HOKA ONE ONE Carbon X Review
More Speed, Less Effort
Likes
- Springy and responsive
- Comfortable upper
- Smooth, fast ride
- Versatile protection
Dislikes
- A bit heavy for a racing shoe
What's New
A revolutionary racing shoe, the HOKA ONE ONE Carbon X is already making a name for itself on the world stage. By utilizing two layers of foam and a springy carbon plate, the Carbon X provides an optimal balance of both energy return and softness to help the wearer go faster for longer.
To create this soft yet responsive feel, the shoe utilizes a PROFLY X EVA foam on top of the carbon plate for plush cushioning, while a rubberized EVA is layered underneath for bouncy resilience. The rocker design works with the stiffness of the carbon plate to roll the runner forward in a fast and efficient manner. Meanwhile, a natural feel is maintained by the wide forefoot as well as the split and curl of the carbon plate under the lateral toes. The shoe is finished off with a high-performance knit upper that provides just enough support while maintaining low weight.
The Bottom Line
Our testers found the Carbon X to be lightweight, protective, and fast. This shoe's cushioned feel and springy ride earned high marks from the whole team, and the carbon plate and pronounced rocker created a smooth transition through the stride. The engineered mesh upper, which was designed to lock down the foot with as little material and weight as possible, provided a secure and comfortable fit. This shoe quickly became a HOKA favorite for our testers.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low | |
| Heel Width | Medium to narrow | |
| Arch Height | Medium to high |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.8 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.5 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 35 mm (Heel), 30 mm (Forefoot) (Stack height includes Non-Removable sockliner) | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
Despite its stiffness, the HOKA ONE ONE Carbon X has a soft underfoot feel thanks to the lightweight PROFLY X foam layer. Our testers appreciated the cushioned running experience it provided.
Derek: "The carbon fiber plate and bottom layer of foam make the Carbon X fairly firm, but the softer top layer of foam adds comfort for a nice, balanced ride."
Connor: "The Carbon X delivers a pretty soft underfoot experience. Even with a carbon fiber plate wedged in the midsole, the shoe is remarkably smooth."
Ride/Energy Return i
The Carbon X's springy carbon plate and propulsive foam layer deliver exceptional energy return. Combined with the amplified rocker design, the Carbon X offers a bouncy ride that efficiently rolls the runner forward with every stride.
Derek: "The carbon fiber plate allowed me to run faster without putting in more effort, while also helping me go farther with less fatigue."
Connor: "The energy return from the Carbon X is phenomenal. While the weight could still be a little lighter, the responsiveness from the foam and carbon fiber plate makes up for it. It delivers an extremely propulsive ride that is fun at a variety of speeds."
Underfoot Protection i
Offering a high level of underfoot protection, the Carbon X can handle anything from daily training to ultramarathons. Our testers found that the Carbon X felt good over any distance.
Connor: "Protection is another huge strength of the Carbon X. It has plenty of cushioning for my long days and daily training but in a fast design built for racing."
Mark: "This shoe features a hefty amount of soft cushioning underfoot. The protection is phenomenal."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The carbon plate creates a stiff underfoot feel and limits the flexibility of the shoe. However, the rockered design allows for a smooth and efficient roll through the runner's stride regardless of whether they are a heel, midfoot, or forefoot striker.
Connor: "The Carbon X is on the stiffer side, but that is to be expected from a shoe featuring a high stack height and carbon fiber plate. The shoe doesn't flex much, but that helps create that springy propulsion and unique feel."
Mark: "This shoe's built-in carbon fiber plate limits flexibility, but the rocker helps it feel fast and smooth."
Upper Feel i
The upper of the Carbon X is designed to be extremely lightweight and breathable while still providing a performance fit. Our testers found that it accommodated their feet without feeling sloppy.
Connor: "The upper is fairly adaptable, but it's much more supportive than some other carbon fiber racing flats on the market. Overall, I really enjoyed the foot wrap.
Mark: "I've got no complaints about the upper. It isn't the most dialed-in fit, but it is very good."
Individual Thoughts
The HOKA ONE ONE Carbon X is my new favorite HOKA shoe! For a racing shoe, the Carbon X has a pretty voluminous fit throughout, but after cinching the laces tight, I was able to get nice, snug lockdown. The ride was firm and responsive without being uncomfortable, and I was able to run faster than usual without feeling like I was running harder. Additionally, I felt the ride was very stable for such a lightweight shoe, and it kept my feet feeling fresher on longer efforts.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
With an ultra-smooth ride, responsive cushioning, and a light, breathable upper, the Carbon X is probably my favorite HOKA shoe ever. It delivers a unique experience with the carbon fiber plate and is a shoe I bring out for a wide range of training days.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I love how smooth this shoe is. It has a nice toe-off and fluid gait cycle. The underfoot protection made it versatile for anything from uptempo runs to marathon distances. However, it lacks a bit of pop that I would want for faster events like the 10k. For me, the Carbon X is just a bit too heavy for a racer. I would have enjoyed seeing it a couple of ounces lighter in weight.