It’s been about two years since we last took a look at the Skyward X—a shoe that, at the time, felt like HOKA fully leaning into its reputation as the original architect of max-stack footwear. With a towering 48 mm stack and the introduction of a plate into this category, it was bold, a little excessive, and undeniably interesting.
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I liked the original. It didn’t quite crack my personal top rotation, but it was a fun entry into what a super max trainer could be. That said, it also felt like a concept that could benefit from some refinement. So it wasn’t entirely surprising to see HOKA take a little extra time before rolling out version two.
Now with the Skyward X 2, those refinements feel intentional—and, for the most part, meaningful.
Looks:
I don’t think I’ll be in the minority here—the Skyward X 2 is a significant visual upgrade.
I tend to be pretty lenient when it comes to how shoes look. Style is subjective, and performance always wins out. But even I struggled a bit with the original colorways. They had a sort of Toy Story energy—bright, loud, and a little all over the place.
This version is much more approachable. The mostly white upper with light blue accents and subtle hits of lime feels cleaner and more in line with what most runners expect. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s easy to wear—and that matters.
Construction & Fit:
Despite the name, the Skyward X 2 comes back down to earth just a bit. HOKA trims a few millimeters off the stack, bringing it to around 46 mm in the heel and 41 mm in the forefoot. It’s still a massive shoe—but slightly more manageable.
Weight also drops slightly to around 11 oz. On paper, that’s not a huge change, but at this stack height, even small reductions matter—especially as sizing goes up.
Fit-wise, it’s accommodating without feeling sloppy. There’s enough room for longer efforts, but it doesn’t feel like you’re swimming in it. It lands in a comfortable middle ground that should work for a wide range of runners.
Specs
- Stack Height:
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M10 | 46mm Heel / 41mm Forefoot
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W8 | 44mm Heel / 39 mm Forefoot
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- Drop: 5mm
- Weight: ~11 oz (M10)
Upper:
The upper sees some refinement, even if it’s not a dramatic overhaul.
Step-in feel is solid right away, with a comfortable, secure wrap that doesn’t overcomplicate things. I generally get along with most uppers, but this one feels dialed in enough to stand out without trying too hard.
One element I did notice was the tongue. It’s surprisingly unique in a category where most tongues blend together. There’s a bit of extra padding and structure that gives it a slightly different feel across the top of the foot and around the ankle. It’s a small detail, but a good one.
Midsole:
It’s been a while since I’ve run in the original, but the differences here are noticeable. The biggest update is the positioning of the plate. HOKA notes that it’s designed to put the runner in a more “engaged” stance—and that lines up with what I felt on the run.
The original could feel a bit clunky over time. You had to work to access the energy return. With the X 2, that effort feels reduced. The ride is smoother, and the transition feels more natural, especially for a shoe this tall.
This is still a max-stack, plated trainer—not a speed shoe. But for long, steady miles, it does a better job of giving something back without demanding as much from the runner.
Underfoot, the feel lands somewhere in the middle. It’s not overly plush or marshmallow-soft, which might surprise some people given the stack height. At the same time, it’s not firm. It’s a balanced, slightly softer ride that feels more controlled than expected—something I personally appreciated.
Outsole:
Not a ton has changed here—and honestly, not much needed to.
This isn’t a shoe built for aggressive pacing or sharp cornering. It’s designed for durability and steady mileage. There’s solid rubber coverage and enough grip to handle daily training conditions without issue.
It does exactly what it needs to do—and nothing more.
Overall
The Skyward X 2 feels like HOKA refining an idea rather than reinventing it.
By slightly lowering the stack, trimming weight, and reworking the plate position, they’ve made the shoe more usable without losing what made it interesting in the first place. It’s still big, still bold—but now a bit more approachable and efficient.
This won’t be a shoe for everyone. Max-stack trainers with plates rarely are. But if you’re looking for something to handle long miles with a mix of cushioning and subtle propulsion, the Skyward X 2 makes a stronger case than its predecessor.
It’s not just a concept anymore—it’s a more complete package.
