HOKA ONE ONE Torrent 2 Review

August 30, 2020

A Nimble Yet Protective Trail Shoe

The HOKA ONE ONE Torrent 2 stays true to its roots of balanced underfoot protection with responsive cushioning and aggressive traction.

Likes

Comfortable Upper
Grippy Traction
Lightweight Design

Dislikes

Fit Needs To Be Dialed In

What's New

The HOKA ONE ONE Torrent quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its versatile cushioning and aggressive traction. With the new Torrent 2, HOKA wanted to keep the same feel that customer's loved while making refinements to the shoe. The Torrent 2 maintains the same dual-density midsole that provides a softer landing in the heel with a more responsive toe-off, but the outsole tread has been modified for better traction on steep descents. Meanwhile, the new mesh upper was redesigned for more durability and a secure fit while retaining comfort and a high level of breathability. As an added bonus, the upper uses recycled yarns from post-consumer waste plastics in order improve sustainability.

The Bottom Line

If you want a versatile trail running shoe that offers enough comfort for long distances without a super high stack height, the HOKA ONE ONE Torrent 2 may be right up your alley. This shoe's balanced cushioning will keep your feet and legs feeling fresh on long trail runs, and the responsive foam and aggressive traction will have you feeling nimble on even the most technical terrain. Where some runners may prefer maximally cushioning shoes like the Speedgoat or Olympus for ultramarathon distances, those looking for a more responsive and connected to the ground feel will love the Torrent.

Overall, our testers enjoyed the refining changes made to the Torrent 2, but those with narrower feet may find the new upper to be too roomy for a secure fit on rough trails. Despite the added thickness of the new upper, our testers felt this shoe did not lack in breathability and appreciated the more durable design. Overall, Torrent fans will not be disappointed with the changes made to this newest model, and the HOKA ONE ONE Torrent 2 will continue to be a popular running shoe for those looking to feel fast and nimble feel on the trails.

Shop Men's

Shoe Performance

Shoe Softnessi

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Returni

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protectioni

LowHigh

Flexibilityi

RigidElastic

Upper Supporti

StructuredAdaptable

Specifications & Fit

How It Fits

Toe Box	Width: Medium \| Height: Medium
Midfoot Volume	Medium
Heel Width	Medium
Arch Height	Medium to High

Shoe Specs

Weight	Men's: 9.1 oz (size 9) \| Women's: 8.0 oz (size 8)
Stack Height	26 mm (Heel), 21 mm (Forefoot) \| 5 mm Heel-Toe Offset
Terrain	Trail
Stability	Neutral
Sizing	True to Size

Our In-Depth Look

Shoe Softnessi

Although the HOKA ONE ONE Torrent 2 does not have the softness of other popular HOKA models, our testers enjoyed the balanced cushioning from the PROFLY midsole for a protected yet connected-to-the-ground feel.

David: "The Torrent 2 offers a nice balance between soft and firm cushioning. It tends to feel more responsive and nimble than squishy."

Becky: "The Torrent 2 is moderately soft. It's not as soft as other Hokas (such as Bondi or Clifton), but it is still very comfortable to run in."

Ride/Energy Returni

The HOKA ONE ONE Torrent 2 has a light and nimble feel on the trail thanks to a responsive PROFLY midsole and rockered design. Our testers enjoyed the balance of protection and energy return it offered.

Jody: "The Torrent 2 has a more responsive feel than the previous model. I think this shoe is better constructed for a forefoot or midfoot runner than a heel striker on trail surfaces."

David: "Between this shoe’s lightweight design and extra sticky grip, it provides a snappy feel without being bouncy or unbalanced."

Underfoot Protectioni

Although the HOKA ONE ONE Torrent 2 doesn’t have the same maximal cushioning as other HOKA trail models like the Speedgoat, it still has plenty of protection for long days on the trail up to an ultramarathon distance.

Jody: "I definitely prefer this shoe on gravel roads and lightly technical trails. I enjoy the smooth ride and responsive toe-off of the Torrent 2 when compared to other high stack models. I also like how the decreased amount of EVA outsole prevents the issue of rocks poking my foot which I had in the previous version."

Becky: "The Torrent 2 has enough cushioning for 100-mile runs, and it's very lightweight for the amount of protection underfoot."

Flexibilityi

Our testers appreciated the forefoot flexibility provided by the Torrent 2. They agreed that it offered a comfortable and smooth ride without compromising stability on technical terrain.

David: "This shoe allows for a good amount of flex at toe-off which provides a natural feel throughout my stride without compromising protection on the trail."

Becky: "The forefoot is pretty flexible. I found that this allowed me to easily adapt to the changing terrain."

Upper Supporti

The new upper featured in the HOKA ONE ONE Torrent 2 features a dual-layer mesh with protective overlays. Our testers found that it provided a roomier toe box than the previous version, but agreed that it was harder to dial in a secure fit for narrower feet.

Jody: "The new upper seems thicker and more durable than the original model, yet it still breathes really well. It is an improvement, but I would still like a little better hold as my foot can slide around a bit in the shoe on uneven slopes."

Becky: "It’s a generous fitting upper, but the material isn’t overly flexible. I found that this gave my feet the room they need to be held in place while taking turns or running down a mountain."

Women's HOKA Torrent

The HOKA Torrent is a lightweight trail shoe with aggressive traction and enough protection for ultramarathon training and racing.

Individual Thoughts

JodyOverall Score: 9/10

Overall, I like the upgrades on the HOKA Torrent 2. The multi-directional lugs have improved traction and the exposed EVA has a smaller surface area on the outsole so I have had no issues with rock pokes so far. This shoe is lightweight without being too soft or flexible for trail running. I would not run a 100 miler in this shoe, but for some of the shorter ultras, it would be a good racing shoe. I have run 65 miles in this shoe so far, after a couple hundred more miles, I will have to see if the new upper performs better. So far, it is holding up fine. I also like the longer laces. They come in handy when you need to use the runner's loop to lock down the fit. Thumbs up for Torrent 2!

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

DavidOverall Score: 9/10

I loved the first Torrent for its comfortable fit, nimble ride, and grippy traction. The new Torrent 2 continues to offer the same great feel with minor improvements to the upper and outsole. At around 9 oz/ 255 grams, this shoe feels light and fast, and its sticky rubber outsole is able to match my speed by providing a secure grip on the trails. I tested these shoes on rocky trails, fire roads, steep ascents and descents, and a couple of road miles, and they performed wonderfully. I like that I can reach for Torrent 2 on almost any trail day, knowing that it has the ability to handle whatever terrain is thrown at it.

The new upper is more comfortable than version 1 and provides a secure foot wrap that keeps me locked in even on wonky sections of trail. My heel and midfoot feel dialed in, but with my slightly wider feet, I could use a tad more room in the forefoot. Also, the midsole foam is responsive and durable, but I would appreciate a little more softness, especially during extra-long trail runs or ultramarathons. Overall, I would highly recommend the Torrent 2 to most trail runners looking for a fast, nimble, and comfortable shoe that can tackle any terrain or condition.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

BeckyOverall Score: 9/10

The HOKA Torrent 2 is a slight upgrade from the first version, which is one of my favourite trail shoes of all time. It’s the perfect distance/ultramarathon shoe and has a generous fit for when you are on your feet for hours. The Torrent has the protection and grip to tackle most terrain, although it may not be the best choice for super technical trails. Overall, it is my first choice for long trail runs and races.