Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe review – verdict, price, comparison, who it is recommended for

Who is the Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe recommended for?

• Recommended if you are looking for a max-cushioned running shoe for longer runs.
• Recommended if a high level of impact protection and a stable landing are important to you.
• Recommended if you are looking for a neutral shoe but like a shoe that guides the foot well.
• Recommended if you log your miles during low- or moderate-intensity training sessions.
• Recommended if you value comfort and foot protection more than low weight.

Who is the Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe NOT recommended for?

• Not recommended if you are looking for a lightweight, aggressive running shoe for fast runs.
• Not recommended if you need a shoe for short tempo sessions or intervals.
• Not recommended if you are looking for a wide and high-volume toe box.
• Not recommended if you are looking for the max-cushioned shoe offering the best value for money.

Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe upper

The upper of the Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe is made from a soft mesh material that is more flexible than average and offers moderately good breathability. It is strong and holds the foot securely, which is an important quality in a running shoe with such a high-stack midsole. The upper is jacquard, meaning that it is reinforced not with additional layers but through variations in the density and thickness of the weave.

The upper fits true to size and has a narrower fit, although a wide version is also available. The forefoot in particular is narrower than average and also has a low volume, which is worth keeping in mind when choosing the correct size.

The tongue is thin but features strategically placed padding to protect the foot from lace pressure. Interestingly, the tongue is not gusseted, something we would expect from a premium shoe with such a thin tongue. Thicker tongues are less prone to shifting because the laces can be tightened more securely, but thin tongues benefit from being anchored in place.

The heel collar is rigid but generously padded, comfortable and holds the foot securely. Because the midsole is very stiff while your foot naturally wants to flex at toe-off, it is worth using the final eyelet as well to prevent heel slippage. The heel collar is high but curves away from the Achilles, so it does not cause irritation. The midsole sidewalls rise high around the upper, resulting in secure foot support. The insole is not glued in, so you can replace it at any time.

Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe midsole

The midsole of the Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe consists of 3 layers. The top layer is a soft PEBA foam that provides excellent step-in comfort. It gives the shoe a soft, lightweight feel that remains noticeable throughout the run. The bottom layer is a supercritical EVA foam that is firmer, although it still cannot be described as hard. This layer increases impact protection while providing the shoe with support and stability. Between the two foam layers is a convex carbon plate that is unconventional in several respects. The carbon plate is not really a plate because it does not cover the entire midsole; it is better described as a frame. It has a convex shape that flattens under load to assist toe-off, although the main purpose of the plate in this shoe is to increase stability. This is a highly cushioned running shoe that is not lightweight. You can run faster sections in it, but it is not designed for short, fast runs. Therefore, although the carbon plate adds some propulsion at toe-off, its primary purpose is to improve stability. The plate fulfils this purpose very well. The Skyward X 2 midsole is remarkably stable for its height. The shoe is neutral, but it offers good stability thanks to the wide bottom foam layer, the carbon plate and the midsole sidewalls rising around the upper.

These same characteristics also give it very high torsional rigidity, and runners who are sensitive to this will quickly notice that the foot barely flexes in this shoe. The positive effect is that the curvature and geometry of the midsole are maintained throughout the transition instead of flattening out, resulting in very fast and dynamic transitions. Thanks to its geometry and 5 mm drop, it encourages a midfoot or forefoot strike, but the rounded, curved heel also provides a comfortable landing.

The PEBA foam and carbon frame make the ride more responsive, but they do not turn the Skyward X 2 into a fast shoe.

The midsole is clearly designed for longer runs at low to moderately paced intensities. Due to its high stack and heavier weight, the shoe is not particularly well suited to short, fast runs, and it is not the shoe in which you will set short-distance personal bests.

Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe outsole

The outsole of the Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe has a segmented design and does not cover the entire midsole. Hoka uses two different rubber compounds on the Skyward X 2 outsole. The forefoot features a softer, grippier rubber compound, while the rear of the outsole is made from a firmer, more abrasion-resistant compound. This is an excellent combination because greater traction is required at the forefoot during changes of direction, toe-off and acceleration, while the heel of the outsole is subjected to greater loads, making abrasion resistance more important there. The outsole is moderately thick, giving it very good overall durability. It grips well on both wet and dry surfaces. There is a large cutout in the bottom of the midsole that plays a role in stability by providing better lateral and medial support on landing, while also reducing the weight of the shoe. It has one disadvantage: small stones can become lodged in this cutout. It is worth avoiding gravel roads in the Hoka Skyward X 2, as its outsole is not designed for this type of terrain anyway.

What is it like to run in the Hoka Skyward X 2?

Cushioning and midsole

The midsole of the Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe has an extremely high stack at both the forefoot and heel (46-41 mm), which also gives it a very high level of cushioning. Its midsole consists of two different foams and a carbon plate. The top foam is a soft, responsive PEBA foam, while the bottom layer is a slightly firmer supercritical EVA foam.

The Hoka Skyward X 2 is a good choice if you are looking for a stable, max-cushioned running shoe for long runs.

Stability and guidance

The Hoka Skyward X 2 is a neutral running shoe that offers good stability despite being high and soft. Its good stability comes from 3 elements. First, the carbon plate in the midsole, which is actually a frame, makes it stiffer and more stable. Second, the midsole is wider than average. Third, the midsole sidewalls rise around the upper and hold the foot securely. Because the midsole is stiff, it strongly guides the foot through transitions. Its drop is low at 5 mm, which suits midfoot and forefoot strikers, but the curved, rounded heel also makes it comfortable for heel strikers.

The Skyward X 2 is a neutral shoe, but its stability is outstanding for such a high-stack midsole.

Upper and comfort

The upper of the Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe has more padding than average, although it is not extremely or maximally padded. It has a comfortable, premium upper made from a soft yet supportive mesh material. Its breathability is average, and it can feel warm on hotter days or in the gym. The tongue is thin but features padding that protects the foot from lace pressure.

Landing and traction

The Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe has a low 5 mm drop that is better suited to midfoot or forefoot strikers. Since the heel section of the midsole is also curved and rounded, it is not uncomfortable for heel striking either. The outsole provides good traction on both dry and wet surfaces. It cannot be described as exceptional, but it is more than sufficient at the paces for which the Skyward X 2 is primarily designed.

Pace and responsiveness

The Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe is taller and wider than average, which also makes it heavier than average. It is therefore designed for longer runs rather than speed. The PEBA foam and carbon plate improve its responsiveness, and longer runs can also be completed at a more energetic pace in the shoe. Its transitions are fast and it returns energy well, so you can run the occasional short, fast section in it, but that is not fundamentally what this shoe is designed for.

This shoe is designed not for breaking records, but for long, comfortable miles.

Who is the Hoka Skyward X 2 recommended for – and who is it not for?

The Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe is recommended for runners seeking a highly cushioned, comfortable, premium neutral running shoe with good stability for longer distances.

The Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe is not recommended if you are looking for a lightweight running shoe for fast efforts, whether short, long or even marathon-distance runs.

What has changed compared with the previous version? Hoka Skyward X 2 vs Hoka Skyward X.

The Hoka Skyward X 2 has changed significantly compared with the previous version, the Hoka Skyward X running shoe. Its listed weight has decreased by 10 grams, but it feels like a much larger reduction, and the new version is more responsive and more stable. The shoe is faster and has found its place in Hoka’s model range.

The upper has been completely redesigned. The previous knit mesh material has been replaced by a softer-feeling jacquard mesh. The tongue is less padded than in the previous version. The heel collar has slightly more padding and holds the foot more securely, while the toe box has become a little narrower.

The midsole has also changed significantly. It is 3 mm lower and slightly narrower, which has reduced the weight considerably and improved its dynamics. The carbon plate has also been redesigned, making the new version firmer and more stable.

The outsole has changed the least: only the layout has changed, while its properties have not.

Alternatives to the Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoe – comparison

Before listing the alternatives to the Skyward X 2, I will first compare it with a shoe that is not an alternative but could be considered the model one step below the Skyward X 2. This was less apparent before, but the Skyward X 2 can now more clearly be regarded as a Bondi Pro. If the Bondi 9 is not enough for you because you want an even larger, thicker midsole or a slightly more responsive, faster shoe, the Skyward X 2 may be a good choice. Just as the Clifton 11 has a Clifton Pro version, the Skyward X 2 is the Pro version of the Bondi 9. Its midsole is 4 mm higher, both have a 5 mm drop, and they weigh the same in my size EU 42. The Bondi has a more padded upper, while the Skyward X 2 has a more responsive midsole and provides greater impact protection.

The Hoka Mach X3 running shoe is not an alternative either, but it is worth comparing with the Hoka Skyward X 2. Both use PEBA and EVA foam with a carbon plate. The difference is that the Mach X 3 has a 2 mm lower midsole, features a full-length carbon plate, and its bottom layer is standard EVA rather than supercritical EVA as in the Skyward X 2. Because its midsole is lower and narrower and its upper is less padded, the Mach X 3 is officially 23 grams lighter, although the difference is only 12 grams in my size EU 42. The two shoes belong to different categories: the Mach X 3 is a fast, race-training running shoe, while the Skyward X 2 is a max-cushioned running shoe, but their construction is very similar.

If, however, you are looking for a similar running shoe, the following alternatives are worth considering

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoes?

There is no structural difference between the men’s and women’s Hoka Skyward X 2 running shoes. According to the official specifications, the men’s version is heavier than the women’s Hoka Skyward x 2, but this is because the official weight of the women’s version is stated for size EU 39 1/3, while the men’s version is measured in size EU 44. The same applies to the midsole stack height, meaning that the midsole may also be lower in a smaller size.