Hoka Skyflow Review | A New Model, A New Daily Runner Hit

What if Hoka were to combine the Mach and the Bondi?? It turns out that the brand new Hoka Skyflow model is the shoe I didn’t realize I’d been missing from Hoka. Read on to compare it to other shoes and find out more!

I first started running in HOKA with the Clifton 1 and I loved it almost right away. I was skeptical at the time because no one else was doing such a large stack height, but it was fantastic.

Over the years, other brands have caught up and now the Clifton feelslike a firm cushion compared to the soft bounce that you find in so many others. In fact, I started to fall out of love with the Clifton in recent years after finding the Hoka Mach to feel so great…and deciding that the Bondi was so plush I prefer recommending it for walking.

When I first heard about the Skyflow, I thought, why?

Well the why is obvious now! It takes me back to that original Clifton love, but with all the updated foam and technology that’s now available to us. I spent a few weeks putting my easy miles in on this shoe to help get a feel for it and what it has to offer.

As always, I note that I am super honest in my reviews about what works, doesn’t work and of course I have preferences in shoes after 20+ years running and testing hundreds! So take what seems most valuable to you from here and decide if it’s a shoe worth adding to your rotation.

Without further ado, let’s talk more about this cushioned daily trainer.

And if you want more comparisons, checkout my complete list of best HOKA running shoes to compare them all.

Hoka Skyflow Review

If you’re new to Hoka then I’ll talk about some of the common features below, like the wider base that creates stability and

In terms of the all new Hoka Skyflow, it’s like a nice mash up of Hoka technology.

You’re getting the foam of the Mach for a little more speed, but higher doses so that you’ve got a lot more cushion underfoot, which also means more weight.

This shoe is best for middle of the pack runners who are looking for a daily trainer with good cushion that they won’t sink in to, in a very durable shoe. It’s absolutely a shoe I can see the middle of the pack wearing for half and full marathons.It’s not meant to be a speed or a race shoe, but 90% of us race in our training shoes! This one would do the trick in providing both good cushion and little more pep in your step.

Both the Mach and Skyflow now feature a lightweight SCF EVA foam midsole that provides a quick, lively feel, while the meta-rocker design helps to encourage a more natural gait. (Supercritical EVA is considered the top of the line foam right now.)

The difference in the two shoes is weight and usage (Skyflow is almost 1.5 oz heavier). The Mach is going to serve you well for tempo workouts, where the Skyflow is definitely your long run, easy run shoe. Meanwhile you might think all this cushion is going to cause you to sink in, like the Bondi, but not so. It really is a nice blend of cushion with some responsiveness.

An other feature borrowed from a shoe I enjoy, is the Hoka Skyward X geometry. Basically, that’s yet another way of saying there is a meta-rocker to help you get the best roll to toe for power in your stride. As always a reminder this isn’t like an old Skecker’s rocker shoe, it’s very subtle.

Specifications

Let’s look at some of the details:

• Neutral Running shoe
• Moderate to Max Cushion
• 5 mm drop (41 mm stack on men’s)
• 8.6 oz women’s, 10 oz men’s
• Available in 4 colors
• Wide in some colors
• $160
• See all HOKA Skyflow

Style wise, I admit, I think Hoka has some room for growth. It definitely doesn’t have the sleekness of an On. Though I do think the white with rose gold looks pretty great.

And again that’s total opinion! Many of you love the vibrant colors…maybe I’m just not a pink runner. I had the same issue with the tester Mach 6.

Fit

I’ve always said Hoka seems like a very average fit in terms of width, it’s not narrow like a Nike and not a wide fit either. It feels like a great width that should work for a lot of people and good room in the toebox.

Because this is not a speed shoe, you’re still getting a nice padded tongue and collar. The tongue is also partially attached, which means it won’t be sliding around while you run and this is a feature I truly appreciate.

The upper is breathable, because they all are at this point. It’s not thin and light, so I could see some possibility of the feet feeling warm…but again that’s very standard in a long run shoe where they aren’t trying to cut weight.

While they’re also listed as a neutral shoe, I was thrilled to see my foot didn’t drop in one bit when I put them on which is common in other shoes. Another example of how their shoes have some natural support due to the bigger platform.

• True to size
• Not a wide shoe, but slightly wider than some brands
• Higher stack height still feels stable
• Decent room in the toebox (certainly not as much as an Altra)

The outsole is nothing to write home about. It’s pretty similar to what you’ll find in most daily trainers. Good grip, but nothing that’d you take on to the trails.

Mach Vs Skyflow vs Clifton

I admit that it’s often getting hard to know what shoe to pick because brands are indeed blurring the lines. And part of me thinks this shoe should just replace the Clifton….but that’s not happening.

• Mach is a 37mm stack and the Skyflow 41mm
• Mach is 1.8 oz lighter than the Skyflow
• Skyflow has more cushion for those longer days
• Skyflow has the padded tongue and more padded heel collar
• Skyflow may have just a bit more room in the toebox
• Skyflow also has the tab on the heel of the shoe for easy pull on
• Clifton feels less cushioned
• Clifton is the lowest stack height of the 3 now
• Bondi feels like a softer plusher cushion
• Clifton feels slightly narrower

Who Will Like the Skyflow?

If you already know that you like the fit of Hoka, this is a win.

• You feel the Clifton has gotten to be too stiff
• The Bondi seemed nice at first, but then you realize you sink in too much and it causes lower back pain
• You’re looking for a long run shoe that is going to feel good and last

I would say in terms of similar shoes, maybe the Saucony Triumph 22 or the NB 1080 V13, but with a slightly more responsive foam.

All right, I hope this Hoka Skyflow review helped you with making an informed shoe choice!!

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