February
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SALOMON PULSAR TRAIL PRO VS. HOKA TECTON X
SALOMON PULSAR TRAIL PRO VS. HOKA TECTON X. Our TRAIL RUNNING SHOES section bring us today a deeper analysis on these Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro and the Hoka Tecton X: the two main novelties of Salomon and Hoka with assisted plated adapted for trail running.
We have taken into considerention the weight, intended used, drop and lugs for this analysis, as they are the latest releases from both the American and French brand for this trail running season in 2022. Lets go with the analysis by Hekruca.
SALOMON PULSAR TRAIL PRO VS. HOKA TECTON X
We have chosen this two shoes, as they are the latest releases from both the American and French brand fro this trail running season in 2022. We have taken into considerention the weight, intended used, drop and lugs for this analysis.
For example, many might see the S/Lab Pulsar SG as the direct comeptitor of this Tecton X, however the S/Lab is inteded for competition on wet and technical terrain, while the Tecton X and the lenth of its lugs will not be a direct competitor with the S/Lab Pulsar SG but with this Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro.
SALOMON TRAIL RUNNING 2022
What have in common these new Salomon trail shoes for this 2022? The use of the so called Energy Blade TR which activate forward propulsion, smooth and stable transitions on trails.
But, what is exactly this Energy Blade TR? Well, we will try to explain it. The Energy Blade has been introduced by Salomon to reduce the gap opened by carbon plates that have been in other brands for years.
For that, Salomon has developed this new technology called Energy Blade which combines plates made out of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethanes) together with the new foam Fuze Surge to adopt an original approach to the development of carbon-coated footwear.
For this, an insert technology has been created that will adjust to the needs of different types of runners. This involves adjusting the inserted material on each Salomon running shoe model, as well as the precise placement of the insert within the shoe to meet the needs of certain categories of runnersa s you can see in the below pictures.
HOKA 2022
This new collection of HOKA for 2022 arrives with a new trail shoe, the Tecton X, which for the first time mounts two carbon plates, renews the Speedgoat 5, “slims” the Carbon X 3 and combines the catalog of shoes with the Kawana and the Mach Supersonic.
Also, we see how the collection has focused on lightening materials and getting shoes just as cushioned and reactive but with a few grams less weight.
SALOMON PULSAR TRAIL PRO
150€ | 270 G. | DROP 6 MM
The Pulsar Trail Pro brings TPU composite plates to trail running in a shoe that is both responsive and stable. The TPU composite plate, called Energy Blade, is a stiff plate that gives more power to the runner by limiting the energy lost on every stride. Thanks to its decoupled construction, the Pulsar Trail Pro is flexible enough to still ensure great stability and comfort.
This is the training version of the most racing S/Lab Pulsar, in fact, it is built on a wider base and uses a thicker midsole to create more comfort during longer training runs.
It will also be available in limited edition colors for those looking to add style to their trail game.
HOKA TECTON X
200€ | 240 G. | DROP 4 MM
We have here the one, that might be the TOP HOKA shoe for this 2022. A very light competition shoe (240 g.) that, however could also be trained with, which for the first time for HOKA, mounts two carbon plates on its chassis.
The shoe shares the same height to the ground with the Speedgoat 5, but promises much more reactivity with the assistance of these two parallel plates from the heel to the toes.
The dual-density foam midsole to create a super-responsive ride that propels you forward without sacrificing a soft feel. The zonal rubber Litebase construction keeps the weight low and grips to whatever the trail throws at you.
SALOMON PULSAR TRAIL PRO VS. HOKA TECTON X : HIGHLIGHTS COMPARISON
SALOMON PULSAR TRAIL PRO VS. HOKA TECTON X: UPPER
SALOMON
- The feet are protected in all the right places thanks to the mudguard on the side and gaiter that keep debris from getting in.
HOKA
- Jacquard Engineered Mesh – this recycled, vegan yarn mesh provides a secure lock to the foot preventing you from guiding technical curves and descents the foot “dances” inside the shoe.
- Easy On-Off: The extended heel pull tab is designed for comfort.
- Cruelty-Free: Boasting a vegan upper, the Speedgoat is animal-approved.
- Breathable: Dynamic sandwich mesh upper enhances breathability.
- Environmentally-friendly: The upper is constructed from a double jacquard recycled content engineered mesh and accompanied by recycled polyester laces.
SALOMON PULSAR TRAIL PRO VS. HOKA TECTON X: MIDSOLE
SALOMON
- Unlike the Pulsar it has a stiff TPU composite propulsion plate and has a decoupled flexible construction for stability and comfort.
- As with Pulsar and Ultraglide, it has an Energy Surge foam midsole, we expect of the same softness as the preceding two which Salomon says provides 40% more responsiveness than their “prior” foams, we can assume as compared to Energy Cell+ but will confirm.
- The R.Camber rocker construction speeds up your transition, so you spend less time on the ground and more time moving forward. The combination of these three elements creates the perfect blend of responsiveness, comfort and stability to help you set personal records and win races.
HOKA
- The PROFLY™ midsole cushions the tread and offers a more resounding boost along with a super light undercoil (the same new foam that the Carbon X 3 mounts) and 2 parallel carbon plates from the heel to the fingers that act as struts to provide propulsion, but also allow movement from side to side when it is most needed on the trails.
- The dual-density foam midsole to create a super-responsive ride that propels you forward without sacrificing a soft feel.
SALOMON PULSAR TRAIL PRO VS. HOKA TECTON X: OUTSOLE
SALOMON
- Contagrip MA outsole with an optimized lug geometry delivers optimum grip to keep you steady and safe from slippage, even on fast and gnarly runs.
HOKA
- Vibram MegaGrip Lite Base outsole, a thinner overall profile for lighter weight but still 5mm lugs. The zonal rubber Litebase construction keeps the weight low and grips to whatever the trail throws at you.
SALOMON PULSAR TRAIL PRO VS. HOKA TECTON X : CONCLUSION
From the many of the shoes we have already presented for this 2022, these 2 are the most competition shoes. Their numbers, 270 grams and 240 grams, 6mm and 4mm drop and the lugs of 4mm made them stable, reactive and really deisgned for speed.
The Pulsar Trail Pro brings TPU composite plates to trail running in a shoe that is both responsive and stable. The TPU composite plate, is a stiff plate that gives more power to the runner by limiting the energy lost on every stride. Thanks to its decoupled construction, the Pulsar Trail Pro is flexible enough to still ensure great stability and comfort and maybe more accesible to the public based on these 270 grams and not the only 170 of the S/lab Pulsar which are not designed for many runners.
The new Tecton X is clearly a bet from HOKA for this 2022, where we are sure we will see many of its TOP athletes wearing this shoes and attemping from FKT´s to course records like Western States or would Jim Wamsley choose the Speedgoat 5 above this carbon plate assisted shoes.
Moreover, this new shoes aplies the new foam technologies PROFLY™ which make it even lighter with only 240 grams. In the upper construction they have also aplied some of the market demands like the vegan mesh which apart from being animal firendly, promises a better fit on the front “box”.
What it is clear is that all brands are beting to introduce assisted plate shoes with great cushion also in the trail ranges.
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