Carbon X 3 Running Shoe (Men)

This is my second pair of Hokas. I picked these up because I work in a restaurant and have to stand for typically more than 7 hours at a time. I’m 5’9” and weigh 245. I have weak arches (read flat feet) and over pronate so my first pair were Arahi 5’s. Let me be clear about this before I begin. I LOVED my Arahi 5’s. However, I needed a new pair of shoes and I wanted to change the flavor up a bit since more support usually means a heavier shoe. I decided to pull the trigger on the Carbon X because I figured the carbon plate would help with stability/support while still feeling light. I read some mixed reviews on this specific model but went forward with the purchase anyway. So let’s get into it. Feel: these shoes are very very different from the Arahi’s. You can feel the carbon plate in the shoe holding your foot in a very specific manner. The carbon plate and outsole guide your foot through a complete heel to toe strike which is really nice. In addition there’s a ton of return energy in the foam they use in the mid/out sole of this shoe and definitely what makes the package worthwhile. I can totally see why people consider this a race day shoe, or at least for longer distance training. Fit: This is where I have mixed feelings and most of the negative reviews really rose to the surface. The upper part of the shoe is flyknit which is technically supposed to mold to your feet, but truthfully this is one of the areas in which the shoe lacks. This style of shoe is made for those of us that have a thicker instep than outstep (idk if this makes any sense). But if you find that the inside part of your foot from ankle to bottom of foot is wide (read thick) this flyknit design is made for you. However. The flyknit material over the toe box seems “molded”. So if your foot tapers from back to front it may seem “loose” fitting. Which is the antithesis of flyknit. This does not bother me though, as I’m not looking to run 10+ miles. However, what does bother me is that the collar or opening of the shoe really doesn’t stretch much making it a bit difficult to get into. I guess this was Hokas way of making their flyknit different? Here’s the disclaimer— it’s not easy to get your thick foot inside at first. It’s like they made the shoe for us but not necessarily with us in mind. You’ll realize this when you go to lace the shoe for the first time. Again, because it’s flyknit the laces are almost just for decoration instead of for actually securing your foot. Please be aware that my comments on foot thickness should not be misconstrued for wideness. Which brings me to my next point. I don’t require wide shoes. If you do or generally find yourself pushing that boundary on ordinary shoes I would recommend you go for a wide size if available. Finish: The outsole seems as if it is made up of a very soft rubber compound. So I do not anticipate these shoes lasting very long, regardless of what you use them for. I’ve worn these shoes through numerous shifts ranging from as little as 5 hours to 9 hours and they feel exactly the same the last step you take with them on as they did the first step you took that day. There’s no denying that the carbon plate is at least partly responsible for that. The shoes are so light that when I picked up the box they were shipped in, I thought someone had stolen the shoes out of the box and just left the box on my doorstep. They are THAT light! Summary: I’m actually glad that I decided to branch out and try a different product from Hoka. It was a toss up between these Carbon X’s or just going for a brand new pair of Arahi 7’s. The fact that I was saving about $45 from one model to the other is what pushed me in this direction. I will say however that for my intended use (work shoe) the Arahis might’ve been a better option. The color way that was available to me is fine. Grey and highlighter yellow top. They do feel super comfortable and part of that comfort comes from the carbon plate and mid/out sole material working together to get you to heel to toe strike in stride over and over again. I think that if you’re like me (in foot shape) and are able to afford trying something different these shoes would be a good purchase or at the very least a viable candidate on your shortlist.

Purchased these online so couldn’t try them in store. These are a slip-on style- don’t be fooled by the fake laces. Unfortunately I had to wrestle them on my feet. Unlike other Hoka styles that have a great pull loop at the back, these do not. Just a tab that is slippery. They were comfortable after I got them on but it was too much work. I exchanged them for a lace up style that works much better.