Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. When HOKA introduced the Zinal in 2021, we were excited about a flat and fast model from a brand known for its maximal shoes. They recently released the second iteration, and the Zinal 2 comes in even lighter than the first version. With a 2mm reduction in stack height and increased lug height, HOKA left the “flat” aspect of this shoe behind and replaced it with stout lugs for faster trail running. We tested this shoe on rocky jeep roads and single-track trails in Central Oregon, which is where the shoe performed best.
Medial view
The midsole is where we saw a major change in this model. Where the previous version included HOKA’s ProFly, which is made from a firm bottom foam for fast toe-offs along with a soft top foam cushion, they eliminated this on the Zinal 2. The midsole still includes the EVA foam which keeps the shoe light and bouncy, but this is likely where most of the weight disappeared. There was a noticeable difference in the responsiveness during our testing, and we felt that the Zinal 2 had less return on flatter, harder surfaces.
However, due to the lighter weight and increased 5mm lug height (from 4mm), the change in midsole should benefit trail runners looking for a lighter shoe on more aggressive terrain. The chevron-shaped prominent lugs run down the center of the tread, from toe to heel, with additional smaller-sized lugs on the outer edges. Traction on the trail is noticeably grippier than the previous version and still includes the Vibram MegaGrip with Litebase construction.
The upper also includes significant changes—the main one being a new stretch-knit, gaiter-like collar that’s snug around the ankle and prevents debris from entering the shoe during gritty trail runs. The remainder of the fast-dry upper is a breathable, lightweight mesh with an integrated knit tongue connected to the collar. While the added gaiter protection from rocks and dirt is a perk for most trail runners, we found that the loose collar allowed our feet to shift around a bit more, reducing that locked-in feel and strong sense of support we felt on the original model. However, there was plenty of room in the toe box for expansion of the feet during longer runs, and the thinner polyester mesh fabric dried quickly after stream crossings.
We found the Zinal 2 to be a perfect option for shorter trail days, but missed the snappy response of the original version when running on flat, fast surfaces. The lighter weight and beefier traction help transition this model into a trail shoe that can easily tackle just about any technical surface.
The Zinal 2 is available at hoka.com.
Features and specs:
- Weight: 8 oz (M10) / 6.7 oz (W8)
- Stack height: 29/24mm (women’s), 30/25mm (men’s)
- Heel-toe drop: 5mm
- Upper: 37% recycled polyester vamp mesh, 76% recycled polyester collar knit
- Midsole: EVA midsole foam
- Outsole: Vibram Megagrip with Litebase construction and Traction Lug (5mm lugs)
- MSRP: $160