Hoka Skyward X running shoes

The Hoka Skyward X running shoe is a super trainer that is suitable for most types of running, whether slow or fast, long or short. Its high cushioning makes it comfortable and has good shock absorption, but it’s also dynamic and fast thanks to the midsole foams and carbon plate used. Super trainers are running shoes with almost the same technology as race running shoes, but optimised for training for races, not races. As training for races also involves running most of the mileage at low intensities (in addition to fast and race paces), super trainer running shoes should be good at these slower paces. Race running shoes typically don’t support slower running, and due to the rapid wear and tear (unlike super trainers), they shouldn’t be worn for training.

Hoka Skyward X upper

Hoka Skyward X running shoe upper

The upper of the Hoka Skyward X running shoe is made from a flat-knit polyester material that is soft and has very good breathability. The weave of the knit fabric varies in density in different parts of the shoe for proper foot support and breathability. The upper is halfway between optimized for comfort and optimized for performance, supporting the goal of making it suitable for as many types of running as possible. The tongue of the shoe is medium thick and fixed, hugging the foot well, providing a secure hold. The heel collar is high, as you’ll find in most HOKA running shoes, and is moderately cushioned, keeping the foot in the shoe well on average. The heel collar has also received an external plastic reinforcement, so the bottom of the heel collar is stiff and the upper is softer. An interesting dichotomy is that while the toe box is narrower than average, the heel box is perhaps slightly wider than average, holding the foot less well. HOKA uses a technology called Deep Active Foot Frame to make the foot more secure and stable, which means that the foam of the midsole is slightly bent over the upper of the shoe, creating a half-tube shape.

Hoka Skyward X midsole

Hoka Skyward X Running Shoe Midsole

The Hoka Skyward X Running Shoe Midsole is made up of 3 layers, as you can see in the image above. The top layer is a PEBA foam that is both soft and dynamic. Underneath the PEBA foam is a curved X (or H-shaped) carbon sheet, and then at the bottom is an EVA supercritical foam, which is stiffer and has good shock absorption. The total midsole at the heel is almost 50 mm, an extreme value among running shoes. The drop of the shoe is 5 mm, so the midsole foam is also 44 mm thick under the toes. The question is: how stable is a midsole with such a high and soft layer? Stability is aided by several elements: the shape and firmness of the EVA foam with a stiffer frame, the wide midsole design and the H-shaped carbon plate. The carbon plate of the Hoka Skyward X running shoe is not as aggressive in this H shape as a carbon plate covering the entire midsole. It promotes stability rather than dynamic fast running. Overall, this dual-density midsole with the carbon plate performs very well on slower to moderately fast runs. It also supports long distance runs above the marathon, but you’ll get better results in lighter running shoes. Because of the shoe’s weight and less aggressive carbon plate, it doesn’t support long and fast runs as much. You can run faster distances in it, but it’s not a race shoe.

Hoka Skyward X outsole

Hoka Skyward X running shoe outsole

The Hoka Skyward X running shoe outsole covers a fairly large area of the midsole, which is great for traction and durability, but adds extra weight. The HOKA running shoes released last year all came with a new, revised outsole, which I’m very happy about because the durability of the HOKA outsole has been the subject of a lot of criticism (I’ve experienced this faster than average wear). The new rubber compound is more durable, but it’s not at the expense of grip, there’s still good grip in Hoka running shoes. The Hoka Skyward X running shoes have good grip on wet surfaces (better than average) and seem durable, which is helped by the relatively thick outsole.

Summary

Over all, the Hoka Skyward X running shoe is a very innovative, extreme running shoe. Hoka has designed it to be a super trainer, a running shoe in which you can run your workouts at any pace and over any distance. Hoka’s intentions are more or less fulfilled, as the Hoka Skyward X is a comfortable running shoe with a breathable upper, a soft but dynamic midfoot and a durable, good grip. The carbon plate helps not only with dynamics but also with stability, so there are no stability issues with the high, high shock-absorbing midsole. It takes courage to create a shoe like this, we wholeheartedly wish the Skyward X a successful series and further inspiration for other shoes.