Hoka’s newest everyday runner is the latest shoe to join World Athletics’s so-called “banned” list, but it’s different than the others in a fundamental way.
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Hoka says it “threw out the rulebook” when creating the Skyward X, the brand’s latest mega-cushioned running shoe. It isn’t kidding. With a 48mm stack height, the Skyward X sprints right past the 40mm limit set by World Athletics, joining an exclusive club of so-called “illegal” running shoes that includes models such as the Adidas Adizero Prime X 2.0 (55mm) and New Balance Supercomp Trainer (47mm).
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t purchase the Skyward X or casually wear them on your next easy run around the neighborhood. But, were you to race in them, you technically could be disqualified from even a local 5K (if the organizers cared enough to check).
With a 48mm stack height, the Skyward X is one of Hoka’s most cushioned shoes ever.Hoka
The World Athletics controversially bars both professional and recreational runners from competing in any “road event” with shoes that exceed a 40mm stack height. So why would Hoka, or any brand, even risk it? Let’s break it down.
Hoka Skyward X
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Hoka Skyward X
Hoka built its brand on maximalist running shoes, so it’s no surprise to see the brand continue to push the limits on cushioning. The Skyward X combines hefty amounts of both PEBA and EVA foams with a convex carbon fiber plate that bows upward, “helping mimic the dynamic suspension of the foot,” Hoka says.
“We increased the stack height and completely reimagined our use of elements like PEBA foam and carbon fiber plates.”
Unlike most plated running shoes, however, the Skyward X is an everyday option, not a racer designed for PRs. This makes it different than most other shoes on World Athletics’s naughty list and might help explain why Hoka didn’t pay much mind to it in the first place.
Unlike other “banned” shoes, the Skyward X is designed to log everyday miles, not propel you to new PRs.Hoka
“We increased the stack height and completely reimagined our use of elements like PEBA foam and carbon fiber plates,” says Colin Ingram, Hoka’s vice president of product and apparel. The result, he adds, is a “running shoe that provides core runners with a supremely plush experience for their daily miles.”
The shoe also features a knit upper, external TPU heel counter and integrated ghillie system for a secure fit across the midfoot.
Availability and Pricing
Founded in 2009, Hoka’s angle has always been to make running more approachable by focusing on comfort and cushioning. On paper, the Skyward X stays true to these values; PEBA foam and carbon fiber plates both have proven track records of improving runners’ times, and it was only a matter of time until a brand like Hoka brought the technology to the masses in the form of an everyday running shoe.
Innovation isn’t cheap, and neither is the Skyward X. A pair will set you back $225.
But innovation isn’t cheap, and neither is the Skyward X. A pair will set you back $225, making these some of the most expensive training shoes you can buy in 2024 — up there with the Asics Superblast ($200) and Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 ($225). The Skyward X goes on sale Thursday, April 25.
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