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For quite a lot of years, I used to be actually pleased to suggest the BondiX to a variety of runners. However it slowly disappeared as a result of they had been engaged on one thing even higher within the background. This Hoka Skyward X assessment is right here that will help you perceive this mega stack top carbon plate shoe and who will find it irresistible and who won’t.
One of many issues I cherished listening to from HOKA in previous discussions was that they don’t assume pace footwear or know-how must be restricted to the entrance of the pack. Why shouldn’t each runner take pleasure in the advantages of what they’re studying and creating?
Some would say there’s no worth within the carbon plate in case you are working slower than an 8 minute mile. I’d say from teaching hundreds of runners that I’ve seen this to be an inaccurate assertion. (Plus, spoiler alert my legs felt so good after an extended run in these!)
The Hoka Skyward X is a vastly completely different shoe than the brand new HOKA Cielo X1 that I just lately reviewed. However that doesn’t imply worse! It means it’s constructed for a unique form of runner. The vast majority of runners aren’t working sub 3 hour marathons and nonetheless deserve a shoe.
You’ll discover I’m going again to the Bondi for comparability right here as a result of many of us have tried it and that’s a great way to gauge in the event you’ll just like the Skyward X. Checkout my full record of greatest HOKA trainers to check all of them.
As at all times, I observe that I’m tremendous trustworthy in my evaluations about what works, doesn’t work and naturally I’ve preferences in footwear after 20+ years working and testing a whole bunch! So take what appears most respected to you from right here and resolve if it’s a shoe value including to your rotation.
With out additional ado, let’s discuss extra about this enjoyable light-weight each day coach.
Hoka Skyward X Evaluation
Is that this the best stack top working shoe? No, but it surely’s fairly darn shut! The Adidas Adizero Prime X is 50mm, whereas they Skyward X is clocking in at 48mm. Just some years in the past this may have appeared absurd, keep in mind how folks checked out HOKA a decade in the past for being “so large”.
However now, extra cushion and extra stack is the pattern.
I admit that as a coach, I used to be involved about this for awhile. Nevertheless, in accordance with Podiatrist Richard Blake, “Working in maximalist footwear might help alleviate the ache with circumstances and accidents like metatarsalgia, capsulitis, neuromas, sesamoid accidents and hallux limitus/rigidus signs.”
So now that we’ve put that concern behind us, let’s speak about some max cushion!
This shoe is greatest for center and again of the pack runners who’re on the lookout for a quick and responsive shoe to tackle long-distance races or interval coaching. Would this be my most well-liked shoe when cranking out 6:30 reps undoubtedly not. However am I all about it for a 20 mile run, you wager.
Whereas many footwear promote one thing like a meta-rocker to assist propel you from heel to forefoot, I’ll say that I discover it most in downhill working. I had that very same sensation with the BondiX as properly.
The opposite factor I seen was the stack top didn’t section me. In testing this on a number of runs, I included the treadmill the place I usually detest max cushioned footwear and didn’t assume twice about it.
Once more, Hoka is aware of the way to create a secure shoe. It’s received a large base and actually hugs the foot, so I by no means felt my foot transferring round or in any manner unstable regardless of the peak.
From working straightforward tempo right down to half marathon tempo miles, the shoe felt actually good. Once more, if I had been racing an 8:30 tempo for the half marathon, I’d in all probability go along with one thing extra just like the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4. BUT for a marathon runner over 4:30 or on a number of these lengthy coaching runs, I actually see the worth.
The query is at all times is it value paying additional for the carbon plate in the event you’re within the center or again of the pack. Right here I feel you’re getting extra from the know-how than simply that.
It’s how they’ve given you the PEBA midsole foam on high of the H-Curve plate and the EVA backside foam. There’s a sandwich for the ages with two supercritical foams. YES the excessive finish stuff for the on a regular basis runner.
Specs
I’ve examined just about the entire X or carbon plate footwear from HOKA and some had been a swing and a miss, a number of I actually take pleasure in. That is going within the actually take pleasure in pile.
- Impartial Carbon Plated Working shoe
- Max Cushion
- 5 mm drop (48 mm stack on males’s)
- 9.2oz (W8) / 11.3oz (M10)
- $225
- See all HOKA Skyward X avalable (early launch just one coloration)
Right here you possibly can see that there’s a as soon as once more a reduce out beneath the midfoot. That is oncean alternative to chop weight on a shoe the place they’ve added a lot stack and cushion. The one potential downside right here is getting a rock caught in the course of your run…to this point I’ve not had this occur, however have had sufficient footwear with openings to know it could possibly.
The opposite essential factor to notice is the uncovered cushion on the only.
Once more in dropping some weight, there’s not rubber over your entire portion of the underside. This might imply points with traction on moist days or the potential for sooner breakdown of the cushion relying on working floor.
100% we all know these aren’t a path shoe, however even these of you working on crushed gravel I’d in all probability say skip this shoe for these runs.
Match
General match is a lot roomy, I’d say usually carbon footwear are likely to really feel extra slender and that’s not the case right here. You’re nonetheless getting a pleasant calmly cushioned tongue and a large heel counter which is a part of serving to you’re feeling secure. In actual fact, they’ve even dubbed it the “Deep Lively Foot Body”.
I didn’t discover the heel developing on my again facet, which I used to be involved about. In actual fact, I didn’t even have to do heel lock lacing, which is a regular for me in most footwear.
I feel a variety of what makes this shoe really feel secure will not be solely their customary large base, however the distinctive form used for the carbon plate.
The plate’s H-shaped design serves numerous capabilities. On the large medial facet, it presents early touchdown help, whereas the narrower rail on the lateral facet capabilities as a crash pad upon touchdown. Moreover, the rising carbon lip prevents extreme sinking and outward motion of the heel.
- True to dimension
- A bouncy cushioned really feel
- Highest stack top, however nonetheless secure
- Good room within the toebox
- Tongue isn’t tremendous thick to remove room and never so skinny there are different points
- Tongue will not be hooked up, however didn’t discover it transferring round
Skyward X vs Bondi
Is that this only a souped up model of the Bondi? No….it’s manner higher.
I’ve at all times known as the Bondi one of many plushest trainers ever. Which is nice in it’s personal manner, but in addition has a flaw for runners which is you could sink in to the cushion as you fatigue. This results in low again ache whereas working…so I’ve really transitioned to calling it considered one of my high footwear for strolling and even run/stroll.
However with the Skyward X there’s extra bounce somewhat extra sturdiness to the shoe that I feel prevents this and provides you extra pace.
Who Will Just like the Skyward X?
Should you already know that you simply just like the match of Hoka, this can be a win. And in the event you ever tried the BondiX and loved it, that is subsequent stage.
- It’s a roomier shoe
- Feels actually mild weight due to the bounce (it’s undoubtedly not a light-weight working shoe)
- Not max cushioned with that plush really feel you sink in to
- Gentle cushion that also permits for pace
- A shoe that feels secure, however will not be a stability shoe
Who Will Not Just like the Skyward X?
Should you’re on the lookout for a bouncy carbon plate kind of froth for tremendous pace days, that’s not what you’ll be getting right here. This can be a nice cushioned shoe with some pace to it for the on a regular basis runner who needs extra from their half to marathon shoe.
If you need a light-weight tempo run shoe, think about the Mach 6. Proper now that’s in all probability my go to shoe of alternative from Hoka. Previously few years, the Clifton and Bondi simply didn’t maintain tempo with what I’ve been testing from different manufacturers for the consolation of the cushion.
All proper, I hope this Hoka Skyward X assessment helped you with making an knowledgeable shoe alternative!!
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