I Trained for My First Half Marathon With the Hoka Skyward X. Here Are My Thoughts

As someone who impulsively picked up running during my quarter-life crisis back in October, I’m pretty much a total beginner to pounding the pavement. What I have learned, though, in my six months of training, is the right (and wrong) pair of shoes can make all the difference between a 10K that’s a breeze and one that feels like pure torture.

My major 2024 goal is to run a half marathon without stopping, so when I heard about the new Hoka Skyward X ($225, hoka.com), I was curious to see if they’d help me power past my limits and finally crush double-digit miles. The shoes claim to make every type of run—including the really long ones—feel nearly effortless. And unlike a lot of other sneakers out there, these are designed to be super cushioned and surprisingly stable, too, which is a major selling point for someone (me!) who deals with frequent foot injuries like plantar fasciitis and tendonitis.

So did they live up to their bold promises? I tested out these bad boys for the past few weeks to find out.

Who the shoe is for

The Hoka Skyward X is designed for all kinds of runners, from folks who enjoy a casual morning jog to seasoned athletes training for longer-distance races. And if you’re someone who loves a cushiony shoe, these might be what you’re looking for: Their midsole is simply packed with foam, which can be a plus for anyone who’s dealt with foot pain, ACL injury, or just appreciates a more plush landing to help absorb impact. They also have a carbon fiber plate—a feature commonly found in fancier race-day sneakers that provides that “pop” to propel you forward—so they can bring some speed along with that comfort too.

Now, who wouldn’t they be for? Someone who wants to place in a World Athletics–sanctioned race. Because of its 48 millimeter (mm) stack height (the measurement of the material between your foot and the ground), the Skyward X joins other “super trainers,” like the Adidas Prime Strung X, in edging over that 40-millimeter limit for approved shoes.

Out of the box

Starting with the obvious…let’s talk about its giant platform. Like I mentioned, the pair I received has a stack height of nearly two inches. I’ll admit: I had serious doubts about how I could possibly walk, let alone run, in these babies without twisting my ankles—but more on that later.

Another thing that immediately caught my eye was how stunning these Hokas looked. I’m usually not one to fuss over aesthetics for my workout stuff, but it was impossible not to be impressed by the gorgeous gradient of pastel blue, salmon pink, and sunset orange-yellow on the midsole. It got me really excited to look (and hopefully feel) great on my runs—and the fact that they’re stylish enough to pair with my everyday outfits was a major bonus too (especially since these cost more than $200).

Fit and feel

If you’ve got wide feet like me, you’ll probably love the new Hokas. My usual size (6.5, which I wear for both street and running shoes) fit perfectly—my toes were snug but not squished or cramped, and my heel stayed put without slipping. That said, you may want to consider sizing down if you have narrow feet.

Comfort-wise, this shoe checked all of my boxes, which was surprising, given how intimidatingly tall it is. For my first two days of testing, I actually just walked in them to make sure I wouldn’t break my ankles. But once I took them out on my runs, I was pleasantly surprised at how secure my feet felt. The Skywards were definitely kind of heavy and didn’t have that super squishy, “walking on clouds” feel (thanks to that carbon fiber plate). But I actually preferred the sturdier, more stable support they provided for longer distances.

On the run

Since I’ve been training for my first half marathon, I wore these sneakers on all sorts of runs in preparation—including a 10-miler, which at the time was my longest ever—and one thing stood out every time: My feet didn’t hurt at all! I’ve dealt with my fair share of running injuries, and I usually experience a dull ache on the bottom of my foot around the fifth mile. Not with these, though: No pain points or sharp twinges. I truly felt like I could keep going.

They were snug and hugged my feet just right, giving me the kind of support I desperately needed during uphills, which would be huge in my upcoming half in Central Park. Over time, I also came to realize that the extra cushion wasn’t just for show: It blunted the impact of each step to make the experience pain- and ache-free (a real lifesaver when I’d be pounding the pavement for nearly two hours).

That said, this super trainer isn’t the perfect pick for every type of run. Unfortunately, they felt as heavy as they looked, weighing in at 9.2 ounces. So when I tried picking up the pace, it felt like I was dragging some extra load along. Personally, this wasn’t a huge deal-breaker for me for longer runs (where speed isn’t my priority), but it’s definitely something to consider if you’re trying to set a personal record.

Bottom line

Honestly, this shoe deserves major props for being the only one that has kept me injury-free and confident to tackle double-digit miles—which I’ve never experienced with any other sneaker, including the Hoka Mach X, my previous go-tos for shorter runs that left my feet aching after an hour.

I’ll probably still hold onto my Nike InfinityRN4 (another of my standbys) for those quick sprints when I’m gunning for a personal best. But overall, I’m so excited to have the Skywards in my rotation: They’ve really boosted my confidence as a new runner, and now I feel ready (excited, even) to tackle my first half marathon.