HOKA's 2026 trail running shoe lineup
Athletics Weekly reviews HOKA's winter 2026 trail running shoe range, covering the Tecton X4 racer, Speedgoat 7, Rocket X Trail, and Stinson 8.
Athletics Weekly has reviewed HOKA's winter 2026 lineup of trail running footwear. The range includes four distinct models designed for everything from door-to-trail runs to elite mountain racing.
According to the publication, the Tecton X4 is HOKA's flagship trail racer, priced at £260.00. It is built for winning the world's toughest mountain races like UTMB. The shoe features a dual-layer PEBA foam midsole, parallel carbon plates, and a MetaRocker geometry. The outsole uses a Vibram Megagrip Litebase with Traction Lug technology. Reviewer Paul Freary noted the dual carbon plates provided a stable, propulsive feel on technical terrain. The upper is a new Matryx Micro textile for breathability and secure lockdown. The Tecton X2 and 2.5 were worn by Jim Walmsley for his UTMB victory, a pedigree the X4 aims to continue.
The Versatile Workhorse
The Speedgoat 7 returns as HOKA's do-anything trail shoe, costing £165.00. It features a rebuilt midsole using a new supercritical EVA foam, which Freary found livelier than previous versions. The outsole use Vibram Megagrip with Traction Lug technology, featuring heart-shaped lugs for varied grip. The stack height has increased by 5mm compared to earlier generations. Freary described it as his go-to shoe for mixed, technical terrain where maximum grip and cushioning for long distances are required.
Speed for Smooth Trails
Where the Tecton X4 and Speedgoat are built for technical ground, the Rocket X Trail is a speed shoe for lighter, less technical trails. Priced at £220.00, it uses a gas-infused A-TPU foam, a first for the brand, and an H-shaped, split, parallel carbon fibre plate. The ride is described as fast, agile, springy, and propulsive. The outsole has zonal rubber with 3mm lugs, ideal for gravel, smooth trails, and non-technical terrain. Freary found it perfect for fire roads and rolling gravel, but noted the shallow lugs run out of grip on muddy or steep ground.
Max Cushion for Long Days
The Stinson 8 is HOKA's max-cushion workhorse for long, easy days and road-to-trail versatility, costing £160.00. It features a redesigned midsole with a new soft foam layer paired with an updated H-Frame for stability. The outsole uses all-terrain rubber with 3.5mm lugs. Freary found it delivered a plush, stable ride that performed well from parkland to light trail, making it an excellent choice for big-mileage, mixed-surface running where comfort and stability are priorities.
Key Specifications
The source provides comparable specifications for the four models, which are presented in the table below.
| Model | Price | Weight | Key Midsole/Plate Tech | Stack Height (Heel/Forefoot) | Outsole Lug Depth & Tech |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tecton X4 | £260.00 | 9.7 oz / 275g | Twin Layer PEBA, twin parallel carbon plates | 40mm / 35mm | 4mm, Vibram Megagrip Litebase |
| Speedgoat 7 | £165.00 | 9.7 oz / 275g | Supercritical EVA-based foam | 37mm / 33mm | 5mm, Vibram Megagrip Traction Lugs |
| Rocket X Trail | £220.00 | 9.2 oz / 261g | A-TPU, H-shaped carbon plate | 42mm / 36mm | 3mm |
| Stinson 8 | £160.00 | 11.3 oz / 320g | Soft foam with H-Frame stability layer | 44mm / 39mm | 3.5mm |
Freary's testing indicates the lineup offers a shoe for every type of trail runner, from podium-chasing racers to those seeking comfort on long, mixed-surface runs.
