Fast and Comfortable
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 21, 2019
50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Ghost 11
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
HOKA Carbon X
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.
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 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.
- Brand rating
- Our ratings
- External ratings
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”
“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”
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 Oct 22.
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.
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
80 Good
68 Confidence
-
2020 · 4 reviews
80 Good
79 Confidence
-
Carbon X This shoe
2019 · 35 reviews
97 Exceptional
97 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 8.0 oz
- Men's / women's
- Men's 8.8 oz · Women's 7.2 oz
- Release
- 2019 Q2
- MSRP
- $180
Runner reviews
Carbon X - the only carbon plated shoe for the masses
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 15, 2019
40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Mach 2
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 3/5
Awesome
5/5
Overall
Happyguymb1 · Jul 9, 2019
40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Challenger ATR 5
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Literally Flying
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 8, 2019
4 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 6
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
One of the most versatile shoes I've ever ran in
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 4, 2019
65 mpw training for a marathon came from the Brooks Ghost 11
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- 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