Great workout/racer workhorse
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 4, 2019
80 mpw training for ultramarathons came from the Nike Zoom Pegasus 35 Turbo
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 3/5
HOKA Carbon X
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.
Exceptional
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
What runners say
“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”
Prefer this shoe over another
78% 25/32
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
Pros
- 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.
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25
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Better Shoes Rating
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.
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
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 8.8 oz
- Release
- 2019 Q2
- MSRP
- $180
Runner reviews
Wearing out by 50 miles on heel sides
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 3, 2019
35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Altra Escalante 1.5
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Fantastic shoe
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 3, 2019
80 mpw training for ultramarathons
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 2/5
Carbon X are a go to marathon shoe
5/5
Overall
HokaCarbonX26.2 · Jun 2, 2019
50 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Mach 2
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from HOKA
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
HOKA Carbon X In Context
More on the HOKA Carbon X
- HOKA Carbon X 3
- HOKA Carbon X 2 next version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- HOKA Clifton 6 4 runners
- Brooks Ghost 11 3 runners
- Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4% 2 runners