Hoka One One Skyflow review

9 expert score
8 user's score
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples. We purchased this pair at Running Warehouse with our own money.
Review written on 26th September by Jim Coulson Fast Road and Trail Runner. Career Firefighter.
101 other reviews

Hoka One One Skyflow Verdict

The Skyflow is a terrific choice for anyone who is looking for a dependable daily trainer to rack up base mileage, or just run comfortable.

The pros

  • Versatile, smooth, max cushioned ride at a reasonable price.
  • Deep soft and and highly energetic foam.
  • Durable outsole coverage
  • Comfortable upper with good overall suppport
  • surprisingly stable for a neutral shoe

The cons

  • Upper can run a little warm
  • Wet traction has a lot to be desired.
  • Could use a touch more flex

Where to buy

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Rating breakdown

Comfort
10
Build quality
10
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
10
Landing
9.0
Transition
10
Toe-off
10
Traction
8.0
Durability
10
Value / Price
10

Facts / Specs

Model
Skyflow
Weight
10 oz (283 g)
MSRP
160.00

Heel
39 mm.
Toe
34 mm.
Heel drop
5 mm.
Carbon plate
No plate

Size/Fit

Sizing
True to size
Heel fit
Normal
Midfoot fit
Normal
Toebox fit
Tight

Cushioning & ride

Type of cushioning
Responsive/balanced
Amount of cushioning
Highly cushioned
Stability
Very stable
Flexibility
Medium

Usage

Racing
Speedwork
Daily training  
Long distance racing
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Hoka One One Skyflow ?

Any runner inn need of a highly cushioned yet stable daily trainer that excels at both long and short distance runs capable of faster efforts.

Who should not buy the Hoka One One Skyflow ?

Runners with higher volume feet or those seeking an ultra plush running experience.

Hoka One One Skyflow Introduction

Picture of HOKA Skyflow

The Hoka Skyflow is part of Hoka’s new Sky series, designed to push the boundaries of performance with taller stack heights, advanced rockers, and cutting-edge foam technology.

Powered by supercritical foam without the use of rigid plates, the Skyflow offers a smoother, more flexible ride while keeping pace with the growing trend of maximalist running shoes.

This latest addition brings a softer, more energetic experience compared to the traditional EVA-based Bondi and Clifton 9 models.

Lighter in weight and more affordable, the Skyflow aims to deliver a balance of comfort, cushioning, and responsiveness.

Its design appeals to runners seeking an upgrade in energy return without compromising on Hoka’s signature maximal cushioned feel. Whether for daily training or long-distance runs, the Skyflow is a standout option in this emerging category of performance footwear.

Hoka One One Skyflow First Impressions

Picture of HOKA Skyflow

The first thing I noticed upon slipping on the Skyflow was the plush comfort from the midsole, delivering a soft, cushioned feel right from the start.

The shoe fits true to size, though the low-volume, tapered toebox creates a slightly snug feeling in the forefoot. While this may be a tighter fit for some, it helps create a secure and locked-in sensation.

The jacquard mesh upper is soft yet not overly stretchy, hugging my foot comfortably without excessive give. This design keeps the foot stable, offering a precise fit throughout my runs.

Hoka One One Skyflow Upper

Picture of HOKA Skyflow

The upper of the Skyflow is constructed from engineered creel jacquard mesh, offering a moderately thin, soft, and slightly stretchy feel. It provides a good balance between comfort and support, leaning more towards comfort without being overly plush.

While the breathability is decent, I did notice that the shoe tends to run warmer than ideal on high-heat days. The upper feels designed more for everyday wear than performance, but it still manages to support the foot well throughout a run.

Picture of HOKA Skyflow

One of the standout features is the long, semi-rigid heel counter combined with Hoka’s “Heel Focused Active Foot Frame,” where the foot sits within rising midsole sidewalls. This structure, along with extensive rubber coverage on the heel, enhances stability upon landing.

However, this also contributes to a slightly rigid feel, especially compared to broader heel platforms. Despite this, the generously padded and high collar relieves pressure on the Achilles, which could be beneficial for runners prone to discomfort in that area.

The midfoot is supported by a thick, padded tongue that, while not overly plush, effectively prevents lace bite. The tongue is gusseted, ensuring it stays in place during runs. Simple yet effective lacing locks down the midfoot securely, which is impressive given the absence of heavy overlays or thicker materials.

The toebox, while slightly wider than typical Hoka designs, still feels somewhat snug.

Though I didn’t experience discomfort, hotspots, or blisters, runners with higher-volume feet might find the fit more restrictive, depending on how the materials adapt.

Overall, the upper performs well, though I would appreciate a bit more volume in the forefoot for future versions.

Hoka One One Skyflow Sole Unit

Picture of HOKA Skyflow

The Skyflow’s sole unit is built entirely with supercritical EVA, offering a mildly firm ride without the sinking sensation that supercritical foams can sometimes produce.

The foam provides excellent cushioning while delivering a snappier, more responsive ride compared to traditional Hoka EVA midsoles. With a 35mm forefoot and 40mm heel, the stack height feels substantial yet reasonable, keeping the shoe balanced without going overboard.

The combination of this stack height and a relatively wide footprint minimizes lateral roll, enhancing stability despite the Skyflow being classified as a neutral shoe.

Borrowing elements from the Skyward X, the Skyflow’s early-stage forefoot rocker creates a smooth rolling transition from heel to toe, making each stride feel more effortless, especially during longer runs. The foam’s slight responsiveness keeps the shoe from feeling sluggish, making it ideal for tempo or progression runs. It strikes a good balance between comfort and performance, allowing for versatile use across various types of workouts.

Picture of HOKA Skyflow

The outsole features a generous amount of rubber in a pod-like arrangement, with some front flex carve-outs to provide a bit of flexibility. While the rubber is durable, its firmness detracts slightly from overall flexibility and leaves a bit to be desired in wet conditions.

However, it performs well on dry surfaces, adding a layer of support to the shoe.

Overall, the Skyflow is a versatile, all-around shoe that fits well within the needs of daily trainers and performance seekers like myself.

Hoka One One Skyflow Conclusions

Picture of HOKA Skyflow

Overall, the Skyflow strikes a fine balance between everyday comfort and performance without breaking the bank.

It’s an excellent choice for runners who value cushioning, stability, and versatility but could benefit from a bit more forefoot volume and improved flexibility in future iterations.

It’s not without its quirks, but the Skyflow is a solid all-around option for daily training, tempo runs, and longer efforts and a shoe that I will certainly recommend runners try out.

How does the Skyflow compare?

Hoka One One Hoka Bondi 8
Hoka One One Skyflow
Hoka One One Clifton 9
Expert score
7
9
8
User score
Best price
Retail price
US$165
US$159.95
US$144.95
Weight
10.8 oz
10 oz
8.7 oz
Heel Drop
4 mm
5 mm
5 mm
Recommended for
Daily training, long distance racing
Daily training
Daily training, long distance racing
Cushioning type
balanced
responsive/balanced
balanced/plush
Cushioning amount
Highly cushioned
Highly cushioned
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
rigid
medium
flexible
Stability
very stable
very stable
very stable
Sizing
true to size
true to size
true to size

Why you can trust us

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Hoka One One at Running Warehouse  with our own money.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our policy.
Lowest price:

$159.95

Hoka One One Skyflow price comparison

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Reviewed by Jim

This review was written by Jim Coulson on 26th September.
Jim Coulson is a career firefighter, husband, and father of two children hailing from the foothills of Colorado. Jim has been an avid road and trail runner since the age of 12, and loves to race locally and around the state a much as possible. A native Coloradoan Jim enjoys its trails, mountains, and outdoors taking advantage of all they have to offer as much as possible.

User feedback (4)

  • avatar-comment-1042619
    Krishen
    2 days ago

    Appreciate the review! Coming from the Clifton 8’s so your review is pretty helpful for me (assuming the Clifton 8’s and 9’s are comparable).

  • avatar-comment-1041243
    Runnerguy99
    1 month ago

    Thanks for the detailed breakdown in the review! I’m curious—how does the Skyflow compare to the Hoka Mach series in terms of responsiveness? I like a shoe with a bit of pop for speed work, but also some cushion for longer efforts.

  • avatar-comment-1041014
    Sam T.
    1 month ago

    I’m really curious about how the Skyflow compares to the Hoka Clifton in terms of cushioning, especially for longer runs. Is the heel support similar?

  • avatar-comment-1040548
    Bob
    1 month ago
    8 score

    Thanks for the review. I stopped using hokas after the. Bondi 8 which felt stiff and firm to me. One question- when you talk about the volume in the fore foot are you referring to the height, width or both? I assume they will make this in sides but I don’t wear low volume(height) shoes as I need to add an insole in all my shoes.

Lowest price:
$159.95

Where to buy

Best offers today in , all prices in
Sorry - Product not found. Please try RunningWarehouse.Com to check in their assortment.
This page contains affiliate links Read more

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