Racing · Neutral · Road · 8.8 oz
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The HOKA Carbon X 2 replaced it
How it ranks
The HOKA Carbon X is one of the strongest racing shoes in our data. Looks and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. Most runners who came to it from another shoe preferred it. The rating rests on 35 runner reviews and 2 other rated shoes in the Carbon X product line.
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
99/100
“Snappy, responsive race ride with cushioning and support that outshines competitors”
“With every foot strike, I had a second foot strike on the carbon plate”
“Propels you forward without feeling forced”
“Stiff ride, but doesn't wear down legs as miles creep up”
“Buy half a size bigger to avoid losing your little toe”
“Dramatically firmer than any other Hoka on the market”
“After breaking in, felt cushy, responsive, with great energy return”
“Feels better and better the faster you run”
“Guides your foot through its gait cycle with a gliding feel”
“Collar is quite snug and cannot be slipped on/off without untying”
78% 25/32
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
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Better Shoes Rating
Each dot is one version of the Carbon X, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
2022 · 6 reviews
88 Good
58 Confidence
2020 · 4 reviews
85 Good
64 Confidence
Carbon X This shoe
2019 · 35 reviews
99 Exceptional
99 Confidence
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
5/5
Overall
Got it on sale so the price was right and is light and responsive to train in.
Karl · Jun 5, 2023
20 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Altra Escalante 2.5
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
harkmug · Jun 1, 2023
15 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the HOKA Mach 3
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Aug 15, 2020
20 mpw came from the Saucony Peregrine ICE+
5/5
Overall
Demethedream · Mar 26, 2020
55 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike LunaRacer 4
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jan 27, 2020
60 mpw training for sprints came from the HOKA Clifton 4
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