REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Great traction
Affordable
Durable
Packs out to fit your foot shape
REASONS TO AVOID
Might be too cushioned for some runners
Slightly less sensitive
Hoka Torrent 3 - Women's Review
A great all-around trail shoe that hosts some of our favorite protective features, all for a relatively affordable price
The Torrent is a shoe that comes with our (almost) universal accolades.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Our Verdict
The Hoka Torrent 3 is truly an incredible bang for your buck. With enough protection for rugged trails, enough cushion for ultra-efforts, and enough durability to go the distance, this updated superstar is one of the most versatile trail running shoes on the market. The Torrent is the trail marathon shoe of many runners' dreams, thanks to 4 mm lugs, a 4 mm drop, and a lightweight upper. With few exceptions, this is the shoe we recommend to most runners. New runners will like the emphasis on comfort, and experienced trail runners will love the responsiveness, durability, and comfort. If you want a do-it-all trail shoe, we can't recommend this one enough. Our article on the best women's trail running shoes will show you how it fares versus competing products.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Hoka Torrent 3 - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang for Your Buck |  Best Overall Trail Running Shoe for Women |  Best for Comfortable Zero Drop Performance | Best Trail Shoe with a Traditional Fit | |
| Price | $130 List $129.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods | $145.00 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $98.93 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $105.93 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $100 List $79.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This is our go-to recommendation for runners seeking a comfortable, well-tractioned shoe for short and long distances alike | If a well-tractioned powerhouse of a shoe is what you're after, this 7 mm-drop, stacked-with-tech shoe is the one for you | Featuring an upgraded upper and a stable zero-drop design, this shoe is a dependable and comfortable trail running option, ensuring comfort even during extended runs | This is one of our top recommendations for a shoe that's familiar, like a road shoe, but provides everything you need over serious terrain | An affordable and functional trail shoe that is great for new runners, budget-conscious runners, any anyone looking to tackle moderate terrain |
| Rating Categories | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | La Sportiva Bushido... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Saucony Peregrine 1... | Brooks Divide 4 - W... |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | La Sportiva Bushido... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Saucony Peregrine 1... | Brooks Divide 4 - W... |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 11 US regular |
5.5 - 11 US regular, wide | 5.5 - 12 US regular and wide |
5 - 12 US regular, wide | 5 - 12 US regular |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 26 mm | 28 mm | 20 mm | 29 mm | 29 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 4 mm | 7 mm | 0 mm | 5 mm | 7 mm |
| Rock Plate | No | 1.5 mm Dual-Density compressed EVA Rock-Guard in forefoot | TPU | Yes | No |
| Measured Lug Depth | 4.0 mm | 3.8 mm | 3.2 mm | 4.0 mm | 3.0 mm |
| Measured Weight | 7.52 oz | 9.11 oz | 8.14 oz | 7.95 oz | 7.82 oz |
| Upper | Mesh | Air Mesh / Thermal Adhesive Microfiber / High Frequency Welded Ripstop Overlays | Ripstop Mesh | Mesh | Mesh |
| Midsole | EVA | 4mm LaSpEVA / Compression Molded MEMlex | Altra EGO | PWRRUN foam | DNA Loft |
| Outsole | Rubber | Bi-Compound FriXion® XT 2.0 V-Groove3 | MaxTrac | PWRTRAC | TrailTack rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | None | Finger loop | Finger loop | Finger loop | None |
| Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop | 5 mm | 6 mm | 0 mm | 4 mm | 8 mm |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
Hoka reconfigured the upper of the Torrent 3 this time around. Instead of using a double-layered mesh, they pared it down to a single layer with a lay-flat gusseted tongue. The toebox seems to offer slightly less space, but overall the Torrent again impressed us by being an ultra-worthy trail runner that can tackle most terrain types. With its exceptional traction and ability to adapt to the demands you impose upon it, this shoe is one of our most recommended.
Performance Comparison
The Torrent features fantastic versions of some of our favorite features, making it a shoe that we feel comfortable recommending to most runners.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Foot Protection
The Torrent 3 does not have a rock plate, but we don't think it needs one. The 26 mm total stack is plush enough to protect the soles of your feet while allowing you to feel what is beneath you as you run.
Much like the Torrent 2, this version was put forth with a strong yet unintrusive toecap. It is big and burly enough to protect your toes but flexible enough to feel comfortable as the miles add up. We had reservations about the reconfigured upper since an entire upper mesh layer was removed. Ultimately, we found very little difference, protection-wise, with this new upper. We did, however, enjoy a slight bit more breathability, which is always appreciated.
Trail shoes with as much comfort, traction, and protection as the Torrent 3 can hold up to the demands of serious distance training.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The rubberized lateral siding extends slightly higher on the sides, providing an added protection barrier between your foot and sand, dust, or water splashes. The upper is not waterproof by any means, but if your run leads you to a quick hop across a stream, droplets from a slight mistake won't sabotage your feet. The Torrent 3 also doesn't get water-logged as quickly as other shoes, which earned it extra points in this metric.
The toe cap and underfoot cushion of the Torrent 3 make it a protective and comfortable choice.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
When we test traction, we intentionally try to lose our grip by pushing our shoes to their limits. No shoe is perfect, but we remain impressed by the traction of the Torrent. The outsole pattern is identical to the previous version, with 4 mm lugs comprised of durable rubber. As we experienced with prior versions, the outsole rubber is durable and strong without being too rigid.
The balance of strength and softness in the outsole of the Torrent 3 adds to its stability and comfort when traveling over would-be painful terrain. We might not recommend this shoe for all sloppy spring terrain, but if damp trails and loose scree are in your future, the Torrent will definitely show up.
While on hardpacked trails, the Torrent 3 does just fine, it's less well-equipped to handle challenging terrain.
Hoka redesigned the outsole rubber to be more durable and stickier. While this incredibly grippy shoe sticks to most surfaces, we noticed no difference in the grip between the last iteration and this one. It did a great job before, and it does a great job now.
With a traction pattern that is nearly identical to its predecessor, the Torrent can take on loose, rocky terrain, sandy coastal trails, and everything in between.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
We like to assess whether or not our trail shoes will make good crossover shoes. The Torrent historically has been a shoe that we recommend for light road running because it crosses over well. We noticed that the outsole rubber held up a bit better during this phase of our testing than in the past. Previously, we noticed that the lugs were susceptible to small abrasions, but we did not find this to be the case while testing the Torrent 3. If you happen upon the occasional bike path or need to run down your street before you pop onto your favorite trail, the Torrent is a great shoe to do so in.
We feel our best when running in well-tractioned shoes. The confidence that the Torrent provides is exceptional.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Sensitivity
If you are looking for a sensitive shoe that allows you to feel every bit of trail information, the Torrent 3 likely won't be the shoe for you. However, if you want to strike a balance between trail feel and comfort, read on.
As we ran in this shoe, we found that its sensitivity increased. One of the things we love about Hoka-made shoes is that they mold to your feet and adapt to your gait without losing their integrity. Once we had the Torrent 3 broken in, we loved the balance of underfoot protection and trail information. With a lower stack height, the forefoot sits at only 22 mm, allowing your foot to ride close to the terrain beneath you.
Even with a plush landing platform, the Torrent is sensitive enough to satisfy runners who want to feel trail undulations in an intimate way.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
The lower stack height and 4 mm offset make the Torrent 3 incredibly stable. Much like its predecessor, this trail runner can absorb the impact of an ankle roll so you can stay upright and on the move.
The lateral edges of the Torrent 3 are tough enough to prevent lateral movements inside the shoe but flexible enough not to imprison feet. The underfoot feel, heel-to-toe differential, and support all come together to create a shoe that is one of the most stable we've tested. We run a lot and, especially during the course of testing shoes, we find our legs fatiguing frequently. In our experience, lazy legs lead to rolled ankles and an increased need for a shoe that can do a lot of work for you. The Torrent 3 can't get the runs done for you, but its wide base of support and other features can encourage your body to move in biomechanically correct patterns. We have tested other comparatively stable shoes, but the Torrent is the one we find ourselves returning to.
We love how the Torrent seems to absorb small trail obstacles to create added stability.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
The comfort and fit of a shoe are unique to the wearer. We are straight-up obsessed with the way the Torrent 3 hugs our feet and think it will appeal to most runners. The toe box will stretch a bit to accommodate your foot, making for a trail running companion that is unique to your foot shape.
The Torrent 3 balances strength and comfort in a unique and functional way. The cushioning almost feels like it is built for protection, so the interior never crosses the line into feeling plush or mushy. This version's toebox feels a bit tighter than the last, but as we have mentioned, it loosens after a few miles.
The underfoot comfort of the Torrent 3 is high, making it a great choice for ultra-long distances. Our lead tester comfortably ran the rugged Catalina Trail Marathon in this version of the Torrent.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The heel cup is beefier than most, but we love how secure it feels. Even the updated, lay-flat tongue has adequate cushioning. Because of this, we never felt like the laces were digging into our feet when they swelled. If you are looking for a shoe that prioritizes comfort without weighing you down or feeling soft, the Torrent will likely be a great fit for you.
The protective cushion and slightly pliable upper mesh make the Torrent a shoe that will keep your feet comfortable throughout long days on your favorite trails.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
Despite Hoka redesigning the upper panels to exclude an entire layer of mesh, this new version doesn't weigh any less than the previous model. If we are splitting hairs, the Torrent 3 actually weighs a bit more than the Torrent 2. But it is a negligible amount of weight that wasn't noticeable as we ran.
Each size 6.5 shoe weighs 7.52 ounces, which is lower than average for a shoe with such great protective features. Because of the weight distribution, we never felt weighed down. The upper feels lightweight, the midsole feels protective, and the outsole feels springy and fresh. The responsive bounce of the midfoot aids in the overall feeling of weightlessness.
We love the light weight of the incredible Torrent 3.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Hoka Torrent 3?
Because it has great traction, we feel comfortable recommending the Torrent to runners who intend to tackle mixed terrain types. Its plush-but-not-mushy comfort makes it well-suited for higher trail mileage, and it can easily crossover to the pavement. If a trail marathon is in your future, the Torrent is a fantastic shoe to consider.
The Torrent 3 is one of our go-to picks for ourselves and for anyone who asks us for an impressive trail shoe recommendation.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you like the sound of the Torrent 3 but want to race more efficiently, the Hoka Tecton X 2 is worth a look. The Tecton fits in a similar way but has a carbon fiber plate embedded into its sole for maximal speed. If you want a shoe with a bit more softness, check out the Hoka Challenger 7. With its thick stack height and slightly softer outsole, the Challenger offers the features we love in a Hoka shoe but with an emphasis on softness.
—Ally Arcuri
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