Hoka Skyward X
The Skyward X is Hoka's biggest road shoe: a 48mm stack of supercritical EVA and PEBA with a convex carbon plate sandwiched in between. The plate here is for smoothing the rocker, not for racing. This is a plush, bouncy cruiser for long easy runs. It is heavy and expensive, but nothing else in the lineup feels this cushioned.
Reach for the Hoka Skyward X for long runs and easy recovery days. A wide, stable base keeps it steady without stability hardware, so it's a good pick if you're mostly neutral but like a planted feel. The tall, soft stack favors comfort over ground feel. That's great for high mileage and bigger runners, less so for racing snappiness.
- Enormous, bouncy cushioning
- Carbon plate smooths the rolling ride
- Surprisingly stable for the stack height
- Over 11 ounces
- $225 for an easy-day shoe
| Shoe | Cushion | Support | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoka Bondi 9 | Maximum | Mild | $170 | Analyze |
| ASICS Superblast 2 | Maximum | Neutral | $200 | Analyze |
| Hoka Clifton 10 | Maximum | Neutral | $150 | Analyze |
| ASICS Novablast 5 | Maximum | Neutral | $150 | Analyze |
Ratings compare the current lineup. Price favors lower cost.
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