Details
Brand
Hoka One One
Heel To Toe Drop
4 mm
Breathability
7.7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Racing
Key Features
• RMAT outsole material• PROLite midsole cushioning• NEW lightweight engineered upper material• Stretchy forefoot area for better fit• NEW 3D print for better support• Meta-Rocker geometry• Ortholite liner
Upper
The upper has been revamped quite a bit. The significant changes allow for better ventilation and a much-improved fit. A new engineered upper material covers the wearer’s foot along with a stretchy forefoot area for a bit more flexibility where it’s often most needed. A subtle 3D print on the upper provides a bit of visual interest but also acts to support the wearer. Inside the shoe, the same Ortholite liner as seen in the previous version wicks away moisture and adds a bit of additional comfort.;The heel area also features a new heel tab so wearers can easily remove or slip on the shoe. The new upper material hasn’t just helped to create a better fitting shoe. It has also reduced the overall weight of the Tracer 2. Reviewers were impressed by the improved fit but did comment on the fact that sizing seemed to be a bit different. Despite this small annoyance, users felt the fit was snug without feeling too tight, and the shoe felt like it was part of the foot.
Midsole
The midsole of the Tracer 2 is composed of PROLite midsole cushioning. Compared to other Hoka brand shoes, the Tracer 2’s midsole is a lot thinner, but the amount of padding still feels generous. The shoe is meant to be used for fast running, but it certainly doesn’t sacrifice anything when it comes to impact protection. Wearers were impressed by the superior cushioning and found the midsole padding very lightweight. The shoe also features Meta-Rocker Geometry, which is seen in various Hoka brand shoes. This type of construction promotes a forward footstrike and a smooth transition from heel to toe.
Outsole
The Hoka One One Tracer 2 has an outsole made of RMAT material which provides traction and gives the wearer a nicely padded feel underfoot. Reviewers commented positively on the shoe’s ability to prevent slips on wet ground. The RMAT material does a good job of delivering plenty of traction for running on pavement. The outsole material is also quite resistant and won’t peel off easily.
Breathability
The new engineered mesh upper of the Hoka One One Tracer 2 greatly improves breathability. The material is lighter than before and ventilates a lot better. The upper also just fits better overall. Reviewers felt the shoe fit was a lot more comfortable than with the original Tracer. The material of the upper has a bit more flex to it and wraps the foot snugly without cutting off circulation. Even with the 3D print added for support, wearers found that their feet never felt too hot in the shoe.
Comfort
Reviewers quite liked how comfortable the Hoka One One Tracer 2 felt on the run. The shoe’s midsole is cushiony without being too chunky, so the result is an excellent lightweight ride which reviewers very much enjoyed. The improved fit helps to make the shoe a lot more comfortable than before, too. The combination of a great fit, a smooth ride, and generous cushioning really contribute to improving the overall comfort of the shoe. A stretchier upper material accommodates varied foot shapes, and the inner liner of the shoe helps to keep feet dry while offering a little bit of extra cushion.
Style
What’s the point of having a shoe with a great feel and fit if it doesn’t look good too? Thankfully, the Hoka One One Tracer 2 feels great and looks fabulous. The design is sleek without being too flashy or trendy and features bright color accents for added interest. The women’s version is available in a neon yellow and blue combo and a pink version with orange accents. For men, there is also a neon yellow and blue version available. It should also be noted that the shoe does not feature the same chunky midsole seen in other Hoka brand shoes. Right off the bat, the Hoka One One Tracer 2 looks a bit different than the rest. The midsole is noticeably thinner than one might expect.
Durability
The RMAT outsole of this shoe can handle a fair bit of use. Even with a new, thinner upper material, the shoe is still as resistant as before. Reviewers found the shoe to be quite durable and were happy with its ability to resist wear and tear.
Protection
It’s actually quite surprising that the Tracer 2 protects wearers so well from impact forces. It doesn’t have the chunky midsole of other Hoka brand shoes and is a lot lighter as well. It’s easy to assume that the shoe is a minimally padded option, but it’s definitely not. The midsole cushion is deceivingly absorbent making the shoe a great choice for runners wanting something speedy who don’t want to sacrifice overall protection. The PROLite cushioning is lightweight but delivers a great deal of shock absorption which reviewers really appreciated.
Responsiveness
The Hoka One One Tracer 2 isn’t just lightweight, it’s also quite responsive. Reviewers were impressed at the shoe’s ability to provide rebound and deliver a decent amount of ground-feel. If you’re at all familiar with Hoka, you’ll probably be aware that most of their shoes feature chunky midsoles. They deliver excellent cushioning but good ground-feel is tough to achieve with so much padding between the outsole and upper. The Hoka One One Tracer 2’s cushioning is a lot thinner. There’s a fair bit if shock absorption there but responsiveness is never sacrificed.
Support
This is a neutral running shoe, but reviewers still found it was supportive enough to provide a reliable ride experience. The new engineered upper fits a lot better than before, and a new 3D print delivers much-improved support for the wearer. The shoe feels a lot more stable than the original version because of the better fit. The Tracer 2 wraps the foot nicely and prevents a sloppy feel. The wrapping isn’t so tight that it restricts movement, though. The shoe delivers a great balance between support and comfort. The cushioning also provides a super supportive base for wearers, there’s padding, but it’s not overly soft and marshmallowy.
Terrain
The Hoka One One Tracer 2 is a road shoe that isn’t meant to be worn off-road. The outsole is quite resistant, but the tread pattern just isn’t aggressive enough to handle muddy, rocky terrain. The RMAT outsole material provides traction that works well on flat, even surfaces. If you take a look under the shoe, you’ll notice that tread pattern is quite flat, making it unsuitable for gripping loose terrain. The shoe can probably run okay on hard packed dirt trails, but avoid anywhere where it’s rained recently since runs on mud will likely prove to be tricky.
Price
The Tracer 2 is priced fairly high compared to other similarly categorized shoes but for the price, you get superior cushioning (that both feels comfortable and absorbs the forces of impact efficiently) and a great fit in a lightweight package. The majority of reviewers were happy with the shoe for the price they paid.
Drop
The drop on the Hoka One One Tracer 2 is about 4mm. It’s a fairly small drop and results in a closer to the ground ride. This construction helps with stability and improves overall ground-feel.
Stability
There are no traditional stability features in this shoe. It’s a neutral trainer, after all. Reviewers were still happy with the amount of stability delivered. The Hoka One One Tracer 2 doesn’t feel unstable and is a lot easier to get used to than other Hoka brand shoes with thicker midsoles. The lower to the ground construction provides a connection with the earth and reduces any kind of instability that might result from having a maximally cushioned shoe. Remember that the Tracer 2 is highly cushioned, but doesn’t have such a thick midsole. The upper also happens to wrap the foot tightly (without resulting in discomfort) to reduce the possibility of a sloppy ride. The ride feels balanced thanks to the Meta-Rocker geometry and the overall construction feels sturdy enough to deliver a stable ride.
Flexibility
This shoe is a lot more flexible than its predecessor. The new engineered upper material is a lot stretchier, especially in the forefoot area. This results in a better overall fit and a much nicer ride. Reviewers said that running in the Hoka One One Tracer 2 felt smooth. The midsole is nice and flexible, so the transition from heel to toe feels natural and unhindered.
Traction
The RMAT outsole on the Hoka One One Tracer 2 delivers a nice amount of traction and a fair bit of cushioning. It results in a stable, comfortable ride. The grip is better on flat, even surfaces, considering the shoe is built for road running. Off-road runs are best reserved for hard packed dirt trails with minimal obstacles. The tread underfoot is relatively shallow, you won’t find aggressive lugs on the Tracer 2 but the outsole can still handle runs on wet pavement. Mud is another story altogether, though. It’s just too slippery for the Tracer 2, but it isn’t trying to be a trail shoe.
Bottom Line
The Hoka One One Tracer 2 is a definite improvement over the original Tracer. The restructured upper delivers superior breathability and a much better fit making the shoe a lot more comfortable. Reviewers loved the feel of the shoe and enjoyed the smooth, responsive ride it delivered. The Tracer 2 manages to feel fast without sacrificing cushioning, and it looks good, too. It’s an impressively lightweight shoe that offers excellent impact protection. There’s little to say about it that even enters into the realm of the negative. It’s a perfect choice for runners looking for a shoe that can do double duty. It will work for long distance training just as it can handle speedwork.
