Hoka One One Rincon 4 Introduction
Again in 2019, earlier than the Mach collection turned the powerhouse that it’s as we speak, the Rincon was the default, light-weight velocity coach within the Hoka lineup. The plated Mach X didn’t exist again then, so once you needed to do your velocity coaching, you reached for the Rincon. Those that discovered the Clifton/Bondi too heavy or too arch-intruding, used the Rincon as their each day coach.
Since then, the Rincon has fallen out of favour at Hoka. Complaints of the Rincon’s quick cushioning lifespan and speedy outsole degradation resulted in Hoka placing the Rincon on the again burner- this, together with the rise in reputation of the Mach collection.
3 years in the past, in 2021, the Rincon 3 was launched. It’s been 2 Rincon-less years since then. Now, Hoka has determined to convey the Rincon again. It’s not labeled as a velocity coach however a light-weight each day coach. The Mach 6 (which is now a Hoka bestseller) continues to be the flagship, plateless light-weight, velocity coach.
So why has Hoka determined to convey the Rincon again? It could possibly be as a consequence of well-liked demand or it could possibly be that as a result of the most recent model of the Mach (sixth model) has modified a lot, they need to provide a coach which resembles the earlier variations of the Mach, which had been immensely well-liked.
The 2024 Rincon 4 is unrecognisable and it resembles the Mach 4/5 greater than any earlier Rincon model. The most important change is that it now has a full-length, rubberised EVA outsole, just like the Mach 4, 5 and Supersonic variations.
The Rincon 4 weighs 8 oz (227 g) in a males’s US 9. That is 0.6 oz (17 g) heavier than the Rincon 3. It has gained 3 additional mm of stack top within the heel and the forefoot. Its value has remained at $125 (the identical as in 2021), which is a formidable feat.
Hoka One One Rincon 4 First Impressions
My first run was a straightforward 10K. At first, I assumed that going true to measurement was a mistake due to how slender the toe-box was however luckily it gave me no points. If I had been to purchase it once more, I’d go up a half measurement as a result of I desire a roomy match.
The experience didn’t really feel like several earlier Rincon. It felt very acquainted although and it jogged my memory of the Hoka Mach Supersonic. The experience was comparatively agency (for Hoka) however buttery clean.
It undoubtedly felt like a light-weight, tempo coach; not a each day coach, like Hoka says, because of the firmness of the experience. It felt firmer than the Mach 6, Clifton 9 and the Mach X.
Hoka One One Rincon 4 Higher
The Rincon’s higher is a cosy, velocity match. It has a really skinny, engineered jacquard higher with excellent airflow and it has air flow holes throughout the toe-box for higher breathability.
Sadly, the padded tongue shouldn’t be gusseted however I didn’t discover any tongue slide because of the lace loop in the course of the tongue that holds it in place.
There are reflective panels on the first 2 eyelets in addition to on the highest of the toe-box for low-light visibility.
The Rincon 4 has a really slender forefoot and toe-box typical of Hokas, so most runners might want to go up a half measurement or get the huge model. It’s additionally a tad shorter in size than most trainers. I don’t suggest it for huge ft.
Hoka One One Rincon 4 Sole Unit
Nearly all of the Rincon 4 opinions on the Hoka web site are detrimental. Most individuals complain in regards to the agency experience and the tight match. In addition they say that the Rincon 4 is nothing just like the Rincon 3.
I agree that the experience is agency however I don’t thoughts the agency experience. That’s what units the Rincon 4 other than the Mach 6 and the opposite trainers just like the Clifton 9. This shoe is for runners who need one thing mild and agency that feels quick. Hoka has loads of different smooth trainers to select from.
Hoka states that it’s an injected EVA foam within the Rincon 4. That is one step down from the supercritical midsole of the Mach 6 which has extra compression and extra rebound. The Rincon 4 midsole is denser and doesn’t really feel as vigorous or energetic because the Mach 6. The midsole does nonetheless really feel extra responsive than variations 1, 2 and three of the Rincon.
With 36 mm stack top within the heel and 31 mm within the forefoot, the Rincon 4 has substantial cushioning, nonetheless the stack heights really feel a lot decrease once you’re operating in it as a consequence of its agency experience.
The longest run I did within the Rincon 4 was 38 kilometres. It had sufficient cushioning and the experience was secure sufficient nonetheless I’d have most popular a shoe with an even bigger forefoot rocker to make it really feel extra environment friendly. Hoka advertises that it has a MetaRocker nevertheless it’s not very distinguished in comparison with their different trainers.
The Rincon 4 is greatest suited to quick or center distance runs nonetheless, if you happen to’re used to agency rides, you possibly can use it for lengthy runs too. It feels most snug doing steady-paced runs. It’s too agency for simple/restoration runs whereas it lacks the power return and velocity help for tempo runs or something sooner. There’s no stiffening gadget in its midsole so it has a versatile forefoot with a pure experience.
The Rincon 4’s rubberised EVA outsole is twice the thickness of standard outsoles. That is essential due to how briskly it wears down. There may be noticeable put on on my pair on the outer lateral heel areas.
When you’re exhausting on outsoles, and also you desire a shoe that lasts a very long time, the Rincon 4 may not be the perfect shoe for you however I’ve observed that the outsole put on isn’t as unhealthy as variations 1, 2 and three. These variations had extra midsole foam uncovered on their outsoles.
As you’d anticipate from an outsole so clean, traction shouldn’t be excellent on moist, clean surfaces. Traction is okay on dry surfaces.
Hoka One One Rincon 4 Conclusions
Whereas the Rincon 4 doesn’t have the enjoyable issue that different trendy, extra energetic Hoka trainers have, its value is considerably decrease and it has remained the identical as 3 years in the past, when most footwear have elevated in value. At solely $125, the Rincon 4 represents nice worth and it doesn’t really feel like a price range coach.
The agency experience and weight enhance could be off-putting for runners who had been followers of the earlier Rincon variations. Its higher can also be much less accommodating. It does nonetheless really feel extra responsive and extra polished than earlier variations so for my part, it’s the most effective Rincon thus far. It feels extra like earlier variations of the Mach than earlier variations of the Rincon.
At solely 8 oz (227 g), the Rincon 4 is tremendous mild for a each day coach. It’s lighter than the Clifton 9, Mach 6 and loads lighter than the Skyflow and Bondi. This makes it really feel nimbler than most of Hoka’s behemoth trainers.