Say hello to the Hoka Clifton 8’s faster and lighter sister shoe – the Hoka Rincon 3!
The Hoka Rincon 3 is a shoe that most runners are sure to love!
This neutral road running shoe offers comfort, speed, and more – making them the perfect companion for various runs. In other words, they’re the perfect versatile, all-in-one running shoe.
And, on top of that, the Hoka Rincon 3 is being hailed for helping runners overcome injuries like plantar fasciitis.
However, as will be explained below, despite being versatile, the Hoka Rincon 3 may not be the best choice for all runners.
Intrigued? Let’s dive in!
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight | Not Super Durable |
| Key Price Point | Tongue Slips |
| Cushioned | |
| Versatile | |
| Injury Prevention |
Hoka Rincon 3 Specs:
The Hoka Rincon 3 has one of the best, if not the best, cushion to weight ratios in this year’s running shoe line-up.
It weighs a mere 6.5oz for women (size 8) and 7.3oz for men (size 9).
That is extremely lightweight for a training shoe!
In addition to its feather-like feel, it still provides the infamous Hoka Cushion system with 33mm of heel stack height and 28mm of forefoot stack height, offering a low drop height of only 5mm.
Like other Hoka models, this shoe sits on the meta-rocker platform that helps lead the foot strike forward and roll you through your stride.
However, the rocker on this model is much less noticeable compared to the Hoka Bondi 7, but more on the ride later.
Other specification highlights of this model include the thinner tongue design, vented mesh upper for breathability, and a modeled EVA sock-liner to keep the foot feeling secure in the heel.
What’s changed from the Rincon 2?
Hoka almost completely revamped the Hoka Rincon 3 from its previous year and fixed some of the key issues.
The major improvement they made was to the outsole.
While it still has less rubber than other Hoka models, compared to the Rincon 2 there is much more grip on the sole.
This update improved the durability which is crucial when marathon training to have enough under you to get through the season.
Hoka also changed the meta-rocker platform in this version and added slightly more full-compression EVA foam cushion to the midsole too.
This addition helps to accelerate your stride while equally absorbing shock. It is a pretty stellar combination, in my opinion.
In the previous model, there were issues with the padded tongue slipping, so Hoka changed to a sown-in, thin, off-set tongue to prevent slipping and help with the weight of the shoe.
Some other changes include the addition of a 100% vegan mesh upper, a wide heel tab to make putting the shoe on easier, new width options, and several colorways to meet the needs of everyone!
Related article: Hoka One One Bondi 8 Review
Hoka Rincon 3: What our Tester had to say Overall
A good friend had recently overcome a bout of plantar fascitis, raved about these Hoka’s. So, I thought I would give them a try!
The Hoka Rincon 3 was a pleasant surprise added to my lineup this season. I was looking for something a little snappier and lighter than my Saucony models and the Hoka Clifton 8 didn’t quite fit my foot shape the right way.
Related Article: Hoka Clifton 8 Review
This model really met all my needs. It is lightweight which is great if I need to throw in a tempo or some striders into my run. Yet it’s also cushioned enough for some slow easy recovery miles.
This Hoka model feels like the perfect combination of cushion and rocker without losing touch with the ground.
If I had to choose two shoes to compare the Hoka Rincon 3 to, I’d say it’s the precious love-child of the Mizuno Waverider 25 and the Clifton 8 – combining the best bits of these two models into one shoe.
It’s stiff and snappy while also cushioned with smooth transitions.
Despite improvements to the upper and sole units, the one drawback that stuck out to me with the Hoka Rincon 3 was still it’s moderate durability.
I will preface that despite being a petite runner I tear through shoes pretty quickly, however this was particular true for the Hoka Rincon 3. This model lasted me about 250 miles, compared to my normal 300 to 350 range.
Other than that, this shoe is pretty flawless. A lightweight yet cushioned neutral road shoe that offers a smooth, secure ride, it’s versatility serves every runner – whether they’re training for a couch to 5k or all the way to an ultra-marathon build-up!
In other words, I am obsessed with the Hoka Rincon 3 model!
Let’s break it down: How Does each Spec Perform?
The Rincon 3 is full of snazzy features with an affordable price tag. But how do the features actually perform?
The Upper: 100% Vegan
This Hoka model offers a 100% cruelty-free upper made from an ultra-breathable, vented-mesh material.
This upper is critical for training in the hot summer months, as it allows your feet to sweat and breathe freely.
It is also super comfortable. Flexible and soft, it allows the foot to move around just enough to feel comfortable while offering enough support to keep your foot secure and where it needs to be.
The addition of the asymmetrical tongue also keeps the foot from sliding around too much and feels flexible but reliable.
The Outsole: More Grip
As aforementioned, the addition of extra rubber on this shoe was a key change.
While there is more rubber added, there is still quite a bit of exposed EVA foam on the base of the shoe.
This has not caused any grip challenges so far, but it does make the sole unit less durable and prone to wear. For this reason, it wouldn’t be recommended for trail runs or training on rougher surfaces.
Hoka’s zonal rubber design helps to reduce weight and keep the shoe light. However if like me, you’re tough on your shoes, it’s a feature you should be aware of.
The Midsole: More Cushion And Early Stage Meta-Rocker
Hoka is well known for their exceptional cushion and rocker feel on their shoes.
However, this model just does it slightly differently.
The Hoka Rincon 3 has an early-stage meta-rocker that propels the foot through your stride a little quicker. They also added a touch more cushion in the midsole, creating an excellent ratio for the foot.
Extra Features Explained:
A key element that Hoka has been working on is making their shoes more available to various foot shapes and sizes.
This is one of their first models outside their traditional series to offer more widths.
The Rincon 3 comes in a wide and offers more colorways in this width, meaning this model is not only versatile in function, but it is also in fit.
Onto the Fit:
The fit of the Rincon 3 is great from top to bottom and all around! It’s ideal for pretty much any foot shape.
It is wide enough in the forefoot to allow for your toes to splay as you press off, but also has a tapered feel to it that keeps you feeling secure.
There is a tailored heel cup on the back that comes up slightly, and this really locks the foot in place and gives control while running.
With the weightless feel and cushion combo, the movement of this shoe feels super smooth moving through the gait and with the improved tongue, heel, and sole the foot feels secure and ready to take on the miles!
Is this shoe helpful for injuries?
There are many people out there who will tell you “Hokas are a miracle shoe and they corrected my plantar fasciitis.”
However it is also a combination of things when it comes to healing from injury and it is highly recommended that you find a shoe that is tailored to your needs, especially when coming back from an injury.
That being said, yes, this shoe can potentially help with certain injuries like plantar fasciitis.
Why?
Because of the way the shoe off-loads weight and distributes forces it takes the pressure and load off of the plantar fascia.
Additionally, the rocker platform effortlessly moves your foot through the gait cycle and you also do not have to extend the big toe as much to push off.
The meta-rocker provides a stable platform that does not have a traditional “toe break” at the mid-foot, like say the Brooks Ghost 14.
All of these features, ultimately help lower the amount of work the foot has to do while running (or walking) and allow the tissue a better chance of healing.
For other running injuries, like Achilles tendonitis, this shoe may not be recommended because of the low drop height which stretches the Achilles down.
Of course, we recommend always consulting a physician or physical therapist when concerned about an injury – and check out your local running store for a fitting too.
Related Article: How to Choose a Pair of Running Shorts
Recap: Check out the Hoka Rincon 3
To wrap things up, the Hoka Rincon 3 is a lightweight, cushioned trainer ideal for anyone walking or running. They’re great for almost any amount of distance but are prone to wear.
It is perfect for faster days (albeit not sprints) and slower days making this one versatile trainer you will not want to miss out on.
In addition to its traditional features like EVA cushion and Zonal rubber, it also has some snazzy elements like a 100% vegan upper and an asymmetrical tongue.
Hoka has certainly made some great improvements to the Hoka Rincon 3!
So, go check it out, try it on, and see for yourself! You might just find your new favorite trainer.
Need to consider a few more running shoes before making your purchase?
Why not check out our other running shoe reviews here? Or choose from the below!
