HOKA Skyflow Review | Fleet Feet (2024)

Gear Reviews

ByCaroline Bermel

HOKA Skyflow Review | Fleet Feet (1)

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

A runner’s shoes are a bit like a worker’s tools–each one serves a different purpose. Just like you might reach for your Phillips screwdriver to tighten up that annoyingly loose cabinet knob, you’ll likely reach for your softest, most cushioned shoes for a recovery run.

With so many new categories of shoes emerging, from super trainers to super racers and everything in between, there are more options than ever to add to your runner’s toolbox. But does every shoe have to fit in a neat, box-sized category?

When testing the new HOKA Skyflow, available July 15, reviewers were left wondering just where it stands. Is it a super trainer, designed for both racking up the miles and whittling down the pace? Is it a daily trainer, meant for simple, everyday runs? Or is it a speedwork shoe, built to cruise at top speeds while keeping you light on your toes? Read on to find out.

Coming Soon

Men's HOKA Skyflow Running Shoes $160
Women's HOKA Skyflow Running Shoes $160

Tech Specs

HOKA Skyflow

Weight8.6 oz (W), 10 oz (M)
Stack height (heel/forefoot)38 mm/33 mm (W), 40 mm/35 mm (M)
Heel-to-toe drop5 mm
CategoryNeutral
SurfaceRoad/track
Price$160
Comparable to… Brooks Ghost Max, New Balance Balos

Ride

Firm

Balanced

Plush

Cushioning

Minimum

Moderate

Maximum

Energy

Relaxed

Responsive

Propulsive


Supercritical EVA midsole receives mixed reviews

HOKA Skyflow Review | Fleet Feet (4)

The HOKA Skyflow’s main characteristic that sets it apart from other daily trainers is its midsole, specifically the supercritical EVA foam used to create it. Supercritical foams are composed of many little cells, so they offer more responsiveness at a lighter weight than traditional midsole compounds–just imagine running on millions of small air bubbles. This type of foam isn’t used in HOKA’s classic daily trainers like the Clifton 9 or the Bondi 8. However, it is used in the Mach 6, which you’ll likely find us mentioning a lot in this review.

The Skyflow has a higher stack height and a softer feel than the Mach, which is HOKA’s snappy, uptempo trainer, and reviewers agreed it feels firmer and more responsive than the Clifton. I like to think of this shoe as a hybrid between the two. However, I don’t think it excels in any one area, unlike how the Clifton excels at easy, recovery miles and the Mach performs at high speeds.

“I took the Skyflow out for a few easy miles and enjoyed my experience,” says Brandon, who’s ramping up his mileage to prepare for another marathon build. “It’s one of those shoes where I can just set it and forget it. It’s a reliable daily trainer with no fuss included. It's slightly faster than the Clifton and I can feel the extra pop and sensation from the supercritical foam. The Skyflow is fun and playful while still maintaining a very stable ride due to its wide base. And if you’re worried about traction, don’t be. The Skyflow has tons of rubber for extra grip.”

Mandy enjoyed the ride of the midsole, too, saying, “The Skyflow feels firmer than a lot of HOKA shoes, which I prefer because it makes running a bit easier thanks to the added propulsion and stability. I took the shoes out on a four mile run after a long week of meetings, in 10000% humidity since it’s summertime in the south. Despite the weather, I felt my stride turn over automatically as the shoes pushed me forward and made the miles fly by.”

Travis, however, wasn’t so impressed.

“The supercritical foam that makes up the midsole just doesn’t pop for me because of the weight of the shoe,” he says. “I think that same supercritical foam was better executed in the Mach 6 because of its simplicity and lightness. The best type of run I had in the Skyflow was easier paces. Once I started to pick up the pace, it didn’t really respond well for me. However, like most HOKA shoes, the Skyflow has a solid base of support. Even with the higher stack height I felt connected to the ground.”

HOKA Skyflow uses a classic, comfy upper

HOKA Skyflow Review | Fleet Feet (5)

The HOKA Skyflow uses a creel jacquard upper to provide a secure fit. It’s the same material used in the HOKA Mach X, a super shoe that combines elements of the Mach 6 with a rigid Pebax® plate. However, the upper feels much thicker and more heavily padded in the Skyflow, drawing an invisible line between super trainer and daily trainer.

I’m sometimes in between sizes, so I always go down a half size in HOKA shoes. The 6 fits me perfectly in the Skyflow. I have about a thumbnail’s width of room in the toe box, and the midfoot and heel feels locked down. The shoe offers a plush tongue which helps hold my foot in place, and I don’t need to use the extra eyelets to tie the marathon loop.

HOKA has been using a tapered heel collar in a lot of their shoes and, as someone who frequently suffers from blisters on the backs of my heels, I really appreciate it. All in all, this is a pretty standard upper for a daily trainer. It doesn’t have anything luxurious in the way of padding and cushion, but it’s not super sleek and lightweight either. So, I’d say this is definitely a “Goldilocks” shoe.

While most of the reviewers and I found the Skyflow to fit true to size, Brandon dissented.

“It seems like I was one of the lone few to feel that the Skyflow fit a little big,” he says. “This would have worked perfectly a half size down. Note to self–next time go a half size down like Caroline. Otherwise, the upper felt great. I appreciated the layer of reflective film that borders the lacing system. In the dark or when you push a flash to it, that area of the shoe brightens up and adds more visibility when out on the run. It’s a small detail, but it’s nice to have if you plan on running in the dark.”

HOKA Skyflow vs HOKA Clifton 9 vs HOKA Mach 6

Since I described the Skyflow as a hybrid between the Clifton and the Mach, it’s only fair that I compare the three shoes:

Tech Specs

HOKA Skyflow

HOKA Clifton 9

HOKA Mach 6

Weight

8.6 oz (W), 10 oz (M)

7.3 oz (W), 8.7 oz (M)

6.7 oz (W), 8.2 oz (M)

Stack height

38 mm/33 mm (W), 40 mm/35 mm (M)

29 mm/24 mm (W),

32 mm/27 mm (M)

35 mm/30 mm (W), 37 mm/32 mm (M)

Heel-to-toe drop

5 mm

5 mm

5 mm

Midsole foam

Supercritical compression-molded EVA

Compression-molded EVA

Supercritical compression-molded EVA

Price

$160

$145

$140

The HOKA Skyflow has the highest stack height out of all three shoes, and it’s also the heaviest. It offers the same supercritical midsole foam as the Mach, but most of the reviewers didn’t find it as responsive due to the higher weight.

“The Skyflow is faster and more responsive than the Clifton 9 but softer and more cushioned than the Mach 6. So, if you’re looking for a shoe in between the Clifton and the Mach, this would be a great choice for you,” says Brandon.

HOKA Skyflow Review | Fleet Feet (6)

How does the HOKA Skyflow compare?

We took a look at some comparable models to see how they stack up against the HOKA Skyflow. Here’s what we found:

Tech Specs

HOKA Skyflow

Brooks Ghost Max

New Balance Balos

Weight

8.6 oz (W), 10 oz (M)

9 oz (W), 10 oz (M)

7.3 oz (W), 9.2 oz (M)

Stack height

38 mm/33 mm (W), 40 mm/35 mm (M)

39 mm/33 mm

38.5 mm/32.5 mm

Heel-to-toe drop

5 mm

6 mm

6 mm

Price

$160

$150

$200

What do the HOKA Skyflow, Brooks Ghost Max and New Balance Balos all have in common? Besides similar stack heights and heel drops, they’re all brand new models that don’t align with traditional shoe categories. I can only describe them as “elevated daily trainers.”

The HOKA Skyflow is much firmer than the Balos, and a little bit lighter than the Ghost Max. If I had a speed or tempo session on the calendar, the Skyflow would probably be my second pick after the Balos. However, many runners prefer a firmer underfoot feel, in which case the Skyflow would likely take the top spot.

HOKA Skyflow Review | Fleet Feet (7)

Who is the HOKA Skyflow best for?

If you’re looking for one shoe that can do it all, look no further than the Skyflow. It’s cushioned enough to handle long distances, and firm enough to pick up the pace with ease.

“I think this is just a solid, everyday trainer shoe,” Mandy says. “ It works for going fast, recovery runs or even running errands.”

However, if you’re looking for one shoe that excels at either long, slow runs or uptempo paces, you’ll be better off with one of HOKA’s more specialized shoes like the Clifton 9 or Mach 6.

Coming Soon

Men's HOKA Skyflow Running Shoes $160
Women's HOKA Skyflow Running Shoes $160

Keep Reading

Apr 5, 2024 HOKA Bondi versus HOKA Clifton When it comes to fit, feel and performance, which shoe is best for you? Read on to learn more about the differences between the HOKA Bondi and HOKA Clifton.

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Mar 25, 2024 HOKA Skyward X Review The HOKA Skyward X promises to deliver the supertrainer experience with a carbon plate, PEBA midsole foam and a whopping stack height.

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Feb 29, 2024 HOKA Mach 6 Review Will the latest upgrades propel the HOKA Mach 6 to the number one seed for daily trainers and onto the finals? Or will we be left with a major upset? Read on to find out.

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HOKA Skyflow Review | Fleet Feet (2024)

FAQs

HOKA Skyflow Review | Fleet Feet? ›

If you're looking for one shoe that can do it all, look no further than the Skyflow. It's cushioned enough to handle long distances, and firm enough to pick up the pace with ease. “I think this is just a solid, everyday trainer shoe,” Mandy says. “ It works for going fast, recovery runs or even running errands.”

What kind of feet are Hokas good for? ›

When compared to other popular sneakers, Hoka's shoes have a wider toe box, which allows for a more comfortable fit for those with a broader forefoot and can minimize the risk of developing uncomfortable conditions, like bunions or ingrown toenails, he adds.

Why do my feet hurt in Hokas? ›

The researchers hypothesized that this increase in impact forces while wearing the Hoka One One running shoes was potentially attributable to runners unconsciously altering their biomechanics while running in the highly cushioned shoes.

Do podiatrists recommend Hokas? ›

APMA Seal of Acceptance. This means a team of podiatrists and experts reviewed these specific styles to ensure that they actually foster foot health. “I recommend Hokas due to their superior cushioning, stability, and their rocker-like bottom all combined in a lightweight shoe,” Parthasarathy says.

Which HOKA is best for seniors? ›

“Shoes like the HOKA Transport offer comfort during long walks and are designed to help with balance issues, which is crucial for seniors.” The Transport marks Hoka's entry into commuter footwear, marrying comfort, style, and durability. We chose Transport as the best Hoka shoe for seniors because of its many features.

Are Hokas good for bad knees? ›

Brooks: Offering a wide range of shoes with advanced cushioning technology, Brooks is another brand that is highly recommended by podiatrists. Hoka One One: With their maximum cushioning and support, Hoka One One shoes can be a great option for those seeking relief from knee pain.

Is Hoka better than on cloud for flat feet? ›

"Hoka has an edge on the market for those with flat feet needing enhanced stability with the Arahi and Clifton models, while On Cloud is going to be great for anyone with neutral-high arches that are looking for a great running shoe with responsive cushioning.

Is Hoka or Asics better for plantar fasciitis? ›

After speaking to multiple board-certified podiatrists and testing many pairs ourselves, we determined that Hoka's Bondi 8 is the best shoe for plantar fasciitis overall, thanks to its cushioned sole and balanced support structure.

Which Hoka is best for bad back? ›

The HOKA Bondi 8, which also makes our Best HOKA Shoes and Best Walking Shoes lists, comes in regular and wide widths for both men and women, but only extra-wide widths are available for men. Dr. Mehta recommends this shoe for active people, including runners, who experience back pain.

Is Bondi or Clifton better for walking? ›

Some reviewers found that this makes the Clifton a bit more versatile for faster paces, and prefer the Bondi for easy days, time spent on their feet traveling or working long shifts. Max felt that the latest Clifton edition has more energy return than in the past.

Why are Hokas so bulky? ›

Many long- distance runners are more concerned with performance than style or brand, he noted. Hoka's bulky silhouette helped it stand out with marathoners. “That chunky heel says to people 'that's the shoe I can wear and run long distance and not get hurt,' Sole said.

Are Hokas good if you're on your feet all day? ›

The HOKA Clifton 9 is our top choice for both men and women who need to be on their feet for several hours during the day.

What is the benefit of Hoka shoe? ›

Made to land each foot softly, then spring back up, the HOKA cushioned midsole acts as a high-performance shock absorber without the weight. Dialed up or down, the plushness varies to deliver exact levels of performance and protection.

What shoes do most podiatrists recommend? ›

Though there are many other great brands of shoes, some examples of tennis shoe brands that provide good support are Brooks, Asics, New Balance, and Hoka,” Dr. Jensen said. “Typically, these brands are going to have different models for different foot types.”

Why do people wear Hoka shoes? ›

HOKA shoes also feature a cushioned midsole that acts as a high shock absorber without weighing down the shoe. The active foot frame cradles the foot and secures the heel as you walk. If you're someone who spends hours on your feet, all of Hoka's unique attributes go a long way in helping fight foot fatigue.

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