Hoka Rincon Review

What is the Hoka Rincon 2?

The Hoka Rincon 2 is an upgrade to the original Hoka One Rincon, a running shoe originally designed to be lightweight and comfortable.

Whether you are coming from the original Hoka One Rincon or have not used Hoka One shoes before, there are plenty of tweaks to this updated design.

This version of the Hoka One Rincon is supposed to fill a hole in their product lines – while their other shoes became heavier with each version, the Hoka One Rincon 2 was meant to throw off excess weight.

This keeps it at a weight of around 7.7 oz for men or 6.3 oz for women, which is a significant improvement.

In terms of the actual shoe, the Hoka One Rincon 2 is meant to be the next generation of Hoka Rincon. It still uses the same basic design as the previous running shoes but reworked with new features and a slightly altered design that should make it better for everyday use.

Changes From the Hoka One Rincon

The original Hoka One Rincon was a good shoe, but the Hoka One Rincon 2 combines features from both the original and the Hoka Clifton.

Since the Clifton was a lightweight and comfortable shoe as well, the Rincon’s design takes the best parts from both models.

Weight

The weight is about the same as the original Hoka One Rincon, meaning that it still has the same light feel you might be used to if you used the original. Compared to most other running shoes, this is surprisingly light, making it easy to move around quickly while wearing them.

Midsole

The midsole is identical to the Hoka One Rincon – and there is a lot of midsole, leading to extra padding compared to other running shoes. It is really thick, just like the last Rincon, but that does not diminish its springiness and cushioned protection.

While it does not offer any special toe protection, the Rincon 2 at least offers the same kind of padding in that area, which could make it slightly harder to stub your toe on something if you are running in rough terrain.

Outsole

Once again, the outsole is the same as the Hoka One Rincon, but it does not need to change. It still works well and can help with cushioning your feet, leading to a great ride that is even better thanks to the lighter design and faster potential running speed.

Traction is also great on wet surfaces or on natural ground that you need to run across consistently.

Upper

The mesh upper is where the most notable changes are found.

Using a single layer of non-engineered mesh and no extra overlays, the upper area can provide a snug fit and helps retain its shape through the mesh alone. This extra comfort works well with the plush comfort of the shoe’s innards.

While the mesh means that you lose out on some breathability, it also provides proper warmth during winter.

It also does not leave you as exposed to the elements, but can still cool you down while you are running, so you will be able to wear them in hot conditions all the same.

The laces do not need to change much, but they are extra-long and suitable for a range of lacing styles. They are made of stretchy fabric for more control and adjustment, not a solid material. While these laces are not too special, they are functional and very easy to use.

What’s Good About The Hoka One Rincon 2?

The Hoka One Rincon 2 may just seem like another running shoe at first, but it has a lot going for it in terms of its design. If you need a lightweight option that can keep your feet safe during a race, day-to-day shoes for casual wear, or training footwear, they will work perfectly in each role.

Design

There are no reinforcements above the midsole of the shoe and none inside the upper either. Instead, there are narrow strips to help anchor the insides together. These narrow pieces are meant to lock down the midfoot fit and are narrow enough that you will not ever really feel them on your feet or heel.

Each pair of this training shoe is suitable for a range of activities, from long-distance running to walking a couple of miles every day.

No matter how many miles you cross while walking, running, or training, this design is able to keep every part of your feet (even your toe areas) safe.

Since the Rincon 2 takes design elements from other successful shoes, each bit of the new Rincon’s construction is inspired by a similar bit from one of the previous designs.

Thanks to this, every ‘bit’ (whether it is the toe section or the cushioning) has been tested and adapted to try and fix up any shortfalls or flaws.

Comfort

A good shoe should cushion the feet of whoever is wearing it, and the Hoka One Rincon 2 does that very well. Not only can the insides cushion each foot, but the whole midfoot area is thicker than it needs to be, and the foam used in the design is soft without being too mushy. This is the ideal foam consistency.

Thanks to this excellent use of foam around the runner’s feet, the shoe can offer good performance and extra cushion potential without being excessively soft.

This foam will help cushion each step, but they will not be so cushioned that it is hard to keep running in a consistent pattern. It also stops the shoe from ‘sapping your energy’ during a race or competitive run.

This heel and forefoot cushioning are all backed up by the EVA midsole and rubber outsole, both of which are ideal for staying comfortable.

Even if you drop from a ledge or mistime the sudden minor drop from a step, the shoes can handle cushioning your feet and protecting them from harm.

It is worth noting that the tongue and collar have light cushioning to add more comfort there, too. While the tongue itself might not make a difference to you, a softer tongue can really matter when running long-distance.

Durability

While the durability of the Rincon 2 is still going to be within running footwear levels, they are still a very good option if you need something more durable.

While the upper section uses a single layer, that layer is a regular mesh that is designed to not wear down easily, even during everyday running for long periods of time.

The midfoot section also has plenty of durability to offer. The thick EVA midsole is not going to wear down quickly, but it also does not feel like a stack of softer, weaker materials layered on top of each other – the EVA foam is very reliable.

The rubber used in the sole is able to endure quite a lot before showing any signs of wear and tear. Since it is a light rubber, it also will not interfere with the low weight of the shoe.

Like the rest of the shoe, the shoe tongue is also durable, as are the connections between the tongue and the upper.

The pull tab on the back of the Rincon 2 allows the user to easily slip it off without having to grab the heel or tug at the upper.

This pull tab is made out of the same solid materials and is connected directly to the upper, so you will not rip the pull tab off unexpectedly.

Sole Wear and Tear

Some other reviews have shown that the shoe’s sole started to wear slightly after around 165 miles on nothing but asphalt, but this is mostly because of the sole material.

After around 150 miles, it may start to look worn before it is suffering any damage since the rubber and foam can mark easily.

However, this is not actual wear and tear – the shoes will not suddenly fall apart once you reach 165 miles or even 200 miles.

Performance

The revised ‘meta rocker’ used in the Rincon 2 improves performance, allowing for faster transitions between different movements.

The meta rocker is a very specific part of the Hoka One design, but it could be the difference between a smooth ride and a slightly uncomfortable feeling while running.

Thanks to this improvement, along with a better overall design and better attempts to cushion each step, the Rincon 2 is able to keep your entire foot comfortable while you move.

All runners, no matter the distance they want to run, prefer having a comfortable performance-boosting trainer.

The stack height and drop is between 29 mm and 24 mm, a (5 mm drop in total). This puts about 5 mm of material directly under your feet, the same stack height as the original Rincon shoe.

Weight

Thanks to the very low weight of the shoe (under eight ounces at the heaviest), the Rincon 2 is suitable for a huge range of uses and does not cut down the runner’s speed. It is lighter, but this lower weight avoids the problem of being too soft to properly cushion the heel and forefoot.

Unlike a softer trainer, the 7.7 oz Rincon 2 is meant to help runners stay comfortable without breaking their smooth running patterns.

This reduced weight allows runners to keep going mile after mile without slowing down due to the mass of the shoes, which can be a very real problem with a heavy trainer.

The mesh upper is also a major part of this – this upper provides a decent amount of ventilation and is not excessively soft, but it also has the benefit of reducing overall weight. For longer runs, a shoe like this is extremely useful and often the only real competitive option.

The Verdict

The Hoka Rincon 2 is an interesting shoe, one that improved on the Rincon without actually taking away any of the Rincon benefits that made the first shoe useful.

The Clifton-Rincon hybrid that forms the basis of the Rincon 2 provides a lot of benefits but very few downsides.

The Rincon’s training shoe design is the key to the show in general. Each pair is non-exposed, offers great cushioning, and can even help protect your toe area while providing a good ride.

This is something the original Rincon was good at too, but the midsole improvements make the smooth ride even smoother.

Since the shoe is not exposed at all, everything from your heel to your toe is protected by a layer of light cushioning.

However, this does not make the heel or toe areas too spongy, which is a major part of why the Rincon 2 is such a useful shoe. The softer the materials, the harder it becomes to move consistently.

This review can only cover so much detail, just like all reviews. Details like price (as well as the price of having the shoes shipped or delivered) will change across each online or local shop you look at.

If you are ready to buy Hoka One Rincon 2 shoes now, then take a look at your preferred seller and see what kind of details you might need to consider before making a purchase.