Running in the HOKA Skyflow
by Cody Johnson
I have a long history with HOKA trainers. Not too long ago, I was a buyer for a local shoe store that carried HOKA and I quickly fell in love with the brand. My first impression with HOKA was with the Clifton 4, and the Clifton model has been in my rotation ever since as a daily trainer. I’ve also run in the Mach as a tempo/flat, raced in the Rocket X2, hit the trails in the Tecton X2, and I even rock the Bondi in the classroom when I’m teaching.
When I learned they were coming out with a critically foamed EVA midsole, I was excited to give it a shot, and I’m thankful to have gotten that opportunity from John’s Run/Walk Shop.
What is the HOKA Skyflow?
This model is definitely a daily trainer, meaning that it is built to soak up a bunch of miles. I’ve felt comfortable in this shoe doing recovery runs, long runs, mileage and even some threshold work.
The midsole is made of EVA, but it is far from the standard HOKA EVA. It’s a supercritical EVA foam, meaning that it is more durable, bouncy, and lightweight than a standard EVA.
The outsole on this shoe is incredible, and I believe it will last for many, many miles. The midsole of the Skyflow also provides a little bit of stability in the heel with HOKA’s Active Foot Frame, which is definitely noticeable in some longer runs (we’ll get to that later).
Of course, this shoe also features HOKA’s Early Stage MetaRocker as well to help with transitions while running.
Skyflow Pros
There is a LOT to like about this shoe, so let’s start at the beginning, which is how it feels on your foot. HOKA’s uppers might be the best in the business right now, and the Skyflow holds true to that, as the upper is comfortable and breathable.
The heel counter has some nice cushion, and the shoe locks your foot down well. The toe box is great here as well. If you’re like me and need just a little bit more room in the toe box, the Skyflow provides that, which was a welcome surprise as the toe box from HOKA is usually hit or miss for me.
Now for the really good part: running in the shoe. This SCF midsole is amazing, making this shoe an absolute blast to run in! These shoes are really cushioned in the forefoot, but they don’t have that “sinking” feel that some max cushioned shoes can have. Instead, the Skyflow is energetic while also being cushioned; not too firm, not too soft.
“HOKA’s uppers might be the best in the business right now, and the Skyflow holds true to that, as the upper is comfortable and breathable. ”
I’ve noticed the paces on my daily runs pick up just a small tick in these shoes because of that as well. The bouncy sole pairs well with HOKA’s MetaRocker, which always makes my toe-offs feel smooth. Every run in the Skyflow makes me feel like I am gliding rather than running.
The upper is breathable. I have had no complaints about these shoes getting too hot, which is a huge compliment here in Kentucky in August!
If you’re looking for a bit of versatility in a trainer, this shoe is a great option. I’ve been comfortable in some long runs in these (up to 15 miles) as well as some really slow recovery runs. They also feel pretty comfortable at marathon pace and I even enjoyed doing some mile repeats at threshold pace in these. I could definitely see somebody wearing these in a marathon if they don’t want to buy a separate pair of shoes to race in.
One thing I haven’t talked about yet is the stability in the heel. I don’t think I’d classify these as a “stability shoe” but with HOKA’s active foot frame, the heel does provide more stability than any other neutral shoe I’ve run in. For some, that might make the heel feel a little bit stiff, but at the end of some long, hot runs, I’ve appreciated the extra support.
Skyflow Cons
Honestly, there’s not a whole lot of “bad” here. HOKA really knocked it out of the park with the Skyflow as a daily trainer.
If I had to nitpick something about them, I’d say that maybe the outsole could be a little less thick so they could feel softer. But with the design, feel and versatility of these, it’s hard to say there’s too much wrong with ‘em!
Overall Thoughts on HOKA Skyflow
If you’re looking for a solid daily trainer that has some versatility to them, these are hard to beat, especially if you’re looking to do a marathon. My legs have felt great training in these and I have even been able to do some threshold work in them while keeping my legs fresh during long runs. The toe box is spacious for those who need a bit more room up front and they’re just an overall fun shoe to run in. I’d give these a 9/10.
HOKA has had a fantastic run with new shoes over the past few years. I’m excited to see what else they come up with!
See what other local runners are saying about the Skyflow in this blog post.