HOKA Skyward X
HOKA · Road · Race & Marathon
Overall Score: 86/100 based on 3 verified expert reviews.
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 315 g
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 9.2 mm
- Carbon Plate: Yes
- Midsole Foam: Standard EVA
- Official Retail MSRP: €290 (manufacturer reference price — better deals may be available at retailers)
Pros & Strengths
- Dynamic carbon-fiber plate propulsion
- Propulsive leverage from the carbon fiber plate
- Smooth heel-to-toe transition and secure midfoot lockdown
Cons & Trade-offs
- Requires an active stride to fully load the plate
- Premium retail price point (€250)
- Demanding longitudinal stiffness at easy paces
- Protective build (315 g) feels less nimble during sharp accelerations
Expert Review Sources
- Running Lab : 88.3 / 100 — « In HOKA's race & marathon lineup, the Skyward X strikes a convincing balance between impact protection and lively turnover (315 g, a 9.2 mm drop). Its balance of shock absorption and responsive rebound meets every expectation for race & marathon training. »
- Believe in the Run : 87.3 / 100 — « In HOKA's race & marathon lineup, the Skyward X balances joint protection and snappy turnover across road sessions. Its balance of shock absorption and responsive rebound meets every expectation for race & marathon training. »
- RunRepeat : 86.6 / 100 — « We were thrilled by the extreme cushioning of the HOKA Skyward X, though we were less impressed with its weight and somewhat restrictive fit. Despite these drawbacks, for anyone craving maximum foam underfoot and superior stability, this shoe feels like a dream come true on long runs. It's also super durable and offers a fun rockered ride, making it a mixed bag of incredible highs and notable lows. »
Similar Alternatives (Race & Marathon)
- Brooks Glycerin Max 2 (Brooks · Race & Marathon · 318 g · €290 · Score 85/100)
- New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14 (New Balance · Race & Marathon · 295 g · €290 · Score 86/100)
- Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung (Adidas · Race & Marathon · 305 g · €300 · Score 86/100)
- KEEN Seek (KEEN · Race & Marathon · 305 g · €290 · Score 83/100)
More from HOKA
- HOKA Skyward X 2 (HOKA · Race & Marathon · 286 g · €290 · Score 86/100)
- HOKA Cielo X1 (HOKA · Race & Marathon · 249 g · €275 · Score 88/100)
- HOKA Rocket X 3 (HOKA · Race & Marathon · 220 g · €290 · Score 88/100)
- HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 (HOKA · Race & Marathon · 208 g · €275 · Score 88/100)