ASICS Metafuji Trail vs HOKA Tecton X 4
Metafuji Trail or Tecton X 4? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.
The short answer
Want a light, plated trail shoe for fast, smooth trails? Get the Metafuji Trail.
Want a fast, plated trail racer for long efforts? Get the Tecton X 4.
Get the Metafuji Trail if
- You want more foam underfoot (6mm more at the heel)
- You have slimmer feet and like a snug fit
- You like a stiffer, rocker-style forefoot that rolls you forward
- You want the lighter shoe, by about 0.6 oz
Get the Tecton X 4 if
- You need a touch more room than the Metafuji Trail gives
- You like a less rigid forefoot
On the run
Metafuji Trail: A max-cushion, plated trail racer. Exceptionally protective and fast-rolling, with a carbon plate and a forefoot rocker for buffed-out trails and gravel. The FF Blast+ and FF Turbo combo is less bouncy than you’d hope, and there’s minimal stability.
Tecton X 4: The PEBA, carbon-plated trail racer. Fast and bouncy, with two layers of PEBA foam and parallel carbon plates that stay stable on uneven ground. Vibram Megagrip Litebase with 4mm lugs.
The Tecton X 4 hasn’t been lab tested by RunRepeat yet, so its feel ratings are estimated from the Tecton X 3 lab test (RunRepeat) plus Running Warehouse’s description of the X 4.
Specs side by side
| Metafuji Trail | Tecton X 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 | $275 |
| Stack height (heel / forefoot) | 44 / 39mm* | 38 / 33mm* |
| Drop | 5mm* | 5mm |
| Weight, men’s | 9.1 oz* | 9.7 oz |
| Weight, women’s | ASICS no longer lists it | 8.3 oz |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Plate | Carbon plate | Carbon plate |
| Widths | Standard | Standard |
| Built for | Trails, Race day, Long runs | Trails, Race day, Long runs |
| Expected life | 300–400 miles | 300–400 miles |
Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.
Fit
Metafuji Trail. True to size and best for narrow feet. The upper is light but delicate.
Tecton X 4. Runs slightly short (like the Tecton X 3), with a stretchy forefoot and a gaiter-like knit collar.
Try them on
Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.
Shop the Metafuji Trail · Shop the Tecton X 4 · Compare other running shoes