Hoka Zinal 2
Buy Hoka Zinal 2 at today's best price (men's/women's)
4 minute read
Overview
The Hoka Zinal 2 is a trail running shoe designed for those seeking a lighter, more responsive option for their trail runs and races. While Hoka is known for its super-cushioned shoes, the Zinal 2 takes a different approach, offering moderate levels of cushioning. This makes it an ideal choice for those who want to move quickly and lightly on the trails.
Key features:
- Light and Responsive: The Zinal 2 is crafted with a focus on providing a lightweight and responsive experience, making it an ideal choice for faster efforts and trail races.
- Reduced Stack Height: With a 2mm reduction in stack height, this shoe offers a closer-to-the-ground feel, promoting enhanced ground contact and control.
- Aggressive Traction: Taller lugs on the outsole deliver an aggressive and toothy grip underfoot, ensuring reliable traction on a variety of trail terrains.
- Stretch-Knit Collar: The shoe's design incorporates a stretch-knit collar, which not only enhances comfort but also serves to keep trail debris at bay, ensuring a cleaner and more enjoyable run.
- Vibram® Megagrip: The outsole is equipped with Vibram® Megagrip technology, which includes Lightbase and Traction Lug features. This combination provides top-notch grip and stability on the trails, allowing you to confidently tackle diverse surfaces.
Overall, the Hoka Zinal 2 offers a nimble yet aggressive package, making it suitable for short-distance racing on the trails. Its focus on lightness, responsiveness, and enhanced grip makes it a compelling choice for trail runners looking to maximize their performance.
With an average review score of 73%, it's in the lowest rated 10% of similar running shoes. Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently in the most expensive 30% of running shoes today.
Verdict
The consensus on the Hoka Zinal 2
The Hoka Zinal 2 is a trail running shoe that shines when it comes to speed. Its lightweight design and low stack height make it a top choice for runners seeking a fast, agile shoe for off-road running. The shoe's Vibram Megagrip outsole ensures solid traction, even on challenging terrains. However, the shoe's narrow fit may not be suitable for everyone, and its upper durability could be improved. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Zinal 2 offers a race-ready fit and handles technical trails well. From our perspective, the Hoka Zinal 2 is a solid choice for runners seeking a lightweight, fast trail shoe.
Updates to Hoka Zinal 2
Compared to its predecessor, the Hoka Zinal, the Zinal 2 is lighter and faster, with a more performance-oriented design. The shoe's upper has been updated to provide a more secure and comfortable fit.
Comparable Shoes
Compared to the Hoka Zinal, the Zinal 2 is lighter and faster, with a more performance-oriented design.
When compared to the Hoka Torrent, the Zinal 2 is faster and more performance-oriented, while the Torrent is more versatile and better for daily runs.
The Saucony Peregrine 13 is more protective for longer distances, while the Zinal 2 is faster and lighter.
9 Hoka Zinal 2 Pros & Cons
6 Pros
3 Cons
In Depth
Upper
The upper of the Hoka Zinal 2 is made of mesh, offering excellent breathability. It fits snugly and runs long in the toe box, providing a secure fit. However, some reviewers have raised concerns about the upper's durability, especially for those who frequently run on rocky trails.
Midsole
The midsole of the Zinal 2 is made of CMEVA foam, which is softer than expected. This contributes to the shoe's lightweight and nimble performance on both rocky and groomed trails. However, some runners may find the midsole not ideal for longer runs due to its firmness.
Outsole
The outsole of the Zinal 2 features Vibram Megagrip technology, providing outstanding grip on various surfaces. This makes the shoe a reliable choice for trail running, even on challenging terrains.
Size/fit
The Zinal 2 has a narrow toe box, making it suitable for runners with medium or narrow feet. However, those with wide feet may find the fit too snug.
Comfort
Despite its lightweight design, the Zinal 2 does not compromise on comfort. The shoe's sock-like upper and ankle gaiter contribute to its comfortable fit. However, the shoe's thin upper may require caution on rocky trails.
Who should buy the Hoka Zinal 2?
The Hoka Zinal 2 is an excellent choice for Hoka enthusiasts looking for a fast shoe for speed workouts or races. It's also a great option for trail runners who prefer a lightweight design with a sock-like upper. The shoe is particularly suitable for those with narrow feet.
Who should not buy the Hoka Zinal 2?
The Zinal 2 may not be the best choice for runners with wide feet due to its narrow fit. Additionally, runners planning for ultras or longer races may want to consider other options as the shoe's midsole may not provide sufficient cushioning for such distances.
Hoka Zinal 2: What's it good for?
The Hoka Zinal 2 is good for short-distance trail running and speed workouts. Its lightweight design and agile performance make it a top choice for runners seeking speed and responsiveness on the trails.
4 Hoka Zinal 2 FAQs
Is the Hoka Zinal 2 suitable for long-distance running?
The Hoka Zinal 2 is primarily designed for speed and agility, making it ideal for short-distance trail running and speed workouts. However, some runners may find the shoe's midsole not ideal for longer runs due to its firmness.
How does the Hoka Zinal 2 fit?
The Zinal 2 has a narrow fit, making it suitable for runners with medium or narrow feet. However, those with wide feet may find the fit too snug.
What is the main feature of the Hoka Zinal 2?
The standout feature of the Hoka Zinal 2 is its Vibram Megagrip outsole, which provides exceptional traction on various surfaces.
Is the Hoka Zinal 2 breathable?
Yes, the Hoka Zinal 2 features a breathable mesh upper, providing excellent ventilation during runs.
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| bestDeal | Show prices | |||||
| priceBand | Price band | |||||
| released | ReleasedJul 2023 | Dec 2022 | Aug 2023 | Apr 2017 | Aug 2017 | |
| expertReviewScore | Expert Review Score | |||||
| Weight | WeightM: 227 g W: 190 g | M: 366 g W: 306 g | 326 g | M: 210 g W: 181 g | 340 g | |
| Forefoot | Forefoot25 mm | M: 37 mm W: 35 mm | 7 mm | 22 mm | ||
| Heel to toe drop | Heel to toe drop5 mm | 10 mm | 5 mm | 10 mm | ||
| Heel | Heel30 mm | M: 42 mm W: 40 mm | 7 mm | 32 mm | ||
| Brand | BrandHoka | Salomon | Hoka | New Balance | Xero Shoes | adidas |
| Pronation Type | Pronation Type | Neutral pronation | Neutral pronation | Neutral pronation | ||
| Strike Type | Strike TypeFore/Midfoot strike | Fore/Midfoot strikeHeel strike | Fore/Midfoot strike | Heel strike | ||
| Arch Type | Arch Type | High arch | High arch | High arch | ||
| Shoe Type | Shoe TypeBreathableLightweightMaximalist | BreathableComfortableMaximalist | BreathableComfortableMaximalist | LightweightLow dropZero drop | Maximalist | |
| Breathable | Breathable | |||||
| Orthotic friendly | Orthotic friendly | |||||
| Removable insole | Removable insole | |||||
| Rocker | Rocker | |||||
| Techs | TechsVibram Megagrip | Gore-Tex | adidas Ultraboost | |||
| Waterproofings | Waterproofings | Waterproof | Water repellent | |||
| Environmental Characteristics | Environmental Characteristics | Vegan Ⓥ | ||||
Common characteristicsTrailNeutral |
- Jul 2023
- Jul 2021
