Hoka 2024 Max Cushion Trainer/Racer Reviews and Comparisons : Skyflow, Skyward X , Mach X 2, and Cielo X 1

Article by Sam Winebaum

Skyflow ($160), Skyward X ($225) , Mach X 2 ($190), Cielo X 1 ($275)

Hoka the max cushion pioneer has within the final yr launched 4 max cushion trainers with 3 of them additionally definitely race succesful. All have supercritical foams with 3 having plates. All have heel heights at 40mm or increased so, no matter selection, there may be loads of cushion right here.

Skyflow: the one unplated, the least costly at $160, very secure in any respect paces

Skyward X: the very best stacked at 46mm, the broadest platform, the heaviest and most secure

Mach X 2: the lightest at 8.5 oz / 241g US9 , probably the most nimble and quickest feeling

Cielo X 1: a deluxe plush racer to coach with the very best worth ($275), and the least secure at slower paces.

Every is sort of distinct in its journey and objective. Within the article we are going to attempt to kind out their variations, strengths, weaknesses and greatest makes use of.

I’ve 2 clear favorites right here, however every for various causes.

Hoka Skyflow ($160) (RTR Evaluate)

Approx. Weight: males’s 9.39 oz 266/ g US9

Stack Peak: males’s 40 mm heel / 35 mm forefoot ( 5mm drop spec)

Platform Width: 90 mm heel / 80 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot

Greatest Makes use of: every day coaching in any respect paces, and together with Skyward X, probably the most secure

Strengths: Pleasant in any respect paces, deeply cushioned, secure

Weaknesses: Its all EVA supercritical foam is the least thrilling and never as springy as its PEBA siblings. Higher won’t favor broad ft.

The Skyflow is probably the most “conventional” of the choices. It has no plate counting on its rocker and a few entrance flex for propulsion. It’s under no circumstances “lumbering” as some large stack sneakers as not solely the geometry helped me alongside however it’s fairly gentle at 9.39 oz 266/ g US9. For instance the ASICS Nimbus and Brooks Ghost Max 2 at related worth factors and stack heights and with out plates weigh much more at 10.8 oz / 306g for the Brooks with Nimbus 10.7 oz / 303g US9.

Its foam is a supercritical EVA. Whileit doesn’t have fairly the spring of its siblings PEBA foams, it’s a regular, responsive foam. It might use a bit simpler transition off the midfoot at slower paces however is a positive throughout max cushion every day coach that leans slower paces than the Mach X 2 or Cielo X 1 and quicker than the heavier Skyward X.

The higher is a mono-mesh with knit woven in and is just about non-stretch and has a efficiency sort match. It’s true to measurement for my narrower to medium ft and really safe and comfy.

Wider increased quantity ft might battle greater than with the Skyward X stretchier knit sort higher.

Closest Competitors: ASICS Nimbus and Superblast, Brooks Ghost Max 2, Nike Invincible Run,

Skyward X ($225) RTR Evaluate)

Approx Weight: males’s 10.7 oz / 303 g US9.

Stack Peak: 46 mm heel / 39 mm forefoot, 5mm drop

Platform Width: 95 mm heel / 80 mm midfoot / 120 mm forefoot

Greatest Makes use of: slower paces every day coaching and restoration runs as a consequence of weight, heavier runners and people needing some stability

Strengths: Enormous depth of energetic enjoyable cushion, most secure

Weaknesses: Weight is up there and puzzlingly so given supplies. Overbuilt higher?

It’s an enormous of plush energetic twin density foams with PEBA as the highest layer and supercritical EVA as the underside layer, an identical building to the Mach X 2 however with a carbon as a substitute of PEBAX plate. The plate has no harshness sneaking by means of and is efficient in propelling the shoe ahead at a stately tempo with a number of bounce, however no speedster right here.

The stack peak is large and the platform the broadest. Its weight is up there, the heaviest of all 4 however not stunning given the 46mm heel peak and broad platform.

The higher is by far the plushest and broadest of the 4. Fabricated from a knit sort materials with softness and stretch it’s tremendous snug and the warmest of the 4.

It’s a great restoration and sluggish run shoe, and whereas plush, I believe the higher and its stout, stout heel counter add to its weight. I want it was sub 10 oz / 283g. And never 10.7 oz and 303g.

Closest Competitors: Prime X Strung 2- even increased in stack peak and barely heavier the Prime X is extra thrilling and dynamic however significantly much less secure on the rear as a consequence of it slim touchdown.

Mach X 2 ($190) RTR Evaluate quickly

Approx. Weight: males’s 8.5 oz / 241g US9

Stack Peak: 44 mm heel / 39 mm forefoot ( 5mm drop)

Platform Width 85 mm heel / 70 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot

Greatest Makes use of: Uptempo runs and quicker every day coaching, racing

Strengths: Most versatile. versatile PEBAX plate and slim platform makes them nimble and fast, and surprisingly secure for his or her large stack peak.

Weaknesses: unpadded tough achilles space might irritate some. Tradeoff: use of firmer decrease PEBA layer makes them secure however considerably firmer in really feel than others.

My type of shoe! Very gentle for its stack peak of 44mm on the heel as you may see under it has a number of competitors within the up tempo tremendous coach class. Now with 5mm extra PEBA below foot than earlier than with related supercritical EVA under, it’s a modified shoe from v1 which I discovered blocky on the heel and fairly agency. The added PEBA, whereas retaining the denser stabilizing EVA and a redesigned plastic PEBA plate give it a pleasant mixture of deep pleasant cushion, fast response and good stability.

At 8.5 oz / 241g US9 it is rather gentle for a shoe with 44mm on the heel nevertheless it cuts no corners when it comes to being multi tempo as much as racing pleasant though, not like the Skyward X or Skyflow,it’s not an excellent slower paces shoe.

The higher.. the low weights clearly come partly from the straightforward single layer mesh reminding of ASICS Movement Wrap. Rear achilles padding is minimal, the excessive heel counter is versatile and minimal as nicely and a few of our different testers report irritation there, however not me thus far. The match is efficiency and decrease quantity than the same higher Cielo X 1 and with extra give than the denser Skyflow’s. Nonetheless, it’s true to measurement for me.

By way of completion, It jogs my memory many of the Magic Velocity 4 with its very related stack peak however with a extra forgiving plate because the ASICS has a extra inflexible carbon plate. No query the ASICS higher is extra polished and padde whereas additionally efficiency in match.

Closest Competitors: ASICS Magic Velocity 4, NB SC Pacer v2, NB SC Coach v3, Saucony Endorphin Velocity 4, Brooks Hyperion Max 2

Hoka Cielo X 1 $275 (RTR Evaluate)

Approx Weight: males’s US9 9.05 oz / 257g

Stack Peak:: 39mm heel /32mm forefoot, 7mm drop

Platform Width: 80mm heel / 70mm midfoot (not together with giant lateral hole / 105mm forefoot

Greatest Makes use of: lengthy racing, longer quicker paced runs

Strengths: Massive depth of all PEBA is very energetic particularly off the broad secure forefoot. Strong selection for the “slower” heavier marathoner

Weaknesses: surprisingly heavy for an all PEBA primarily based shoe, least secure on the rear particularly at slower paces: narrowish touchdown and massive lateral cutout.

The Cielo X 1 has an all PEBA twin density midsole and an elaborate winged carbon plate. The journey is on the tender facet on the heel and never significantly secure at something slower than straightforward tempo, not completely uncommon for a race sort shoe.

I be aware the slim 80mm touchdown and deep lateral lower out as perhaps the trigger.

The Cielo shines touchdown on the mid to forefoot with a broad secure, very energetic platform and toe off space there. Get again on the heels and never so good.

The higher is just like the Mach X 2 in being a single layer woven sort mesh however thus far its higher rear end and versatile however extra substantial heel counter has offered no points for me because the Mach X 2 “nearly” does..

It clearly has considerably extra entrance quantity and width than the Mach X 2.

It’s supposed as a marathon/lengthy racer however definitely generally is a coach as nicely. Given its weight at 9.05 oz / 257g US9 I don’t assume it slots in as a high elite marathon racer with the Rocket X 2 a bit low slung and aggressive for me. Hoka has some pinnacle racer shoe work to do. I see it as a future, tempo shoe with the excessive pricing giving pause..

Closest Competitors: Salomon S/Lab Specter 2, 361 160X 3.0 Professional, Skechers Beast

My Picks:

The Mach X 2 is clearly my favourite. It’s versatile, excessive cushioned, enjoyable, gentle and a transparent enchancment over its blocky and agency v1.

I additionally like Skyflow for its nicely executed method to a plateless every day coach with a giant stack of cushion at fairly gentle weight.

Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Highway Path Run. He’s in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th yr of operating roads and trails. He has a a long time outdated 2:28 marathon PR. Lately he runs halves within the simply sub 1:40 vary if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at reasonable paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, mountain climbing or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he’s not having fun with too many positive New England IPA’s.

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