Miles maximalistHOKA Skyward X
Can 48 mm of cushioning change what long feels like? Race Lab and Essi Tesfom team up to put this super-stacked runner to the test.
9 October 2025 · 3 min read
When you’re chasing serious mileage, the last thing you need is a shoe that slows you down. You want something that powers you forward – plush, stable, and made to keep you moving mile after mile. That’s the thinking behind HOKA’s Skyward X: a maximalist, carbon tech super-shoe made to make long runs feel easy (or easier, at least).
In episode 8 of Race Lab, the Skyward X lines up against our testing team. A rising force in endurance running, Essi Tesfom steps out of his ultra-marathon prep to bring the expertise on what it takes to build a shoe that makes the finish line feel like a warm-up.
“I’m currently at the end of my 150km ultra race preparation,” he tells us when we sit down to ask how his training is going. “It’s been pretty good. I traveled to the mountains to simulate the race and ran parts of the route. Now I’ll be tapering on the treadmill with high incline percentage and stairmaster simulations.”
The testing stations
To find out how the HOKA Skyward X helps you push further, we’re putting it through four key testing stations: traction, breathability, stability, and cushioning. Let’s see how it performs.
Weatherproof grip
The HOKA Skyward X is built for the road, with solid grip on both dry and wet surfaces. High-abrasion rubber covers the forefoot, heel, and lateral edges — boosting durability and traction where you need it most.
Miles made breezy
Surprisingly airy for such a cushy knit upper, the Skyward X stays cool thanks to ventilation zones across the toe box and midfoot. After all, no one wants hot feet when the miles stack up.
Steady strides
On paper, the Skyward X’s max-stack midsole might look unstable. In reality, its wide base and convex carbon fibre plate keep every stride steady — like landing on a flat platform that spreads force and resists wobble. Add HOKA’s signature Deep Active Foot Frame, with midsole walls that rise up to cradle your heel, and you get extra security mile after mile.
48mm of comfort
These shoes are plush and super comfy for a long-distance run. The PEBA midsole foam feels soft yet springy underfoot, bouncing back for strong energy return. The carbon fibre plate amplifies that effect — compressing, storing and releasing energy with every step. An EVA MetaRocker frame adds stability, keeping the stack from ever feeling mushy. And with HOKA’s signature MetaRocker shape, every stride rolls smoothly forward.
After going the distance in the Skyward X, Essi didn’t hesitate on what sets it apart: “I loved the comfort feature. That’s the number one feature I look for in a running shoe, next to appearance. It looked chunky at first but that’s HOKA’s signature look.” And would he recommend it to the running community? “Yes, regardless of whether you’re looking to be fast or on long slow distance runs. They’re comfortable and deliver what you need.”
Even though comfort gets the win here, there’s a whole line-up of running shoes waiting their turn. Watch the next Race Lab to keep your collection stacked with the best of the best.
One more mile — two, three, ten.
Meet the host
Essi Tesfom
Essi Tesfom is a Berlin-based runner and fashion model. Born in London to Eritrean parents and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Norway, Essi considers himself a “life enthusiast”, convinced that whatever you chase is within reach. Running is how he lives that belief. From marathons and ultramarathons to a six-day, 500km run from Berlin to Nuremberg, Essi has become one of the city’s go-to voices in the running scene.
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