HOKA

Carbon X

Carbon X
Neutral · Road
Exceptional (99/100)

Shoe details

Weight
8.8 oz
Release
2019 Q2
MSRP
$180

Ratings & Reviews

Exceptional (99/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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Scores better than more than 99% of all shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes Rating. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central rating range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Exceptional (99/100)

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (99/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than >99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Exceptional (98/100)

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (98/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 98% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Exceptional (98/100)

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (98/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 97% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Exceptional (97/100)

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (97/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 95% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Durability

Average (69/100)

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Average (69/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 36% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Value

Average (63/100)

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Average (63/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 18% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

78%

25/32

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Scores better than >99% of 2,617 running shoes.

Exceptional

Racing Shoes

Scores better than 97% of 256 racing shoes.

97%

HOKA

Scores better than 99% of 137 HOKA shoes.

99%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • A majority of reviewers like this shoe more than their last shoe.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Lightest / Best overall / Best appearance
Newest / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Racing
Daily trainer
Racing
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.8 oz M Lightest
9.4 oz M
Stack
Drop
Release
2019 Q2
2020 Q4
2024 Q3 Newest
MSRP
$180
Best price
$189.99
Ratings
Overall
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Excellent (93%)
Exceptional (98%)
Comfort
Exceptional (97%)
Above average (66%)
Exceptional (98%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (96%)
Very good (80%)
Exceptional (97%) Best cushioning
Durability
Below average (36%)
Bottom tier (6%)
Very good (85%) Best durability
Appearance
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Very good (88%)
Good (80%)
Value
Bottom tier (18%)
Bottom tier (11%)
Good (71%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

More from HOKA

Reader Ratings

35 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 34 written reviews

Pretty Good Shoe

Karl · Jun 5, 2023

5/5

Overall

Got it on sale so the price was right and is light and responsive to train in.

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Older generation carbon shoes at a discount for the win!

harkmug · Jun 1, 2023

5/5

Overall

Waiting for the new gen carbon-plated shoe to drop (and the older generation's price to drop) is the way to go

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Overall, good !!

Anonymous runner · Aug 15, 2020

4/5

Overall

The biggest difference between this shoe and others is that when I run with the Carbon Xs afterwards I don't feel like I've run that long or with this intensity. It facilitates recovery. I buy that shoe in Canada ($170USD or $225CAD).
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Great alternative to others in its class

Demethedream · Mar 26, 2020

5/5

Overall

Had only ever tried on a 4% and N%. This feels much beefier and stable and solid underfoot. Not as squishy or bouncy, but still gives you a very good "spring" forward effect. Great marathon or long run shoe. Fast enough for any shorter races as well. Raced this from the 5k all the way to a marathon. Seemingly more durable than most of its competitors as well.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

The Best Treadmill Shoe I have ever worn.

Anonymous runner · Jan 27, 2020

5/5

Overall

I have been training on a treadmill through the Northern Rocky winters for years. I usually hate my feet all winter since they get so bashed up with high mileage on the treadmill. This year I splurged on a pair of Hoka Carbon X and they are the best thing that has ever happened to my feet and my winter suffering soul. I love them and am already on my 2nd pair.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5