Honestly, the Hoka lineup is getting kinda crowded. You’ve got the Clifton for plush miles, the Mach for speed, and the Bondi for... well, looking like you’re walking on literal marshmallows. So where does that leave the Hoka men's rincon 4 shoe?
For a long time, the Rincon was the "budget" Hoka. It was light, fast, and cheap, but it had a nasty habit of dying after about 150 miles. If you owned the Rincon 3, you know exactly what I mean. One day they’re springy, and the next, they feel like you’re running on a couple of flat planks of wood.
With the Rincon 4, Hoka basically went back to the drawing board. They didn't just tweak it; they rebuilt the thing.
What’s Actually New with the Hoka Men's Rincon 4 Shoe?
The biggest shocker? The weight. Usually, "new and improved" means "heavier because we added more stuff." While the Rincon 4 did gain a tiny bit of weight—it’s sitting at roughly 8.0 oz for a men’s size 9—it’s still stupidly light.
Hoka added 3mm of stack height, bringing the heel to 36mm and the forefoot to 31mm. That's a lot of foam. But it’s not the mushy, sink-in foam you find in the Bondi. It’s a dual-layer setup. You’ve got a softer top layer for that initial "oh, that's nice" feel, and a firmer, injection-molded EVA underneath.
The bottom isn't traditional rubber. It's rubberized EVA.
Basically, they took the foam and toughened it up so it acts as the outsole. This is how they keep the weight down. Does it last? Early reports from high-mileage runners like David Salas at Doctors of Running suggest it’s better than the old versions, but it’s still not a tank. If you’re a heavy heel striker, you're gonna see that foam grind down. That’s just the trade-off for a shoe this light.
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The Fit is... Different
You need to hear this: it runs small. Not just "maybe size up," but "my toes are screaming" small.
I’ve seen dozens of reviews from guys who have worn a size 11 in Hoka for a decade, and they’re struggling to cram their feet into the Rincon 4. It’s narrow. The engineered double-jacquard upper doesn’t have a ton of give. If you have wide feet, don't even look at the standard D width. Get the wide version, or maybe look at the Clifton instead.
The tongue is better, though. It's actually padded now. No more paper-thin tongue cutting into the top of your foot when you cinch the laces down for a tempo run.
Why Most People Get the Rincon Wrong
Most people think "daily trainer" and expect it to do everything. The Hoka men's rincon 4 shoe is a specialist. It’s for the days when your legs feel like lead and you just want something that makes moving easier. The MetaRocker—that curved sole shape Hoka is famous for—is really aggressive here. It wants to roll you forward.
If you try to run slow in these, they feel a bit awkward. They want you to move at a "steady" pace. Not a sprint, but not a crawl either.
Comparison: Rincon 4 vs. Mach 6
A lot of people ask if they should just spend the extra $15 or $20 for the Mach 6.
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- Mach 6: Supercritical foam. It’s bouncier, more "alive," and definitely faster.
- Rincon 4: Firmer, more stable, and $125. It’s the "blue-collar" version of the Mach.
If you’re a beginner looking for one shoe to do everything, the Rincon 4 is actually a great entry point because of that price. It's a lot of tech for $125. Just don't expect it to feel like a trampoline. It's more of a firm, rolling sensation.
The Real Talk on Durability
Let's address the elephant in the room. Hoka claims this shoe is built to last longer. They used a "podular" outsole design to help with wear and tear.
But let's be real. It’s still a foam outsole.
If you run on aggressive gravel or salted winter roads, that foam is going to take a beating. It’s a road shoe, period. If you stay on the pavement, you might get 300 to 400 miles out of them. Compared to the 200 miles people were getting out of the Rincon 1 and 2, that’s a massive win. But it still won't outlast a Brooks Ghost or a Saucony Ride. Those have thick slabs of actual rubber on the bottom.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Run
If you're thinking about picking up a pair of the Hoka men's rincon 4 shoe, here is how to actually use them:
- Size Up: Seriously. Go to a store and try them on, or order a half-size larger than your usual Hoka size. Your toenails will thank me later.
- Rotation is Key: Don't make this your only shoe. It’s perfect for those 3-to-6-mile "maintenance" runs. If you use it for every single run, you’ll burn through that foam outsole in three months.
- Check the Surface: Stick to dry asphalt. The traction on wet, smooth surfaces (like painted road lines or metal grates) is... questionable. Without real rubber lugs, it can get a bit slidey.
- The "Walking" Factor: Surprisingly, this has become a huge favorite for people who stand all day—nurses, retail workers, etc. That rocker geometry takes some of the pressure off your forefoot when you're walking.
The Rincon 4 isn't trying to be the fanciest shoe in the world. It’s not trying to win a marathon. It’s a lightweight, reliable, and relatively affordable tool for the everyday runner who just wants to get the work done without feeling weighed down.