Racing shoe · Neutral · Road · 8.0 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 compared it with another shoe preferred it. The rating is based 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 is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
97 Very high
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
“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”
“Does not handle slower paces well—it's designed as a racing shoe”
“Collar is quite snug and cannot be slipped on/off without untying”
“Rolls your foot perfectly through the gait cycle”
“First pair got around 300 miles before the fiber ripped”
“Every step feels comfortable yet propelled forward”
“Not squishy, but gives good spring forward effect”
“More forgiving, less aggressive, and stable than competitors”
“Will not last long; major wear on side heel”
“Heavier than other racing flats with a slight bulkiness feeling”
“Estimated service life of 250–300 miles”
“Comparatively loose fit versus the 4%”
“Bottom plate will not last a long while”
“Much taller, felt like platform shoes at first but adapted quickly”
“Almost brand-new after a couple hundred miles”
“Noticeable rocking motion when walking around”
“More cushioned but rigid than other shoes”
78% 25/32
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
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.
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
80 Good
68 Confidence
2020 · 4 reviews
80 Good
79 Confidence
Carbon X This shoe
2019 · 35 reviews
97 Exceptional
97 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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