A long way home torrent torrent#

A long way home torrent torrent#

The Torrent 2 is just a great everyday shoe that works on most terrain and provides comfort over short or long distance. The adidas without doubt better on more technical terrain and excellent if not superb on the road. Well, I never thought I would be writing this, but, the Torrent 2 has become a real favourite shoe and has been in a regular rotation with my adidas Speed Ultra, which I love! The Hoka and adidas are in many ways similar but at the same time, very different. The reason I defected from Hoka was I got way too much roll from the super soft cushioning and maximal nature of the shoes – note here. The footprint of the shoe is wider, and this helps compensate for additional stack height reducing any inward or outward roll, and thus provides more precision and stability when the trails become more technical. The Torrent 2 feels nothing like the Hoka’s I used pre 2012 and I understand why many say, ‘It is the least Hoka like shoe.’ The cushioning was firmer, had less roll and quite simply provides wonderful comfort over any distance. On a 1-5 scale, 1 being narrow, the Torrent 2 is a 4 for me.Ĭushioning is somewhat a revelation, and, in all honesty, I expected to not like the feel or the ride. Toe box is on the wider side and allows good toe splay and comfort over longer distances. The lugs are multi-directional which work exceptionally well and even on wet rock, the grip has been reassuringly good. The outsole is a nice middle ground trail grip that is extremely comfortable on dry trails and road but yes has enough grip when the trails become sloppy. Heel box is padded and holds the foot well with no slippage when climbing. Reinforcing exists to help protect the foot but there is little to no toe protection. The upper is extremely durable and yet breathable using a mesh upper that utilises recycled post-consumer plastic waste to make a Unifi REPREVE yarn. The tongue is well padded and comfortable, the lacing excellent and additional eyelets exist should you need to lock lace or similar. The Torrent 2 is light, 278g from an UE44/ UK9.5. Love the colour way, it’s a winner for me. I love the uniqueness, the colours, and the fact that the left shoe is different to the right. The Torrent 2 celebrates the kaleidoscopic wonders of this great planet in what I think is a stunning colour way, but I fully appreciate that this may well be too much for some. Cotopaxi is ‘an innovative outdoor product and experience that funds sustainable poverty relief, move people to do good, and inspire adventure.’Ĭotopaxi joins brands, such as Hoka One One to ultimately ‘do good’ and they bring some unique colours and designs. So, Hoka One One in Norway kindly sent me a Torrent 2 Cotopaxi to test. One thing was universal in all the comments, ‘It is the least Hoka like shoe that they do.’ Ultimately, it is the least cushioned and bouncy shoe currently in the Hoka range… This may change with the new ‘Zinal!’ With this in mind, many who read my reviews suggested that I try the Torrent 2 by Hoka One One. Currently, my shoe of the year is the adidas Speed Ultra and if I need more grip and an aggressive outsole, the VJ Sport Ultra has been great. Recently though, I have bee n testing and loving trail shoes that somehow sit in the middle, not minimal cushioned or maximal, a nice middle ground. However, when you test as many shoes as I do, I didn’t feel it correct to neglect Hoka, however, I also felt that no matter how impartial I try to be in reviews, I probably would still hark back to the pre 2012 days. So, I have avoided Hoka One One and maximal cushioned shoes ever since. Almost 10-years ago and while I could write my reasons why, it’s best to read an article I wrote called ‘ Minimal, Maximal or the curious question of Drop.’

It has been a long time since I slipped on a Hoka One One shoe, 2012 to be exact.