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For a lot of years, I used to be actually pleased to suggest the BondiX to lots of runners. But it surely slowly disappeared as a result of they had been engaged on one thing even higher within the background. This Hoka Skyward X overview is right here that can assist you perceive this mega stack peak carbon plate shoe and who will find it irresistible and who won’t.
One of many issues I liked listening to from HOKA in previous discussions was that they don’t assume pace footwear or know-how needs to be restricted to the entrance of the pack. Why shouldn’t each runner get pleasure from 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 totally 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 special form of runner. Nearly all 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 people have tried it and that’s a great way to gauge for those who’ll just like the Skyward X. Checkout my full record of finest HOKA trainers to match all of them.
As all the time, I notice that I’m tremendous trustworthy in my critiques about what works, doesn’t work and naturally I’ve preferences in footwear after 20+ years working and testing a whole lot! So take what appears most beneficial to you from right here and determine if it’s a shoe price including to your rotation.
With out additional ado, let’s speak extra about this enjoyable light-weight day by day coach.
Hoka Skyward X Overview
Is that this the best stack peak working shoe? No, nevertheless it’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 is able to 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. Nonetheless, in accordance with Podiatrist Richard Blake, “Working in maximalist footwear can assist alleviate the ache with situations 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 discuss some max cushion!
This shoe is finest for center and again of the pack runners who’re searching for a quick and responsive shoe to tackle long-distance races or interval coaching. Would this be my most popular shoe when cranking out 6:30 reps undoubtedly not. However am I all about it for a 20 mile run, you guess.
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 nicely.
The opposite factor I seen was the stack peak didn’t section me. In testing this on a number of runs, I included the treadmill the place I typically detest max cushioned footwear and didn’t assume twice about it.
Once more, Hoka is aware of create a steady shoe. It’s bought a large base and actually hugs the foot, so I by no means felt my foot shifting round or in any approach unstable regardless of the peak.
From working straightforward tempo all the way 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 most likely go along with one thing extra just like the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4. BUT for a marathon runner over 4:30 or on numerous these lengthy coaching runs, I actually see the worth.
The query is all the time is it price paying additional for the carbon plate for those who’re within the center or again of the pack. Right here I believe 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 all the X or carbon plate footwear from HOKA and some had been a swing and a miss, a couple of I actually get pleasure from. That is going within the actually get pleasure from 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 only one coloration)
Right here you may see that there’s a as soon as once more a lower 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 drawback right here is getting a rock caught in the midst of your run…thus far I’ve not had this occur, however have had sufficient footwear with openings to know it could actually.
The opposite necessary factor to notice is the uncovered cushion on the only real.
Once more in dropping some weight, there may be not rubber over your complete 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 most likely say skip this shoe for these runs.
Match
General match is a lot roomy, I’d say typically carbon footwear are likely to really feel extra slender and that’s not the case right here. You’re nonetheless getting a pleasant frivolously cushioned tongue and an enormous heel counter which is a part of serving to you are feeling steady. In truth, they’ve even dubbed it the “Deep Lively Foot Body”.
I didn’t discover the heel developing on my again aspect, which I used to be involved about. In truth, I didn’t even have to do heel lock lacing, which is an ordinary for me in most footwear.
I believe lots of what makes this shoe really feel steady shouldn’t be solely their customary vast base, however the distinctive form used for the carbon plate.
The plate’s H-shaped design serves numerous capabilities. On the vast medial aspect, it gives early touchdown assist, whereas the narrower rail on the lateral aspect 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 peak, however nonetheless steady
- Good room within the toebox
- Tongue isn’t tremendous thick to remove room and never so skinny there are different points
- Tongue shouldn’t be hooked up, however didn’t discover it shifting round
Skyward X vs Bondi
Is that this only a souped up model of the Bondi? No….it’s approach higher.
I’ve all the time referred to as the Bondi one of many plushest trainers ever. Which is nice in it’s personal approach, but in addition has a flaw for runners which is which you could sink in to the cushion as you fatigue. This results in low again ache whereas working…so I’ve truly transitioned to calling it one among my high footwear for strolling and even run/stroll.
However with the Skyward X there may be extra bounce somewhat extra sturdiness to the shoe that I believe prevents this and offers you extra pace.
Who Will Just like the Skyward X?
In case you already know that you simply just like the match of Hoka, it is a win. And for those who ever tried the BondiX and loved it, that is subsequent degree.
- It’s a roomier shoe
- Feels actually gentle 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
- Mushy cushion that also permits for pace
- A shoe that feels steady, however shouldn’t be a stability shoe
Who Will Not Just like the Skyward X?
In case you’re searching for a bouncy carbon plate sort 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, take into account the Mach 6. Proper now that’s most likely my go to shoe of alternative from Hoka. Up to now few years, the Clifton and Bondi simply didn’t preserve tempo with what I’ve been testing from different manufacturers for the consolation of the cushion.
All proper, I hope this Hoka Skyward X overview helped you with making an knowledgeable shoe alternative!!
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