Hoka has been on a roll this year. Between experimental new shoe releases like the Skyward X and the Cielo X1, fashion-forward collabs with brands like Satisfy and Moncler, and updates to popular models like the Mach and Rincon, there’s a Hoka shoe for everyone these days — and the brand is slowly chipping away at the market share of legacy brands like Nike.
What better time could there be to drop a totally new daily trainer? In July, Hoka launched the Skyflow, which combines a mix of the brand’s different technologies. But does that make it a do-it-all everyday runner or a shoe without a clearly defined purpose? To find out, we put it to the test over 10 days of marathon training to figure out where this fits into Hoka’s lineup of running shoes.
The Skyflow takes inspiration from Hoka’s latest super shoes but ditches the carbon plate and features a lighter, softer and bouncier foam that better supports everyday running. It comes in four colors and regular and wide sizes, as well as a men's version.
What I liked about them
They’re inspired by the Skyward X
The Skyward X, Hoka’s carbon-plated super trainer, is one of my favorite Hoka shoes released so far this year. The Skyflow is like the Skyward X’s little sister. While the midsole is not as shockingly chunky, it’s very much still a maximalist Hoka shoe; instead of 46 to 48 millimeters of foam underfoot like the Skyward X, this has 38 to 40 millimeters. Generally, a shoe that high might cause some stability issues, but Hoka’s wider platform makes it a nonissue here. My footing felt rock solid, whether I was running a super-easy pace during a recovery run or picking up the pace during strides and speed work. I ran in the rain one day, and the high-abrasion rubber on the outsole was sticky even on painted parts of the road; it’s also supposed to be more durable, which means the shoe will last longer. One feature that didn’t carry over from the Skyward X is the carbon plate. That makes it a little friendlier on the legs for everyday running (some research has shown that carbon-plated shoes can lead to bone stress injuries).
The midsole uses a super foam
Hoka’s popular everyday runners, like the Clifton and the Bondi, are known for being on the firmer end of the cushioning spectrum, no matter how much foam is underfoot. (To be honest, that’s why those shoes have never really worked for me.) The Skyflow is Hoka’s first maximally cushioned road trainer that only uses a “supercritically foamed” EVA, the same foam you’ll find in the Mach 6, a lighter shoe with a slightly lower stack height. A supercritical foam is one that’s undergone a manufacturing process in which it’s injected with fluidlike carbon dioxide or nitrogen. The result is a lighter and more responsive shoe. The Skyflow is barely lighter than the Bondi and it’s actually heavier than the Clifton, but I really felt the extra pop and responsiveness from that supercritical foam when I picked up the pace.
What I didn’t like about them
The upper runs a little warm
The Skyflow upper is constructed of a type of fabric called creel jacquard. It’s very soft, with a padded tongue and heel collar to help create a secure, supportive fit (my heels appreciated the total lack of friction). It’s not the first Hoka shoe to use creel jacquard, but, personally, I hope it’s the last. This kind of material definitely skews more toward a comfort feel than a performance one, which is fine, but as I found with the Mach X, it does tend to run warm. I tested this shoe during an abnormally humid week in Denver, Colorado, and my feet were definitely sweating, especially after running strides and an up-tempo portion of my workout. It’s not a heavy upper and it is still breathable, but given the advancements in technology, this material isn’t my favorite choice.
Who is this shoe for?
Hoka says this shoe is best for everyday running, but the Bondi and Clifton have had a chokehold on the daily trainer market for a while. Will runners make the switch? The Skyflow has some potential as an up-tempo running shoe, but the Mach 6 uses the same foam and weighs a bit less. The Skyflow seems to be an in-between option for the brand: You could definitely wear it for longer easy runs, or you could wear it when you need to pick up the pace a bit. I do think it might be hard to persuade runners already committed to a Hoka model to switch to this one, but it may be the Goldilocks option for runners who haven’t found the right Hoka fit yet (I would pick this over the Bondi or Clifton any day, thanks to that supercritical foam, but I’m not sure if I’d swap it for my Mach 6).
Bottom line
The right shoe for you will always be the one that you feel most comfortable in. Out of Hoka’s current daily trainers, I would personally opt for the Skyflow. I feel like the combo of cushioning and responsiveness I get from the supercritical foam makes me feel the best on easy runs. But you might prefer the Bondi or Clifton. Or maybe you like the feel of the Mach 6! There’s no wrong answer. Generally, more options just mean more opportunities for runners to find their perfect fit. At $160, the Skyflow is reasonably priced (especially given the more advanced foam technology) within Hoka’s lineup of everyday runners, and a great option for anyone looking for some next-level cushioning and a little bit of pop in their step.