Hoka Skyward X 2

The Hoka Skyward X 2 is a max-cushioned training shoe designed for comfort and bounce over long miles. Priced at $225, it competes with shoes like the ASICS Superblast 3 ($210) and On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper ($220). With the v2, Hoka chose evolution rather than revolution when it comes to updates to the very popular OG Skyward X. It has been over two years since the launch of the first version, which was truly one of a kind at the time. With nearly 50mm of foam in the heel, a top layer of super bouncy and fun PEBA race foam, plus a carbon fiber plate—all packaged in a daily trainer package—the original brought something fresh and new to the running shoe scene. The second version has been toned down slightly, featuring a slightly lower stack height, a weight reduction of about 25 grams, and a more comfortable, performance-oriented upper. For those who didn’t love the overly plush upper and tongue of the previous version, these updates will be a welcome change. Out on the run, we found the Skyward X 2 does exactly what it was designed to do—provide comfort, protection, and a smooth ride for high-mileage training, recovery runs, and long runs. While it may have lost a bit of the bounce and fun factor of the previous version, it remains a very good shoe for marathon training and stacking miles with even more comfort than before.