I really wanted to love this shoe… but this one is a no for me.

In this episode of Runnah, I’m sharing my honest experience testing out the HOKA Skyward X—and why it just did not work for my body.

After getting back into running, I took these out with high hopes. But pretty quickly, something felt off—and not in a small way. I started dealing with SI joint pain, and the more I paid attention, the more I realized this shoe just wasn’t giving me what I personally need as a runner.

Here’s what I break down in this episode:

• Why the HOKA Skyward X felt unstable for me
• My experience with very low / “negative” ground feel
• How max cushion can sometimes work against you
• The connection between shoe mechanics and SI joint irritation
• Why this shoe might work for others—but not for my stride

This isn’t about saying it’s a “bad” shoe—it’s about being real: not every shoe is for every runner. And this one? Not for me.

If you’ve ever tried a highly cushioned shoe and felt disconnected from the ground—or had weird aches pop up—this episode will probably hit home.

🔗 Check out the HOKA Skyward X:
https://www.hoka.com/en/us/mens-everyday-running-shoes/skyward-x/1147911.html

🛍 Shop my Poshmark (where this pair might end up 👀):
https://poshmark.com/closet/jcoughlin1955

📬 Contact Runnah

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @runnahpod