Tecton X 3 vs Ultrafly 1

The Tecton X 3 is Hoka's carbon-plated trail racing shoe, built for runners who want road-race pop on rough ground. At 252g it is remarkably light for a shoe with this much cushion under the foot, and the carbon plate gives you a real snap through toe-off when you are moving well. With a 5mm drop and an RRP of £220 it sits at the sharp, premium end of the trail market, squarely aimed at long-distance and ultra racing rather than everyday miles. This is a specialist. It rewards a runner who wants to hold pace over technical terrain and carry that efficiency deep into a race, when tired legs need every bit of help they can get. If you race trail ultras or fast half and full marathon distances off-road, it belongs on your shortlist. The nearest rival in our catalogue is the Nike Ultrafly, another plated trail racer chasing the same runner.

The Nike Ultrafly 1 is Nike's first proper carbon trail racer, and it plays like a road super-shoe that has been sent to the mountains. A full-length ZoomX midsole gives you that soft, springy super-foam return, a carbon plate stiffens the ride for the climbs, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole handles the wet rock and mud that would leave a road plate helpless. This is a running shoe built for one job: going fast on trail race day. At £225 it sits at the very top of the market, up against the Hoka Tecton X 3 and Salomon's S/Lab racers, and it is best kept for hard efforts rather than daily miles. On smooth, rolling and moderately technical trail it feels quick and protective. On steep, rooty, gnarly ground the tall stack and stiff plate ask for confident, committed footwork. Buy it as a specialist trail marathon and ultra weapon, not an everyday trail trainer.