Hoka Skyward X 2

Conversational Pace states there is 'no chance that you will ever feel the ground in this shoe' — the Hoka Skyward X 2 provides 'world-class impact absorption.'

FORDY RUNS finds the Hoka Skyward X 2 is a very comfortable shoe.

Regarding the Hoka Skyward X 2, the reviewer finds that she loves it for long runs and recovery runs, and that you can pick up the pace in it a little bit too.

Emily Heller finds the shoe feels soft, protective, and very comfortable.

Run Moore 's impression of the Hoka Skyward X 2 is that when he runs in it, an hour after the run he feels like he didn't even run.

Believe in the Run finds the Skyward X 2 is nice for easy days and recovery days.

HellahGood , a Hoka athlete ambassador, finds the Skyward X 2 was their most-worn shoe at the start of their marathon prep, used it for 4- to 6-mile easy and recovery days, and previously considered the first version the most underrated Hoka road shoe.

Regarding the Hoka Skyward X 2, the reviewer finds that she loves it for long runs and recovery runs, and that you can pick up the pace in it a little bit too.

Regarding the Hoka Skyward X 2, the reviewer finds that you can pretty much do anything in the shoe if you really want to, but that its intent and what it may be best for are recovery runs and easy runs, especially long easy runs.

Marathon Handbook finds the Skyward X 2 is not a fast interval shoe; it is a lot of material to carry around, but is excellent on long runs, even fartlek runs, and can handle an easy run.

Emily Heller really likes the Skyward X 2 for daily training runs, especially 5-6 mile runs where she is not going easy but also not pushing the pace hard.

For tempo-day runs the reviewer was not wowed by the Skyward X 2 and says there are other shoes she would grab before this one.

Run Moore characterizes the Hoka Skyward X 2 as his "Sunday morning shoe," intended for cleanup or junk mileage when his legs and body are tired and he just wants to get through the run.

Run Moore finds the Hoka Skyward X 2 is not designed for speedwork; he characterizes it as truly a Sunday-morning cleanup-mileage shoe he would not use for strides, hill repeats, or long runs as a main shoe.

Run Moore 's recommendation for the Hoka Skyward X 2 is that it is a home in a runner's rotation as a junk-mileage or disciplined recovery-long-run shoe, for runners who have no desire to do pickups or drop middle miles at marathon pace in it.

Believe in the Run characterizes the Skyward X 2 as a long-run cruiser and recovery run shoe.

FORDY RUNS observes the Hoka Skyward X 2 comes alive when you get into some paces, which is what he likes about it.

Emily Heller feels a nice roll through the toe whether taking the shoe on easier miles or on tempo or workout days.

Believe in the Run states that you can pick up the pace a little in the Skyward X 2, but is unsure about picking up the pace.

HellahGood observes Hoka lowered the Skyward X 2's stack height from 48 mm (first version) to 46 mm, and finds this makes the shoe feel more connected to the road while retaining a plush, bouncy super-trainer feel focused on comfort rather than speed.

Marathon Handbook finds the Skyward X 2 is a huge improvement from the Skyward X 1, which was a massively weird shoe — big, tall, a little wobbly, and quite heavy.

Marathon Handbook observes the Skyward X 2 is lighter and more stable than its predecessor.

Emily Heller finds the Hoka Skyward X 2 is an improvement over version 1 and is a much more enjoyable shoe for her to run in, but she is still not completely sold on it.

Emily Heller finds the Skyward X 2 is lighter than its predecessor, the Skyward X 1.

Run Moore observes the Hoka Skyward X 2 is about a quarter-ounce lighter than version 1, but they removed 2 mm of cushion.

Run Moore observes the Hoka Skyward X 2's upper breathes much better than version 1's, which he had found hot under foot.

Run Moore finds the Hoka Skyward X 2 feels a bit lighter than version 1, both because of the upper and because it dropped 2 mm of cushion and some weight.

Believe in the Run finds the changes in the Skyward X 2 to be minimal but really good and surprising in how much he enjoyed them.

Believe in the Run observes that the foam on the Skyward X 2 feels a little softer and lighter than the original.

FORDY RUNS notes the Hoka Skyward X 2 is on the expensive side at £180.

Emily Heller finds $224.95 a very expensive price for the way this shoe feels on foot.

Emily Heller thinks the Skyward X 2 would make more sense at $180 or $200.

Emily Heller compares the Skyward X 2 to other shoes available for $225 and says she is not sold on the price; she would need to be wowed for $225 and is not wowed.

Emily Heller thinks the Skyward X 2 will be durable as a whole and last a lot of miles, which she says may justify the price.

Conversational Pace describes the Hoka Skyward X 2's upper materials as 'fairly soft,' 'almost in the full comfort category, but there's like slight hints of preciseness performance.'

Conversational Pace observes that the Hoka Skyward X 2's toe box is tapered and 'kind of low volume,' and although he sometimes gets pressure on his big-toe joints and elsewhere on the top of the foot in such shoes, he did not get that here; the fit 'comfortably hugs pretty securely.'

Hoka uses a jacquard mesh upper on the Skyward X 2; the reviewer describes it as a very soft material and breathable.

Emily Heller has a narrow foot and likes the way the Skyward X 2 fits her foot.

Emily Heller observes the midfoot gives her a nice wrap-around feel; it does not feel too wide or too narrow for her narrow foot.

Emily Heller speculates that someone with a wider foot might feel the shoe is a little too narrow, but otherwise thinks it will be accommodating for average to more narrow feet.

Emily Heller had no hotspots, blisters, or irritation in the Skyward X 2.

Run Moore observes the Hoka Skyward X 2's upper breathes much better than version 1's, which he had found hot under foot.

Believe in the Run observes that the Skyward X 2 has a new upper that feels comfortable and nice, with no hot spot issues.

Believe in the Run finds the tongue of the Skyward X 2 to be great, like a little padded puffer jacket for the ankle.

Meta Endurance compares the Hoka Skyward X 2 upper to the Hoka Clifton Pro upper, citing the Skyward X 2 as a good example of a Hoka shoe with a tongue that is too short.

Believe in the Run (Thomas, size 10 to 10.5) reports that the upper fit fine for him, but a colleague (Carl) said his 10.5 felt a little short, which Thomas could see.

Marathon Handbook finds the Hoka Skyward X 2 is a big, bulky, incredibly protective, and durable shoe, especially for Hoka, which in the past had some durability issues.

Emily Heller has about 40-50 miles on the Skyward X 2 and observes the rubber is holding up very well with not a lot of wear, even on the exposed EVA.

Emily Heller thinks the outsole will last just as long as the shoe will.

Emily Heller thinks the Skyward X 2 will be durable as a whole and last a lot of miles, which she says may justify the price.

Conversational Pace 's judgment is that the Hoka Skyward X 2 is 'a miss by Hoka.'

When asked what he would use the Hoka Skyward X 2 for, the reviewer replies 'nothing.'

FORDY RUNS reports liking the Hoka Skyward X 2 a lot.

Regarding the Hoka Skyward X 2, the reviewer finds that she loves it for long runs and recovery runs, and that you can pick up the pace in it a little bit too.

Emily Heller finds the Hoka Skyward X 2 is an improvement over version 1 and is a much more enjoyable shoe for her to run in, but she is still not completely sold on it.

Run Moore finds the Hoka Skyward X 2 is a niche-of-a-niche-of-a-niche shoe.

Believe in the Run finds the changes in the Skyward X 2 to be minimal but really good and surprising in how much he enjoyed them.

Marathon Handbook finds the Skyward X 2 can kind of do everything, and gave it an overall score of 8.5.

Regarding the Hoka Skyward X 2, the reviewer observes that it looks like a plated Bondi and speculates that it may be what the Bondi X turned into.

Regarding the Hoka Skyward X 2, the reviewer finds that while it looks aesthetically like the Bondi, it is a more premium version than the Bondi and is more performance-oriented and more fun.

Believe in the Run speculates the Skyward X 2 could have been called the Bondi X.

Conversational Pace says the Hoka Skyward X 2 is a 'massive platform' with 48 mm in the heel and 43 mm in the forefoot per the reviewer's mention.

Conversational Pace states there is 'no chance that you will ever feel the ground in this shoe' — the Hoka Skyward X 2 provides 'world-class impact absorption.'

Marathon Handbook states the Hoka Skyward X 2 has 49 mm of stack height, making it one of the tallest shoes in the world.

Run Moore observes that the Hoka Skyward X 2 is a very high cushion shoe.

Run Moore finds the Hoka Skyward X 2 feels like a "moon boot."

HellahGood observes Hoka lowered the Skyward X 2's stack height from 48 mm (first version) to 46 mm, and finds this makes the shoe feel more connected to the road while retaining a plush, bouncy super-trainer feel focused on comfort rather than speed.

Marathon Handbook states the carbon plate is shaped to give forward propulsion but also lateral stability, which is important when you are 50 mm above ground.

Yowana considers the Hoka Skyward X 2 (which he keeps calling the Skyward X 3) a great example of a max-cushion shoe with a lot of stability.