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.
Exceptional
99/100
Overall
Exceptional99
Appearance
Excellent97
Cushioning
Excellent95
Comfort
Very good90
Durability
Decent76
Value
Below average64
Confidence
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.
Reviewers find the rocker and carbon plate roll them smoothly at speed.
Runners describe it as cushioned and stable for marathon-distance racing.
Many find it comfortable enough for tempo work and long runs too.
Cons
Three reviewers report fast outsole wear and keep it for races.
Value is its lowest-rated dimension at 4.0 out of 5, and one reviewer calls the sockliner surprisingly cheap for the price.
A few report heel slippage and a firm, stiff ride early on.
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.
Confidence
5060708090100255075100
Better Shoes Rating
Carbon X rates 99.
This shoe has very high certainty.
See how we rate shoes.
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the HOKA Carbon X
Each dot is one version of the Carbon X, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Rating
406080100
992019852020882022
Release year
We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating.
See why.
I ran in the Carbon X's at the Philly 2019 Marathon in November and they worked out better than I expected. Given they are heavier than other MR racing flats and have a slight "bulkiness" feeling to them because of the added cushion I was not sold out on my choice when selecting them for the race. That being said they never missed a beat. I put them into my arsenal of training shoes in October to get in a few long runs and workouts to be sure I was ready for carbon plate and the ride of the shoe. Upon race day I felt confident they would hold up and provide the cushion I wanted for that distance. Through 14miles I had the "pop" and cushion working together and felt good when we started down Kelly Drive. for the last 12miles. I found myself able to still click off the miles at my goal effort even after cramping later in the race and having to recoup with Gatorade and extra gels. But nevertheless I prevailed and these shoes kepted on providing the response I needed in the last 6 miles. I PR'd by 5minutes and got well under 2:50. These can go fast if you want to go fast. Give them a chance!
Anonymous runner · Jan 25, 2020
50 mpw·training for a marathon
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5
Reader review
4/5
Overall
More cushioned but rigid than other shoes I have run in. Also much taller. At first felt like platform shoes but quickly grew accustomed
From first glance, they look like you typical max cushioning shoe from Hoka...I purchased the all white and it did not stay that color for long. The first thing I felt about a mile into my run was the compartmentalized feeling I had on the underside of my feet. It seemed with every foot strike (Mid plant to fore foot) I had a second foot strike on the Carbon plate. This I tried to get used to as I wanted to really make the adjustment to this shoe. After 10 miles and moderate pace (7:30/8mpm) I felt my feet were getting beat up or they were tired from the second impact on the ground. I at first thought that maybe my laces were not tight enough so I made that adjustment (A little to tight) and then I thought about the upper compartment that seemed not to have a lot of structure to it (HOKA making the shoe weigh less is my thought). My shoe size is 12 was spot on so this shoe is true to size. I am a HOKA runner in my arsenal of shoe rotation and have worn a lot of different models (Clifton, Bondi, Speed Goats and my favorite - Stinson Lights). I wear HOKA because I believe in the less impact on my body when it needs a relaxing/recovery run, but they are not my go to shoe for a fast Marathon time. When I purchased the HOKA Carbon X, I was hoping for the “Best of both worlds” but my feet are the first to speak and I always listen. I run 60 to 80 miles a week and have run Boston 7 years consecutively, ran over 70 Marathons, countless Half Marathons, many Ultras and two Trail 50 milers. I’m 58 years old and with Gods will, will keep running. Thank you for listening...see you out there!
Overall I do recommend this shoe, but have some specific notes on it:
-the collar of this shoe is quite snug when laced...it cannot be slipped on/off without untying it.
-sockliner on this shoe is surprisingly cheap. Unlike any other shoe at this price point, it is glued in. The discomfort of the sockliner is my only real complaint about this shoe.
-this shoe, while comfortable, is NOT in line with the cushioning you've come to expect from your experience in other Hoka flagships like Bondi, Clifton, etc. By design (and surely influenced by the carbon plate), it is dramatically firmer than any other Hoka on the market.
-Having raced in the VaporFly, there are some notable differences between these 2 competing shoes. The Hoka is, without a doubt, more durable. Both my Carbon X and Vaporfly have ~60mi on them. The Vaporfly is just about toast (cushioning is shot, carbon plate making weird popping sounds) while my Carbon X doesn't feel any different than it did on day one (I'd project estimated service life of 250-300mi)
Also of note, the vaporfly is crazy fast in a straight line, but horribly sloppy when making turns or cambered surfaces. While way cheaper, more durable, and (I think) more comfortable the elephant in the room is this: the Carbon X isn't as fast as the Vaporfly. While not as fast as the Vaporfly, it's probably faster than just about anything else on the market and 100% more comfortable than any traditional racing flat.
