Yale, I noticed the low profile of the lugs and toe didn’t catch on large rocks. On steep downhills, my toes never slid down into the front of the shoe and never caught on the upper above them. Yet the angle of the toebox isn’t as severe and didn’t pinch big or small toes. It also has a roomy volume. The toebox feels (and looks) slimmer than most HOKAs, though not as tight as recent Speedgoats. When landing on our forefoots, this shoe proved very responsive. It’s just enough stack to allow for the Profly midsole to absorb and rebound impact under the toes, and then put more cushion under the heel. The fit and shape of the forefoot make these nimble on flats and climbs, while the fatter heel provides a cushioned ride on downhills. Stacking just 18 mm under the toe, the Torrent 2 is one of HOKA’s lowest-riding shoes. We kicked up plenty of dust and the occasional loose rock before deciding these are best for running fast on tidier trails. They’re still there, but now they blend in with the upper’s aesthetics. Another style change is the removal of the first Torrent’s angular protrusions from the sole’s sidewalls. Gone are the design callouts of the original’s TPU overlays. In testing, these felt more grippy in corners and on uneven terrain. The sole has realigned multidirectional lugs in the middle, with slightly larger, angled lugs around the edges. In this version, the fit is more narrow and streamlined ( compared to other HOKAs), and the laces lock down the fit with the upper’s overlays. In its first iteration, the Torrent received criticism for the fit of its upper. HOKA changed to Unifi REPREVE (recycled) polyester in the mesh upper, which is thin and seamless. Perhaps that’s why it’s been a minute since the debut. We liked the original Torrent and so did plenty of other runners. See the men’s Torrent 2 See the women’s Torrent 2 This update to a HOKA classic is worth it given the blend of comfort and function. In short: Prioritizing responsiveness over padding in the toes gives the shoe more bite, especially uphill, and the more HOKA-like heel minimizes missteps on rocks or roots. Throughout all these terrains, the slimmer profile felt like a speedier trail shoe that still offered ample protection around, and especially under, the foot.

And we tossed in a long hike with the occasional jog on flatter portions.

We took the Torrent 2 around the neighborhood hardpack and dirt as well as into the mountains with rockier, looser trails. Grippy uphill and forgiving downhill, the Torrent just got its first update in 2 years. It fits differently but continues to be the brand’s most responsive off-road option we’ve tested so far. And it maintains its role as HOKA ONE ONE’s race-ready trail shoe.

The Torrent 2 is a crisp, snappy update to the original. Home » Footwear » HOKA ONE ONE Torrent 2 Trail Shoe Review: Nimble, Plush Upgrade to Race-Day Favorite

Oregon trail 2 torrent