Remember when running shoes with chunky cushions were weird? Yeah, those were the days. That was back when we didn’t really understand how much more comfortable it can be to run when you had that much cushion absorbing impact from the ground, which is so important for your daily running shoes. Hoka is one of the early proponents of this type of heavy cushioning (even their recovery shoes are thick) and they’re doing it again with their latest, the Hoka Skyward X.
They call it “the plushest ride on the road.” We’re not going to argue that, since the size of the midsole on those shoes are quite insane. According to the outfit, the shoe is an attempt to push “soft and smooth to the extreme,” all while promising to deliver “your easiest miles yet.”
The Hoka Skyward X is a daily running shoe with a whopping 48mm of stack height. That’s well past the 40mm limit set by World Athletics, which means this isn’t allowed to be used at competitive races. Is it the most cushioned shoe ever made? Not even, since we remember Adidas having a shoe with a 55mm stack height at one point, but it’s definitely up there among the most cushioned running shoes you’re going to find.
The cushioning is made of a PEBA foam midsole that delivers plush cushioning, an EVA foam rocker frame for a forgiving ride, and a cradling foot frame on top, all working together to deliver a smooth running experience. Aside from the cushioning, they also throw in a carbon fiber plate that bows upward in the middle, which should provide a secure and stable footing that’s much needed when you’re wearing shoes with this much padding on the midsole.
The Hoka Skyward X also gets a flat knit upper with separately-engineered zones, which, the outfit claims, allows it to mold to the foot for a comfy sock-like fit. Other features include an external TPU heel counter, an integrated ghillie system for a secure midfoot fit, and a 5mm heel-to-toe drop.
The Hoka Skyward X is available now, priced at $225.