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Is this the latest seismic shift in trail running tech?

Recently, carbon plates have been all the rage in the running shoe scene. In trail running, however, there's been a slower adoption of this new tech. The North Face was a pioneer in introducing carbon-fiber plates to the trail with its Flight Vectiv lineup, but the tech hasn't gone gangbusters like we've seen in road running because of the more technical terrain.

This all could change, though, thanks to the latest release from Hoka. Designed as a race shoe and boasting two — count 'em, two — parallel carbon fiber plates, the all-new Tecton X could be poised to unleash that seismic shift in trail running innovation.

Inspired by the Earth's tectonic plates — we see what you did there, Hoka — the Tecton X is the brand's first carbon-plated trail runner. Rather than using a singular plate within the midsole, the Tecton X features two independent plates that run lengthwise up and down the shoe.

According to the brand, this allows runners to dynamically interface with the changing terrain, maintaining speed and responsiveness without losing stability. Sort of picture a dual-suspension system from your favorite off-road vehicle.

To sandwich these two carbon plates, Hoka has incorporated a dual-density foam system in its new Profly X midsole. A blend of soft and responsive foams underfoot is poised to deliver plenty of cushioning for those long training days, as well as enough energy return for fast-paced racing.

To compliment the midsole, the Tecton X features a Vibram Megagrip outsole with Litebase construction. This lug pattern and wider footprint can help you maximize ground contact for confident steps across tricky terrain.

A jacquard engineered mesh upper rounds out this latest Hoka launch, providing lightweight lockdown and foot-hugging comfort in one.

Starting today, the Tecton X is available online at Hoka's website. At $200, this is a pricier trail runner — but when you compare it to other carbon-plated running shoes, the two c-notes are reasonable. We're shaking at the chance to hit the paths with this innovative release to see just how revolutionary the dual-carbon-plate system.