Hoka Carbon X £160, hokaoneone.eu
How they tested At the launch of this shoe in California, ultrarunner Jim Walmsley christened his pair by breaking a 50-mile world record that had stood for 36 years. He knocked 43 seconds off the time, to finish in 4:50:08. So it’s safe to say this is a shoe that certainly will not harm your performance.
Let’s get straight to the main tech talking point: Hoka has used a carbon fibre plate throughout the midsole. Its purpose, says the company, is not so much to provide energy return as it is to maintain the integrity of the Metarocker, a curved outsole that creates a fulcrum effect. Hoka says that with a traditional foam midsole, the rocker will eventually sag and lose its shape, but that the plate substantially delays this and provides an extra layer of stability. All Hoka shoes have this rocker, but in the Carbon X its geometry is particularly pronounced, and on the first run we found it unsettling – like you might topple head over heels at any moment – but after a couple of acclimatising runs, its effectiveness shines through; it encourages a smooth, rolling gait cycle regardless of where your foot strikes the ground. This rolling motion is less pronounced on inclines and declines, meaning – unusually – that you feel faster and more effortless on the flat than you do on a downhill.
Fans of the brand will be pleased to hear there’s still plenty of that trademark cushioning – 32mm in the heel and 27mm in the forefoot – although it’s slightly denser than in previous Hoka models due to the use of a more resilient rubberised foam.
At 241g, the Carbon X is impressively light considering the amount of material used, but the addition of that carbon fibre plate is tempered by a barely noticeable mesh upper that we also found to be breathable and fast draining, so that it won’t gain weight by retaining water.
RW verdict For a brand that was in on the ground floor of the maximal-cushioning movement, the Carbon X is a clear and confident attempt to broaden Hoka’s appeal by offering not only its customary level of comfort but also a sensation of out-and-out speed. The result is impressive; for £160, of course, you’d expect it to be. Because of the still-ample cushioning, it won’t be a shoe that old-school speed demons or track runners will necessarily feel comfortable with, but for those looking for a multipurpose shoe in which they can easily pick up the pace on race day – while not being asked to compromise between comfort and flying feet – there’s plenty to enjoy here. •••••••••