The Hoka One One Tor Speed 2 WP. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

The Hoka 1 Ane Tor Speed two WP. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Cost: £130
Colour: blackness/grey/green
Weight: 716g/pair (size nine½)
Construction: textile uppers/Vibram MegaGrip outsole
Waterproofing: outcome membrane
State of manufacture: Vietnam
Crampon rating: B0 (non crampon compatible)
Sole stiffness: ii/10
Sizes: men's 6½-12 (xl-47⅓); women's 4½-seven½ (37⅓-41⅓)

These super lightweight boots from the running-shoe experts Hoka One One are designed, the company says, for fast-moving walkers.

The Tor Speed two WP are mid-height, offering hikers a picayune more than protection than a shoe.

Uppers are fabric, with the add-on of rubber protection at the toe. The rear section of the upper has a nylon overlay, and the heel cup is stiffened to give protection in this area.

The boots have a striking modern design. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

The boots have a hit modern design. Photograph: Bob Smith/grough

The blueprint is hitting, and so if you're subsequently a staid brown boot, expect elsewhere. At that place are silver rounded chevrons running up each side of the forefoot area, and a big argent Hoka One One logo at the toe and branding at the heel. Vivid green detail and laces contrast with the overall black and grey design.

The uppers are soft enough to requite comfort while affording support to the pes, and the lacing enables a good snug fit that stops the foot moving nearly.

We wouldn't advise scree running or tackling very rocky mountain sections in these boots, but that'southward not what they're designed for. Comfort on treks and trails is where the Tor Speed two WP is aimed and information technology accomplishes this well.

The sole unit of measurement gives a big amount of underfoot cushioning, thanks to a combination of the Vibram high-traction outsole, which uses MegaGrip compound; a full-length EVA midsole at the summit, with an additional RMAT midsole – a combination of EVA and rubber – to provide support.

The insole is an Ortholite model which has a little additional cushioning, forth with anti-microbial properties.

All this makes for lots of shock absorbing under the foot, and on extended walks using lots of difficult surfaces such as gravel and paving flags, our feet remained happy feet. The sole has a pronounced rocker which made for an easy walking action.

A rubberised rand rises simply a little way upwards the uppers, and the ankle collar and tongue take just about the right amount of padding for comfort while retaining the super lightweight design ethos.

The boots accept an issue waterproof membrane which kept the rain out, but h2o tin go in from the top of the boot because the tongue bellows end just below the second lace-hole from the top, meaning there's really only protection in that location to almost the height of a shoe.

Grip from the unusual sole was good. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Grip from the unusual sole was skillful. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

In exercise, this means in pelting, you have to effort to ensure your trousers or overtrousers cover the boots to this level – non e'er easy on the movement and impossible if you're wearing shorts. If the bellows were extended upwardly by ii or 3 centimetres, this would give amend protection against water inbound from the top.

Grip from the unusual outsole was good. There is no traditional heel step which would normally provide downhill braking. Rather, the whole sole has a continuous curved sweep, from the dorsum of the heel to the tip of the toe.

There is a fairly deep indentation in the heel area of the outsole, and there is also diagonal groove in this area.

Nevertheless the Tor Speed two WP performed admirably both in uphill traction and downhill braking. The 5mm lugs in the MegaGrip sole were very adept on dry and wet rock, on moisture grass and on firm mud. Ground was assured and gave confidence both uphill and on steep downhill sections, including rock flags.

The Hoka One One Tor Speed 2 gets a best buy rating. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

The Hoka 1 One Tor Speed 2 gets a best buy rating. Photograph: Bob Smith/grough

Sizing of the boots was about normal, maybe but about a quarter of a size on the small side. For us, the outside of the forefoot felt a picayune constrained, with the fiddling toe pressed correct up confronting the fabric. Equally with all footwear, we suggest trying them on to see if they fit your foot.

The exceptional underfoot cushioning, supportive yet supple uppers and very calorie-free weight of these Hoka One Ane boots made for a very comfortable walking experience. They're ideal for long trips, where fatigue and pounding on the sole would normally exist a major concern.

Build quality was good.

We wouldn't await lightweight textile boots to stand up up to prolonged punishment on routes where yous're likely to run into abrupt rocks and scree, simply on the trail, the comfortable Tor Speed 2 WP boots really come into their ain.

Operation 24/thirty
Comfort 27/xxx
Versatility five/10
Quality 7/10
Value for money 16/20
Full score: 79/100

  • The boots were supplied to grough by Hoka One One.