Saturday, August 10, 2024

Hoka Skyflow Multi Tester Review: Worth the Wait! At Long Last from the OG of Cush an All Supercritical Foam Max Cushion Trainer

Article by Sam Winebaum and Jeff Beck

Hoka Skyflow ($160)

Introduction

Sam: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 3 solid runs, one a progression to faster paces each mile ending below 8:20 per mile and the others easier “everyday” type runs 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: Sam/Jeff 
  • Highly cushioned: energetic, deep soft foam backed by solid responsive rubber: Sam/Jeff
  • Neutral with some support from its midfoot outsole rubber coverage: Sam/Jeff
  • Breathable, comfortable upper with good all over support: Sam/Jeff
  • Deep durable outsole coverage, especially at the lateral heel : Sam/Jeff 
  • Remarkably acceptable toebox for Hoka, which has skewed narrow up front for more than a decade: Jeff

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 : Sam//Jeff
  • Could use a touch more flex. Rigid rocker: Sam
  • Outsole could be a touch softer, it's firm and thick: Sam/Jeff
  • Wet traction is abysmal, even mildly damp pavement becomes slippery
  • Overbuilt arch caused pain and discomfort within the first 30 minutes of putting them on


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.


Jeff: Sam's description of the upper is spot on. Many lightweight mesh uppers tend to have a rough feel to them, this one isn't what I'd term plush, but there is a softness to it that gives it extra comfort. Breathability and support are both top notch, with the amount of support actually surprising considering the lack of overlays or thick materials. 


I didn't have any issues with the upper fit, and found the toebox to be among the widest Hoka has ever made. That's not to say it's going to be the Hoka for Altra/Topo fans, but it's not nearly as narrow as so many other Hokas have been. 


Similar to the upper, the tongue is deceptively good. To the touch it feels like it may lead to some solid lace bite, but it is just thick enough. Sam's right, not overly plush, but plenty of cushioning there. The gusseting keeps the tongue planted, and it is thin enough to disappear around the foot.


My main gripe about fit is exactly what Sam touches on regarding the midsole arch support. Perhaps I have lower arches than him, I know I have wider feet, but I found that every time I put a few miles on the Skyflow I had some serious arch pain almost right away.  


I spent a few minutes in the shoe with no insoles, and the arch issue is absolutely the raised walls of the midsole, the cockpit/bathtub effect that Hoka gives many of their shoes, meaning that my slightly-wider-than-D-width foot really doesn't have enough room in that area of their platform. No issues with fit up front or in the heel, just around the midfoot/arch, which is a fairly rare issue for me.


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.


Jeff: I'm on the other side of the fence from Sam on this one, I find the Skyflow on the firm end of the spectrum. It's somewhat reminiscent of a specific Mizuno shoe from a few years ago - the Wave Sky Neo. 


There's plenty of cushioning, but you don't get the sink-in feeling you do with many other supercritical foam midsoles. That's not a bad thing by any stretch, many runners find the more dynamic sink/rebound more taxing, and it definitely lends itself to more stability and versatility - runners who favor a single do-it-all shoe should consider the Skyflow as the jack of all trades kind of shoe.


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.


Jeff: The design of the outsole doesn't have any glaring issues, though I think this is one of my least favorite types of rubber used in running shoes. 

It's a very hard and durable rubber, but it leaves quite a bit to be desired in the traction department - especially wet traction. While it's been a surprisingly dry summer, twice I found myself slipping and nearly falling after a post rain run on slightly damp pavement. 

Dry traction and treadmill use is completely fine, just keep them put away from rainy days. 

The outsole definitely plays a part in adding extra support to the shoe, it's not a total support shoe, but there are support elements for sure. 

 

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 Score: 9.3 /10

Deductions for over rigid rear of the shoe (upper and midsole side walls)

 😊😊😊


Jeff: Sam makes a great point above, the Skyflow is effectively a "normal" daily trainer in today's landscape of shoes. It's not super soft or excessively bouncy and dynamic, but will work for most days for most runners. A few years ago this would be the biggest shoe on the market, now it's kind of like the shoe version of a Honda Accord - which is a top seller year after year for a reason. Hoka devotees absolutely have their daily trainer because it's much easier to live in every day than the massive Bondi and I'm with Sam on his take regarding the Mach and Clifton - just as long as there's no rain in the forecast. Personally the biggest miss is the volume the midsole rails occupy, creating arch-centric hotspots in the shoe, but I'm curious to see what later revisions of this shoe can bring, because it's nice to see Hoka with a new midsole material.

Score: 8.35 / 10
Ride: 9 Fit: 7 Value: 9 Style: 8
😊😊😊


Tester Profiles

Jeff Beck is the token slow runner of the RTR lineup, and as such his viewpoints on shoe and gear can differ from those who routinely finish marathons in three hours or less. Jeff runs 20 miles per week on roads and trails around Denver, CO (and sometimes on the treadmill when the weather gets too much for a Phoenix native). Jeff only got into running in his 30s, as a result his career PR's are 4:07 for the marathon and 5K at 23:39. Jeff has finished several ultra marathons, from 50K up to 50 miles, and is still debating if he wants to go down that road again.


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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3 comments:

Mikael said...

Sounds good. Based on the description, the ride is maybe similar to Endorphin Shift 1 & 2?

theotherreview said...

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?

Block Blast said...

Hoka is just killing it lately. Really love my Mach 6 but may have to look into these too.