hoka zinal stack height

Another thing this has a much more spacious toe box compared to the Speedgoat, which is pretty narrow/pointed (though it has improved over the years). The primary limitation of the EVO however is the stretchy Matryx upper, which performs well running a straight line and/or non technical terrain, but when pressed my confidence wavers when the trail gets technical. Sam: I agree with Jeffs assessment of ideal terrains for each above. And If performance is half as hot as any of the colorways, were going to be in for a treat. Hoka Zinal 2 Multi Tester Review: Super Light Trail Race Rocket! 12 From this standpoint the Zinal is not HOKA-like, but Im diggin it for sure. Needless to say, they were stolen along with my Nike Terra Kiger 7, so fun stuff for sure. Previously, I have found exposed foam underfoot to be a bit of a liability in regards to traction and also with a tendency to shred fast on rocky terrain, though in this particular application with the Zinal, I have not really noticed much compromise in regards to traction on most terrain under most circumstances. Jeff really nails the Zinal in his description above. The RW Takeaway: The Zinal is for clocking fast-paced, short-distance runs on groomed trails. RoadTrailRun receives a commission on purchases at the stores below. The Zinal is available now including at our retail partners below. 2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Zinal is a race shoe weight ride that wont leave you beat up and which is very stable and at the same time lively. It was a different story, however, when I ventured out to trails with rooty, muddy and rocky sections. Order by these dates for delivery by Father's Day (6/18)* Standard Shipping: Order by 6/12 (12 PM PST) I didn't see any mention in the Upper section regarding the heel counter -is it fully rigid, non existent, or somewhere in between? Unfortunately, a thin upper often leads to this type of disadvantage. Canice: Jeff has described the upper in great detail and I agree with his assessment. Its what you might call an Any (Trail) Surface Any Distance kind of shoe. Sam: Any shoe daring to name itself Zinal sets the bar high. It was slightly more cushioned in stack and rubbery bouncy in feel if not overly soft with a more rigid profile. The Hoka Zinal is a lightweight trail shoe that combines comfort, protection, and responsiveness for your fast sessions. Ride: 9.5, Fit: 9.5, Value: 9.5, Style: 9.5, Traction: 9 Rock Protection: 8. The Zinal follows the trend in that department set by the road equivalent Mach 4 with its similar and I think largely identical dual layer midsole with here the lower rubberized foam I think a touch firmer for trail protection and stability. Best for: Trail Running Race Features: Heel pull tab Stretch-knit collar Light, responsive EVA midsole The Zinal is a hit, a rocket of a race shoe with very good response, a lightweight, agile and nimble feel, great protection underfoot, stability, excellent traction and a very secure fitting race like comfortable upper. I say trail shoe but also it is a very fine and very light road trail hybrid as well. Sam: My personal and for several of our testers 2020 Trail Shoe of the Year, the zero drop G270 has a more substantial and fantastic outsole,a somewhat softer bouncier underfoot feel for me if lower stack, and weighs 0.5 oz more. The heel collar is low, well padded and semi flexible, but provides very good stability and security with no heel lift. While the tongue is very thin, it is protected enough to eliminate any lace bit (which I am carefully attentive to, given I tend to over tighten laces for technical terrain). And all of this is delivered at barely 8.5 oz / 240g. Which is basically like putting a Yard Sale FREE STUFF sign on your car in Baltimore. Canice: Jeff really nails the Zinal in his description above. There is no additional rock protection. We usually consider 10 ounces a "medium" weight for a running shoe: less than 10 and we are entering the lightweight category and above 10 the shoes start to be heavy. HOKA Zinal Men's Shoes Atlantis/Outer Space | Running Warehouse HOKA ONE ONE Zinal 2 for Men | HOKA ONE ONE is a 2 x finisher of the Wasatch 100, the Bear 100, Moab 100, Western States 100, and Leadman as well as many other ultras. They provide a ride closer to recently reviewed models like the adidas Ultra Speed, or Skechers Razor TRL. Ive heard only great things about this mythical Zinal, and I cant wait to test it out. Again, same combo used in the Mach 4. Classification: Lightweight trail racer. for a US M9.0 (241 g)/ 7 oz. Even wider feet should be happy here. Both clearly designed for the Zinal course ( I have run it 4 times) with focus on climbing then smooth then very steep downhill. I am struggling to come up with a true con, but a full rubber outsole, without a weight increase would be amazing in a perfect world, as would a lace loop to contain the laces. If you had to pick one shoe, The Zinal or the VJ , which would it be?Thanks. It has everything one would want in a true mountain trail race. They are surprisingly confidence inspiring for such a light shoe, especially for timid old me on the downhills, at least on non to semi technical terrain. Lets just say they were great but for the downhilland were shot after the race. However, the combination of small lugs makes it challenging to use in wet, muddy, or snowy conditions. The Hoka Zinal is a great solution for trail runners looking for a fast shoe. It is a similar construction to the Mach 4 (Profly+ rubberized foam) with of course the Vibram LiteBase outsole added to the Zinal. For me the midsole of the Zinal is the true star. Its all there! The new shoe, launched in the summer of 2021, is light and cushioned, thanks to its combination of Vibram Megagrip Litebase and EVA foam rubber. On race day, I don't want my outsole collecting *any* small gravel and debris and the orange grooves look like these might be gravel collectors. (My Endorphin Trail shipment was then stolen off my steps last week, so some douchebag is loading up on trail shoes for no reason whatsoever.). It's listed stack height is 26/18 plus sockliner and 2.5mm lugs in a full coverage outsole with a plastic midfoot shank with the Zinal 22/18 plus its sockliner and somewhat higher 4mm lugs in a partial coverage outsole.Both shoes are quite flexible. Even running in the heat of the day and after I never wanted to take them off or even loosen them. FRContactDisclaimerCookie PolicyPrivacy Statement. Please read the detailedside-by-side comparisonwith our comments to find out which of these two models to choose. Sam: Light in weight for a trail shoe (and really any run shoe) is combined with plenty of cushion, response, stability and upper comfort/hold to create a fast and fun trail racer that you can also train in. You and others repeatedly talk about how the stack height is lower and you list the stack height as 22/18. It also is targeting a bit of a different trail segment, in that the Zinal may not be an ultra distance shoe, but rather a shoe to go hard and fast across shorter technical trail events. They look VERY similar. I was very pleased with its performance in a variety of conditions. Painted with a bright combo of colors, the total package is a very nice-looking shoe. Sam: The Zinal is far more practical as a trainer and as a racer for me. Sam: The guys describe the upper well. The Zinal is a wonderfully versatile shoe when it comes to not only surface but also distance. Yet, none of that really matters for a speedy technical terrain shoe if it doesnt feel secure. Your purchases help support RoadTrailRun. Oh man do I ever have some high expectations for this shoe. Never miss out on future posts by, Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and currently. BTW: NL 002445316 B74 / KvK Amsterdam: 5734 3136, The Hoka Speedgoat 5 is an improvement upon what was already one of the best, The Altra Timp 4.0s really are great trail shoes! MATT: HOKA has been pushing the creative envelope for the past year or so, but I was still shocked when I unboxed the Zinal. The more minimal nature and the smaller lugs allowed for a quick turnover and some fast miles when the trails opened up for longer stretches. It just didnt have that midfoot hug that most HOKA shoes boast even though it was relatively slim throughout. Sliding my feet in, it is clear that the Zinal has a perfectly snug and secure fit for my slim foot, but the shoe is not excessively narrow and has a very good hugging feel. Ive never considered myself as having a wide foot, said a tester, but I felt like I was stuffing a turkey when lacing them up.. They climb very well. Its a not-so-hidden secret that a lot of companies have shifted their strategy to align with the HOKA hype of the last few years max cushion for max comfort. Best estimate is that 50-60% of the outsole is covered in Vibram Litebase, while the remaining is made up of rubberized EVA foam. I usually wear a size 10 and my sample in a US10 fit perfectly. Testers note that the Hoka Zinal is durable enough to handle most impacts despite the lower stack height. Therefore, the latter is better suited to . I swear this is like half the shoes Im testing these days, so maybe Im just shrinking. Its what you might call an Any (Trail) Surface Any Distance kind of shoe. I would pick the ATR 6 for longer distances on less technical terrain, or very long and sustained, non technical downhills. Hoka decided to name its new pair of trail shoes Zinal. Its possible to run with the Zinal over longer distances, but its not its primary intended use. Some fall flat with grand attempts, but HOKA always comes up with something good (though they need to take some packaging tips from their sister company, Deckers X Lab). HOKA also uses the same Profly midsole material that is found in the Mach 4. Shannon: The Zinal is just the right mix of springy, light, and energetic, but it doesnt sacrifice cushion or protection. They have a responsive and energetic ride, thanks to a propulsive feel when toeing off, as well as the lightness and comfortable cushioning. Technical terrain is not a stretch for the Zinal in the least and it handles it well, but I think it performs best on moderately to less technical terrain and at faster running paces. While I know some may not appreciate a tongue with minimal padding, I love the thin, minimal tongue and the gusseted construction that wraps the mid foot very securely. Even though Hoka presents the Zinal as a short-distance shoe, you can easily go further. While maybe slightly narrower the Zinal toe box ends up broader, more comfortable and equally if not more secure while its heel area (upper and underfoot) is more stable. Samples::8.18 oz /232g (US8.5) 9.1 oz. I was overall very impressed with what I initially expected to be a shoe suited primarily for the most sketchy terrain. In fact, by eliminating much of the added extras found in more hardcore trail runners, Hoka . Really wet and muddy conditions may be too much for the more minimal outsole/lug combo to handle with confidence. The Hoka Torrent has been my second favorite trail shoe of all-time (the first iteration of the Salomon Slab Sense Ultra sits in that number one spot). I really enjoy light shoes but have always been challenged to run in them due to lack of cushioning and protection. Id say you could go almost full road on this thing and youd be pretty happy overall. Out here on the East Coast youre gonna feel the f*** out of the trail to the point that if youre slamming downhills, expect to feel beat up and/or bruised. Ill always respect a companys commitment to being environmentally friendly. For technical terrain at slow paces I still prefer the G270 for its zero drop, upper, and outsole but everywhere else Zinal replaces it for me. Synching up the laces helped initially. Ben H., tester since 2012Arch: High | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: MidfootPreviously tested: Salomon Sense Ride 3, 361 Degrees Strata 3This shoe might have swayed my opinion about Hokas. One might have expected something much less stable given its lightweight build, but thats not the case. While I know some may not appreciate a tongue with minimal padding, I love the thin, minimal tongue and the gusseted construction that wraps the mid foot very securely. The forefoot of the shoe is moderately stiff fore/aft with a long bend to the notable flex point across the very center of the shoe, yet lateral flexibility is good for contouring over rocks and terrain underfoot, with good trail feel. I have never had an issue no matter how much I snug the laces. Both uppers are very race like, secure and form fitting with no excess material or room. Dial this fit in, and running and those could easily be a top choice for your next go at Sierre Zinal. TAYLOR: Light and fast is the goal with the Zinal. Jeff V / Canice: The EVO Speedgoat weighs about an ounce more in my size 10, has 10mm more stack, so much more ample cushioning. I would pick the SP4 for more technical terrain and the Zinal for less technical, but both are top picks and two of my favorites. Hoka One One Zinal Trail Shoe Review (2021) - DOCTORS OF RUNNING This versatile shoe provides a nimble, low-to-the-ground feel that is wonderfully balanced from top to bottom. I have plenty of cushioning, I find them easy to run in when precise foot placement is required and I love the ground feel that is combined with shock absorbing cushioning. If roads or primarily hardpack, the Zinal, with lesser lugs and more tamed outsole gives less resistance. Sam: I agree with Jeff and Canice. It doesnt seem to deteriorate quickly, which is a very good point. Its hard to find a shoe that can handle all of that terrain with equal fervor, but HOKA believes the Zinal could be the one (obviously). Jeff V: The rubberized EVA is holding up surprisingly well, with signs of wear, but no shredding of flaking as is often the case. And then you figure in the outsole into that weight and clearly the foams here are not the old stuff from Hoka. I grab my pair when my road-beaten legs are still spry for speedwork. It is a more gradual flex pattern that is also a stable and protected front platform. The upper is thin but offers a good lockdown: the foot does not move inside the shoe. Even with the Zinals reduced cushioning, the shoe absorbs shocks well and its mesh helps protect the feet, which is rare for such light shoes. I think the Zinal also can be used as light road trail hybrid and should be especially fine on gravel/dirt roads for those uses. He regularly competes in Expedition Length Adventure races with his longest race to date 600 miles as well as in traditional road races and triathlons. Do I like it better than the Torrent? A durable Vibram Megagrip outsole with 4mm lugs adds trustworthy traction, and a simple mesh upper with a gusseted tongue helps keep debris out. This makes for a slightly more reactive ride with a little bit of protection and a moderate amount of ground feel. Canice: Park City, UT trails tend to be hard packed and dry and the Zinals had plenty of grip for me. Zinal is a light (but comfy) flyer Admittedly, most of my trail runs are between 4-6 miles. Seemingly not structured enough at first look for a trail shoe, the very pliable, thin but at the same time densely woven engineered mesh wraps the foot totally and securely with plenty of room (and even when wearing thicker socks at my true to size). Now when I see you feel the ground, you really feel the ground. HOKA is marketing the Zinal as a lightweight trail shoe, geared towards speed and nimbleness. The Zinal, while less cushioned, has a softer, more compliant feel and is more forgiving underfoot. The Zinal is impressively light, yet simultaneously has a substantial and high quality feel that suggests a fast, yet robust shoe that will not require delicate prancing or cautious line picking. Shannon: The midsole of this shoe is the perfect mix of just enough cushion, just enough responsiveness, just enough flexibility, and just enough beneath the foot and the ground to offer protection across some pretty rough and rocky terrain. Right out of the box, I could tell that the general shape of the shoe could be a cause for concern. The Hoka Zinal is a lightweight trail shoe that combines comfort, protection, and responsiveness for your fast sessions. First Pulsar weighs more than 2.5 oz less at 6.2 oz. This will be, without a doubt, where Hoka should focus their attention for the next model. I took it down Barr Trail in Colorado after Taylor and I did The Incline together (worst climb of my life), and it cruised. NorCal is nice, but Colorado has her heart. Buy Hoka Tecton X Online >> Table of Contents The Consensus Hoka Tecton X Complete Review Analysis Introduction Grip and durability Cushioning Foot lockdown (upper) The Ride Conclusion Facts On the other hand, its very flexible laterally, making it perfect for smoothly getting around rocks and roots. TAYLOR: Fast and furious can be easily achieved with the new Zinal. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign up today. I cant recall a trail shoe this light which delivers so much just right cushion and stability. Until now, I havent been in a HOKA with any ground feel really. Hoka's designers have cut the stack. I wondered if there was enough support to keep me secure but they sure were comfortable! Ive got one gripe and its right there with the Clifton 7, Rincon, and the Mach: while I cant speak to the mens version. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. For me the biggest impression is how good the cushioning is for the weight. If less technical though, both shoes are fine choices (VJ Ultra excellent on any trail). What are your experiences with this? Speaking of price tag the $160 price point is up there, but still in the range of the latest The North Face offerings. The shoe sits wide and low to the ground (for HOKA, anyway). Every month we give away a pair of running shoes to a lucky reader! However, I took it through puddles when I could and found that its mesh dried relatively quickly. The fun comes with a price tag, thats all Im saying. The Razor however are not as sticky, they wear quite a bit faster and there is a cut out center of the outsole in the Razor that is prone to the occasional zinger in technical terrain, which has not happened yet in the Zinal. I would happily wear either of these shoes but will more likely reach for the Zinal for a quick 10 mile run. Trail features that add weight are omitted for a swift, speedy experience. Jeff V: Wow is all I can say. I would hesitate to label it as a West Coast trail shoe, because I do think that it can handle the majority of what we can throw its way here out East. TAYLOR: There are just a couple of things that may prevent the Zinal from literally running away with the best of 2021 trail shoe award. As mentioned, the Zinals are built for speed. When testing this shoe, testers raved about theresponsive and energetic rideof the Hoka One One Zinal. Their listed stack heights are almost the same with Zinal 1mm more. Shannon: Oh man do I ever have some high expectations for this shoe. I still had some foot security issues every time I went out that could be solved with lacing adjustments. Not to mention the color way rocks and is visible from a Mile away. All rights reserved. The ProFly midsole comes with a slightly firmer rubberized foam. I know its marketed as more of a race shoe, but in my opinion its a perfectly satisfactory daily trainer for the trails if youre used to something light and quick. Grip was flawless everywhere even on tight steep switchbacks and descents. Sam" The Hoka Huaka was an all rubberized foam midsole road trail hybrid so a do anything shoe and one of my all time favorites. Sam: Simple, thin upper is highly supportive, highly breathable, and comfortable. Read our Cookie Policy. Environmentally cautious and performance doesnt stop up top. Wow is all I can say. We talk about first impressions,. Sam: The guys have described the ride well. Huge climbs, smooth singletrack, and bomber descents. If you require more room in the forefoot, the Catamount may be preferable. This said I am a bit more cautious when the trails are wet or on rock garden type terrain. There is just enough added padding around the heel to help lock things in, and HOKA stuck with the super-thin tongue used on the Mach 4. HOKA ONE ONE Zinal Performance Review - Believe in the Run Stack height: 22 mm , 21 mm ; Price . A variant with a few more millimeters of stack could extend the platform to ultras and more technical terrain. Stack Height: men's 33 mm heel / 29mm forefoot Available now including at our partners at the end of the article. Overall, users find it very light on their feet, comfortable, and streamlined. For me, based on my experience the Zinal is a go to shoe for running in the mountains. Left them on for 6 hour drive after Ragnar! is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. Canice: Once again I fully agree with Jeffs assessment. The Zinals offer superior cushioning, using Vibrams Megagrip Litebase rubber outside and ProFly cushioning inside. The protection offered is sufficient for short and medium-distance runs without compromising the safety of the runners. Hoka launches new trail running shoe specifically for shorter distances Out of the box, the Zinal feels feathery, tipping the scales at a very scant 9.1 oz/ 258 grams in my US mens 10 and in an attention getting, but stylish teal, dark blue and orange colorway (with a few purple accents). The combination of softer top foam and firmer lower foam in combination with the outsole balances cushion, protection, climbing and flats ability, agility and stability very well. While the lightness plays into the shoes calling card of being fast, I would not recommend wearing the shoe on anything considered more than a moderate trail. The shape of the shoe was different, it fits slightly long. The gusseted tongue adds to the supreme fit and midfoot security, making step in feel almost slipper-like. While durability is good, I would be conservative with how much I run in this shoe on rocky terrain. The Hoka Tecton X is a lightweight, fast, and flexible trail running shoe for runners looking for ultra-performance on relatively dry and smooth terrain. The integrated tongue hugs the top of the foot for a comfortable fit. One of those shoes that the moment you put them on, you know it is a hit. Toe bumper for protection The forefoot of the Hoka One One Zinal is quite stiff, and the flex point is in the midfoot. Though the Zinal wouldnt be our top pick for technical trails (i.e., fallen trees, gnarly roots, and creek crossings), its a speedster on softer surfaces. I did test them on rocky terrain but unfortunately its very dry here right now and I could not find any water or slick rocks to test for wet traction. The extra wobble due to the taller heel stack height and the squishy feeling on rocky technical trails were some downsides for me, said a tester. I wish I couldve gotten more miles in this shoe but after my last trail run, I had left them in my car with the doors unlocked. Dont worry your pretty little mind (thanks T-Swift) because performance isnt cut one bit. Rarely do I take time for longer outings, unless I'm training for an event. To be fair, once I did figure out a promising lace-up, the Zinal was a really flippin fun shoe. Light in weight for a trail shoe (and really any run shoe) is combined with plenty of cushion, response, stability and upper comfort/hold to create a fast and fun trail racer that you can also train in. In addition, Kevin is a 300-hour certified yoga teacher (Sivananda) and uses this experience to run more mindfully with a focus on well-being over performance. This combination gives the midfoot a flexible feel and smoother ride. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range training 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah. The other issue was that it is a little too torpedo-like. Jeff V: I am struggling to come up with a true con, but a full rubber outsole, without a weight increase would be amazing in a perfect world, as would a lace loop to contain the laces. The guys describe the upper well. heavier in my size 10 and has significantly more stack height and cushioning. While marketed as a shorter distance shoe and I agree, I think given the cushion and protection, the Zinal can easily extend into the mid distance range and even longer for some. When the flare is combinedwith the firmer lower layer landings are both very stable and more than adequately cushioned. Hoka Tecton X | Blister I had plenty of space for toe splay and great mid foot hold. The extra foam in the midsole sort of smooths over some of the smaller rocks and roots, and made me more comfortable and feel faster.. Ride: 9.8 (30%) Fit: 9.8 (30%) Value: 9 (10%) Style: 9.3 (5%) Traction: 9.2 (15%) Rock Protection: 9.2 (10%). ROBBE: This is a really fun shoe to run in, especially if youre just looking to rip something on stuff thats less technical or a mix of road and trail. Overall, this will be a worthwhile shoe to consider if youre looking for a lightweight speedster. This looks like its one of the sleekest Hokas, but its still much higher off the ground and more cushioned than any other shoes I run in. And at long last, The North Face and adidas both actually have a viable trail option (Flight Vectiv and Terrex Speed Ultra). Her favorite shoes currently include the Hoka Torrent, Saucony Kinvara, and Brooks Launch, and her favorite runs include anything that goes uphill. It also offersgood rock protection(even though it doesnt have a specific rock plate) andgood stability. Descents in those same conditions may be riskier than I would like as well. Hoka Tecton X vs. Zinal: Which One? (2022 Comparison) - Runner's Lab After 50 or so miles of running, much of it on rocky, technical terrain as well as also smooth singletrack, pavement and dirt roads, the wear rate of the Vibram rubber is average, with just a little bit of wear showing where I toe off. More shoe, more stability, a more comfortable upper, better and most likely more durable outsole for Zinal leads to a more versatile light trail shoe with the Razor TRL a more fun and fast almost road shoe with some trail abilities. I had plenty of cushioning and protection to run 23 miles of single track in the Wasatch Mountains and they felt great the entire way. Im torn. We felt less sure-footed on rocky, uneven terrain. Overview Specs & Fit Technologies Reviews Buy The HOKA Zinal is a nimble trail running shoe with a connected-to-the-ground feel that can handle a variety of trail conditions. More About Believe Run Club. Article by Jeff Valliere, Canice Harte, Shannon Payne, and Sam Winebaum. Just adding a carbon plate, even a flexible one does not make a shoe better and an upper doesnt have to be as complicated (Matryx and knit in the Flight ) to work well and be more comfortable. In the end the Zinal should prove more versatile while the Pulsar for all out racing is quite something but most won't be able to take it to the distances Zinal can get to. Jeff V: The Zinal is a hit, a rocket of a race shoe with very good response, a lightweight, agile and nimble feel, great protection underfoot, stability, excellent traction and a very secure fitting race like comfortable upper. This site was recently recommended to me by a friend/teammate and I am loving it! Hoka has delivered a versatile, fun, fast trail racer/ trainerin the Zinal. Thethin mesh upperof the Zinal features threads coming fromrecycled materials. About the most comfortable trail shoe I have ever worn. The softer top layer allows the flex, very clever. Shannon is a Colorado native currently residing in Northern California. On some of the downhill slopes, I was impressed with my stopping ability, considering the tread pattern is not overly aggressive, one tester said. While the Zinal has a lighter, more comfortable and refined upper I worry about its comparative durability in more technical terrain compared to the heavily armoured G270's likely also where its additional weight comes from. If your trail running focuses more on majestic mountains and rooty terrain, there are better options out there. The shoe flexes towards the midfoot at the angles in the joining of the midsole layers with a distinct flex point at midfoot and very mild ones further forward. And then you figure in the outsole into that weight and clearly the foams here are not the old stuff from Hoka. By stats and construction it seemed the shoe is well named! HOKA Zinal Men's Shoes Atlantis/Outer Space | Running Warehouse Both are very responsive and the carbon plate in the Flight Vectiv is good in a straight line, but makes the shoe feel very stiff otherwise. With a low-to-the-ground stature (stack height of 22 mm to 18 mm men/ 21 mm to 17 mm for women) the Zinal is nearly half the weight of the Stinson, its cousin on the other side of the spectrum. For the most part the fit felt secure, but it is something to take note of if this is going to be a shoe used to push limits and go hard.
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