Shoe Talk Thursdays - Hoka Carbon X (In Depth Review)
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- In this review, we're taking about the Hoka Carbon X which is really giving the other shoes in the market a run for it's money... and I mean literally! Very similar approach from Hoka compared to the Nike 4% Vaporfly, it's and all around better shoe much less for the money and would last much longer! There are other great things about the Carbon X, but we believe it's only really beneficial for a specific type of runner. Have you tried this on yet? What are YOUR thoughts?
Being in running specialty, our insight on the products are a little different because not only do we RUN in the shoes, we also SELL these shoes to our customers. We thoroughly fit people for shoes. So instead of having one person's feedback it's kind of like speaking for a community of people who were all interested in the same shoe. Good and bad feedback, we tell it all!
What shoe should we do next?
SHOP HERE! Thanks for checking out our reviews - if you like what you see, please don't hesitate to check out www.ultrarunningcompany.com as well. We're an actual brick & mortar store in Charlotte, NC, and appreciate your support! We do our best to ensure the HOKA Carbon X is in stock, and you can purchase them here: bit.ly/URCCarbonX. Every little bit helps! :)
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How refreshing- a shoe review that goes much deeper than the marketing veneer. So glad I stumbled upon your channel! Kudos.
Thanks for watching! We hope we can keep digging - we love this stuff!
At the start of his reviews he always has a look that says, "This is ridiculous. But let's carry on."
Love to see a review of the Rincon to compare with the Carbon X - I have the Mach 2 which is certainly an up tempo shoe .. very un Hoka like - looking to get the Carbon X or the Rincon when they are available .. Thanks for your review - if the Carbon X sole material is like that on the Mach 2 it will be fine over the long term .. UPDATE - I now have my Carbon X and yes the sole material is the same as the Mach 2 - good news! The Mach 2 is a lighter shoe by the better part of 10%
It really is lasting a long time, isn't it gosekinz? We're looking forward to seeing how the Rincon feels as well - certain to be quite different than this one!
@@TheUltraRunningCompany my rincon insole came unstuck and started riding up a crease so I had to rip it out and reinstall without the glue. Be warned! 😎
Straight talk, no nonsense🇿🇦
Thanks, 40 Something!
I just recently got this shoes, did lot of research between Carbon X and Clifton 6. I tried both and Carbon X it was more comfortable. I got them and give them a short run, after first run (3mi) I was not very happy, got some pain on my calf, definitely change my running style a little, but saw that my pace was faster. Second run was around 4mi. Same result. But last two weekend I run 13mi and 15mi with this shoes and it was a whole different experience. It 100% true what this review is saying, this is a fast pair of shoes, after 15mi I didn’t feel anything, felt great, no pain at all. My feet where very well rested, plus it took my pace from 10:30 to 9:20 on both of the race, I’m not a fast runner more like long distance type, but it did make a change. I highly recommended as long you are doing long distance races. Not short races and not with a pace over 10:30
Thanks so much, Ernesto! We love your feedback!
Brain: get ATR 5s, it's nearly winter. Heart: fnck that get the Carbon X, traction is for wimps!
I love the Carbon X, I got two pairs. The only one problem with this shoe is that when I have to pick up a shoe to go fast I take a different one, when I want to go slow I take a comfy one, therefore even if I love the X, most of the times I chose a different shoe 😂
The first time I hear an honest statement about whom such a shoe is for and who is not.
Now at least I know that I don't need to run this one :-) since I'm not as fast as the others :-D
Right on, fiveticks! Happy we could help, and good luck with the shoes you choose!
Loved those parts. Definitely respect the honesty in the review.
I love Hoka shoes, never tried the Nikes so I can't get into that , but from my experience with Hokas for me its 10/10 👍
No chance you can turn that up to 11?
I returned my pair of Carbon X as I was looking for a lot more cushion. It's an amazingly light shoe, looks great, feels great, but just didn't have enough cushion...
Maybe someday more cushioned version of Carbon X will be released...
Great Review as always...
you probably should wait for the Rincon (this is a new shoe so who knows??) and/or the Clifton 6 (this will have the cushion you're after)
Sounds like you have a plan, SG!
One important note: we suspect you mean you would like a more "pillowy" or "compliant" cushion in your shoe, not more overall cushion. At over 30mm of stack height, it is HIGHLY unlikely HOKA will be introducing a *more cushioned* version of the Carbon X...but introducing something with similar technology that has a less dense (and therefor softer) midsole rubber may not be out of the question. :)
We're with you on this one, gosekinz! The Clifton 6 is an amazingly soft shoe, and we expect this would fit the bill well.
We're also waiting on the Rincon...so who knows! :)
@@TheUltraRunningCompany
I really, really really liked way Carbon X looked, style, color, fit ( lightest shoe I personally ever wore )... They fit me like a glove...
And it's interesting that the Stack is that much / high because it doesn't look like it... Guess design & color scheme camouflages it...
Irony is it didn't look like it had that much cushion nor feel like it... I could really feel road which was good...
You mentioned something I didn't know how to express: less density or more compliant...
That's probably it...
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANY AND ALL INTERESTED, give Carbon X a try...
You may just love it...
I really wanted to keep it, if for nothing else the looks, style, glove like fit...
But I already purchased so many shoes in past couple months and I had Clifton 6s waiting to be shipped and will most likely try Rincon when they're available...
Bottom line Hoka is a very good company. Not that other brands are not... But I talked with people at Hoka and they are serious about customer services and doing the right thing & constantly finding new & innovative ways to maximum, minimalist ( maximum ) shoes...
Maybe because I'm new to Hoka and I'm still in that honeymoon / infatuation stage / phase...
I greatly enjoyed the review. I've taken the shoe on an easy 7 mi run, and brisk 15 and 20 mi runs. This is probably the best all around shoe I ever run in. One initial observation i had was sizing. They felt a tad short but that went away as i got used to them. Did you have a similar experience?
Hi Manny! We've really struggled on the sizing on these. They run completely true to size for Nathan, which is why he didn't mention it. We've had at least one person (female, W8.5) go down a FULL size, a handful go down 1/2 size, and another group go UP 1/2 size. Crazy. We suspect it has to do with the dramatic rocker on the shoe and how that feels to people, both running and walking.
Good review! Have the Carbon X, Vaporfly 4% flyknit and %Next.... You definitely do not get the same propulsion from the Carbon X as that of the Nike shoes nor are your legs as fresh when finishing a longer (20+ mile) run. Zoom X foam is far superior. As you stated, the Carob X is not the shoe for slower paces but I do like for longer runs with pace. The Carbon X has earned a spot in my rotation and will get plenty of training miles for my fall marathon. Too heavy to marathon race in comparison to the Nike shoes (and other brands light weight options). These are all road shoes so the stability isn't truly a big factor IMO. Watch the major marathons, the elites have no stability issues running up front in the %Next or Vaporfly 4%.
Thanks, Jim!
We actually saw a study that attributed 100% of the 4% shoe's benefit to the foam itself...NOT the carbon plate. So there's that...seems like they have some decent stuff there.
And to be fair: no one needs be running around in stability shoes....good form is SO much better for you than a shoe that directs how you should land. We prefer to think of the HOKA designs as *consistent* vs. stable; it differentiates between two loaded terms and - we think - provides a more accurate description of the experience. We wish HOKA would just walk away from their continued support of this misguided concept, but we don't do their marketing (probably a good thing...).
Well said. Yeah the stability term I referred to was how runners feel in the Nike shoes from the stack height. I hear runners saying the Carbon X feels more stable. Agree but road running generally is just flat surfaces with few turns so being on a stable shoe seems unimportant or certainly less important. Sorry to confuse a stability shoe for the feeling of stability in the ride of the shoes. Thanks again for the reviews!
Great review. I’ve got my eyes on these for my fall marathon.
Not a bad call, David! Good luck!
Very informative. Thanks
Thank you!
Is Rincon their lightest/racing shoe? Is the rocket no longer? Would the Carbon x be their best option for a marathon shoe?
Carbon rocket and tracer 2 are lighter. Rincon is good though for HM up. Yea, carbon x is ideal marathon shoe 👍
My current shoes is asics gel kayano 25. Im interested to buy this carbon x. Since i used to long distance run
Good luck with your running, Fadhli!
Is this a shoe that could be used in 10k upwards for people who wear stability shoes already? With the features mentioned, it sounded like I would be able to use these as well!? Currently wearing and loving the Arahi 3, love my Hoka’s.
Hi Danny. As a general rule, HOKAs are exceptionally consistent and very stable overall...so you could really choose virtually any HOKA you wanted and feel as confident as you do in the Arahi (Arahis? Arahii? We're not sure...) you are enjoying now. Among these two shoes we would certainly favor the Carbon X for the experience you are describing, but for a very brief overview of our thoughts on the general need for "stability" shoes, check out our intro video: bit.ly/URCReviews While we love our friends at HOKA, that J-Frame is no more likely to reduce your propensity for injury than an additional splash of pink on the logo, and they know it. With that said, if you love the shoe, by all means keep running in it...we doubt it will *cause* any issues, either! :)
I'm not an ultra runner. I'm not a marathoner, in fact I cannot even run 4 min pace, 5 min pace nor 6 min pace sustained...
But I love to walk, hike, climb, cycle & swim...
I've recently taken an interest & fascination in ultra running & trail, technical trail running because of my recent interest in trail shoes..
I purchased Carbon X after hearing about Hoka Carbon X Project where they had 100k & 50 mile fastest speed / time challenge...
And Jim Walmsley broke record as is currently the fastest individual to every run 50 miles... Congratulations Jim, awesome job... Jim Walmsley based on what I've read and seen is an awesome guy, great personality and has great story too ( see wrong turn on UA-cam )...
Hoka did great publicity promo at Carbon X Project by inviting some of the fsstest ultra runners to race early May 2019 and had them all wear these Carbon X thsn anyone could buy...
The carbon x does look great in all white & the powder blue and white...
It's one of the lightest shoes I've ever owned...
Hope they come out with all black version. Black upper, midsole, outsole , laces, everything... similar to Bondi 6 black on back & Clifton 6 Black on Black...
I hope even Hoka labeling / logo is black...
For me I think white or white & powder blue will get too dirty...
I'm new to Hoka. Never owned a pair before. First time I tried a pair seven or eight months earlier & I didn't like rocker motion... Maybe it was something specific to the model of shoe I tried at that time because none of the Hokas I've tried since have had that extreme of a rocking motion...
Decided to try Hokas again because of massive / maximum cushion, which I thought would be good to help speed recovery from Plantar Fasciitis.
I bought following shoes over past 2-3 month period:
Brooks Road Shoe:
Glycerin 16 - Returned
Glycerin 17 - Highly Recommend
Brooks Trail Shoe:
Caldera 3 - Returned
New Balance Road Shoe:
1080v9 Highly Highly Recommend
Hoka Road Shoes:
Carbon X - Recommend
Bondi 6 - Highly Recommend
Clifton 6 - Will Be Shipped June 1st
Clifton 5 - Highly Recommend
Arahi 3 - Returned
Gaviota 2 - Recommend
Hoka Trail Shoes:
Challenger ATR 5 - Recommend
Stinson ATR 5 - Recommend
SpeedGoat 3 - Returned
Torrent - Recommend
EVO Mafate - Highly Recommend
you copy and paste the same comment everywhere
:)
Glad to hear your story. Looks like we'll be able to step aside and let you do the shoe reviews soon... Good luck with your efforts!
@@TheUltraRunningCompany
Seriously doubt that...
Your reviews are not only superb, but you more than likely run much farther & faster than I do or ever will...
I simply love being out there, so much so, that on certain occassions it's trance like, feel I can go on forever; mind isn't even aware nor focused on the physical mechanics...
Don't have adequate vocabulary or words to describe it but it's spiritual or something ethereal...
Sometimes I think something's wrong with me because I truly enjoy solitude...
And when I do occassionally & temporarily come back / down to earth; I think: Man my feet are feeling so, so, so good, they feel like they're cradled in pillowy clouds, yet not mushy... then I'm suddenly transferred / transported to this mental high and I'm not talking stimulants or any other pharmaceuticals and the journey continues...
I started out in groups...
But abruptly at some point my focus, intensity & desire to constantly challenge myself saw crowds, groups, cliques fade away...
I better stop or they'll have me committed... 😊🙂
Take Care
Have Great Day
Have Great Week
Have Great Month
Have Great Year
Have Great Life
My rincons are already looking torn up after just 30 miles. Do these seem to last longer? Also im not a fast runner maybe 8:30-9:00 minute miles. Will this shoe hurt me? The 1st zoom fly seemed to injure me
A couple of thoughts:
1) Keep running in the Rincons until your feet start to tell you they are hurting. They do get torn up quickly where the EVA is exposed, but that is mostly cosmetic, especially if towards the center of the shoe.
2) The Carbon X appears to last MUCH longer, with minimal wear on early runs and consistent wear for the first couple hundred miles.
3) The EVO Rehi is not a long wearing shoe, but it is really comfortable while it has life in it and doesn't wear as quacky as we thought it would. Overall lifespan is probably about equal for the Rehires and the Rincon, even though the Rincon has a lot more cushion.
4) The Carbon X has a significant and consistent rocker, and it is very pronounced. As long as you rotate your shoes and make sure a more flexible shoe is in your mix, you should not have any issue with wearing the Carbon X for a very long time. We're not convinced its an "every day" shoe at this point given how it inhibits the foots natural proprioception, but it sure does make our pick list a lot! And of course, its a fantastic race day shoe...yes, at the speeds your talking about in addition to the record breaking speeds they advertise it for. :)
Hi, I’m late to the party on this but just wanted to ask - would you wear the Carbon X on a grass track or just for road and synthetic track? Thanks in advance 😊
How are these shoes for those of us that run mostly on the balls of our feet? Will we extract a benefit from the rebound?
I run mostly in the mountains in Italy and other parts of Europe every summer. Very steep paved roads, sometimes up to 18% grade that go on forever.
Will this shoe assist me in the uphill battles? And will the heels stand up to the downhill run?
If not, what would you recommend in a durable carbon insert or foam rebounding shoe for steep paved uphills and ultrafast downhills?
Thanks.
Every review I have seen on the Hoka Carbon X shows that the top of the shoe (right above the toe box)is loose and wrinkled, almost like a loose tube sock. It just looks kind of sloppy at first appearance for a hiigh performance shoe.
Fair point. They feel great, though...
Side note: Unless you are on a track, it is highly unlikely the toe box will be the place you get your control. Generally speaking, shoes should be snug around the heel (so you don't step out) and the instep (so you don't slide) and wide open for your toes (so you can maximize the power of a fully splayed foot). That said, we would prefer to have shoes that didn't wrinkle, so do with our aside as you please. :)
@@TheUltraRunningCompany Thank You!
Without the traditional rubber on the sole will it be slippery in the rain?
In our experience it is not - the sole is a rubberized foam, and it does well for us regardless of weather!
If there is a lecture talking about running shoes, this guy should be a professor.
Hes the best!
Thanks, nearshek. We really appreciate it. Also, you made us laugh out loud a little. Cheers!
Awww....*blush*
I wouldn’t describe the Carbon X as very cushioned
We did, and with 32mm of cushion in the heel we were probably pretty justified in doing so. When we call a shoe "comfort cushioned" that is a factual categorization based on the amount of material underneath the foot. We measure every shoe identically in every review we have done, and its in independent statement from our thoughts on how the shoe FEELS. Perhaps what you're objecting to is the fact that sliding a carbon plate between two layers of cushion creates a *firmer* ride - one that doesn't feel as pillowy as other, less cushioned shoes like the HOKA Clifton or Speedgoat. And that's cool. Your opinion is valuable - we're simply trying to pass information on consistently and factually to folks who are interested. Enjoy!
What the width like? Great review
It's a normal width shoe. With that said, the material on top is quite nice, and accommodates a wide variety of foot shapes. If you truly need a wide shoe, the Carbon X is unlikely to fit your needs. :)
Looking for a daily trainer with a 9-10 min mile times, which Hoka's would you recommend?
We have a whole library of reviews...since we have no idea how you run, probably best to take the feedback from those and see which one matches your running the best. Thanks for watching!
Glad you like it!
The Ultra Running Company I do a lot of road running and am a mid foot/neutral striker. I ended up ordering the Rincon’s and hope they work out well!
Tried them on and did a little bit of shopping center running this morning. HATED them. The carbon plate is extremely evident and poorly placed... for MY foot (neutral and wide). This may be an awesome shoe for the right foot, but at $180 - the chosen price point of just about everybody now - it's not right for me.
Can't win them all, right Charles? Only thing we'd push back on here is the carbon fiber placement: Nike was very specific with their plate and its use by highly efficient marathoners, and as a result the shoe was pretty unstable for folks with anything but perfect mechanics. HOKA chose to take a different path and has the plate covering almost the entirety of the shoe. This may feel good or bad depending on one's preferences, but it certainly provides a *consistent* landing with each step, which is what they were shooting for. You're spot on that it isn't something you'll miss when you put-on the shoe - it has a distinct feel that we suspect people will either love or hate. Sounds like you're in the latter camp, which is totally cool. We appreciate the comment and know it will be helpful as folks decide if this is the shoe for them. Thanks for the feedback!
so what's your best pick for marathon running?
Sorry, we don't do that! A lot of shoes are great for marathons, but which one is right for YOU running a marathon is not a recommendation we can make without having you in the store. A really efficient runner could get away with the Rehires EVO in this video, while many others may prefer the dynamics and added cushioning of the Carbon X. We try to give the facts as we see them, but in the end its going to be a personal preference for how to cover 26.2 miles!
Can I use this as a daily trainer training for a marathon?
This was my question as well. My knee's get sore around 15+ miles so I defaulted to the Bondi 6 for training, but not sure that is a wise choice for racing the Marathon so I might want to switch over to the Carbon X for Training and Racing.
KC, we know a number of folks who do use the Carbon X as a daily trainer. The noticeable rocker does impact a "natural" stride, so we'd certainly suggest mixing in a less structured shoe from time to time just to keep your feet strong & healthy, but with that said it can be used at any time as you see fit.
Gabriel, the Carbon X is lighter than the Bondi, and we certainly like it's structured rocker nature for race-days!
@@TheUltraRunningCompany I ran with the Bondi 6 for my first marathon and LOVED them. Taking some time to recover, heal up my runners-knee, and train smarter for the next marathon so I can ware something like the Carbon X :)