The Hoka Skyflow Hits All the Right Notes

It’s the season of Hoka, as we’re in the midst of reviewing multiple options from this running shoe powerhouse. One of our most recent reviews was for the Skyward X, a maximally stacked shoe with a carbon plate—so stacked, in fact, that it’s technically illegal for competitive racing. For those in the know, the “X” in a Hoka shoe indicates the presence of a carbon plate in the midsole.

Reaching New Heights in the Hoka Skyward X

Now, we’re reviewing the Hoka Skyflow, another aptly named shoe that aims to elevate your run while keeping you light on your feet.

Read all our reviews on HOKA here!

When it comes to Hoka, I generally expect vibrant and bold colorways. Most of their shoes offer a variety of visual options, and these are no different. However, I was surprised by the review pair of the Skyflow—it’s essentially an all-white shoe with minimal, yet beautiful, blue and gold accents.

I’ve grown to appreciate white shoes for running, even though I know they’ll likely turn gray in the next few months. But wow, these are stunning to look at—crisp and fresh, at least for now, and I absolutely love them. If white isn’t your thing, there are other colorways available as well, which is understandable.

Construction:

Upper:

For a shoe stacked this high, it’s crucial to have a supportive ride that keeps the foot locked in, preventing an unsteady experience at best or ankle rolls at worst. The fit on the Skyflow is impressive—a well-executed blend of several key components. The Creel jacquard upper is not only soft and breathable but also malleable enough to provide top-down security.

The tongue features a good amount of padding and a slimmer gusset, both of which contribute to that essential lockdown over the top of the foot. The collar follows suit, with padding that holds everything in place. It sits a bit taller on the foot than expected, but it’s not particularly noticeable.

While I anticipated stability and security in this shoe, I didn’t expect the fit to be this refined. Really well done.

Midsole:

As I mentioned earlier, when a Hoka shoe has an “X” attached to its name, it indicates the presence of a carbon plate in the midsole. Since the “X” is absent in the Skyflow, this shoe goes without a plate. Instead, it features a new super-critically foamed EVA.

Hoka was seemingly the OG in pioneering thick midsole rides, but we’ve quickly seen this trend spread to other shoe companies as well. With their latest road shoes, Hoka is back in this game, and it seems they’ve taken the time to perfect a soft and responsive midsole construction. I think this is a really great offering.

Despite the lack of a carbon plate, the Skyflow shares some strong similarities with the Skyward X. It’s still stacked high (though quite a bit less – by 7mm!) and weighs in at 10 ounces for a men’s size 9. This weight is less than the Skyward X, but still relatively heavy overall for many people. The shoe maintains the same geometry as the Skyward X, designed to assist in propulsion—just without the plate.

While I appreciate the Skyward X, I have a bit of a hit-or-miss relationship with carbon-plated shoes. In terms of maximally stacked shoes, I find the Skyflow to be a MUCH more accessible option. Honestly, this is the ride I hoped I was getting in the Skyward X so kudos to Hoka for taking time to seemingly get it right.

Outsole:

Outsoles are my least favorite thing to write about in a review, but here we are. The outsole on this shoe is made from a high-abrasion rubber compound, and it seems incredibly durable. There is also quite a bit of coverage along the way. I don’t anticipate any issues with it handling miles of wear.

Final Thoughts:

The Skyflow may be the cousin to the Skyward X, but this one definitely earns a seat at the adults’ table during Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a very respectable shoe with good manners, and it cleans up nicely. Solid job here.