HOKA ONE ONE Zinal Shoe Review
PROFLY Hits the Trails in This Untraditional HOKA
Likes
- Lightweight
- Stable, connected-to-the-ground feel
- Comfortable and breathable upper
Dislikes
- High price point
- Not enough cushioning for long endeavours
What's New
The Zinal isn't just another addition to the HOKA trail lineup. This seemingly uncharacteristic HOKA abandons the brand's trademark high stack for a low-to-the-ground feel that offers nimble movement on a variety of trails. The PROFLY midsole provides protection from trail hazards while also delivering a propulsive toe-off that bounces wearers from stride to stride. The engineered mesh upper is surprisingly light on foot, offering substantial breathability and a comfortably secure feel that all trail runners will appreciate.
Ultimately, the Zinal is an untraditional HOKA trail shoe that delivers exceptional performance run after run. This versatile shoe provides a nimble, low-to-the-ground feel that is wonderfully balanced from top to bottom. The PROFLY midsole is soft and protective, as well as responsive. Though it can pick up the pace, the Zinal is ideal for long trail runs at an easy clip. The Vibram Megagrip outsole was another highlight of the Zinal, as our testers were impressed by its traction and the confidence they had when running over a multitude of surfaces. Our testers also noted that the outsole was highly durable and should last runners for miles. In terms of fit, the Zinal is relatively roomy with an impressively secure hold that does not cause any irritation while on foot. Furthermore, to go along with its comfortable feel, the Zinal's engineered mesh upper is exceptionally breathable without compromising the shoe's ability to defend against trail debris.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the Zinal is an untraditional HOKA trail shoe that delivers exceptional performance run after run. This versatile shoe provides a nimble, low-to-the-ground feel that is wonderfully balanced from top to bottom. The PROFLY midsole is soft and protective, as well as responsive. Though it can pick up the pace, the Zinal is ideal for long trail runs at an easy clip. The Vibram Megagrip outsole was another highlight of the Zinal, as our testers were impressed by its traction and the confidence they had when running over a multitude of surfaces. Our testers also noted that the outsole was highly durable and should last runners for miles. In terms of fit, the Zinal is relatively roomy with an impressively secure hold that does not cause any irritation while on foot. Furthermore, to go along with its comfortable feel, the Zinal's engineered mesh upper is exceptionally breathable without compromising the shoe's ability to defend against trail debris.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium to narrow | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.6 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.7 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 32 mm (Heel), 27 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Liz: "The Zinal doesn't feel like a typical HOKA because it doesn't have the cloudlike cushioning of the brand's flagship models, but I love this about the shoe. I found that it still provided a comfortable and cushioned running experience while maintaining a connection to the ground. The Zinal also offered excellent stability and responsive energy return."
Liese: "The Zinal is meant to be a firmer, more responsive HOKA trail shoe, and it sits somewhere between the Torrent and the Evo Jawz in the HOKA trail lineup. I love it because I prefer a lower-to-the-ground feel for trail runs, and I do not need all of the performance materials included in shoes like the Torrent. The Zinal is soft enough to take on a 5 to 10K trail without causing my legs to ache, and it's stable enough for technical terrain, which was more challenging for me when I was wearing heartier shoes like the Challengers or Stinsons."
Becky: "The Zinal is a bit different than what I am used to with a HOKA trail shoe, and it feels very different than the Torrent or Speedgoat. It doesn't feel as soft underfoot when running due to the shorter stack height. As a person who enjoys soft shoes, I still find the Zinal to be moderately soft and quite comfortable."
Ride/Energy Returni
Liz: "While the Zinal isn't a particularly bouncy shoe, the cushioning is responsive enough to pick up the pace. It has a perfect balance of comfort without feeling sluggish."
Liese: "These are very springy shoes! I felt like I could accurately maneuver through roots and rocks where necessary, and on the flat segments of the trails, the early-stage meta rocker kept my pace consistent."
Becky: "The Zinal is the most responsive HOKA trail shoe so far, and it feels particularly fun on downhills. It isn't bouncy like some other foams on the market, but it provides enough energy return to keep me confident and inspire me to pick up the pace."
Underfoot Protectioni
Liz: "I was surprised by the amount of underfoot protection the Zinal offered. I was expecting to have to continuously watch my foot placement to avoid hazards on the trail, but I discovered that I could easily run over rocks and roots without any discomfort. The Zinal provides a much higher level of ground feel than other HOKA trail shoes, but it offers a nimble ride with enough protection for carefree running. I felt protected from the jarring impacts of running and never felt beat up even after my longest runs."
Liese: "The Zinal is unlike any HOKA I've run in as it is not stacked with loads of cushioning. That said, they still have an unquestionably characteristic HOKA feel. The foam is soft and springy, and I felt plenty protected on all of my trail runs. The Vibram Megagrip outsole gave me extra confidence on rocky terrain and downhill descents."
Becky: "The Torrent is my go-to trail shoe for most days, but lately, I've been grabbing the Zinal for runs up to 20 miles long. I haven't tried to push beyond that distance, but I believe the Zinal would work well for up to 50K distances. They have a decent ground feel, but they still have enough protection for longer efforts."
Flexibilityi
Liz: "While the Zinal doesn't feature the exaggerated rocker that is found in some of the newer trail shoes on the market today (TNF Vectiv series, ASICS Trabuco, etc.), it still has a very smooth ride thanks to its flex grooves and outsole design. The Zinal flexed where I wanted it to, providing smooth transitions without being unstable."
Liese: "Given my previous comments, it's no surprise that this is the most flexible HOKA I've ever run in. With the low stack height, I was happy to be able to maneuver around roots and rocks without fear of tipping my ankles as a result of a stiff midsole."
Becky: "The Zinal is pretty flexible, which makes it nimble on a variety of terrain. Going fast downhill or taking sharp turns on a singletrack trail is easier due to its flexibility."
Upper Supporti
Liz: "This is probably my favorite HOKA upper design I have worn. I often have issues with HOKA shoes being too narrow in the toe box, and the overlays of some trail shoes can give me issues on long trail runs. In contrast, the upper of the Zinal is amazing, delivering an adaptable forefoot design with top-notch breathability to keep my feet cool. The upper also stays very secure through the midfoot and heel. It gets an A+++ from me."
Liese: "I like the upper on the Zinal. It has a similar fit and feel to the Challenger ATR 6. I found the engineered mesh to be highly breathable with trustworthy protection from dirt and debris. The low-profile gusseted tongue further fortifies the Zinal's defense against trail debris."
Becky: "The upper is a thin, engineered mesh that is fairly structured. It offers a generously roomy fit, but I did not find it to be overly adaptable."
Individual Thoughts
I was very impressed with the Zinal. I feel that HOKA did a great job dialing in almost every facet of the shoe and giving it a perfect balance of so many factors. It was nimble yet protective, flexible yet stable, accommodating yet secure, soft yet responsive. Granted, this is not your typical HOKA trail shoe, so those who enjoy models like the Speedgoat, Challenger, or Mafate for their high level of protective cushioning may not like the Zinal. BUT, those who want something lower profile and extremely versatile will enjoy it. It's not going to be the fastest trail running shoe on the market, and my biggest complaint about this shoe is the cost. At $230, it may be slightly too expensive for those looking for an everyday trail running shoe, and with faster, plated trail running shoes hitting the market, this is most likely not going to be the first pick for race day either.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
HOKA nailed it in terms of creating a quality lower-profile trail shoe. The Zinal has that connected-to-the-ground feel that I prefer while taking on gravel and steep terrain, as well as a flexible feel for zipping through roots and large rocks without worrying about turning my ankle. I'm not going to use the Zinal for racing, as my trail running style is slow and steady at best, but I appreciated the low-profile, grounded underfoot experience. I prefer my shoes to be nimble so that I can feel confident, secure, and agile throughout my trail runs, even if I am not going very fast.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I would have given the Zinal a perfect 10/10 if the price was not $230. I love this shoe and keep using it over my other trail options for long trail days. It is lightweight, protective, and nimble, checking all the boxes I need for a quality trail shoe. It is a fun shoe if you want to push the pace, but the Zinal excels while running at easier paces. The Vibram Megagrip outsole gives me the confidence to bomb downhill or to nimbly navigate through rockier sections of the trail. If you love the Torrent but want to try something a bit lighter and more breathable, then the Zinal is worth considering. It's also worth mentioning that the Zinal has the tools necessary to be used as a competent road-to-trail option as well.