Carbon X is a game changer for Hoka One One with a cushioned, lightweight and responsive carbon plated sole designed to bring in the speed in each run. It made its debut on Philippine soil via the Hoka All Star Run at Subic Bay on June 1, 2019.
Carbon
Athletes all around the world stayed tuned in for hours for Project Carbon X last May 4, 2019 where Hoka Global Athlete Jim Walmsley set the new world record for the 50 miles and Hoka Relay Team breaking the 100 kilometer world relay record. At the helm of the record breaking event was the new Hoka One One Carbon X Shoes. Carbon X, a racing shoe that embodies the impossibly-cushioned, impossibly-lightweight construction pioneered by Hoka.
With a record-breaking shoes comes the growing anticipation for various athletes from road runners, ultramarathoners and triathletes to test out Carbon X. Hoka All Stars, which is a collection of athletes and ambassadors from triathlons, ultramarathons, road and trail running, finally got to try out Carbon X last June 1, 2019 at Subic Bay for the Hoka All Star Run.
The Hoka All Star Run was part of the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 weekend but before the main event was Hoka’s Carbon X Time to Fly. The different ambassadors and athletes of Hoka One One Philippines were introduced and got their own pair of Carbon X shoes. The common theme was the athletes and ambassadors were overwhelmed with glee as they slowly unboxed their shoes.
It was time to fly for the record-breaking shoes as everybody went on a test run. With an impossible cushioned feel, Carbon X is among the shoes that does not need much break in period. It’s also impossibly lightweight at about 8.5 ounces and has carbon plate partnered with Meta-Rocker geometry for more explosive and responsive stride and returns. Carbon X has a meshed upper to ensure more breath-ability to keep feet fresh even on the long runs.
What’s a speed shoes without the sprints? To highlight the effectiveness of Carbon X for speedier run situations, there were several one on one sprint challenges just to give the athletes the feel of comfort and responsiveness of the shoes on speedier conditions. Despite the intimate feel, the sprint had participants rooting for each other. After the run, the Hoka All Stars were both impressed with the Carbon X and excited on how it would help them improve on their runs and chase new records. After all, what’s a record breaking shoes without chasing new running goals?
I’m also excited for Carbon X as its stays true to the Hoka Maximalist cushioned feel yet remains impossibly lightweight at just 8.5 ounces. In terms of progression, I’ve got to appreciate how the cushioning of Hoka can really save a lot of wear and tear on the legs . It also didn’t take a lot of getting used to as each stride is soft and cushy yet gives a powerful return with its meta-rocker geometry promoting mid-foot landings. Well that’s my first impression and I hope to do a more comprehensive review when I gain more mileage with the shoes.
Carbon X is available online via Tobys.com (https://www.tobys.com/collections/hoka-one-one-carbox-x).