Hoka Zinal 2 Review
Hoka is renowned for making shoes that offer very soft, thick midsoles in combination with a rocker to help improve your running economy. Their shoes have been so successful that a lot of brands are now following by making shoes of this type. However, Hoka have recognised that a high stack height shoe with a soft midsole isn’t the best combination for every type of running, and they do make some shoes that are more flexible with a firmer more responsive midsole.
The Hoka Zinal 2 is one of those shoes. The Hoka Zinal 2 is a lightweight, flexible, nimble, grippy trail shoe. Ideal for a lot of UK trail conditions. Especially in the winter when the trails are softer, and the rock is wet and slippery.
Essentially there are two ways of making a trail shoe. The thick, soft midsole which is designed to absorb some of he lumps and bumps in the trail like a mountain bike tyre and the more flexible and nimble shoe that bends with the trail, giving more underfoot feel that allows you to be lighter on your feet and ‘skip’ over the soft or broken ground. The Zinal is the latter.
Zinal 2 vs Zinal
It’s fair to say that the Zinal 2 is nothing like the original Zinal. The original Zinal was a light, fast trail shoe but the small lugs on the outsole made it only suitable for dry, hard trails. The Hoka Zinal 2 is a much more versatile trail running shoe. The 5mm long lugs bite into soft ground very effectively. Yet the lugs are shaped to ride smoothly over firmer surfaces too. Made from Vibram LiteBase they offer good grip on wet surfaces including tarmac, which many shoes with 5mm lugs tend to slide on.
The upper is a tight knit mesh with overlays to pull the upper in around the foot and provide some structure. The heel has no plastic heel cup just a few lightly padded over lays to provide some structure. The tongue is woven into the upper and forms a woven gaiter that goes around the top of the shoe. So, you pull the shoes on like you would a sock. This is to prevent debris from getting into the shoes and to create a nice snug fit around the foot.
Initially the heel cup felt quite loose and it’s quite a unique fit, but after a few runs I wasn’t aware of this anymore. I’d describe the fit as narrower, the same as most of the standard width Hoka running shoes. However, the big toe remains line is straight and the toe box doesn’t come to as much of a point as other models. This toe box shape is the same as all the newer Hoka models. The straight big toe line allows for a more positive push-off and allows the big toe to sit relaxed in the toe box. This allow the other toes to spread on impact and function more inside the shoes.
The Hoka Zinal 2 feels very light. The women’s UK 5 weighs 190g and the men’s UK 8 221g. The heel to forefoot drop is 5mm and the stack height is 29mm/24mm in the women’s and 30mm/25mm men’s. This is 2mm less than the original Zinal, putting the foot closer to the ground making the runner more stable and giving better ground feel. The sole is curved to form a rocker, the same meta rocker as in all Hoka road and trail running shoes. This is to help maintain a quick cadence and upright posture. The rocker isn’t as noticeable as it is in other models. This is mainly due to the forefoot being a bit more flexible. This gives you more ground feel and helps you be nimbler in the shoes, which helps negotiate more broken ground.
The Hoka Zinal 2 is essentially designed for shorter, faster running. However, they don’t feel in anyway minimal underfoot. I was comfortably able to run from the door a mile or so downhill on tarmac, to the tracks and trails that I often run on down by the river. The flexible forefoot made it comfortable to run on steep up-hills. The Zinal 2 also handles running on a camber and on broken ground well. The 5mm lugs aren’t designed for racing cross country in the thickest mud. An 8mm-10mm lug or spike is best for really deep mud like you would get on a cross country course but, they allowed me to make forward progress comfortably around the farmers fields on wet days during my review miles.
I have used them on two longs runs of over 2 ½ hours. On the first one I had to tackle a few miles of new tarmac on the disused railway line before a long stretch of road towards the end of the run. The Zinal 2 still felt cushioned and comfortable. and in particular the heel feels well-cushioned. Not pillow-soft by design, but like there is plenty of shoe under your foot.
In summary the Hoka Zinal 2 is a great option for UK conditions for runners looking for something nimble and grippy. Furthermore, those who have enjoyed the max cushion feel of some other styles but now want some ground feel and control that comes from a bit less cushion. It’s not hard, though. I enjoyed it.
Alternatives to Hoka Zinal 2
Hoka Zinal 2 vs. NNormal Kjerag: A similar shoe in that it’s light and well cushioned. Not quite as nimble and the lugs are much shorter so not as good on soft ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/nnormal-kjerag-review/
Hoka Zinal 2 vs. Altra Superior 6: Similar to the Kjerag in that it lacks grip for soft ground but more flexible and nimble. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-superior-6-review/
Hoka Zinal 2 vs. La Sportiva Mutant: A firmer ride makes them not as nice as the Zinal 2 on the harder packed ground but, the grip and underfoot protection is better on softer and more rocky terrain. The Mutant has a similar gaiter built into the shoes. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/la-sportiva-mutant-review-new-version-for-2023/
Hoka Zinal 2 vs. New Balance FuelCell Summit Unknown SG: Similar level of grip but, not as flexible so doesn’t feel as nimble. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-summit-unknown-sg-review/
Hoka Zinal 2 vs. Brooks Catamount 2: Smaller lugs and a stiffer midsole make these not as grippy on the soft ground but, they do offer some traction and have a good ride and firmer trails. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-catamount-2-review/
Hoka Zinal 2 vs. Scarpa Ribelle Run: A similar rocker gives them a smooth ride. Firmer ride but, still cushioned enough for road use. The outsole lugs are shorter and not as grippy on soft ground but the rubber offer excellent grip on wet surfaces. New Scarpa styles Scarpa Spin ST and Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibre ST have longer lugs and will offer better grip on soft muddy ground. The Spin ST has a similar high cuff around the collar of the shoes to prevent debri getting into the shoes. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scarpa-ribelle-run-review/
Hoka Zinal 2 vs. Scott Supertrac RC 2: A bit more feel for the ground and slightly longer lugs makes these better on softer ground. They also have a good level of cushioning. Although it is a bit firmer than the Zinal 2 in feel. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scott-supertrac-rc-2-0-review-trail-fell-running-shoes/
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