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The Hoka Skyward X 2 is designed for one job; to be one of the best running shoes you can get for cruising through easy and long runs. It does that job superbly well thanks to the bouncy midsole set up, which is also stable for a high-stack shoe.
However, its price and spec sheet give the impression of a super-trainer, and the Skyward X 2 doesn’t offer the versatility you get from shoes like the Asics Superblast 3 or Asics Megablast. You can also match its performance by getting one of best cushioned shoes at a lower price, like the Nike Vomero Plus or Kiprun Kipride Max.
That means while the performance of the Hoka Skyward X 2 lived up to our expectations, it’s still not a great value option we’d recommend buying at full price.
Design & Key Stats
- Price: £190/£225
- Weight: 295g/10.4oz (UK 9/US 9.5)
- Drop: 5mm
- Upper: Jacquard mesh
- Midsole: Top layer PEBA, bottom layer supercritical EVA, slotted carbon plate
- Outsole: Sticky rubber covering forefoot, durabrasion rubber at heel
Hoka Skyward X 2 review
How’s The Fit
Nick tested the Hoka Skyward X 2 for our review and found that it fit him well in his normal running shoe size. It’s a fairly narrow shoe, but a wide version will be available, and the new upper is a little less padded and oppressive than the upper on the original Skyward X.
Check out more of the best Hoka running shoes
The Run Test: Likes
The Hoka Skyward X 2 is a lighter, more streamlined shoe than the original Skyward X and this makes it more enjoyable and less cumbersome to run in at any pace. It’s more versatile than the original, and while it’s not a great speed shoe, for such a cushioned shoe it does move pretty well at steady and tempo paces.
It’s main role is to hoover up your easy and long runs though, and we found that it does this brilliantly thanks to the comfortable, bouncy midsole set up. The PEBA foam delivers a pleasant level of bounce without feeling outlandish or unstable, and the rocker on the shoe moves you through your foot strike smoothly.
The Skyward X 2 one of the best shoes we’ve tested for relaxed miles, and will be a great option for picking up a lot of your daily efforts during high mileage weeks, but its problem there is that equally-good rivals for this job cost a lot less than the Skyward X 2.
We were also fans of the look of the shoe, which is also improved compared to the previous model, and the upper is more breathable and comfortable too.
The Run Test: Dislikes
The Skyward X 2 is purpose-built to excel on easy and long runs so it feels harsh to criticise it for a lack of versatility, but the truth is it has a super-trainer price tag and isn’t as capable an all-rounder as most shoes in that bracket. It’s just a little too big and heavy for speedier runs, and the geometry is set up for smooth rolling rather than faster efforts.
Its best role in a rotation is certainly as a comfort-focused daily trainer, and for that role it feels quite expensive. If you’re a one-shoe runner you’d be better off with a more versatile option, and if you have a rotation with faster shoes, you could get a cheaper cushioned model that matches the performance of the Skyward X 2 quite easily.
Verdict And Alternatives
If you’re a high-mileage runner who values comfort above all and has an extensive rotation and the means to keep adding to it, the Hoka Skyward X 2 is worth looking it as one of the best cushioned cruisers we’ve tested.
However, for most runners it doesn’t offer enough bang for the considerable buck you’ll be spending on it, and whether you want a true super-trainer or a cushioned shoe, there are options we’d look at instead.
Some of our favourite cushioned shoes cost a lot less. like the Nike Vomero Plus, Kiprun Kipride Max and New Balance 1080v15. Hoka’s own Clifton 10 is also a good,affordable cushioned daily trainer, if not as bouncy and fun as the Skyward X 2.
In the super-trainer bracket the Asics Superblast 3 is as comfy and bouncy as the Skyward X 2 while also being a lot lighter and more capable at faster paces. The Asics Megablast is also a much faster and lighter shoe, and while we didn’t love the upper of the Adidas Hyperboost Edge, its bouncy midsole makes it more versatile than the Skyward X 2.
The Hoka Mach X3 is also cheaper and a better all-rounder than the Skyward X 2, though it is more geared up for speed and less stable and supportive at slower paces.