It used to be that Hoka’s chunky running shoes were outliers. Now, nearly every shoe brand has at least one option with a hefty slab of foam underfoot. As maximally cushioned shoes become more of the norm, a new category is emerging: super trainers.
Super trainers bring race-day tech — light, bouncy foams and carbon plates — into more durable and versatile daily running shoes. As a result, they’re almost always maximally cushioned.
Hoka’s brand-new Skyward X is a perfect example of this kind of shoe. It’s like the Bondi — one of the brand’s long-time best-sellers — on steroids, with the same beefy shape and a carbon plate sandwiched between more advanced foams.
It’s a lot of shoe — and we were a little skeptical when we first took the Skyward X out of its box. But we put it to the test over a number of runs (including a nearly three-hour long run with a workout added in), and this might actually be our favorite Hoka shoe yet. Here’s why.
Hoka’s new super trainer uses race day technology — including a carbon plate and advanced foam technology — to create a light, stable everyday running option that can go the distance.
Like a beefed-up version of the bestselling Bondi, the Skyward X might be our favorite Hoka runner released to date.
What we liked about them
They’re surprisingly light for their size
As far as running shoes go, these are not actually lightweight. With racing shoes like the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, Nike Vaporfly 3 and ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris coming in at under 7 ounces, the Skyward X falls on the heavier end of the spectrum. But considering just how chunky these look (one friend likened them to clown shoes when I wore them at the gym), I was totally surprised by how light they felt when I first took them out the box. A woman’s size 8 is 9.2 ounces and a men’s size 10 is 11.3 ounces. I wear a women’s size 10, and that light sensation was just as apparent in my first hour-long run as it was in my hands.
The chunky midsole is made up of two lightweight foams: PEBA and supercritical EVA. PEBA foam is known for its energy return and responsiveness, while EVA is more dense — although the term “supercritical” means gas was pumped into the foam during the manufacturing process, reducing weight and adding bounce. Technical details aside, these felt extremely comfortable on a nearly three-hour long run. And even in the final miles, I barely thought about my feet (the gold standard for any shoe, IMO).
The stability is top-notch
One of the issues with ultra-cushioned shoes is the amount of foam between your foot and the floor. Too much foam — especially lightweight foams that act like a spring or trampoline — can be hard to control, forcing your foot and ankle to work harder to keep you on top of it. The Skyward X has 46 to 48 millimeters of foam underfoot, which is a lot (anything more than 30 millimeters is generally considered maximal cushioning).
But Hoka’s been doing the maximal thing for a long time without sacrificing stability. In fact, many of the brand’s shoes have earned The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, and the Skyward X is no exception. When you look at the shoe from above, you can see how wide of a platform your foot is sitting on. Then, similar to the new Cielo X1, a carbon plate helps stabilize all that foam with every step, and Hoka’s Active Foot Frame cradles the foot with higher midsole walls for more support (the design actually makes the shoe look taller than it really is). It’s all topped off with a knit upper that has zonal support to keep your foot locked down.
What we didn’t like about them
Surprise: They’re expensive
We get it: Super shoe technology means super shoe prices — but $225 is a lot for a daily trainer. The Skyward X is more expensive than other plated training shoes, including the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2 and Saucony Kinvara Pro that both go for $180, as well as the ASICS Superblast, a $200 non-plated trainer. Of course, today’s race day shoes generally start around $250, which is an even steeper cost. One of the benefits of super trainers is that they can also double as racing sneakers, especially for people who run slower than an 8:00 mile pace. Whether you’re willing to shell out for these will depend on what you’re using them for and, more importantly, how comfortable they feel.
Bottom line
Hoka has long been prioritizing comfort and stability in its running shoes, yet it’s only recently that the brand has upped its game when it comes to racing shoes. The Skyward X combines the best of both worlds. If you’re looking for a shoe that won’t weigh you down whether you’re picking up the pace or going the distance, the Skyward X is an excellent choice.
