Hoka Torrent 4 Review
The Hoka Torrent 4 is a versatile everyday trail running shoe. Positioned at the lower end of Hoka’s stack heights, it offers a more responsive ride and better feel for the terrain underfoot. Since the Torrent 3, Hoka has introduced several updates to improve comfort, traction, and cushioning.
As expected from a trail running shoe designed for regular use, the Torrent 4 features ample padding at the heel and around the cuff to enhance step-in comfort and allow these areas to mold to the runner’s foot. The tongue is equally well-padded, gusseted to prevent debris from entering, and equipped with a lace tab to keep it securely in place during runs.
The upper is made from ripstop material, enhancing its resistance to abrasions common in trail running. The tightly woven mesh further prevents debris from entering and provides additional warmth in winter by reducing airflow, unlike the breathable uppers found in road shoes.
A plastic heel cup secures the foot within the midsole, a hallmark of Hoka shoes. This design provides increased stability, prevents the runner from sliding off the midsole on uneven surfaces, and helps guide the foot toward an efficient toe-off. Additionally, like all Hoka models, the Torrent 4 features a midsole rocker. Combined with a low heel-to-forefoot drop, this design minimizes heel strike and its associated braking forces. Instead, it promotes a midfoot strike, encouraging quicker cadence, better posture, and reduced fatigue.
While the stiffened midsole rocker can limit flexibility on uneven terrain, the Torrent 4 strikes a balance. Unlike Hoka’s softer models, such as the Challenger, Speedgoat, and Mafate, the Torrent 4 remains soft enough to absorb impacts from rocks and roots but adds a notable degree of flexibility. This flexibility, though not as pronounced as that of cross-country or fell shoes, is greater than many cushioned trail shoes. It results in a nimbler ride with better ground feel than previous versions.
The midsole’s heel section remains stiff and supportive, ideal for running on firm, hard-packed trails. On more rugged terrain, the shoe’s flexible forefoot improves agility and ensures more outsole contact with the ground, enhancing traction. This benefit is further amplified by an increase in lug depth from 4mm to 5mm.
The midsole foam is now a one-piece EVA construction, 2mm thicker than in the previous version. This enhances cushioning while maintaining the forefoot’s flexibility, preventing the shoe from feeling overly soft. The men’s model features a 33mm heel and a 28mm forefoot stack height, while the women’s version measures 32mm and 27mm, respectively. Both offer a 5mm heel-to-forefoot drop.
Despite the increased stack height and softer foam, the Torrent 4 feels closer to the ground than its predecessor. It provides greater stability and comfort across various trail surfaces. However, the outsole rubber struggles with traction on wet tarmac, making it less suitable for road-to-trail transitions in damp conditions. On trails, though, the grip is excellent.
Hoka tends to run small compared to brands like Brooks, Saucony, 361, Topo, or Altra. For those familiar with New Balance, Karhu, Inov-8, or La Sportiva, the sizing is similar. If switching from the former brands, consider trying a half size larger for a comparable fit.
In summary, the Hoka Torrent 4 offers improved flexibility, cushioning, ground feel, and traction over its predecessors. While its grip on wet tarmac leaves something to be desired, it excels on trails, performing well on hard-packed surfaces and softer, more technical terrains. This makes it a versatile choice for a wide range of trail running conditions.
Other Considerations
Brooks Cascadia 18: A straighter big toe line makes the Cascadia feel roomier in the toe box. Available in two width Men’s and two width womens. The traction is good on all surfaces including wet tarmac. The forefoot has a similar amount of flex with a stiffer, supportive heel. The cushioning in the forefoot is firmer. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-cascadia-18-review/
NNormal Tomir 2: A very bouncy feel to the midsole which takes away any feel for the terrain. The traction is good on all surfaces. Not as flexible in the forefoot with more of a rocker. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/nnormal-tomir-2-review/
Inov-8 TrailFly: Available in two width Men’s and two width Women’s. The toe box is more rounded to give your feet the space to spread on impact and function inside the shoes. The cushioning has some bounce but, doesn’t take away the ground feel. The grip is good on all surfaces. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/inov-8-trailfly-review/
Altra Experience Wild: One of the new generations of Altra shoes with a 4mm heel to forefoot drop and a rocker. Traction is good on hard packed trails and tarmac but, the lugs lack traction on softer terrain. The cushioning is a similar softness to the Torrent 4. The forefoot is more rounded to give the feet the room to spread on impact and function inside the shoes. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-experience-wild-review/
Topo Terraventure 4: A 3mm heel to forefoot drop with a broad rounded toe box. Topo are designed to allow the feet to function rather than replace them. The cushioning is similar soft and the midsole is flexible through the midfoot and forefoot. The lugs are 5mm in length and offer good traction on variety of trail terrain and don’t slide on damp tarmac roads. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-terraventure-4-review/
Scarpa GoldenGate 2: A larger stack height and more pronounced rocker makes the Scarpa Goldengate a good road to hard packed trail option. The grip is good enough to cope with some softer ground but, the midsole is quite firm and stiff focused on giving a smoother ride on more hard packed trails rather than allowing you to hop nimbly over broken ground on muddy single tracks. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scarpa-golden-gate-atr-2-review/
La Sportiva Akasha: A straight big toe line but, narrow fitting shoe. The cushioning is good enough for hard packed trails and some tarmac. The traction is good on all surfaces. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/la-sportiva-akasha-ii-review/
New Balance Hierro v8: Rides like a comfortable road shoe. Best suited to hard packed trails and road to trail use. Available in three width Men’s and two width Women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-hierro-v8-review-fresh-foam-x/
VJ Maxx 2: A rounded toe box gives the feet the space to function inside the shoes. The midsole is flexible offer some ground feel but, still has some bounce. Versatile enough for road to trail use and nimble enough for single tracks too. The traction is good on soft ground for a 4mm long lug. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/vj-sport-maxx2-review/
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