The second iteration of the Skyward X makes it slightly less Skyward. Losing both stack height and weight, HOKA have made their behemoth slightly more grounded. Along with the diet, it also has a retuned carbon plate which aims to make it a more engaged and propulsive shoe.
It retains the suspended midsole which gives that trampoline like sink and pop. The dual density midsole also remains with its mix of PEBA and super critical EVA foam to give that durability and feeling of liveliness.
Have the changes to the Skyward X made it a shoe with more of a purpose? We took it to the streets to find out.
Upper and Fit of the HOKA Skyward X 2
What works for me
The upper has been redesigned on the Skyward X 2. According to the press release, it is a comfort driven upper with elevated materials. Now, on a shoe like the Skyward X, the whole thing is elevated so it seem right to the the same to the upper. In reality, HOKA have made it a very good upper. The fit is true to size and step in feel is excellent.
There is plenty of padding where it is needed around the neck of the shoe. Those tongue has zonal padding while remaining thin to reduce weight. I like to crank my laces tight and the padding is placed exactly where it should be to remove lace bite. This allows the lockdown to be secure. At the back of the Skyward X 2, we have a stout heel cup which ensures that the foot stays put no matter what power input through the shoe.
As far as breathability goes, I have no complaints so far. We’ve had some pleasantly warm temperatures recently and my feet haven’t felt swampy. If you live in far more humid areas, this might change.
Overall, as an upper on a premium daily shoe, I can’t think what more I would want. It gives good lockdown, fits well and gives no irritation or hotspots.
What doesn’t work for me
As mentioned above, it’s a good upper for me. The usual caveats for people with outlying feet remain. If you have very high or low volume feet, it’s always worth checking the fit first.
The only thing I can think of that may be an issue over time would from the amount of padding and material in general. Wit our warm weather, we have been lacking rain but I can imagine that the Skyward X 2 will act like a bit of a sponge which may increase the weight on the run.
Midsole and Ride of the HOKA Skyward X 2
What works for me
Of all the shoes I have ever run in, I think the Skyward X (of both iterations) has the biggest impact on the way I run. I enjoy the feeling of the suspension midsole which really helps to take the impact off the legs when they are feeling more fragile. The combination of foams also works well to give a feeling of pop while also retaining some stability.
The first run I had in the shoe was a 18km total run with 3 x 2 mile at marathon power. I hadn’t meant to run the session in the Skyward X 2, I had Alphafly 3 on my feet but as I was turning the key to step out, the delivery driver placed the box in my hand. It seemed rude not to give them a spin. Now, there is nearly 100g of weight differential between the shoes so the feel was very different. That said, the weight is somewhat offset by the trampoline effect of the suspended midsole. The reps felt manageable and the Skyward X performed well and my legs felt good after. The plate does make the Skyward X 2 feel more propulsive than the original but it is still not an aggressive shoe by any measure.
That said, due to the weight, I probably wouldn’t make it a regular choice for sessions. For the power I was putting into the shoe on Stryd, I should’ve been recording higher paces. The efficiency is reduced by the design of the shoe.
On easier runs, the same geometry and feel is pleasant. I’ve used it for daily miles and Sunday long runs and, when pace isn’t a main concern, they have felt easy on the legs. People who naturally strike further back on the shoe will feel and benefit far more from the midsole design than those more forefoot people.
It is a very different feeling shoe which may be polarising. If you are looking for a shoe with plenty of ground feel, don’t even open the box here. However, if you want a feeling of floating which is more pronounced than even the Nike Vomero Premium, then this could very well be your shoe. As I mentioned earlier, heel strikers will get the most benefit of the technology on offer. When I forced a heel strike it really is a unique feel of sink and bounce. This will probably be a delight for some.
The combination of foams does work well here. On top, the PEBA foam amplifies the soft, suspended feel. Meanwhile the bottom layer of firmer SCF EVA foam stops it from feeling overly mushy or sloppy.
What doesn’t work for me
As I opened this section, the Skyward X 2 really changes the way I run. It is a shoe which wants a particular footstrike. In fact, it will almost demand that you run as it wants rather than as you want. For a true forefoot striker, it can feel like trying to bounce on the blue, padded edge of the trampoline rather than the suspended mesh.
If you are willing to be guided by the shoe, it does offer that suspension and soft feel. However with reward, there is some risk. Due to the fact that I am changing my footstrike completely, the Skyward X 2 amplifies any weaknesses or imbalances I have built into my legs over the years. I find myself moving in different ways and stressing muscles and tendons which I don’t usually put too much work through.
Because of this, if I use the Skyward X too much, I find that instead of saving my legs, it creates soreness and worry about injury. That said, if the Skyward X 2 fits your usual foot strike pattern, this will not be an issue.
With the unique feel and design of the shoe, this is probably one which you should try before you buy. For the majority of runners, it will probably cause no issue. However, if your running style doesn’t fit the shoe, it could be an injury machine.
Furthermore, if you are a much smaller runner or someone with a little less power in the legs, the Skyward X 2 may feel a little heavy over longer distances.
Outsole of the HOKA Skyward X 2
Grip and Traction
On my usual road routes, I have had no problems with the grip and traction. It holds well and when the pace is picked up, it has no issues on corners. As we have had a bit of a dry spell recently, I can’t make too much comment on how it handles on slick pavements.
There is plenty of rubber in strategic places while not being overkill to help save on weight. Wherever you land, the foam will be protected from the pavement.
Durability
After about 100km so far, there is very little visible wear on the shoe. The rubber is still intact and the midsole still feels as it did out of the box on day one. While some HOKA shoes have had some issues with durability, the Skyward X 2 seems to be bearing up well.
Conclusion
Value for Money
At £190, the HOKA Skyward X 2 finds itself in some lofty company. The Superblast 3 is in the same ballpark, as is the Vomero Premium. All three shoes offer a similar level of cushion and technology. The Skyward X is the plated member of the trio which may appeal to some. There is no doubting the comfort, quality and technology packed into the shoe. Premium materials are evident in every area of the Skyward X 2.
That said, shoes are not just about materials. Value includes the whole experience of the package. If, like me, it changes the way you run to a great extent, the value may be somewhat lowered by fear and real risk of injury. However, if you and the shoe mesh well together, then the price is probably fair for what you receive.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
I have used this for longer runs, sessions and easy daily runs so far. While it is capable of running faster, it probably wouldn’t be my main choice of a fast day weapon. The bounce is there as is the protection but the Stryd numbers suggest that the midsole setup is not the most efficient for faster running. The weight is also a handicap for the shoe. That said, it does a good job of softening the impact on those longer runs and days when pace is an afterthought.
For me, it will be a shoe I use when my legs are healthy and I want a no impact easy day.
Final Verdict
This is a hard shoe for me to give a binary verdict on. The Skyward X 2 has some real plus points for me. The comfort is excellent, the materials are premium and it really does offer a ride unlike anything else I have used. On the flip side of that coin, due to the unique ride and demands of the midsole, I find that my legs are not always happy with me when I finish a run. It is a shoe which I will use sparingly, although, it is one I should perhaps use more to strengthen those parts of my legs which clearly need it.
I think this is really a shoe which comes down to personal preference and running style. If your gait aligns with the requirements of the Skyward X 2, you will have many, many wonderful miles together. If it doesn’t, get the massage gun and Voltarol ready
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
HOKA Skyward X 2 vs. Nike Vomero Premium
These are both shoes which can exacerbate weaknesses or injuries due to the stack, the way they engage the legs during the gait cycle. The Vomero Premium is probably the more forgiving shoe. Neither has a great deal of groundfeel as they both have that zero G floating feel through the combination of stack height, geometry and technologies. Both have a great level of comfort although, the Skyward X 2 is slightly more breathable (for my feet, at least). There is a £20 difference between the shoes at full price; this might be the thing which sways your choice.
HOKA Skyward X 2 vs. ASICS Superblast 3
The Superblast 3 is a very easy shoe to pick up and run in. It is much more forgiving for a range of foot strikes and running styles. It is also significantly lighter than the Skyward X 2. That said, they are both still very large shoes which may be cumbersome on the feet of smaller, slighter runners. If you are more of a mid to heel striker, either shoe will work well for you. If you are a forefoot striker, it is probably better to move to Japan on this one.
HOKA Skyward X 2 vs. HOKA Skyward X
The Skyward X has lost weight and gained a new plate to make it more engaged. It definitely feels lower while still retaining the floaty sensation in the new iteration. Both demand a rather particular foot strike. I took the original version out for a spin to compare them side by side and the new plate does make it feel a little more propulsive.
