HOKA Tecton X 4 实测：平行碳板与 Matryx Micro 鞋面更新

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The Hoka Tecton X 4 ($275), launched in August 2026, is the latest version in the Tecton X family. This maximally cushioned trail running and racing shoe features parallel carbon plates, a knit ankle gaiter, and a grippy Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole. New for Tecton X 4 are updates to its lacing system, the Matryx upper material, and its carbon plate structure.

I’ve run in each of the four primary versions of the Tecton X, and though I initially rolled my eyes at the addition of the knit gaiter to the third iteration, I continue to love running in this shoe. It’s light and bouncy, yet stable and secure on technical trails. If you’ve enjoyed this shoe line in the past, and especially if you loved the Hoka Tecton X 3 (review), you’ll likely be pleased with this one as well. It’s a pricey investment, but it’s one of the best trail and ultra racing shoes currently available, and it’s just plain fun to wear.

The Hoka Tecton X 4 has an actual weight of 9.3 ounces (263 grams) in a U.S. men’s size 9. It has a 39-millimeter stack height at the heel in the women’s shoe, and a 40-millimeter stack height in the men’s shoe, with a 5-millimeter heel-to-toe drop. Its 4-millimeter lug depth is unchanged from the previous version.

You can find the Tecton X 4 in both our Best Trail Running Shoes and Best Cushioned Trail Running Shoes guides.

Shop the Women's Hoka Tecton X 4Shop the Men's Hoka Tecton X 4

Hoka Tecton X 4 Upper

The Hoka Tecton X 4 upper features Matryx textiles, as have previous versions of this shoe, but with an update. The new upper incorporates Matryx Micro, which blends high-tenacity and technical yarns, including Kevlar, to create an ultralight and abrasion-resistant material. The Micro version of the material has smaller perforations without compromising on breathability. Additionally, each thread of the woven material is coated in polyurethane (rather than coating the fabric as a whole), which further enhances its breathability while adding strength, structure, and water resistance. Indeed, the material feels thin and porous, but it is also structured and durable.

The heel is slightly stiffer and feels supportive, and a stretchy fabric over the toebox allows the forefoot to flex. The overall fit of the shoe is snug and secure, especially through the midfoot and heel. Thanks to the thin mesh upper, the shoe also drained very quickly after mid-run swims during the heat of summer.

Another minor change to the upper is the lacing system, particularly the addition of a lace-lock eyelet. This second lace hole at the top of the tongue is a common design in running shoes and allows for a lacing option that more securely locks down the heel and prevents slipping. The Tecton X 3 didn’t have a lace-lock eyelet.

The rest of the upper design remains largely unchanged, including the knit ankle gaiter, which was introduced with the Tecton X 3. While the gaiter might alienate some runners, and makes the shoe a little more difficult to put on, it is effective at keeping debris from collecting inside the shoe.

Hoka Tecton X 4 Midsole

The primary change to the Hoka Tecton X 4 midsole comes to the parallel carbon fiber plates, which are sandwiched between two layers of ultralight foam. Hoka has evolved the carbon plate design in each edition of the Tecton X to improve stability and forward propulsion. Once again, the brand fine tuned the plate design for better performance. Perhaps Hoka’s elite athletes could detect subtle differences from this change. I could not, though I have continued to experience a fantastic balance of responsiveness and stability in this latest version.

This is a highly cushioned shoe, with 39 millimeters of heel stack height in the women’s shoe and 40 millimeters in the men’s. The stack height and five-millimeter heel-to-toe drop are unchanged from the Tecton X 3. The dual-layer PEBA midsole foam is exceptionally lightweight and bouncy, with a high energy return and responsive feel. This thermoplastic polymer compound is found in many road and trail running super shoes. It’s fancy, and it’s part of what drives up the cost of these shoes. Although this type of foam is potentially less durable than traditional EVA midsole foam, I put more than 340 miles on the Tecton X 3 before I began to notice a decline in the shoe’s responsiveness. With nearly 100 miles on the Tecton X 4, the shoe still looks and feels new, and it’s my go-to for daily runs and workouts.

Hoka Tecton X 4 Outsole

The Hoka Tecton X 4 outsole did not receive significant updates from the previous version. It incorporates a Vibram Megagrip compound, which is known for durability and providing excellent traction on loose dirt, talus, wet rocks, and muddy trails — without being too heavy thanks to its Litebase construction. Additionally, the 4-millimeter lugs feature Vibram Traction Lug technology, which uses tiny bumps around each lug to increase surface area and improve grip.

My experience with past and current Tecton X running shoes is that they perform very well on just about any surface. I often run from my house, transitioning from asphalt to gravel to dirt, and the outsole never feels clunky or sticky. My favorite trails frequently involve steep, technical sections with loose rock, scree, water crossings, and patches of snow. This summer was very hot, and many of my daily runs involved at least one dunk in the river. The Tecton X 4 performed well enough in all of these conditions that I never really gave my footing much thought.

Hoka Tecton X 4 Overall Impressions

The Hoka Tecton X 4 is one of the most enjoyable shoes I’ve run in this year. Although it’s designed for racing or running fast over technical mountain trails, and it’s a worthy investment for these purposes, it’s also a great shoe for everyday running on any surface. This is a comfortable, highly cushioned, and lightweight shoe that makes running feel effortless. Its nimble responsiveness and bouncy energy return make it very fun on steep, rocky trails. Its secure midfoot lockdown and reliable traction boost confidence and make you want to push the pace on any type of trail, yet it’s a great option for easy days and recovery runs, too.

At the same time, not every runner wants so much cushion underfoot, and the trade-off is that you can’t feel the ground as much as you would in a lower stack shoe. Additionally, the ankle gaiter will deter some runners, and those with a high instep may get frustrated while tugging this shoe on. Finally, the Tecton X 4 is expensive for an everyday running shoe, and it’s truly overkill for your daily neighborhood loop. That said, if your running goals include ultra distances in the mountains, this shoe will work well for all of your training miles and your race or other objective.

Shop the Women's Hoka Tecton X 4Shop the Men's Hoka Tecton X 4

Call for Comments

• Have you run in the Hoka Tecton X 4 or any of its predecessors? What did you think?
• What’s your favorite trail running shoe?

Our Favorite Trail Running Shoes

Check out our Best Trail Running Shoes article to learn about our current favorite trail running shoes!

Hoka Tecton X 4 Review by Alli Miles.