When it comes to running, whether you’re on vacation or at home, it’s always good practice to protect your feet and be comfortable. Hoka has long been known for its beefy soles, providing cushion and stability for both trail and street runners, and its recent release of the Skyward X pushes the soft and smooth factor to the max.
Just because a shoe has a plush sole doesn’t mean it can’t also have solid stability, and the Skyward X includes a suspension system with a convex carbon fiber plate that allows the suspension system to compress and spring back with each step. A highly resilient PEBA foam sits closest to the foot toe a cushioned ride, while an EVA frame provides a stable base for your running practice.
But one of my favorite things about this shoe is the flat knit upper with zonal engineering that molds to the foot for a sock-like fit, rather than creating one pressure point when you tighten your laces.
The Skyward X weighs in at 11.30 ounces with a heel-to-toe drop of 5 mm. It’s a beefy shoe to pack, so when you take it along on your travels, consider wearing it on the plane, rather than dedicating a major part of your carry-on to shoes. You’ll be thankful for the additional cushion when trekking through the miles of airport terminals.
These shoes have earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, which recognizes products that have been found beneficial to foot health.
The men’s Skyward X lists for $225 on the Hoka site and comes in lettuce/cloudless (pictured), cosmic Gray/silver, and blanc de blanc/virtual blue. The women’s version also lists for $225 on the Hoka site, and comes in lettuce/cloudless, cosmic gray/rose gold, and blanc de blanc/swim day.