HOKA Skyward X Review
HOKA Skyward X Sets the Over-Max Stack Standard
Likes
- Soft, highly protective midsole cushioning
- Super efficient ride with notable snap at toe-off
- Incredibly comfortable and surprisingly stable
Dislikes
- Could be lighter
What's New
Picture a running shoe midsole so plush and so protective that it feels like running on air. Okay, so this may be too good to be true, but HOKA's all-new extremely cushioned super trainer, the Skyward X, delivers a running experience that is darn close. Thanks to a combination of PEBA supercritical foam and EVA foam stacked to the heavens (50 mm in the heel), the Skyward X is designed to deliver an incredibly smooth, highly protective ride that will conquer any training run. But it is not all about softness with the Skyward X; inherent stability is another key element, and with a wide platform and sturdy EVA frame, this shoe offers a dependable foundation for all your runs.
Above all, the Skyward X's curved carbon fiber plate is the real game-changer. Unlike other super trainers, the Skyward X's plate is not just there for show; it is your subtle secret weapon. Say goodbye to sluggish transitions and hello to seamless strides. Like a suspension system, this plate has been designed to compress and spring back with every step, helping propel runners forward effortlessly, and saving you precious energy for the moment when you need it most.
As we all know, durability matters when discussing running shoes, which is exactly why HOKA decked out the Skyward X's outsole with high-abrasion rubber. Runners can enjoy the same running experience mile after mile, and you will want to once you feel how comfortable the Skyward X's flat knit engineered upper is. The fairly simple design will help keep you cool, comfortable, and irritation-free while delivering all the security you could ask for. So if you are looking for more than just a shoe, but a running tool that truly has the goods to elevate your performance and pleasure, then get the HOKA Skyward X on your feet ASAP.
The Bottom Line
It is not very often that one of our testers gives a shoe a perfect score. It is even more surprising when multiple reviewers agree on a 10 out of 10 overall score, but that is exactly what the HOKA Skyward X has accomplished with its unique underfoot feel and impressive performance.
But what sets this over-max stacked super trainer apart from the competition? It could be the shoe's tremendously protective midsole, the incredibly efficient ride, or even the highly comfortable upper. Or maybe, it is the perfect marriage of all these elements working together while on the run. Regardless of which feature captured their attention most, the Skyward X has left quite the impression on our testing team, and nothing had them buzzing more than the unique midsole setup.
Our testers enjoyed a variety of training runs, varying in distance and pace, all thanks to the HOKA Skyward's impressive PEBA and EVA blended midsole with curved carbon fiber-embedded plate. Comfort and protection were the themes that resonated loudest when describing the shoe's ride, but to the surprise of our team, they found the Skyward X to be highly stable despite its towering midsole stack. Furthermore, the carbon fiber plate delivered a highly efficient roll that produced a nice extra pop at toe-off, allowing the testers to push the pace or cruise whenever they liked.
Even with high-performance technologies making up the midsole, the Skyward X is not a speedster, and runners can find lighter-weight, higher-speed super trainers if they want an all-around faster experience. That said, even though the Skyward X has a higher weight on the scale and lacks elite-level responsiveness, the shoe never held our team back from enjoying the run, and with a lightweight and breathable upper, testers emphasized that the shoe never felt like it was weighing them down.
With a comfortable and secure upper finishing things off, the Skyward X really has it all, and testers are more than stoked to continue piling up mileage on this shoe as a holder of a full-time roster spot in their weekly shoe rotation. The HOKA team produced an amazing shoe that lived up to all the hype, and given our testers' experiences, there is no doubt that the Skyward X is a top-notch option that can find a home in any runner's rotation.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 10.8 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.3 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 5 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Risa: "I appreciated the softness and breathability of the flat knit upper. It felt like the shoe was made of premium materials, delivering comfort consistently throughout the testing period. I experienced no irritation and easily got a secure lockdown, allowing me to keep my focus on my run, which is always appreciated."
Jon: "The upper of the Skyward X is soft, structured, and incredibly comfortable, which is absolutely what you want in a premium daily trainer. The thick padded tongue highlighted this comfort story, contributing to the truly unique on-foot experience. Despite how built up the upper is, I never had any issues with breathability or overheating, and my feet never experienced irritation while wearing the Skyward X.
In terms of fit, the Skyward X felt a bit more narrow than shoes like the On Cloudmonster 2 and Cloudmonster Hyper, but I would not say the Skyward X was snug. My pair fit true to size and I appreciated all the volume in the forefoot, especially on longer runs.
The only minor issue I experienced throughout testing was a bit of heel slippage. No matter how tight I laced the shoes up, I always experienced a little. It was not enough slippage to warrant a runner's knot, but it was still something that I noticed while running."
Midsole
Risa: "The midsole felt unique with its combination of soft PEBA foam located immediately under the foot and supercritical EVA carrier foam — not to mention the carbon fiber plate sandwiched between the layers of midsole foam. I hardly noticed the carbon fibre plate and especially appreciated that the shoe did not feel aggressive underfoot. The Skyward X is the highest stacked shoe I have ever tested, but to my surprise, I never felt unstable in it thanks to its wide base.
More than anything, I appreciated the level of protection delivered by the shoe's midsole. As a runner doing double-digit mileage runs, I could not have asked for a better time to receive the Skyward X. That said, the shoe was not super responsive, but it delivered a satisfying little bounce at slower paces. At faster paces (strides and marathon race pace), the midsole felt like it provided a slight snap every stride."
Jon: "After seeing the Skyward X specs, I immediately noticed how much foam was stacked in the midsole. Almost 50 mm of supercritical foam? Please and thank you!
Wow, the midsole setup of the Skyward X made for one of the most unique underfoot experiences I have ever had in a running shoe. The combination of the PEBA and Supercritical EVA foams with the unique split carbon plate created a feeling of suspension that I can only describe as 'like running in a pool' in terms of impact. It made my easy runs feel effortless, and the Skyward X always kept my legs fresh thanks to all the protection underfoot. Because of this, I found myself running in this shoe for almost every training run throughout the week, including daily runs, recovery runs, and longer efforts.
When it comes to responsiveness, given the shoe's weight, the Skyward X is not really a fast-day shoe. That said, I hit my marathon pace just fine and found the midsole responsive enough to pick up the pace, but I would choose a different option for efforts faster than that."
Outsole
Risa: "I felt confident with the outsole of the Skyward X and had no issues with grip on the roads. As a super trainer, I assume most people will not get the same mileage out of the Skyward X as they would out of a standard daily trainer, but I am not worried about durability when it comes to the Skyward X, especially compared to the other shoes in the category."
Jon: "I ran over 54 miles in this shoe, and the outsole looks great overall with just a few signs of wear in the lateral heel area. I had no issues with grip and traction, even on some gravel paths and fire roads."
Comparable Shoes
HOKA Skyward X vs. adidas adizero Prime X 2 Strung
Jon: "Honestly, the HOKA Skyward X felt like what I thought the Prime X 2 Strung from adidas was going to feel like. Both shoes are over-stacked super trainers designed to offer plush cushioning and efficient rides, no matter the distance, and both live up to that characterization. The main difference, in my opinion, is that the Skyward X embraces the protective super shoe ethos, whereas the Prime X 2 Strung feels like it is trying to do more.
The Prime X 2 has all the midsole cushioning you want in a premium super shoe, but it also has a narrow base and a stripped-down upper that makes it less comfortable than the Skyward X, not to mention less stable. Thus, it is easy for me to choose the Skyward X over the Prime X 2 Strung because it checks all my boxes. It is supremely comfortable, ultra-protective, and capable of picking up the pace on longer progression runs."
HOKA Skyward X
Risa: "If I am being perfectly honest, then I must admit that I have not run in any shoe that I feel compares well to the Skyward X. I spent a lot of time considering different models to compare to the Skyward, but I kept coming back to how unique this shoe felt."
HOKA Skyward Men's
Hoka Skyward X Women's
Individual Thoughts
Initially, I was confused by the Skyward X's design and specs, as well as the language that HOKA used to describe the shoe. I was not sure if it was intended to be more of a speed-day shoe or more of a protective long-distance grinder. Regardless, I loved it from the first run. The midsole experience is unique, and I enjoyed the shoe for easy runs and faster efforts. The foam is plush, and obviously, the shoe is packed with plenty of protection, which I appreciated. I did feel like the shoe could shift into a higher gear and helped me pick up the pace when I wanted to. The plate did not feel aggressive, so I would not be too worried about the potential effects of frequent plate use with this shoe.
My legs have been feeling pretty fresh after running in the Skyward X. I think the runner training for a marathon or long-distance race is probably the ideal customer for this shoe. The only thing I would not use the Skyward X for would be my fastest efforts; I would not be grabbing this for a track workout. My only knock on the shoe would be the weight; however, I do not even notice the weight on the run. All in all, this has been one of my favorite shoes to test, and I will be happy to continue to lace up the Skyward X after testing!
HOKA is on a tear in 2024, and the Skyward X proves they have no intentions of slowing down. I continue to be blown away by the underfoot experience delivered by this shoe. It absorbs so much of the impact that it really does feel like running in a swimming pool — but much faster of course! The midsole cushioning is the star of this shoe, and I appreciated its magically efficient ride with every step. My easy runs felt effortless, and the unique plate offered a little snappiness when I ran at a marathon race pace.
The Skyward X will be a mainstay in my rotation moving forward, especially when I start training for the Chicago Marathon, and it will be my go-to for most of my daily training runs and my longer efforts when my goal is to spend more time on foot. As much as I love this shoe, the $225 price tag is no joke, and it might be a non-starter for some, which is understandable, but hear me out real quick. There are some shoes (that will remain unnamed) where I don't quite get where the price is coming from, but then there are shoes like the Skyward X where I definitely understand why it is priced where it's at. We are talking about an over-max stack of supercritical foam, including a top layer of PEBA. Also, the shoe has a carbon fiber plate embedded within the midsole with a soft and premium upper locking you in for the ride. Those features come together to deliver one of the most unique rides I've ever experienced. So yes, you're paying a premium price, but at the same time, you're getting a truly premium experience.