HOKA Torrent 5 vs Zinal 3

Torrent 5 or Zinal 3? 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 nimble, grippy trail shoe for everyday runs? Get the Torrent 5.

Want a light, fast trail shoe for shorter races? Get the Zinal 3.

Get the Torrent 5 if

• You want more foam underfoot (4mm more at the heel)
• It’s mostly for easy days
• Long runs are your thing
• You’d rather spend $20 less

Get the Zinal 3 if

• You want something for race day
• You’ll use it for tempo runs and workouts
• You want the lighter shoe, by about 0.8 oz

On the run

Torrent 5: The nimble, everyday trail shoe. Nimble and grippy, with more cushion than earlier Torrents for a more protective ride. 5mm high-abrasion lugs.

Zinal 3: The light, fast trail shoe. Light, low and quick, for speed-focused trail runs and races up to about a half marathon. Aggressive multidirectional 5mm lugs.

The Torrent 5 hasn’t been lab tested by RunRepeat yet, so its feel ratings are estimated from the Torrent 3 lab test (RunRepeat) and Running Warehouse’s description of the 5.

The Zinal 3 hasn’t been lab tested by RunRepeat yet, so its feel ratings are estimated from the Zinal 2 lab test (RunRepeat) plus Running Warehouse’s description of the 3.

Specs side by side

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

Torrent 5. True to size, with a more durable, protective upper.

Zinal 3. Runs slightly short (like the Zinal 2), so consider a half size up.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.

Shop the Torrent 5 · Shop the Zinal 3 · Compare other running shoes