Hoka Skyflow Review: A Cushioned Daily Trainer That Grows on You

Introduction

The Hoka Skyflow is a new cushioned running shoe from Hoka for 2024. It sits alongside the Bondi and Clifton in the range but offers something a little different: a very cushioned platform that brings the lightweight supercritical EVA foam, previously seen in shoes like the Mach, to a more cushioned model. It costs £150 in the UK and $160 in the US, weighs 285g (10 oz) in a UK size 9, and uses a 5mm drop with a 40mm heel and 35mm forefoot stack in the men’s shoe (38mm and 33mm in the women’s version).

Rather than a completely new concept, the Skyflow melds together proven elements from across the Hoka range. The result is a daily trainer that does not wow you out of the box but wins you over over the miles, becoming the kind of shoe you pull on day after day without thinking twice.

Key Features and Design

The supercritical EVA midsole is the key feature here. It is still an EVA foam rather than the PEBA-based foam used in something like the Mach X2, but it is nitrogen infused to give a lighter, poppier and more responsive feel than the EVA found in the Clifton or Bondi.

Around the midsole you get the rocker profile Hoka is known for, plus a creel jacquard upper with generous padding on the tongue and around the heel, and an internal heel counter for stability at the back of the shoe. The outsole uses thick rubber in the key impact areas rather than full coverage, with some exposed foam to reduce weight, so durability should not be a concern.

Fit and Sizing

The Skyflow fits true to typical Hoka sizing. In a UK 9 (US 9.5), the fit is excellent, and it follows the classic Hoka shape that tends to run slightly narrower than many other brands. That suits narrow-footed runners well, and the heel design is comfortable without irritating the Achilles.

If you have worn other Hoka shoes, expect the same kind of fit experience here, good or otherwise. Sticking to your normal running shoe size is the safe bet.

Ride and Performance

After 60km of testing, every step was enjoyable. The supercritical EVA midsole is not spectacular or super springy underfoot, but it is a solid, well-balanced cushioned platform that just works. The ride is smooth and works across a range of paces: great for flat-out easy runs, but you can move through the gears thanks to the responsive foam.

The rocker geometry, 5mm drop and light, poppy foam combine into a shoe that disappears on the foot. It is not the heaviest shoe in the world and it moves very well, which makes you enjoy running in it.

The foam is also consistent and resilient. Like some other nitrogen-infused foams, the Skyflow feels better the longer a run goes on. It does not bottom out, and it feels just as good at the end of a run as at the start. It is firmer than a really soft foam, but comfortable, supportive and never harsh.

Durability and Outsole

The outsole has gripped well so far, mostly in dry UK summer conditions, with one wet run that went fine. At 60km the wear looks good, and with thick rubber covering all the key impact zones, durability should hold up nicely.

The upper also disappears nicely on the foot, though the thick tongue is worth a note. It adds step-in comfort and pressure relief from the laces, but it does add a bit of weight and thickness and could run warm for runners in very hot climates.

How It Compares

You can find softer, sinkier cushioned shoes out there, such as the New Balance 1080 v13 or the Saucony Triumph 24, but those are bigger, heavier shoes set up more purely for easy running. The Skyflow delivers plenty of comfort with a more fluid transition and more pop off the toes when you push the pace.

Within the Hoka range, it is a step up in performance from the Clifton, though at a slightly higher price. It is a much more fluid and enjoyable ride than the Bondi, which feels heavier and more sluggish while being just as cushioned. Against the wider market, it sits alongside the best cushioned daily trainers, with a feel reminiscent of the Saucony Ride 17 and Triumph 21. The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is another strong versatile option with a higher drop and a snappier feel, and the Brooks Ghost Max 2 offers a similar rocker-style versatile feel, though it is a fair bit heavier.

Conclusion

The Hoka Skyflow is not a shoe that will knock your socks off with how it feels out of the box, but it is one you learn to really love. It is a comfortable, balanced daily trainer with a little versatility for faster days, and it feels just as good at the end of a long run as at the start. For cushioned daily trainer buyers who want comfort without sluggishness, it belongs near the top of the shortlist.