Another ridiculous day out on the trails in winter in South Africa where it feels like a European summer’s day. I’m on a rocky trail as a bigger unit, weighing 90 odd kg's, and I’ve long been in search of a trail shoe that provides both comfort and performance on technical trails.
From my very first run out of the box, starting on paved roads to reach the trail, then into the mountain's steep rocky sections and streams, I have been pleasantly surprised by the Hoka Torrent 2 trail shoe.
In Hoka's relatively fast rise to the top echelons of running technology, leapfrogging many competitors in premium race shoe counts, this innovative game changing brand has been recognised for plushly cushioned, impact reducing, long range comfort.
Trail running requires a lot more from a shoe than road running. In the early days, the harder trail shoes that were tough enough for rocks but usually too stiff and they hurt your feet causing blisters. Trail running and shoe technology is now booming globally. Shoes are now required to
be agile around constant hazards like rocks and roots, plus cushioned enough to protect your feet against jarring over rocky terrain, grippy enough to avoid slipping over haphazardly angled and often wet or moss covered boulders, as well as water & toe stone resistant - all in the same shoe!
Yes that's rough criteria - well want soft, comfy shoes for the road to and from the trails with pliable but tear-resistant uppers and wicked grip and I’ve got to say, these ticks all those boxes for me. Most notably because, as a big clumsy guy, I don’t want an overly cushioned shoe that’s going to make me even more likely to catch on ruts or roots, I'd prefer something lightweight and nimble and this is where these guys have really nailed it.
The size 10.5 shoe with good toe box space weighs
only 279 grams plus its got a wicked outer sole. The midsole is soft and cushioned without clumsy volume. The great rubberised midsole/upper protective layer does a great job keeping my feet dry through puddles and shallow rocky rivers which are abundant in winter. You’d expect more weight from a shoe like this.
Cool colour, light-weight, nimble trail shoe for a guy like me = spot on! Admittedly this review is only 8km into my first trail run in them, I took them out of the box this morning but have zero complaints so far. How they hold up after a few hundred kays remains to be seen, but at R2500 they seem to be excellent value.
- Paul
