In the running shoe world, the brand HOKA has become synonymous with comfort and cushion. What started as simply a trail shoe brand in 2009 has quickly expanded to become one of the most popular running shoe companies around today.
You can’t go anywhere these days without seeing HOKAs on people’s feet. From elite runners to gym rats to nurses working long shifts, HOKA shoes can truly provide anyone with a plush and comfortable experience.
HOKA has a huge variety of established, highly trusted running shoe lines, including the Bondi and Clifton for road running and the Speedgoat for trails. But HOKA didn’t become the running shoe empire it is today by playing it safe and sticking with its classics.
That’s why HOKA continues to try new things and add new products to their running shoe lines. Their latest addition – the Skyflow – offers a unique, high-cushion shoe with some of the best innovative running shoe technology HOKA has to offer.
With any brand-new shoe, there’s always a fair amount of uncertainty. What makes this shoe so different from HOKA’s other high-cushion shoes? And is it really worth the $160 price tag?
Luckily, our reviewers are here to answer all your questions about the new Skyflow. Keep reading for a full review of the Skyflow to help you decide if it’s the perfect shoe for you.
Our Review Process
At Marathon Sports, we know that buying a new running shoe isn’t a decision to take lightly. The right running shoe will help you stay injury-free, make every run more comfortable, and keep you smiling and enjoying your run step after step, mile after mile.
We want to provide you with all the best, most accurate information to help you make the best running shoe choice for you and all your running goals. That’s why our dedicated team of reviewers truly gets to know every running shoe inside and out.
The team puts every running shoe through vigorous testing to truly understand how it feels and performs. From long runs on pavement to faster track workouts and everything in between, we gain first-hand knowledge and experience about the Skyflow to make the best possible recommendations for every runner.
Using everything we learned about the Skyflow from our testing, we’ll provide you with an in-depth analysis of the shoe and dive into all the nitty-gritty details to help you make the right decision for your feet.
The Skyflow: Details and Highlights
Here’s a quick rundown of all the basic specs and highlights you can expect with the HOKA Skyflow:
- Men’s weighs 10 oz, women’s weighs 8.6 oz
- Men’s stack height is 40mm/35mm, women’s stack height is 38mm/33mm
- 5mm heel/toe drop
- Designed as a daily trainer with potential for speedier runs
- Made with super-critical EVA foam
- Incorporates a rocker profile for smooth transitions
- Wide platform and Active Foot Frame technology offer a secure, supportive fit
- Creel jacquard upper is soft, lightweight, and breathable
- High-abrasion rubber outsole offers added traction and durability
- Price: $159.95
A Deep Dive into the HOKA Skyflow
Running shoes can feel different on every foot, so with any new running shoe, it’s important to stop by a store and try them for yourself. However, if you want to know exactly what to expect when you put on the HOKA Skyflow for the first time, we’ve got your back.
Now that you have a better idea of the fast facts, here’s a more in-depth look at all the features we loved – or didn’t love – about the HOKA Skyflow.
Super-Critical EVA Foam Midsole
One of the Skyflow’s biggest departures from HOKA’s other popular daily trainers can be found in the foam midsole. While the Bondi and Clifton both use a softer EVA foam, the Skyflow’s super-critical EVA foam midsole gives it a more energetic and responsive ride.
The Skyflow uses the same type of foam as HOKA’s Mach running shoe line, a lightweight shoe designed for more uptempo runs. By taking a page out of the Mach’s book with this EVA foam, the Skyflow boasts more energy return and responsiveness with every step.
One common complaint about HOKA daily trainers is the feeling of sinking into the plush, soft foam. The Skyflow avoids this issue with this more responsive underfoot, offering a more balanced ride and creating a more versatile workhorse trainer.
As a max cushion shoe, however, the Skyflow does have more of this super-critical foam than the Mach. This higher stack height gives the shoe a bit of a denser, bulkier underfoot feel. Some reviewers also felt that this cushion made the shoe feel heavier than other daily trainers.
Upper and Fit
The upper is a crucial part of any good running shoe. You want the material to be soft and breathable while still offering cushioning and support around your foot.
Our reviewers found that HOKA achieved a fantastic, balanced upper with the Skyflow design. The creel jacquard mesh is light and breathable, and the padded upper, tongue, and heel create a secure and comfortable fit.
The dual-gusseted tongue is another big highlight. This extra detail helps the foot feel locked in place in the shoe, even after miles of running.
Some reviewers did find the overall fit of the Skyflow to be a bit inconsistent with other HOKA models. While some felt that it fit true to size, others felt that it ran large and would suggest sizing down if you prefer a more snug and secure fit.
Rocker Geometry
If you’ve ever researched running shoes, you may have come across references to rocker profiles and shoe geometry. So what exactly does this mean?
A rocker in running shoe geometry refers to a more curved shape of a shoe that rolls you through your stride and transition. The Skyflow relies on an Early-Stage MetaRocker, a shape designed to create faster and smoother transitions from the heel to the forefoot.
This MetaRocker design creates easy and effortless transitions when wearing the Skyflow, making every step feel natural and comfortable.
Additional Guidance Features
The Skyflow is a neutral shoe, meaning it allows your foot to move naturally and doesn’t correct for any overpronation. Despite being a neutral shoe, however, there are some additional features that provide runners with some extra guidance and a touch of inherent stability.
HOKA is known for their shoes with wide, stable bases, and the Skyflow is no exception. This wider platform offers greater security and stability with every landing.
The Skyflow also features HOKA’s “Active Foot Frame” technology. By raising the midsole walls, the shoe’s heel cradles your foot and provides a more secure fit as it guides your foot through each stride. These extra support features keep you aligned and comfortable without feeling stiff and overbearing throughout your run.
High-Abrasion Rubber Outsole
The Skyflow is advertised as a daily trainer perfect for long distances. So if you’re putting lots of mileage on these shoes, it’s important that they’re durable and hold up well no matter what you throw at them.
Fortunately, with the high-abrasion rubber outsole, the Skyflow gets extra points for durability. It offers plenty of extra protection and sturdiness so you can enjoy everything the Skyflow has to offer for a long time.
These shoes are designed for road running, but we also wanted to see how the Skyflows held up on a variety of different terrains. The outsole offered plenty of traction and grip on wet pavement and dirt roads. However, because of the high-stack height, we wouldn’t recommend the Skyflow on more technical trails. Our reviewers found the high, dense cushion made it hard to feel what was underfoot, so we preferred the Skyflow on pavement and other even terrain.
Road Test Results
Now for the most fun and exciting part of every review: the road test.
It’s always good to know what to expect when you’re trying on a shoe for the first time. But until you lace it up and take it for a run, you don’t truly know how it will perform and feel on your feet. So our reviewers slid on a pair of Skyflows and hit the pavement to better understand how these new shoes feel on a run.
While some shoes require a break-in period, the Skyflows felt comfortable and secure right out of the box. The Active Foot Frame truly cradles your heel, while the soft, padded upper feels snug and secure around the entire foot.
The biggest surprise when we started running was just how dense the foam felt underfoot. We knew there was a lot of cushion, but the combination of the more responsive foam and high stack height gave the shoe a stiffer, blockier feeling than expected.
However, once the surprise wore off, our reviewers took notice of the comfort, responsiveness, and versatility of the Skyflow. While there’s still plenty of cushion to absorb the impact throughout long runs, there’s no sinking into the foam like we’ve felt before with the Bondi and Clifton. The springier feel and higher energy return made it easier to pick up the pace throughout a run. The rocker profile also provided a smooth, effortless turnover on every type of run.
If you prefer feeling the ground under your feet on runs, the Skyflow likely isn’t the shoe for you. The high-stack height was extremely noticeable, and while it did make the shoe comfortable, it didn’t offer the most stable, grounded experience.
The Skyflow may have been blockier and heavier than first expected, but this initial shock didn’t deter our reviewers from enjoying all the other benefits and impressive design details of this shoe. If you’re looking for a max-cushion daily trainer that won’t slow you down, the HOKA Skyflow is a fantastic option.
Pros and Cons
No shoe is perfect for every single runner. Here are a few Skyflow pros and cons to help you decide if these might be the right shoes for you.
Pros:
- High-stack height and super-critical EVA foam give a cushioned yet balanced and responsive ride
- Versatile shoe that can work for long, slow runs or more uptempo workouts
- Foot cradling technology and wider base offers inherent stability without being overbearing
- Durable rubber outsole guarantees greater longevity and provides more traction on slippery terrain
Cons:
- Heavier than many other daily trainers
- The large amount of dense cushioning may make the shoe too stiff and blocky for runners who prefer a softer shoe
- Not as stable on uneven terrain
Who Should Consider Trying the HOKA Skyflow?
Whether you’re a long-time HOKA fan or haven’t worn any of their shoes before, the Skyflow may be worth a try. This unique new shoe combines some of HOKA’s best, most trusted technology with a more balanced cushion that avoids some of the common pitfalls with their other popular trainers.
After trying out the Skyflow on a variety of different runs, our reviewers agree that it works best for long runs or easy run days. For a high-cushion shoe that will provide you with plenty of comfort as you rack up easy mileage, the Skyflow could be the perfect choice for you.
The Skyflow is also a great option if you want all the benefits of a max-cushion shoe but don’t like the plush and soft underfoot feeling that often comes with it. By using a more responsive, higher-performance foam, the Skyflow maintains a springy ride without sacrificing any amount of cushion or comfort.
There’s also a lot more versatility with the Skyflow than previous HOKA models. Because you don’t sink into the shoe as much, it’s easier to pick up the pace for tempo runs or faster intervals.
However, with the extra padding and dense cushioning, the Skyflow isn’t the lightest shoe on the market, and you can definitely feel that extra weight when you’re trying to move fast. The Skyflow can be a great training shoe, but you may want to look for something lighter when it comes to breaking PRs on race day.
How Does the Skyflow Compare to Competitors?
The running shoe market is heavily saturated, and we know that there are so many different options out there. So how does the Skyflow stack up against the competition?
When comparing it to other HOKA shoes, the Skyflow does fill in a specific, niche gap in HOKA’s lineup. By combining the best elements of the Mach, Clifton, and Bondi, HOKA has created a snappier and stiffer high-cushion shoe that can serve a huge range of runners.
If you like that high energy return but want something a little lighter, you might want to try out the HOKA Mach 6. This lightweight shoe has the same bouncy underfoot feel but with less of the supercritical foam, making it a faster shoe perfect for uptempo runs or crushing the course on race day. Meanwhile, the Clifton 9 and Bondi 8 might be better options if you want a plusher foam and don’t intend on using your everyday trainer for faster runs.
While the Skyflow hovers somewhere between a daily trainer and a more cushioned super trainer, it isn’t quite in that super trainer category. If you want similar cushioning and features but with the speediness and propulsion of a carbon fiber plate, you might want to consider trying out the HOKA Skyward X.
The Skyflow also holds its own against another well-established max cushion shoe, the New Balance More v5. This shoe is very similar to the Skyflow, offering plenty of cushioning, inherent stability elements, and a lower drop (4mm for the More, 5mm for the Skyflow).
With its 44mm/40mm stack height, the More offers slightly more cushion than the Skyflow. However, the New Balance cushion is slightly softer underfoot and the shoe is heavier overall, making it a less versatile option than the Skyflow.
Final Verdict
We’ll be completely honest – when HOKA announced the release of the Skyflow, our reviewers weren’t sure what to expect. It seemed to be in its own category of shoe, and many of us at Marathon Sports were skeptical that it would serve a purpose next to the more popular and established Clifton, Mach, and Bondi.
But after pounding some pavement, dirt roads, and more in the new Skyflow, we’re convinced that this shoe earned a place in HOKA’s running shoe lineup – and in our running shoe rotation.
While the cushion may be too stiff for runners who prefer HOKA’s signature soft padding, the Skyflow combines HOKA’s best technologies to create a comfortable and versatile shoe that plenty of runners and walkers can enjoy. The inherent stability and soft, snug upper make this shoe feel comfortable and secure right out of the gate. And with the MetaRocker technology and high-energy return, every run in the Skyflow feels fun and effortless.
We did find the Skyflow fit larger than some of HOKA’s other shoes, so it’s important to get fitted and try out different sizes to make sure you’re finding the right shoe for you. And when you stop by one of the 22 Marathon Sports locations in New England, you’ll have all the resources you need to ensure you’re getting the right fit for your feet.
Visit us today to test out the Skyflow and some of the other top shoes on the market! From running shoes to recovery gear and so much more, Marathon Sports will make sure you have everything you need for your running journey.
