Has it really been three years since the Rincon 3’s release? You know an update has been long overdue when the last version was launched back during Hoka’s “One One” days. The hot pink Rincon 3 we tested radiated Lisa Frank vibes and was praised for being a sportier, speedier option over the brand’s softer, cushier Clifton. Our test team and wear-testers put in the mileage to test out the latest version which has undergone a major makeover.
Pros
- 3MetaRocker geometry for smooth heel-to-toe transitions
- Lightweight
- Other Hearst Subscriptions
Cons
- Running Shoes - Gear
| Type | Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.0 oz (M10), 6.8 oz (W8) |
| Drop | 5 mm |
| Heel Height | 37 mm (M), 36 mm (W) |
| Forefoot Height | 32 mm (M), 31 mm (W) |
- Who the Shoe Is For: Runners looking for a lightweight daily trainer with that Hoka cushioning the brand is known for
- Preceded By: Rincon 3
- RW+ Member Exclusives: Why Trust Us, The Best Running Shoes of 2024, Active Foot Frame cradles heel; curved MetaRocker geometry
- Midsole Foam: Runners looking for a lightweight daily trainer with that Hoka cushioning the brand is known for
- Key Tech: mm M, 36 mm W
The Tech
Like Hoka’s Mach, the Rincon is a lighter daily trainer compared to the brand’s beefier running shoes. With the Rincon, Hoka strips away all the bulk without sacrificing its signature cushioning.
For the Rincon 4, Hoka pumped up the softness underfoot and increased durability with a dual-layer midsole. (The third version had a single-layer of compression molded EVA responsive foam.) This update adds 3mm of stack height but doesn’t weigh down the shoe (merely tenths of an ounce extra).
The Rincon 4 also has a new “podular” outsole. The bottom of the shoe is made of rubberized EVA, which adds an extra layer of cushioning, and the zonal pods maximize ground contact and provide stability. This works in tandem with Hoka’s Active Foot Frame, which is a fancier way of saying higher sidewalls around the heel that cradle the foot to elevate comfort and provide a snug fit.
What Testers Liked
The Rincon 4 delivered a lightweight ride with soft, supportive cushioning—just like its predecessor. I appreciated how the shoe responded when I upped the tempo during my workout, hitting 7:15 on straightaways. The shoe also served well on the down tempo, when I wasn’t pushing the pace and just wanted to closeout the week with some slower miles.
Tester A.J. Sanford really put the pedal to the metal with his hard tempos (and I mean hard), running at 5:20 to 5:35 pace to test the Rincon 4’s versatility during his workout.
“The most interesting thing about this shoe is the softness, the best way that I can describe it is that it feels like I’m rolling on a cloud when I’m on pavement,” said Sanford, who previously tested the Asics Magic Speed 4 and Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2. “I was nervous to do a tempo in these trainers especially with all of the super shoes in this day in age—I’ve been spoiled. But I had a pleasant surprise: I felt very strong in them. My stride opened up and I was pushing off the ground effectively, easily generating the force I needed in order to meet the demands of the pace.”
RW’s director of content creation, Brian Dalek, was also pleasantly surprised with the Rincon 4’s ride. “Really enjoyed the overall feel of this shoe, and I hadn’t been in a Hoka in a few years.” The last Hoka that Dalek tested was the Cavu in 2018. “The Rincon 4 felt like a great mix between performance-oriented running shoe and daily trainer that can do a lot of different runs.”
What Testers Didn’t Like
Some of our testers wanted more bounce. I can see why they’re left wanting; even though I felt like I could “fly human fly” (a nod to Hoka’s slogan) in the Rincon 4, it lacked some of that springiness you feel these days in shoes with more superior midsoles made from Pebax. Doubling up on EVA will produce more support and rebound, but it still feels spongy compared to super foams.
“The shoe is slow and has no bounce to it. I felt like I had to work harder to run my normal paces in the shoe,” said tester Tim Bartholomew, who also tested the Pebax-based Asics Superblast 2. “It’s very well-cushioned but I almost felt like I sunk in too much and it was slowing me down. Maybe it was the amount of cushioning or the foam on the sole of the shoe. But it was just one of those shoes I would put on when pace didn’t matter and I was just going for a normal run. Those type of shoes have their place in a running rotation, but it just kind of felt like I was working harder than I should.”
In this way, the Rincon 4 has its place on shoe racks for both runners like Sanford (and me) and Bartholomew. It’s just figuring out which function works best for you: versatile daily trainer that can do speedwork and help build your base, or basic running shoe for those miles when you’re not paying attention to your watch and just want a soft, lightweight ride to carry you as move forward.
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
