{"id":46185,"date":"2024-05-13T03:34:08","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T07:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/?post_type=reviews_road&p=46185"},"modified":"2024-05-13T05:35:10","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T09:35:10","slug":"hoka-skyward-x-review","status":"publish","type":"reviews_road","link":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/reviews\/road\/hoka-skyward-x-review\/","title":"Hoka Skyward X Review","author":95,"featured_media":46193,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"brands":[486],"shoes_type":[234,781],"shoes_family":[],"_stcr@_rolfkleinfeld@hotmail.com":null,"review_3_website_name":null,"test_trail":null,"_test_trail":null,"usd":null,"_usd":null,"aud":null,"_aud":null,"cad":null,"_cad":null,"gbp":null,"_gbp":null,"eur":null,"_eur":null,"shoe_brand":null,"_shoe_brand":null,"shoe_name":null,"pros":"4","cons":"3","verdict":"The Hoka Skyward X is a highly cushioned, stable trainer best suited to easy runs. It has a convex carbon plate which isn't really needed because you can't feel the so-called \u201csuspension system\u201d and it makes it feel at very slow paces . The Skyward X replaces the Bondi X. It's softer, more cushioned and feels more energetic than the Bondi X due to the PEBA in its midsole but it's still not worth its retail price. \r\n","weight":null,"heel":null,"toe":null,"heeldrop":null,"reccomended_for":null,"rrp":null,"review":null,"keywords":"Hoka Skyward X , Hoka running shoes review, best Hoka running shoes, Cushioning running shoes,","description":"The Hoka Skyward X is a highly cushioned, stable trainer best suited to easy runs. It has a convex carbon plate which isn't really needed because you can't feel the so-called \u201csuspension system\u201d and it makes it feel at very slow paces . The Skyward X replaces the Bondi X. It's softer, more cushioned and feels more energetic than the Bondi X due to the PEBA in its midsole but it's still not worth its retail price. \r\n","professional_image":"46201","_professional_image":"field_5d9574dae3414","usage":["daily_training"],"_usage":"field_5943593f1d1c2","rsg_subtitle":null,"subtitle":null,"_subtitle":null,"introduction":"[caption id=\"attachment_46197\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Hoka Bondi X never made much sense<\/a>. It was a shoe built for slow runs but it had a stiff carbon plate in its midsole- a running shoe paradox. \r\n\r\nAfter I reviewed it, I didn\u2019t use it again. For slow runs, I don\u2019t need a carbon plate<\/strong>. There were better options which were lighter and more efficient than the Bondi X. \r\n\r\nSince then, Hoka has improved by leaps and bounds in the super trainer category. Last year's Hoka Mach X was one of my favourite plated trainers to date<\/a>; soft, versatile and snappy. \r\n\r\nThe Skyward X is a brand new super trainer that replaces the Bondi X. The Bondi X was a flop so it makes sense to rebrand it the Skyward X<\/strong>. It\u2019s marketed as a very plush, smooth-riding trainer for easy miles, according to the Hoka website. It's part of the new generation of Hokas that feature the premium PEBA foam in the midsole. \r\n\r\nThe Skyward X weighs 11.3 ounces (US 9) which is really heavy for a trainer these days. It has a 48 mm heel stack height, making it illegal in World Athletics races and it costs $225, the price of a (cheaper) long-distance super shoe. \r\n","introduction_text":null,"conclusions":"[caption id=\"attachment_46196\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Skyward X doesn't feel as polished as the Cielo X1<\/a> or the Mach X<\/a>. \r\n\r\nI don't think that it needs a carbon plate<\/strong>. Its midsole is thick enough to prevent it from flexing so even without the plate, the forefoot rocker would work. The plate makes it feel awkward at very slow paces. \r\n\r\nI think it suits heavier runners more than light runners such as myself<\/strong>. I don't feel the convex plate at work when I load the midsole and the midsole feels a bit too firm for me for easy runs, which is what I will be using it for. \r\n\r\nI prefer the Skyward X to the Bondi X because it's softer and has more bounce but the negatives are that it's heavier and it also costs a lot more than its predecessor.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_46186\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAt $225, I don't think the Skyward is worth its price<\/strong>. There are much cheaper options which feel more natural and more engaging: the ASICS GlideRide<\/a> and Endorphin Shift 3 are examples. \r\n\r\nThe New Balance SC Trainer v2<\/a> is similar in that it also has a convex carbon plate but it has more versatility due to its lower weight and its more energetic ride. \r\n\r\n","model":"Skyward X","_model":"field_5c1600ad0113f","who_is_it_for":"If you're looking for a stiff, stable, maximalist trainer for easy runs, the Skyward X is a good option. If you find the regular Bondi too firm and too flat, the Skyward is a plusher, livelier option.\r\n","pros_0_pro_line":"Extremely high level of cushioning which is great for long runs","_pros_0_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_1_pro_line":"Stiff plate and high toe-spring results in prominent rocker","_pros_1_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_2_pro_line":"More energetic ride than its predecessor, the Bondi X ","_pros_2_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","cons_0_cons_line":"Higher price than similar shoes from other brands","_cons_0_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_1_cons_line":"Heavier than the Bondi X ","_cons_1_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_2_cons_line":"Very narrow fit","_cons_2_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","water_resistance":null,"_water_resistance":null,"pros_3_pro_line":"Very stable for such a thick midsole","_pros_3_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_4_pro_line":null,"_pros_4_pro_line":null,"cons_3_cons_line":null,"_cons_3_cons_line":null,"cons_4_cons_line":null,"_cons_4_cons_line":null,"in_page_subtitle":null,"_in_page_subtitle":null,"image":null,"_image":null,"cushioning_type":"balanced","_cushioning_type":"field_594357fba24e6","cushioning_amount":"Highly cushioned","_cushioning_amount":"field_5c1a16c4d4c23","sizing":"0","_sizing":"field_59435b58fd832","heel_fit":"normal","_heel_fit":"field_59435bbc45b07","midfoot_fit":"normal","_midfoot_fit":"field_59435d1684838","toebox_fit":"normal","_toebox_fit":"field_59435d1484837","flexibility":"rigid","_flexibility":"field_59435d1284836","stability":"very stable","_stability":"field_5944aca41583c","midfoot_fit_copy":null,"_midfoot_fit_copy":null,"best_for":"","pe_timestamp":null,"ds_query":"+hoka +\"skyward x\"","_ds_query":"field_5c1600ad01052","release_date":"","_release_date":"field_5c176d6fffe21","weight_oz":"11.3","_weight_oz":"field_5c176d34ffe1f","heel_drop_mm":"5","_heel_drop_mm":"field_5c176d57ffe20","intro_to_the_shoe":null,"_intro_to_the_shoe":null,"main_text":null,"_main_text":null,"protection":null,"_protection":null,"durability":"8","_durability":"field_6272de0b5fdf5","responsiveness_&_speed":null,"_responsiveness_&_speed":null,"comfort_and_fit":null,"_comfort_and_fit":null,"lugs":null,"_lugs":null,"rockplate":null,"_rockplate":null,"good_for_running":null,"_good_for_running":null,"previous_model":"","_previous_model":"field_5c1a17279c9f9","usage_these_shoes_for":null,"_usage_these_shoes_for":null,"rrp_us":"225","_rrp_us":"field_5c176dba632ff","rrp_au":"","_rrp_au":"field_5c176dd363300","rrp_ca":"","_rrp_ca":"field_5c176df863301","rrp_gb":"","_rrp_gb":"field_5c176dfe63302","rrp_de":"","_rrp_de":"field_5c176e0d63303","purchased_from_name":"Running Warehouse","_purchased_from_name":"field_5c374d8cdb87d","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningwarehouse.com\/HOKA_Skyward_X\/descpage-HO1GLM0.html?from=guru","_purchased_from_url":"field_5c374d9bdb87e","heel_mm":"49","_heel_mm":"field_630506e911fdf","toe_mm":"44","_toe_mm":"field_630506f011fe0","carbon_plate":"full","_carbon_plate":"field_63065e4848c57","360":"","_360":"field_630662fb826e3","_video":"field_63066304826e4","who_should_buy_it":"If you're looking for a stiff, stable, maximalist trainer for easy runs, the Skyward X is a good option. If you find the regular Bondi too firm and too flat, the Skyward is a plusher, livelier option.\r\n","_who_should_buy_it":"field_63132fa733767","who_should_not_buy_it_":"If you're looking for a versatile carbon-plated trainer which you can use for both slow and fast runs, the Skyward is not the shoe for you. If you\u2019re looking for something similar to the Mach X which is a very soft but energetic trainer, the Skyward is not for you. \r\n","_who_should_not_buy_it_":"field_63132ff0865f5","build_quality":"8","_build_quality":"field_6272ddc1b33de","comfort":"7","_comfort":"field_6272dd6fa6b88","value_price":"5","_value_price":"field_6272de0a5fdf4","third_shoe":"39964","_third_shoe":"field_630bbf8341294","upper_rate":"8","_upper_rate":"field_6272de2a5fdfb","sole_unit_rate":"7","_sole_unit_rate":"field_6272de295fdfa","landing":"7","_landing":"field_6272de285fdf9","transition":"7","_transition":"field_6272de285fdf8","toe_off":"7","_toe_off":"field_6272de275fdf7","traction":"8","_traction":"field_6272de265fdf6","first_impressions":"[caption id=\"attachment_46194\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nMy first run was an easy 10K. It was a much more enjoyable ride than the Bondi X. The Skyward midsole had more energy return and it felt less blocky. \r\n\r\nIt was quite firm for a PEBA midsole but the EVA frame made it feel really stable. The fit was narrow and I also had to stop mid-run to adjust the lacing to improve the heel lockdown. \r\n\r\nWhat surprised me was how loud it sounded. Foot strikes were almost as loud as the Alphafly 3<\/a> due to the large cavity underneath it. \r\n\r\nThe shoe it reminded me of most was the Saucony Endorphin Shift<\/a> (which has been discontinued). Both of them have firmish rides, tall midsoles and prominent forefoot rockers. The Skyward was just more of everything: more cushioned, more energetic and stiffer.\r\n","_first_impressions":"field_6313304ba000e","sole_unit":"[caption id=\"attachment_46190\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Skyward performs the best<\/strong> when doing the types of runs that Hoka designed it for: the easiest of easy runs<\/strong>. It has a super stiff midsole though so easy runs don't feel natural and it doesn't feel like you're in control of the shoe. \r\n\r\nWhen you pick up the pace, it feels more natural but its heavy weight makes it feel cumbersome and sluggish so any type of speedwork is out of the question. You can do short, fast bursts but it's hard to hold a fast pace for extended periods.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_46191\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIt's not often that you find new carbon plate \u201cinnovation\u201d in running shoes. The Skyward X has a plate which has a bump in the middle of it, situated in the midfoot.\r\n\r\nThe idea is that when the midfoot is loaded, the plate flattens and when released, it propels you forward. Hoka calls it a suspension system.\r\n\r\nIn reality, I don't feel it<\/strong>. It could be that I'm not heavy enough (60 kg) so I'm not striking the midsole hard enough but it could also be that the midsole foam is too dense and it's not compressing enough. \r\n\r\nNew Balance\u2019s Energy Arc is a similar concept but it works much better because their FuelCell foam is a lot softer so you can feel the carbon plate flatten and spring back when loaded. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_46195\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Skyward's midsole is dual-density. It has a layer of medium-soft PEBA foam directly under the foot and a firmer EVA frame underneath it for stability. It's a deeply cushioned ride but it's not a squishy-feeling ride like you get in the Hoka Mach X and the Hoka Rocket X 2 which also have PEBA in their midsoles. \r\n\r\nThe problem with having an EVA frame underneath is that it mutes the feeling of the PEBA on top of it so the entire PEBA experience is diluted. It feels like the entire midsole is supercritical EVA. \r\n\r\nThe Skyward is very stiff and structured so it feels like a modern stability trainer<\/strong>; foot strikes always feel very planted in it and it dictates the way you strike. One of the negatives is that there's no ground feel so it doesn't feel very \u201cengaging\u201d. It feels like you're running on top of a shoe and not inside of it. \r\n\r\nThe longest run I did in the Skyward was 27 kilometres. It's a good long run shoe, not a great one<\/strong>. The forefoot rocker is energy-saving but I prefer a slightly softer ride and a wider last which is more comfortable for long distances. \r\n\r\nTowards the end of the run, my feet had swelled up and the bucket seat started to annoy me.\r\n\r\nThe Skyward has the Hoka bucket seat midsole. If you've ever run in the Clifton<\/a> or Bondi<\/a>, you would have experienced the same Hoka feature. The bucket seat has raised edges designed to centre and support your feet but it can be troublesome for wide feet or flat arches<\/strong>. In the Skyward, it only annoys me during long runs. \r\n\r\nThe outsole takes inspiration from the Bondi 8 but it has even more rubber coverage on the outer lateral heel and the medial side of the forefoot. \r\n\r\nOutsole durability is average- on my pair, the piece of rubber on the lateral heel (where I heel strike) is smooth but that's normal for me. Grip is good even on wet surfaces.\r\n","_sole_unit":"field_6313305d53bc4","custom_fields":{"model":"Skyward X","cons":[{"cons_line":"Higher price than similar shoes from other brands"},{"cons_line":"Heavier than the Bondi X "},{"cons_line":"Very narrow fit"}],"pros":[{"pro_line":"Extremely high level of cushioning which is great for long runs"},{"pro_line":"Stiff plate and high toe-spring results in prominent rocker"},{"pro_line":"More energetic ride than its predecessor, the Bondi X "},{"pro_line":"Very stable for such a thick midsole"}],"vote":"7","weight_oz":"11.3","heel_drop_mm":"5","purchased_from_name":"Running Warehouse","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningwarehouse.com\/HOKA_Skyward_X\/descpage-HO1GLM0.html?from=guru","comfort":"7","build_quality":"8","upper_rate":"8","sole_unit_rate":"7","landing":"7","transition":"7","toe_off":"7","traction":"8","durability":"8","value_price":"5","who_is_it_for":"If you're looking for a stiff, stable, maximalist trainer for easy runs, the Skyward X is a good option. If you find the regular Bondi too firm and too flat, the Skyward is a plusher, livelier option.\r\n","verdict":"The Hoka Skyward X is a highly cushioned, stable trainer best suited to easy runs. It has a convex carbon plate which isn't really needed because you can't feel the so-called \u201csuspension system\u201d and it makes it feel at very slow paces . The Skyward X replaces the Bondi X. It's softer, more cushioned and feels more energetic than the Bondi X due to the PEBA in its midsole but it's still not worth its retail price. \r\n","who_should_buy_it":"

If you’re looking for a stiff, stable, maximalist trainer for easy runs, the Skyward X is a good option. If you find the regular Bondi too firm and too flat, the Skyward is a plusher, livelier option.<\/p>\n","who_should_not_buy_it_":"

If you’re looking for a versatile carbon-plated trainer which you can use for both slow and fast runs, the Skyward is not the shoe for you. If you\u2019re looking for something similar to the Mach X which is a very soft but energetic trainer, the Skyward is not for you. <\/p>\n","introduction":"

\"Picture