The KING Cruiser: Now that Oska and I have created our shoe category, I think its only fitting to start at the top. Hoka Skyward X is just that in every sense of the word. This monstrous shoe weighs a staggering 325g and has a stack of 48mm in the heel. Now, this may seem a bit extreme, but with the tooling inside, and how its distributed this shoe has a lot to offer. With a dual destiny super foam midsole and an H frame carbon plate, the shoe has all the perks of a super shoe just for a different market. This is a cruiser because it has all the perks of top-of-the-line racing shoes sandwiched into a slightly heavier, less nimble package. Which kindly lends itself to a slightly slower
market and someone looking to get all the goodies in a more durable and versatile package.

FIT
The fit of this model is top-of-the-line and feels like a slightly trimmed-down upper on Hoka’s joggers, like the Clifton and Bondi. This makes it feel like a lightweight racer on top. The shoes shape hugs your foot in all the right areas, making for a secure lockdown fit. The Only thing I am a little confused about is the toe box overlay. I'm unsure why it has been added to this model when they want it to feel and look like a fast daily trainer.

FEEL

This is where the shoe comes into its own. For a relatively large model, it doesn’t feel clunky at all, the way Hoka has managed to spread out the tooling in this model is fantastic. There is a lot of foam, 58mm to be precise, and you feel every mm underfoot. You feel like you are standing on a platform, but as soon as you start running, this sensation disappears. The dual density peba and supercritical EVA midsole makes for a fun ride. There is enough of both to feel bouncy, responsive, stable, and protected. The shock absorption is excellent as you would expect with this much foam and the H
frame carbon plate adds the perfect amount of stiffness for stability and a snappy sensation when aiming to pick up the pace. It still encompasses Hoka’s meta rocker technology, so you aren’t missing out on the effortless roll they are so well known for. The shoe feels like you could run for days in it and not slow down, and I think this is why it fits into the Cruiser category as its made to look and sound fast but not perform as a top of the line or legally be one.

FUNCTION
Following on from the feel to the function, this transitions us to the Cruiser category we have so kindly made for you. This shoe has all the bells and whistles of the top-of-the-line race day models but was made illegally for a customer who wants to run a 4/5hr marathon—a slightly slower-paced model with a more durable and comfortable aspect. It’s a shoe you can use for long runs, tempos, and race days if you aren’t looking to qualify for any world events.

Overall, there is a tremendous first nudge in this category, and it certainly has a place. These are the shoe brands; fun categories that break all the rules, and Skyward X does just that.