Leading maximalist running shoe brand — HOKA was founded in the Mont Blanc cultural region of France; you could say it’s a “brand grown out of the mountains.” Its maximalist designs aren’t only seen in everyday city life — they’ve long been deeply connected to the mountains and wild places. Next, let’s take a look at HOKA’s current trail running shoe lineup. First is the TECTON X 3, geared toward elite long-distance racing over mixed terrain. As HOKA’s current trail-racing flagship, Jim Walmsley famously won UTMB wearing a prototype, providing practical validation for the shoe’s commercialization. HOKA signee and current ITRA performance score 932 Meng Guangfu is also a big fan of this model. For rugged, uneven surfaces, this shoe uses parallel dual carbon plates to address stability and features a rocker in the midfoot. Dual-density PEBA foam in the top and bottom layers provides top-level energy return and cushioning. The sand- and debris-resistant “sock” construction — which many brands have only recently adopted — has long been used in this series. Another racing model is the ROCKET X TRAIL, adapted from a road-racing shoe; it’s better suited to short-distance trail racing, and its high stack height raises the skill threshold required to handle it. For both elites and recreational runners, the do-it-all SPEEDGOAT and MAFATE lines are two of HOKA’s trail models that are both hardcore and crossover hits. The current SPEEDGOAT 7 uses higher sidewalls and a wide platform to offer excellent stability, making it well-suited to mid- to short-distance runs across a variety of surfaces. A thick, supercritical EVA midsole ensures sufficient late-race cushioning to carry runners to the finish. The MAFATE 5 relies on up to 44mm of midsole thickness to provide ample cushioning for mid- to long-distance trail runs. It’s particularly suitable for heavier trail runners to reduce joint and muscle stress; even lighter runners will still find it comfortable. The V-shaped lugged outsole with 5mm lugs can handle technical sections with ease. There is no wide-width version, so heavy runners with wide feet should take care when choosing this model. The MAFATE X continues the series’ core focus — “comfort.” The “X” suffix also indicates it includes a carbon plate. Compared with the MAFATE 5, its carbon plate plus dual-density midsole design raises the performance ceiling while preserving the comfortable cushioning needed for long trail runs. It’s more like a “mid-to-long-distance racing shoe” for advancing runners. Overall, HOKA’s “maximalist” philosophy delivers substantial comfort across its models; performance and use cases are broad, with distinctions mostly made along racing — balanced — cushioned lines. But such thick midsoles in trail running won’t be loved by all runners — it’s a matter of personal preference. If you have sufficient ankle strength to handle these “high-center-of-gravity” shoes, give them a try — they might give you a whole new trail-running experience. #HOKA #TrailRunning #TrailRunningShoes #TrailRunningBoom