Article by Sam Winebaum
Hoka Skyflow ($160)
Introduction
The Skyflow is Hoka’s first max cushion road trainer entirely powered by supercritical foam, no plates on board. Sitting at 40mm at the heel and 35mm at the forefoot, it weighs a commendable light 9.14 oz /259 g in my US8.5 sample. Copiously shod in rubber for durability (and some at the ground stability and response) it features a soft and supportive Creel Jacquard upper.
Hoka is entering what is a growing category at bit “late” but it seems they needed time to develop an energetic light foam that didn't cost a fortune as PEBA does for their trainers. After all they invented the category years ago with Mafate Road and more recently the Bondi. I am sure they will continue Bondi for those who are "in the habit" but really, the much lighter, far more fun Skyflow replaces it with a thoroughly modern shoe that is actually $5 less. Sitting above the conventional EVA foam Clifton 9 and Mach 6 in stack height by 4 and 3mm at the heel respectively, so it’s more cushioned, and will say it right now upfront, also softer and more energetic due to its new foam. Others in the comparative hunt for me are ASICS Nimbus 26 and Superblast, adidas Supernova Prima and Puma Magnify Nitro 2.
After 2 solid runs, one a progression to faster paces each mile ending below 8:20 per mile and the other an easier “everyday” type run at 10:23 per mile, both in high heat and humidity, I share my initial review with our full multi tester to review to follow soon.
Pros:
- Versatile, smooth, non plated max cushion ride at reasonable weight and pricing
- Highly cushioned: energetic, deep soft foam backed by solid responsive rubber
- Neutral with some support from its midfoot outsole rubber coverage
- Breathable, comfortable upper with good all over support.
- Deep durable outsole coverage, especially at the lateral heel.
Cons:
- Heel Focused Active Foot Frame is overdone: A bit stiff, firm, stiff and overly supportive for this neutral runner, somewhat impeding transitions from an excellent heel landing and also over supports the midfoot/arch area.
- Could use a touch more flex. Rigid rocker.
- Outsole could be a touch softer, it's firm and thick
Most comparable shoes
Puma Magnify Nitro 2
New Balance Balos
Supernova Prima
ASICS Nimbus and Superblast
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 9.39 oz 266/ g US9
Prior Version Weight: men’s oz / g
Sample Weight: men’s 9.14oz / 259g US8.5
Stack Height: men’s 40 mm heel / 35 mm forefoot ( 5mm drop spec)
Platform Width: 90 mm heel / 80 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot
$160 Available now.
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
The upper is an engineered Creel Jacquard mesh. It is moderately thin, soft, slightly stretchy and very supportive. Basically comfort leaning performance compared to the Mach 6’s more performance oriented upper it is more comfortable for me. Breathablity was excellent for both my runs in high humidity and quite high heat. Feels Like: 89 F.
The heel area features both a long almost rigid heel counter and rising midsole side walls into which the foot sits, what Hoka calls an “Heel Focused Active Foot Frame”.
It, along with the extensive firm heel rubber, for sure is very supportive and contributes to the Skyflow’s landing stability but I think it is overdone making the rear of the shoe more rigid than I prefer although unlike some broader heel platform competitors it does not feel in any way back weighted.
The collars are well padded and quite high given the foot frame. They could be lower.
The midfoot features a quite thick tongue that is well padded but not over plush. A good thing as in combination with the narrow gusset on the tongue we get a really good lockdown that is comfortable. There is some noticeable arch support at the edges, I think coming from the midsole side walls whose top edge at the midfoot is level with the EVA type sockliner.
The toe box is moderately broad with the mesh having some give. There is a full thumb’s length of room ahead of a soft but still present toe bumper.
As with the midfoot (and less so the heel area) I find a near perfect balance of hold and comfort.
I am true to my usual US 8.5 sizing for my narrower to medium volume feet. I think I could go a half size down if I wanted a more precise fit or had a lower volume feet. The Skyflow is also available in 2E wide sizing.
Midsole & Platform
The Skyflow can be called Hoka’s first “modern” max cushion trainer. The pioneer in max cushion took their time to develop a reasonably priced, energetic supercritical foam unplated trainer and here they nail it. Weight remains very reasonable at 9.14 oz / 259g in my US8.5
With a 40mm heel and 35mm forefoot they do not go overboard high as say the ASICS Superblast and Nimbus, both above 40mm although with higher drops.
The Skylow has a reasonable 90 mm heel / 80 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot platform width with the two ASICS having in my view an overly broad 120mm forefoot width which makes toe offs more awkward.
The supercritical EVA foam is on the soft side and very energetic. It is slightly softer yet bouncier than New Balance’s latest now all PEBA foam in the SC Trainer v3 and slightly firmer and less somewhat crazy bouncy than New Balance EVA/PEBA blend in the Balos and Rebel v4. I find it softer and more energetic than Puma’s Nitro foam and softer if less springy than ZoomX. It actually feels closest to adidas new non supercritical (as far as we know) and now softer Lightstrike 2.0.
The outsole plays a key role here in keeping the soft foam under control, creating what after 2 runs is still a rigid rocker profile shoe, and delivering some final at the ground response both at the heel and forefoot.
One might say that the overall feel is “firm” at the road if all one considers is the thick outsole, particularly at the heel, effect on overall feel. There is plenty of soft, deep and energetic cushion above. Instead of soft overall ride, as say the New Balance Balos has Hoka chose some final pop. I do wish the outsole's firmness was toned down a touch to better match the midsole feel.
Outsole
The outsole has plenty of rubber in a podular arrangement with a very firm and deep wrap around at the heel.
The rubber extends almost the entire length of the medial midfoot and provides some clearly felt support but not as much as a support shoe would give. Those Hoka fans who need some support but feel the Arahi is “to much” should look at Skyflow.
Often awkward for me, the Hoka front rocker here is effective at all paces due to outsole geometry and front flex point carve outs, even if the shoe remains a rigid rocker type after 2 runs. I do expect it to develop more flex
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
With a couple solid runs at very paces from slow daily training to easy tempo, the picture is clear.
Hoka, the pioneer in the max cushion category and which over time keeps getting higher and higher in stack height given the new lighter foams, is back in the hunt after a later start.
Not a nimble uptempo shoe, yet more nimble than its direct competition (primarily in my view ASICS) we have a solid everyday trainer with lots of energetic true supercritical foam cushion, a touch of support, and a very comfortable and breathable upper.
Unplated, its rigid rocker and outsole deliver much of the same impulse as a plated shoe might in a more mellow training focused fashion. I do wish the outsole was less "present" in ride feel.
Bondi fans, unless Hoka applies the same foam to the next Bondi, Skyflow is clearly a far lighter (-1.6 oz), far more fun to run (or walk), and even less expensive big shoe option.
The considerably more expensive ($225) and higher stacked and plated Skyward X (RTR Review) has a more dynamic and yet more fun and energetic ride but is hamstrung by its higher weight (+1.3 oz in my US8.5) and pricing.
Mach and Clifton fans if you want a superior foam on board and more cushion consider adding to your rotation or even replacing understanding there is somewhat of a weight penalty over those two lower stack Hoka. Bring on the Sklyflow foam in the next Mach and Clifton to make them the uptempo companions!
Skyflow is a clear top pick if you want a pace versatile (slower to moderate pace daily training) highly cushioned trainer with great foam, upper comfort, and a touch of support.
Sam’s Initial Score: 9.3 /10
Deductions for over rigid rear of the shoe (upper and midsole side walls)
😊😊😊 1/2
Our full multi tester review with many full comparisons is coming soon.
Tester Profiles
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s
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2 comments:
Sounds good. Based on the description, the ride is maybe similar to Endorphin Shift 1 & 2?
This was an excellent review, Sam. Thank you for this. I don't do any running, but I am standing all day long on my feet. I was introduced to HOKA's with the Stinson ATR 6's and immediately fell in love with their 'Max Cushion' line. Fast forward to today and I'm very happy with the Clifton 9's but always felt they were lacking some cushion my old Stinson's had. It sounds like these might be the natural progression for me to try?
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