REASONS TO BUY
Awesome price point
Great traction updates
Strong stability
Sensitive despite added stack
REASONS TO AVOID
May be too firm for some runners
Not especially responsive
Hoka Torrent 4 - Women's Review
This shoe stands as a reliable trail option, featuring updates like a redesigned lug pattern and firmer midsole that left testers impressed, especially after considering its lower-than-average price
For a little bit of everything on a budget, the Torrent 4 is the shoe our testers recommend.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
The Hoka Torrent has seen its share of accolades, with previous iterations winning various GearLab awards in the past. This version is a seriously affordable and reliable trail shoe that's a great option for budget-conscious runners. With a steady price point, an updated midsole, and a redesigned lug pattern, the new Torrent is an approachable trail shoe that continued to wow our testers this time around. The Torrent 4 remains as stable as ever, featuring a firm midsole and noticeable sensitivity. With a 4 mm drop and 5 mm lugs, the new Torrent will get most runners where they need to be, making it a universally beloved powerhouse and affordable on the trails.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Hoka Torrent 4 - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Wide Toe Box Option |  Best Bang for Your Buck | Best for Rough Terrain | ||
| Price | $130.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $111.93 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $140.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $142.78 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $104.96 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This trail shoe delivers dependable performance with a revamped lug pattern and sturdier midsole, all for an approachable price | Though not the most agile, this shoe shines in comfort, traction, and all-day trail durability | With a reliable build, lightened weight, and road-shoe fit, this shoe remains a go-to for trail runners who value consistency over flashy upgrades | If a well-tractioned powerhouse of a shoe is what you're after, this 7mm-drop, stacked-with-tech shoe is the one for you | With its rugged grip and dependable protection, this shoe is ideal for runners tackling tough trails, though it prioritizes durability over a fast, bouncy ride |
| Rating Categories | Hoka Torrent 4 - Wo... | Topo MTN Racer 3 -... | Saucony Peregrine 1... | La Sportiva Bushido... | Merrell Agility Pea... |
| Comfort and Fit (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Foot Protection (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Hoka Torrent 4 - Wo... | Topo MTN Racer 3 -... | Saucony Peregrine 1... | La Sportiva Bushido... | Merrell Agility Pea... |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 29 mm | 32 mm | 30 mm | 28 mm | 34 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 4 mm | 6 mm | 4 mm | 7 mm | 8 mm |
| Rock Plate | No | No | Yes | 1.5 mm dual-density compressed EVA rock-guard in forefoot | Yes |
| Measured Lug Depth | 5.0 mm | 4.3 mm | 5.6 mm | 3.8 mm | 4.1 mm |
| Measured Weight | 7.36 oz | 7.80 oz | 7.80 oz | 9.11 oz | 7.84 oz |
| Upper | Mesh | Mesh | Mesh | Air mesh / thermal adhesive microfiber / high frequency welded ripstop overlays | Engineered mesh and TPU |
| Midsole | Unspecified compound | ZipFoam | PWRRUN foam | 4 mm LaSpEVA / Compression Molded MEMlex | FloatPro Foam Midsole |
| Outsole | High-abrasion rubber | Vibram | PWRTRAC | Bi-Compound FriXion XT 2.0 V-Groove3 | Vibram MegaGrip |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 11 US | 6 - 12 US | 5 - 12 US regular, wide, GTX | 5.5 - 11 US regular, wide | 5 - 11 US regular |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | Extended heel pull | Finger loop | Finger loop | Tiny finger loop |
| Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop | 5 mm | 5 mm | 4 mm | 6 mm | 6 mm |
Our Analysis and Test Results
With a revamped outsole for better traction and a lighter midsole for extra speed, the Torrent 4 checks off many of the features we love in trail shoes. This firm, 4 mm drop shoe is designed to be all business — both on the trails and for your wallet.
With a revamped outsole for improved traction and a lighter midsole for extra speed, the Torrent hits the mark with many features we love in trail shoes. This firm, 4mm drop shoe is all business, delivering performance on the trails and value for your wallet.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
The Torrent has always been appreciated for its no-nonsense design, and this iteration takes its sturdy, responsive build to the next level. While it's not the softest trail shoe out there, it delivers a secure fit and just enough midsole bounce to keep runners comfortable on a variety of terrains.
The firm ride might not appeal to those who prefer a plush experience, but for those seeking a reliable and supportive option, the Torrent shines. Its solid design eliminated concerns about hot spots or discomfort during testing, adding to its reputation as a dependable trail companion. I particularly enjoyed it for middle-distance runs, noting that its durability and stability make it a trustworthy choice for rugged adventures. If you're after a straightforward, high-performing shoe, the Torrent might just be the perfect match.
While not the softest trail shoe, it provides a secure fit and enough midsole cushion to keep runners comfortable across various terrains.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
Well, Hoka redesigned the outsole of the Torrent, and it is minutely higher-scoring, but come on, Hoka, give the people what they want! We have long dreamt of the firm and high-performing Torrent as one with a Vibram outsole.
Almost always, Vibram-outsole shoes score higher in the traction metric of our testing, and we'd love to see the Torrent truly shine here. Hoka did redesign the lugs and lug pattern, adding 1 mm of depth to the lugs. The newly sharpened lug corners add slightly more bite, but I noticed that this outsole sheds mud more poorly than the Torrent 3. The traction of the Torrent is solid, providing confidence and grip during each of our tests. It holds its own on mixed terrain, but I found myself wishing for the extra stick of Vibram.
Hoka gave the Torrent's outsole a slight redesign, yielding marginally better performance, but we're still left wishing for a Vibram outsole that could elevate the Torrent's firm, high-performing design to its full potential.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
The Torrent 4 is, and has always been, a very stable shoe simply based on its firm structure. Despite the midsole and outsole updates, the lateral stability and connected ride this shoe provides remain unchanged.
The Torrent has a way of securely welcoming your heel and providing stability from there. Its moderate stack and 4 mm differential help ensure confident and secure rides every time. Hoka introduced a structure that they are calling the “hot melt support cage,” which feels a lot like textile reinforcement in stability-enhancing areas. The support cage is minimal but contributes to the locked-down fit and feel of the updated Torrent.
The Torrent offers secure heel fit and stability with its moderate stack and 4mm differential. Hoka's new “hot melt support cage” adds minimal structure, enhancing the locked-down feel and confident rides.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Foot Protection
The underfoot protection of the Torrent is similar to what it's always been. Hoka added 3 mm of underfoot stack without additional structure, so the overall feel is very much the same. It is protective and slightly flexible without having a rock plate.
At 29 mm in the heel and 25 mm in the forefoot, the stack offers a buffer between you and unforgiving trail features while still providing a connected-to-the-trail sensation, unlike many of the more maximally-styled shoes that have risen in popularity. Hoka left the upper of the Torrent largely the same with this update, leaving the jacquard mesh upper to deflect sand as effectively as it always has. The lay-flat gusseted tongue is stretchy enough to remain comfortable and protective without feeling squishy or overdone. We found that the Torrent 4 is built to look beefier and more protective than versions past, but it scored nearly identically in this metric.
The Torrent maintains its familiar underfoot protection, resulting in a protective and slightly flexible shoe, even without a rock plate.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
At 7.36 ounces per women's size 6.5 shoe, the Torrent is on the lighter end of the spectrum when it comes to trail shoes.
The reworked midsole allows this shoe to be ever-so-slightly lighter than its predecessor, which is fun for ripping down trails. I found the Torrent's low-to-moderate weight satisfactory for the level of protection it offers. However, the lack of comfortable underfoot cushioning makes its relatively low weight more expected than impressive.
The reworked midsole makes the Torrent slightly lighter than its predecessor, which is great for faster trail efforts.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Sensitivity
In a twist we did not see coming, Hoka added 3 mm of stack to the Torrent 4 yet somehow added more sensitivity. Previous versions of the Torrent offered muted feedback for adaptability and stability but not true sensitivity.
This time around, the outsole and undercarriage are a bit more rigid but allow for a better trail feel. Runners who want a thick, muted, and ultra-protective underfoot ride will most definitely not like the Torrent. I really enjoyed the beautiful balance of sensitivity and stability that the Torrent 4 offers.
With the addition of 3mm of stack in the Torrent, Hoka managed to enhance sensitivity.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Hoka Torrent 4?
If you want a budget-friendly, firm, and capable trail shoe, we don't hesitate to recommend the Hoka Torrent 4. The Torrent still offers its iconic versatility, strength, function, and affordability. It does away with extra fluff and provides stability for runners who just want to get down to business. Though I have a few other shoes that I prefer for agility, speed, and distance, the Torrent is a reliable steed that is made for tackling trails of all kinds.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly, firm, and capable trail shoe, the Hoka Torrent 4 remains a solid choice, offering versatility, strength, function, and affordability for all types of trails.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The Hoka trail running family is flush with options to suit you if the Torrent doesn't sound quite right. One of our favorites is the nimble and Vibram-outsoled Hoka Mafate Speed 4. The Mafate offers better traction than the Torrent, making it a bit more capable on technical or loose trails. The Mafate also includes a bouncy, Profly midsole that provides comfort and an element of energy return. Similarly, the Hoka Speedgoat 6 offers a bit more underfoot comfort than the new Torrent, though the fit and overall style remains similar. If a speedy and comfortable shoe is what you're after, we don't hesitate to recommend the powerful La Sportivia Prodigio Pro.
—Ally Arcuri
You Might Also Like
