Hoka Skyflow Running Shoe

The Hoka Skyflow Running Shoe will be available on July 15th and I will try to review and test it as soon as possible because it will be a very exciting and expectedly popular running shoe. In the meantime, I’ve collected everything you need to know about the shoe.
The Hoka Skyflow Running Shoe is a highly cushioned, comfortable, premium everyday running shoe that’s suitable for longer distances. When a brand develops and launches a brand new running shoe, there’s always the exciting question of where it fits in the lineup, what shoes it’s similar to, who it’s best for, and what kind of running it’s best for. The Hoka Skyflow running shoe is somewhere in between the Clifton, Mach and Bondi. It has the same midsole foam as the Mach 6 but it’s taller and heavier, is highly cushioned like the Bondi 8 but lighter and faster, has similar construction and weight as the Clifton but is more flexible and dynamic. Skyflow is an everyday running shoe that is suitable for longer distances because it is highly cushioned, dynamic, has good stability and is durable.

Hoka Skyflow upper

The Hoka Skyflow running shoe upper is a good compromise between comfort and performance. The upper is made of a slightly more flexible two-layer mesh (Creel jacquard) similar to the Mach 6, with good breathability. The upper is medium cushioning, comfortable, fits true to size (slightly larger) and has a narrower fit, but there will also be a wider version of the Skyflow running shoe. Because of the narrower fit, it locks the foot very well and securely. The tongue is short, wide, moderately cushioned and gusseted so it won’t slip sideways. The heel is narrow and moderately cushioned. The heel collar is stiffer at the bottom and softer at the top to fit comfortably around the ankle.

Hoka Skyflow midfoot

The Hoka Skyflow running shoe midsole is made of a supercritical EVA foam like the Mach 6, but 3 mm higher. The flexible midsole is both soft and dynamic. It compresses well and returns to its original volume quickly, making it dynamic. The high cushioning gives it good shock absorption, making it suitable for longer distances. Although the foam itself is suitable for fast runs, the Skyflow is best suited for medium-fast, longer distances. Apart from the fact that this midsole is more dynamic than an EVA or compressed, i.e. CM EVA foam, it is much more comfortable to run in a shoe with a super-critical EVA foam. Although the midsole is high, it has good stability, which is due to several things. At the bottom of the midsole, there is a valley in the middle of the heel section, which continues in two branches at the toes, which also acts as a kind of lateral support. The Skyflow also features Active Foot Frame technology, which means the heel sits in a recess and the midsole foam hugs the foot. The midfoot has a rocker (curved) geometry that helps the foot roll over more smoothly and quickly.

Hoka Skyflow outsole

The Hoka Skyflow running shoe outsole is made from the same high-abrasion rubber as Skyward X running shoe outsole. That’s good news, because endurance tests show that the Skyward X outsole is remarkably durable, even after hundreds of miles. While the outsole doesn’t cover the entire midsole, it’s thick and deeply ribbed for traction and durability.

Summary

Overall the Hoka Skyflow Running Shoe is a premium everyday running shoe that supports both longer and more moderate runs. It has good shock absorption and energy dissipation thanks to a high, dynamic midsole made of supercritical EVA foam. It has a comfortable, moderately cushioned upper that seals the foot well. The outsole is durable and grippy. In addition to supporting faster or longer runs, the exciting supercritical foam makes the Skyflow an adventure shoe.