Price: From R1780
Type: Trail
Weight: 263g (M), 218g (W)
The Right Shoe For: Trail races and all-terrain speed

The folks at Hoka One One worked a little mid-sole magic in the Torrent – a trail shoe that offers the brand’s hallmark thick sole, but feels surprisingly lightweight and nimble. The mystery unravels in the foam, which pairs a well-cushioned heel with a firmer forefoot, allowing you to land softly, then blast off quickly. And thanks to its relatively firm ride (for a Hoka), the Torrent does it well enough to not just run the trails, but race ‘em too.

The Torrent even made a few converts out of our testers who were long-time Speedgoat fans. While the two shoes have similar offerings, the Torrent feels racier on foot and is nearly a full ounce lighter, according to our data from the RW Shoe Lab. Plus, the Torrent scales back the cushioning just enough for a more responsive ride you’ll want to take to the start line. A slimmed down profile will also position your foot closer to the ground than the Speedgoat.

“The Speedgoats were a bit too bulky and heavy for me, but the Torrent has the perfect amount of traction and cushion,” one tester said. “I will be purchasing another pair of these Torrents for my upcoming race!” Our recommendation? For a shoe that rolls you through your daily runs, pick the Speedgoat, and for a racer that snaps you forward on tempo days, grab the Torrent.

Go-Fast Foam

Hoka uses a layer of bouncy foam called Profly in the Torrent’s midsole. The material is softer at the heel to dampen shock when you land, but feels firmer through the forefoot to propel you forward as you toe off the ground. While the Torrent has slightly less foam than other Hoka models – which helps make it feel more responsive – it’s still a moderately cushioned shoe overall. But if you’re expecting a squishy, spongy feeling, you’ll be surprised. The shoe’s ride is soft, but snappy. Runners who want a neutral trail pick with plush cushioning should opt for the Stinson ATR 4.

Powerful Lug Design

The Torrent’s outsole is a geometry lesson in itself, offering lugs in a variety of shapes for the most traction. The aggressive design pairs square pegs at the heel with a slanted, angular tread at the forefoot to help you dig into gravel without slipping. All of our wear-testers gave the shoe’s grip a top score, and some even called it the Torrent’s best feature. “Excellent traction, especially on slick, rocky terrain,” one tested confirmed. “I have taken them through many creek crossings and through lots of technical trails without slipping.”

Breathable Mesh and No-Slip Tongue

Hoka uses engineered mesh in the Torrent’s upper, which means you get a nice mix of tight and loose weaves for a better all-over fit. Snug-fitting mesh through the midfoot kept our testers firmly locked in on twisty switchbacks, while a more relaxed fit in the toe box prevented toe jamming on steep descents. Combined with a sturdy TPU overlay that wraps around the shoe just above the midsole and a powerful toe bumper, the Torrent packs 360-degree protection with negligible weight.

Testers also noted an improved fit in the shoe’s upper. In other Hoka models, some runners disliked that the tongue could slide out of place. The Torrent solves the issue with a tongue that connects seamlessly to the midfoot interior for a no-slip, sock-like fit. Paired with the shoe’s airy mesh, this simplified design also makes the Torrent more lightweight and breathable.

All the Stats You Need!

Men’s

Weight: Light | 263g
Heel-To-Toe-Drop: Low | 6.6 mm
Heel Height: Low | 30.5 mm
Heel Cushioning: Moderate
Forefoot Height: Low | 23.9 mm
Forefoot Cushioning: Soft
Flexibility: Stiff
Stability Features: Moderate
Energy Return: Moderate

Women’s

Weight: Light | 218g
Heel-To-Toe-Drop: Low | 6.5 mm
Heel Height: Low | 29.2 mm
Heel Cushioning: Moderate
Forefoot Height: Moderate | 22.7 mm
Forefoot Cushioning: Soft
Flexibility: Very Stiff
Stability Features: Moderate
Energy Return: Moderate

We put each shoe through real-world usage and a battery of mechanical tests in our lab to provide you with objective – and exclusive – data. In addition to a shoe’s weight, we measure sole thickness (everything that sits between your foot and the road), how well the foam cushions your stride, and the flexibility of the forefoot. All this is taken into account in our reviews of each shoe.

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