Hi people welcome to The Run Testers and to our head to head between two of HOKA’s big hitting do-it-all daily trainers. In this video, we’re pitching the massive stacked carbon plated HOKA Skyward X up against the HOKA Mach 6. Both shoes are built to bring efficiency to our daily miles. But they take very different approaches to doing that job. So which one is best? And which shoe will suit your running better? Hit play on our HOKA Skyward X vs HOKA Mach 6 review to find out.
JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
0:00 – Intro
0:26 – Details: Stack height, drop, weight & price
1:26 – Shoe Comparison
3:10 – Fit
6:24 – The Run Test
18:14 – Verdict
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Hi people welcome to the Run testers and To our head-to-head between two of hok's Big hitting do all daily trainers in This video we're going to pitch the Massive stacked carbon plated H Skyward X up against the Hoka Max 6 now both Shoes are built to bring comfort and Efficiency to our daily miles but they Take very different approaches to Deliver that so which one of these shoes Is best and which one of them is going To suit your running better watch on to Find out in our hoker Sky X versus hok Max 6 review Some quick details then starting with The stacks in the men's shoe the hoker Sky X comes in at whopping 48 Ms in the Hill with 43 Ms in the 4 foot that's a 46 and 41 in the women's for a 5 mil Drop overall that's bigger than the aex Overlast 4 the assic Joel Nimbus 26 and The oncloud Monster hyper in fact only The added S Prime X2 strung Sports Higher volume midsole than that shoe the HX 6 by contrast packs 35 Ms in the hill 30 MS in the 4ot in the women's with 3732 in the men's also for a 5 mil drop The Skyward X weighs in 11 oz or 313 G In a ukk 8 1/2 tessu size that's Considerably heavier than the Max 6 at 8.1 o or 230 G on price the skyw X costs 85 or $225 the Max 6 are a big chunk Cheaper £140 or $140 in the [Music]
US let's give you a quick shoe Comparison and start starting with the Mid souls Now hok's new Skyward x super Trainer it's big it's bold it deploys Super shoe Tech in a bid to deliver Comfort and effort reduction in an Everyday shoe the midsole combines a Wedge of peber foam plus a convex boded Carbon fiber plate for cushion spring And to improve efficiency that's wrapped In a super critical Eva frame a sort of Suspension system if you want to add Stability the sky X's Landing platform It's big and wide in the heel and in the 4 foot minimal this shoe is not for the More conservatively stacked Max 6 here Hoker swapped the proly plus foam for a Single layer of super critical Eva with An early stage meta rocket It's a Combination that hokus says creates a More responsive ride unlike the Skyward X there's no plate in this shoe up top On the Max 6 you've got a cre jackard Mesh upper as uppers go these are pretty Light and breathable there's a medium Padded heel collar here half gusseted Flatlay tongues that wrap the foot Nicely the skywood X has a flat knit Upper has some Flex it's not quite sock Like there's also some overlay Reinforcement here in this toe box the Heel colors are pretty much the same Padding as the Max 6 but there are fat Cushion tongues here and the h skyw x
Goes a little bit out more for S of Cruiser Comfort without scrimping on Those plush details flip them over and You'll see that the Hoka Max 6's Flex Grooves are gone and so is the exposed EVA foam outsole that's been replaced by Heavier Duty rubber covering here cost a Substantial portion of the outsole the Hoker Skyward X also features a generous Covering of quite thick High abrasion Rubber in all those key impact Areas so in terms of fit I've got both These shoes in a UK size eight that's my Typical running shoe size typically the Shoe size that works best for me in hawy Shoes in general as well too now I will Say that the Max 6 is definitely the More narrow fitting shoe which for me I'm liking a pretty skinny feet has been Absolutely fine but I would add that This shoe is the only one that comes Into width uh kind of fit options There's a regular version which I've got And also there's a wider fitting option So if you do find it a little bit on the Narrow side there is that kind of wider Fit option there for you to have a look At on the Skyward X only one size or one Fit and I would say naturally it's more Accommodating more comfortable in General really telling you it's built For this kind of comfortable uh kind of Runs ultimately a bit more padding in The tongue I would say a little bit more
Naturally roomy up front in the Toes a little bit more relaxed maybe the Midfoot compared to the Max 6 as well Too if you want something a bit more Locked in and a little bit more kind of You know tighter fitting in general then That's what the Max 6 going to give you I do think going true to size has been Fine for me as I said with the Max 6 if You do find it on the little narrow side Maybe look at going for that wider fit Option whereas I think with Sky X I Think generally that fit or going Through the size in this Sho is going to Be generally fine for most people so When it comes to the fit of the two Shoes I've got a uk9 in both which is a Us99.5 with hoker that's my normal size For hoker and I do like the fit of their Shoes in general because I have quite a Narrow foot they tend to have a fairly Narrow style I think the Mac is probably A little bit narrower than the skywood But both of them fit me really well and I've got a good hold around the heel and Midfoot I think the heel thing the tab On the sky X just goes a little bit Further up than I'd like it's got a bit More structure around the heel in General to add stability and I prefer The slightly more relaxed fit of the MAC At the back there but overall I had a Good fit for both of these shoes in my Normal enue size and that is what I
Would stick with so quick comparison on Fit then both of these shoes come up Hocus snug if you can see in the Max 6 Here certainly back across the top of That kind of toen knuckle area they're Really quite snug there there's not a Huge amount of wiggle room in the toebox It's probably just enough length but Again they are quite a narrow fit it's Pretty standard hocus stuff over into The Hocus skywood X it's exactly the Same deal really there's perhaps a Little bit more clearance across the top Of the toe box here in the skywood X There's about a thumbs width there up The front when you come back I get Really sort of you know snug lock down Across this kind of midsection here Again into the sort of to knuckle areas There's a bit more Flex maybe in the Uppers here in the Skyward X midfoot Lock down in both shoes was pretty Secure and good and then into the heel Collars I would say these two pretty Much on a par there's nice kind of Padding into the heel collars they hold The heels nice and well one thing to Watch out for the Hocus SC X heel kick Does come up a bit higher so if you have Problems with this kind of rubbing into The bottom of your Achilles that might Be a consideration I haven't had that But is something that you kind of notice A little bit more than on the uh on the
Mac 6 here it's marginally sort of Different but overall I think both of These it's classic hoker stuff here it Is nice and snug if you like a wider fit Or you need a room your shoe then I Would recommend going half a size up but I like the way they feel and I would run Both of these true to Size in testing I've logged well over 60 Mi in the Max 6 that includes an allout 10K r for a clock to new PB in the shoe Along with a good mix of marathon Training sessions from Fast intervals And fle to progression runs and slower Easier miles I've run a little bit less Than their hoker Skyward X but still More than 40 miles including long runs With 90 minutes on feet slower shorter Miles and some 10K efforts with faster Segments thrown in I've done most of my Miles on road but some off-road River PS As well now I'm a fan of the maxc 6 it's A fun light and Lively versatile doit All daily trainer that's very good value For money if you only want one shoe to Cover a wide range of runs this shoe can Also take care of them all there's not Much really that it can't handle I don't Think though it definitely has a faster Shorter suweet spot but I think there's Enough softness and protection in the Midsole to cradle you on slower efforts Should you need it now the Skyward X has Me a little bit more confused after more
Than 40 miles I still can't quite get a Handle on this shoe on the one hand it's Got this big soft easy Cruiser Vibe with Some really excellent overall comfort And a big base that makes the road Disappear really nicely on the other Hand I find it lacks a bit of stability At times you know the stability that I Usually expect with shoes like this I'd Lace up for long slow easy miles at Times that big soft stack somewhat too Sort wobbly and wild and even though the Midsole has energy to it when you engage It right overall I find the shoe a bit Too big and heavy to really be your top Choice for faster effs as well now I've Spoken with plenty of people who Absolutely love this shoe so perhaps It's just not a design that really suits My running style i' maybe like a little Shoe that's a bit more sort direct and a Bit more rocket bit more rocket and Responsive really I think I tend to go For more than these kind of big big big Stack shoes but to really get into the Nitty-gritty of how these two shoes Compare I also did a sidebyside mile With one shoe on each foot and this is What I found so I've just done my side By side mile I've got the Max 6 on the Left foot I've got the Skyward X on the Right foot and the biggest thing you Notice straight away is the big stack on The Skyward X obviously huge big soft
Stack compared to what you have on the Mac 6 which is you know it's a Reasonable size stack and there is a Decent cushioning there but it's much More kind of direct and there's much More ground Conta there's much more kind Of feel of the road coming up from Underneath when you've got the sky X on Your feet it's almost like the road Entirely disappears for me and it's just I I can't quite get on with the sky r x I don't really know what it is I I feel Like there's too much cushion it's a bit Marshmallowy sometimes it engages really Nicely and I get that extra propulsion I Feel like it's got energy and it's got Spring it's got all those things and Other times I just feel like it's so Unstable underfoot that it's controlling My run and I'm not controlling it I feel Wobbly sometimes I feel sinky yeah I I Don't know maybe it's just not a shoe For me but I I can't quite get on with It the Max 6 for me much more my kind of Thing you know a bit more responsive There's still good cushioning so it does Eat the road but you're getting this Kind of return from the foam that's a Bit more immediate you know you put your Foot down wait for a little bit of sink And then it punches back and it's got This got a nice clipping IMM medany to It because of that that works really Nice mostly with the rocker ring I think
The Skyward X runs a little bit flatter Like you're relying a little bit more on That foam to compress and then to propel Forward or the plate to engage and kick In and I I just don't necessarily get That every single time I get a much more Kind of reliable turnover with the Max 6 It's just for me I think it's more my Kind of shoe I like things that have got A little bit more stiffness a little bit More rocked response rather than the big Kind of pillowy cushion sort of overdone Shoes and I think the sort of maximalist Nature of the Skyward X just doesn't Quite appeal to me in terms of comfort Overall on foot you know the way the Upper wrap and the hold and the fit and All that I don't think there's actually Much to choose I get pretty good Disappearing feel from both of these Shoes bit more R in the Skyward X I'd Say the Mac 6 is a bit more snug a bit More tight it's got that sort of classic Kind of really held hook of fit if There's a wide option you might want to Be looking at that but yeah overall I I Don't feel there's a difference in terms Of how the foot feels feels in the shoe I just think the big differen is really Obviously from that massive platform Versus the slightly smaller platform and A more responsive Rocket Ride versus the Big kind of pillowy cushion sort of sort Of springy sort of you know sink and
Respond kind of ride that you're Supposed to get from the Skyward X so it Comes to run test these are two I'd say Daily trainers fairly versatile daily Trainers but com in with a very Different style it's fair to say so the Mac is the more traditional very simple Shoe one foam lightweight design lots of Cushioning there still so it is still Comfortable but you know got a rocker But nothing too crazy going on in the Mid whereas the Skyward X is packed full Of crazy stuff with you know that Towering stack of foam soft foam bouncy Foam slotted carbon plate in there like I said this Max stack cutouts all kinds Of stuff going on with the Sky Deck so They almost represent the kind of Different options you have on the market These days for daily trainers and they Can be very different shoes that do I Think quite similar jobs so I'd use both These shoes for the same purpose which Is just ticking off daily training runs Long runs in particular they're both Really good long run shoes I think both Have got some speed in them I think the Mac has a little bit more because it is The lighter shoe just in general but you Can move quite fast in the scull eggs Cuz that big slab of foam is pretty Bouncy but cuz it is such a big heavy Shoe I'd say it doesn't really feel that Conducive to running faster efforts
Regularly for me so macx I really like Just as a simple shoe that fits really Well on the foot it feels very natural It's kind of shoe you pull on and it Just disappears you forget about it and You can then go and run at kind of any Pace foam in the mids soole is not Spectacular it's not particularly bouncy Or exciting or anything like that but There is a nice rocker to the shoe the Foam does a little bit of pop and it's Got a nice pleasant firmness or Resilience to it that means you can push Against against it and while it's Comfortable you can work against it if You're going to try and run at faster Paces and it doesn't kind of bottom out Over the course of a long run or Anything like that so so it's not a Particularly remarkable midso but it is One that suits my taste and in general The shoe just fits my taste like it's The kind of shoe that I would find very Comfortable for lots of easy runs but it Has a bit of Versatility there as a Lightweight shoe that isn't going to do The work for you like some of the shoes These days but it is a nice shoe to run Fast in because it is a lightweight shoe With a good rocker and you know a pretty Good foam it's just not as exciting i' Say as the peber foam in the skyex which Is a lot bouncier this is a much deep Shoe a much bouncier shoe and you you
Know feel that from the moment you pull It on you've got a lot of Bounce in the Shoe and it doesn't really go away so I've done a 15 mile long run in the Scalex and I really enjoyed it and it Did feel bouncy throughout the run it's The kind of shoe where you're going out At kind of relaxed efforts and you're Going to run a little bit quicker than You maybe expect because you have got All that bounce and the plate under the Foot but it is also just nice and Comfortable for those recovery runs it Obviously really protects the body well Good shoe to save your legs on if you're Going to do lots of daily training in This and then swap to something firmer And faster for your speed sessions like They are distinct rides that you got a Very natural feeling ride with the Mac 6 And then you got a very unnatural Feeling ride with the Skyward X and it Probably a lot of this will come down to Personal Taste you've got that really Big bouncy feeling with that with this Shoe and that is fun but it's just not Necessarily something that I really Crave in a shoe just for General daily Training I almost prefer the slightly More boring and a natural ride of the Max 6 I did do a short run in both these Shoes at the same time which is not easy Because of the difference in platforms And stack heits and feels and you know
It is just it is very different on the Run for Two Shoes in the hoker range you Got that much bouncier feeling here like It's a heavier shoe the sky deex it Doesn't feel as heavy as it is it does Run lighter than it is because it's got A pretty decent rocker that foam is very Bouncy like I say you move very kind of Efficiently and effectively in this shoe For such a big shoe Max 6 has that Firma Feel just turns over really nicely it's Noticeably lighter and just feels a lot More normal on the foot for sure and in General you have to be a fair bit more Careful where you're stepping with the Sky because it is that big shoe you can Catch things it's less enjoyable to run The shoe on kind of broken up Pavements Cambered Pavements than the Max 6 which Obviously feels quite normal and Actually when I'm walk around in either Shoe like if I have to use them for just General use the Max 6 is much better for That because it is a much more normal Feeling shoe under foot so I did a range Of runs in both these shoes I probably Ended up feeling like the Max 6 was a Bit more enjoyable for me but I do think A lot of people will love the feel of The sky de so in terms of run experience These two shoes landed with me when I Was training for London so I was able to Do similar runs with them both I did Kind of long 20 mile runs in both of
These shoes uh I've done some much Tempo Running tried to do some kind of faster Sessions in them as well to get a good Sense of you know how they can handle Kind of a mixture of runs because Ultimately these are daily trainers They're very different daily trainers This is a kind of Max stack kind of Daily trainer putting a lot of foam Underneath your foot but also giving you Things like a c for play um and a Feeling that this is a shoe that you can Run a little bit quicker in this doesn't Have a plate but does have that kind of You know signature kind of um meta Rocket that you get in hacky shoes Obviously lighter as well too um and as We know for the max series can you know Can be a sh can potentially run a bit Quicker and maybe racing as well now I Said the first thing that kind of stands Out for me in terms of how these shoes Compare obvious one being the weight This is the light of the two shoes now This is heavier I do think it handles The weight better than some other kind Of Max stack super trainer shoes but if You are looking for the lighest shoe and Noce be lighter shoe then that's the Shoe that's going to get you that kind Of lighter feel and that is the max 6 UL I think the midols are very interesting Because I think there's qualities that I Like in both of them I think with the um
The Mac 6 is very much in keeping with The Mac series it is you know that the Mid is a little bit softer feeling a Little bit more forgiving but it still Has that kind of firm and responsive Edge and coupled with that weight the Kind of rocker that you're getting in Here it feels like a nicer shoe and it Kind of pro promotes you to run a little Bit quicker in this shoe now I have done A longer easier runs in the shoe and It's been comfortable enough to do that But I do think the emphasis is on trying To get kind of to quickly move through Those transitions in this shoe and That's ultimately what I felt in this Shoe now the Skyward X I said it's the Heavier of the two shoes but I do think It handles that weight pretty well and I Think what you're getting in the mid is Still something that offers something That can handle some slightly quicker Running now I would want to do speed Work in it and when I've you know try to Run you know at my kind a quicker pacing You know it's not really been a shoe That's really been conducive to that but When I've tried to do kind of moderate Paces Up Tempo up to kind of 7 30 minute Mar pace which is pretty uptempo for me It's felt absolutely fine it hasn't felt Cumbersome or kind of awkward to do that And I think that's really Testament what You're getting in the midell and how
That midell was built so I do think it Is a shoe definitely excels better Compared to the Mac 6 on the easier and More comfortable long runs but I do Think if you want to pick the pace up a Little bit in the shoe it absolutely can Do it with the Mac 6 you're going out And doing a long easy run and you want To run a bit quicker in it it definitely Feels more comfortable to do that I do Think the focus is on kind of speed and I think if you wanted to race in a shoe If I wanted to race in a shoe a shorter Distance race I would definitely be Looking at this shoe over this shoe Ultimately but I think I could probably Cruise and a marathon at a pretty kind Of nice comfortable Pace in this shoe as Well too I think in terms of other Things outside I mean the designs are Very similar in terms what you're Getting here I don't think there a huge Amount in terms of the level of rub You're getting here and the protection You're getting in these T shoes you know For me I feel like the outso durability Is going to feel very similar think Gripping traction has felt very similar For me as well I think you know the the Biggest most interesting thing for me Has been you know what you're going to Get from the Mido how are those are Going to kind of evolve when you've Spent a bit more time running in them I
Felt like you know I was a bit concerned That with this being the more plusher Softer feeling midsole would it kind of You know feel as good as it did in the First run to the last run I did it I Have found it's been able to maintain That so far and I think with the Max 6 Is definitely going to feel the same I Think where you know that mid is going To hold up well it's going to give you a Similar feeling as again from that first Run to that last run that I've done at Least that's what I found in my Experience so yeah I do think these are Two trainers two daily trainer shoes That I've really enjoyed running in I do Think that this is a shoe that I've been Preferred running easier in and I have Felt I have been able to run a slightly Quicker Pace in this shoe this Absolutely you can run run easy in in as Well but it is more faster focused the Everything in the shoe is is telling you It wants to run a little bit quicker and I think if you're looking for an uptempo Kind of racing feel but something you Can train in then absolutely I think That's what you're going to get from the Max 6 my verdict then if you like your ride Really soft and super plush with a Massive stack zero Road fill big Trampoline ride you may well love the Hoker Skyward X I know other testers
Certainly have and if you can get on With that kind of ride it's definitely Got lots of happy cruising potential but If you like your things more direct and Controlled or you need stability I'd Urge caution with this shoe for me the Max 6 delivers a more reliable ride That's a lot lighter much snappier and Has much more top end Pace kind of Friendliness though you're getting a lot Less that cushion plushness the price is Going to be a big factor here too I Think particularly if you're in the US Where the Skyward X comes in quite a Substantial $80 more expensive and I Personally think the Max 6 offers more Versatility overall for the lower price Running really long and slow I might Choose the skyex over the Max 6 but for Everything else I personally prefer the Max 6 and if you can go longer in a more Direct shoe you don't need so much cush You're happy with that it's definitely Packing more value for me so it's a bit Of a clash of styles here with these two Hoker shoes and I actually think hoker Has executed both of these shoes quite Well to work for different people like If you do like a lightweight simple Daily trainer with cushioning and Comfort but has a Nimble field if you're Going to try and up the pace the Max 6 Is one of the best around in that Category and if you want to go all out
For a super trainer with a really bouncy Ride and a plate and you know a big high Stack of protective cushioning skyex I Think is one of the best shoes in that Category as well like it is a really Good shoe it's done really well it's Very fun and comfortable to run at an Easy Paces it's not particularly Versatile for me I would didn't really Enjoy going at fast Paces in it I Certainly think the Mac 6 is the more Versatile shoe if you're looking for a a Do-it all shoe but for long runs easy Runs the scar deck just give you a Really great experience personally I Prefer the feeling of the Max 6 I like a Lightweight shoe like this I like the Natural feel it has on the run as a Runner with a high Cadence I like that It's easy to turn my feet over in this Shoe skyex is fun I enjoyed using it but It's not the kind of shoe I'd pick out And put in my rotation I just prefer the Feel of a shoe like the Max 6 the Converse will be true for lots of people If you do like that big bouncy very Cushion feeling the scalex is a really Good shoe obviously you have to pay a Lot more for it that's the other big Advantage to the Max 6 it's a much Cheaper shoe simpler shoe cheaper shoe And and that is another fair in its cap And one that would entice me to look at It as well but you know the skyex is in
This super trainer category it's Competing against the very expensive Shoes and it does stand up very well Against them if you like that big bouncy Feeling the skyex will deliver it you Will enjoy the shoe Max 6 is my Preference though as a nice simple Lightweight or Do-it all shoe so my take On the skyex and the Max 6 is that I Have loved running in both of these Shoes these are very good daily trainer Shoes in very different ways I think if You are looking for a daily Trainer shoe That gives you that kind of plush Feeling Comfort over longer distances And can maybe allow you to run a little Bit quicker in than I think the sky can Absolutely do that for you I think if You're looking for the daily trainer That is lighter feels faster can still Go and do those kind of longer training Runs as well too and is cheaper as well Then I would be going for the Max 6 now If I had to pick and I'm kind of Thinking about from a pricing point of View I would be going for the max six I Do think it can give you or offer you Know a similar feeling or a good feeling Over the same types of runs that Probably I would use this shoe for if I Was looking for a really comfortable Slow Long Easy run shoe and that's M my Main focus that is what I would be going For I would going for the skyex but from
A value point of view and for the Versatility I would say go for the Max 6 If you're looking for something that's Going to really give you that Comfort Over those longer runs at slightly Slower Paces then I would be going for The skyw X so there you have it that's Our head-to-head between the HX 6 and The skyd X we hope you found it helpful If you have any questions hit us up in The comments below if you run in either Of both these shoes let us know how You've got on with them don't forget to Like And subscribe and ring the bell for More great run T videos when they land If you want a full review of both these Shoes those videos are going to appear On the channel right about now otherwise Thanks as ever for watching and we hope To see you again soon on the Run testers And happy running people
