![]() As I described in my Torrent 2 review, the ProFly midsole is quick, responsive, firm and I find that the cushioning, while not pillowy, is very comfortable and compliant for long runs without feeling beat up, offering more than the 23/18 stack would suggest. ![]() Jeff V: The midsole remains unchanged from the second version. What it does deliver is a stable, lower-profile platform with just enough material between your foot and the ground to allow for a nimble ride and just enough protection to tackle a variety of trail surfaces and feel confident doing so. Shannon: If you’re looking for the uber-plush ride that’s typical of Hoka, this midsole doesn’t deliver that feel. This shoe feels great on soft ground, but can feel under-cushioned on rocky trails, and definitely harsh on pavement. But the trade-off is that there’s not much cushioning. The lower stack height (23/18 mm in men’s, 21/16 mm in women’s) and snug upper make the shoe nicely stable. the 3 in a side by side test, I honestly cannot detect a difference between the two, though the 3 might have just a smidge more room in the forefoot and a touch more ceiling height.ĭom: Compared to most Hoka shoes, there’s a lot less midsole here. The toe bumper has changed slightly as well, to be a bit more pared down and less of a full wrap rand, but this is unnoticeable and offers the same protection, though may not offer as much water protection.įit is true to size and the security is very good, enough to hold my feet generally well in technical terrain, though I do feel a bit of movement when pressing hard on the steeps/off camber terrain. However it is manageable with a predictable feel and strikes a good balance between comfort and control. Hoka claims to have stripped back the upper to improve breathability and while I do find the 3rd version to be a little more breathable, the upper is not lighter or more minimal than the previous version (both are somewhat beefy uppers for the relative faster/lighter intent of the Torrent).Ībove Torrent 2 left, Torrent 3 right, you can see the more open ventilation in the toe box. Out of the box the Torrent 3 looks very familiar and feels very similar upon step in and lace up. Jeff V: I have run in all 3 versions of the Torrent and the Torrent 3 carries on the torch respectfully with just a very minor update to the upper and an update to the outsole compound to “improve grip on uneven terrain”. The shoe’s interior has ample space and is very accommodating, but accomplishes that without feeling boxy or sloppy. Lastly, I have finally learned to drop down a half a size in Hoka at this point, and while I am normally a women’s 8, my 7.5’s were a perfect fit. The outsole, midsole, and overall profile of the shoe wasn’t much different from the original Torrent that I ran so many miles in, so needless to say I was already excited. Upon unboxing my pair, I will say that although I’m not one to be picky about color, Hoka sure knows how to make a fun looking shoe and you could see these coming from a mile away. I was thrilled with the opportunity to try version 3, and could only hope that Hoka didn’t veer too far off of what made the original Torrent so great: a lower profile, versatile, lightweight yet protective ride without a lot of bells and whistles that handled a variety of trail surfaces with ease. Shannon: I have not run in the Torrent since the original, and it was a most excellent trail shoe and has remained one of my favorites. The forefoot is a little narrower than I expected, but in keeping with the Challenger last. Women’s 21 mm heel / 16 mm forefoot (5mm drop)ĭom: Recent shoes from Hoka (Tecton-X, Challenger 7) have used a thin, but tough mesh upper, so it was a surprise to me that Torrent 3 has a multilayer, foam-filled upper, which seems more at home in a ‘comfort’ shoe. Men’s 23 mm heel / 18 mm forefoot ( 5 mm drop) ![]() Shannon, JeffĪccommodating fit that allows for plenty of room without feeling boxy. Versatility in terms of both technical and more tame terrain. Lower stack makes the shoe nicely stable. The Torrent is best suited to shorter distances on trail, and performs best on softer ground. Compared to their signature trail running offerings (like the Speedgoat 5, with 28 mm of cushion in the forefoot), the Torrent has a much more svelte 18 mm of stack up front. Article by Dom Layfield, Shannon Payne and Jeff Valliereĭom: The Torrent is something of an outlier for Hoka, a brand inevitably associated with ‘maximalist’, super-cushioned footwear.
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