formula 1? Jeff V: The Zinal is much much lighter, has a far superior upper with better fit and foothold, better traction and feels much more nimble, agile and competent on the trails and especially if they are in any way technical at all. Overall, it is light on foot. Beware, despite good overall shock absorption compared to its cushioning, the Zinal isnt necessarily suitable for long runs such as ultramarathon races. I enjoyed a lot about that shoes except the outsole was miserable in anything other than dry, smooth surfaces. The mid foot hold is spectacular. They are surprisingly confidence inspiring for such a light shoe, especially for timid old me on the downhills, at least on non to semi technical terrain. The sheer lack of mass and trimmed-down midsole lacked all of the textbook characteristics of a HOKA trail shoe. One other small peeve was how difficult it is to put on the Zinal. The Razor however are not as sticky, they wear quite a bit faster and there is a cut out center of the outsole in the Razor that is prone to the occasional zinger in technical terrain, which has not happened yet in the Zinal. The new shoe, launched in the summer of 2021, is light and cushioned, thanks to its combination of Vibram Megagrip Litebase and EVA foam rubber. I really enjoy light shoes but have always been challenged to run in them due to lack of cushioning and protection.
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