HOKA Skyward X 2 review: a plush super trainer fine-tuned for real daily miles
HOKA's second-gen super trainer is lighter, more secure, and still protective. Here's how the Skyward X 2 runs on daily miles.
The original Skyward X caught me off guard. I went in sceptical that a shoe with that much stack could deliver a genuinely propulsive ride, and came away treating it like a HOKA Bondi on steroids with a curved carbon fiber plate tucked inside.
It earned its place in my rotation for long training runs and recovery jogs, and I didn't see much reason to change that.
Now HOKA's back with the Skyward X 2, and they haven't reinvented the shoe, they've refined it.
The updates are targeted rather than dramatic;with a lighter build, a touch less stack, a reworked carbon fiber plate that puts you in a more engaged stance, and a new premium jacquard mesh upper with elevated materials. The price stays the same at $225, and the core promise, soft and responsive PEBA cushioning paired with a curved carbon fiber plate that propels you forward, still holds.
Here's how it all comes together on the road, what's different, and who I think will get the most out of this second-generation super trainer.
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Key specifications
- Price: $225 ay Scheels now, or May 15 everywhere else.
- Weight: 9.9 oz / 281g for my pair in a US men's 9
- Drop: 5mm. Stack height isn't officially listed, but HOKA has shaved it down slightly versus v1
- Upper: Premium jacquard mesh with reflective details, a zonal padded tongue, and a tongue lace loop
- Midsole: PEBA foam over super-critically foamed EVA (SCF EVA), with a suspension midsole construction
- Outsole: Sticky rubber at the forefoot, Durabrasion rubber at the heel
- Extra attributes: Curved carbon fiber plate updated for a more engaged stance, vegan build, available in regular, wide (D), and x-wide (2E) for men, with B and D wides for women
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Sizing and fit
The Skyward X 2 fits true to size, same as the original.
The toe box is medium-width with a touch of room up front, so most feet settle in comfortably, and if you run on the wider side, HOKA now offers proper wide (D) and x-wide (2E) options in men's sizing, which is a welcome expansion to the range.
The zonal padded tongue and reworked lacing system give you a secure midfoot hold without any pressure points, and the articulated heel counter still curves back away from the Achilles in that thoughtful HOKA way. Heel lock is on point too.
Performance review
A plush ride that makes you want to keep running
The first thing that hits you on the Skyward X 2 is how protective and soft underfoot it feels.
There's an abundance of PEBA cushioning sitting over super-critically foamed EVA, and the combination feels forgiving in a way that keeps your legs fresher as the miles add up. This is the kind of shoe your knees will thank you for on long training runs and easy recovery days.
It's the sort of ride that quietly nudges you into another mile.
Where v1 already felt plush, v2 feels a touch more composed. HOKA has trimmed a little stack height and shaved grams off the build, and on foot that translates to a shoe that still feels tall and cushioned, but sits a bit closer to the road and doesn't feel as imposing on the first step. It's a subtle change that pays off across the run.
Smooth rolling efficiency from a refined carbon fiber plate
The signature curved carbon fiber plate is still the heart of this shoe, and HOKA says they've updated it to put runners in a more engaged stance.
Whatever they've done to the geometry, it works. The transition from heel to midfoot to toe-off is smooth and efficient, with a rolling quality you don't get from a traditional max-cushion trainer.
This is what sets the Skyward X 2 apart from something like a Bondi. You get all the plushness of a recovery shoe, but when you pick up the pace for a few miles of honest tempo work, the plate and rocker combine to carry you forward with real energy; that's pretty much the definition of a super trainer.
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It's a versatile shoe in that sense, one that can genuinely double as your long-run shoe and your moderate tempo option without feeling out of its depth in either role.
Stable and planted despite the stack
Despite being a neutral shoe with a substantial stack, the Skyward X 2 runs relatively stable and planted. A wide footprint, an active foot frame that deepens into the midsole, and the reinforcement of the carbon fiber plate all work together to keep you centred.
The ride feels settled and confident from heel strike through toe-off, which is a quiet but important win for a shoe this tall.
Outsole traction has been very good so far too, with no slips in varying weather conditions.
A more secure, comfort-driven upper
The new premium jacquard mesh is one of the more noticeable upgrades over v1.
It hugs the foot more cleanly than the original flat-knit, with a softer interior and a zonal padded tongue that stays put through the run. Lockdown is secure without any aggressive pressure at the back of the heel, and the reflective details are a welcome addition for early mornings and evening miles.
All of it adds up to an upper that feels more dialed for everyday training, which is exactly what HOKA set out to do with this update.
Who gets the most out of the Skyward X 2
At 9.9 oz on my scale for a US men's 9, this still isn't a featherweight. Lighter or more economical runners may find it a bit more shoe than they need.
But for mid-weight to heavier runners, and anyone who wants real protection without giving up efficiency, this is where the Skyward X 2 really shines. It's a daily trainer that keeps your legs protected on the tough days and still rolls nicely when you want to push the pace.
My verdict
The Skyward X 2 is hard not to like. It's protective, forgiving, and smooth, with a rolling efficiency that makes honest training miles feel easier than they should.
HOKA hasn't changed the character of this shoe, they've just sharpened it: slightly lighter, slightly lower, more secure up top, and a plate geometry that feels more engaged through toe-off.
If you loved the original, v2 is a cleaner version of that same formula. If you're new to the Skyward X line and you're after a super trainer that can handle long runs, recoveries, and the occasional tempo session in one pair, this is a strong pick at this level of cushioning.
At $225 it's still a premium purchase, and it's still not the shoe I'd reach for on race day.
For that, the HOKA Rocket X 3 remains the faster pick in the HOKA lineup. But as a daily trainer that can quietly replace two or three other shoes in your rotation, the Skyward X 2 earns its price tag, especially for runners who benefit most from real cushioning and stability underfoot.
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