Article by Peter Stuart, Phil Royer, Courtney Kelly and Sam Winebaum
Hoka Rocket X 3 ($250)
Introduction
The Hoka Rocket X3 is the third iteration of Hoka’s road racing plated super shoe. The Rocket is a well-cushioned, snappy racer. With a 100% PEBA dual density foam midsole, a front and back forked carbon fiber plate with winglets, a sticky rubber outsole and a more breathable upper. For the 3d edition it increases 4mm in heel stack height and 2mm at the forefoot to become a 7mm drop shoe with a 40mm heel/ 33 mm forefoot stack height while remaining essentially the same weight.
Pros:
- A carbon super shoe with some flex! Sam/Peter
- Relatively broad fit and surprisingly good hold for a thin gusset less tongue upper: Sam/Peter Phil/Courtney
- Super snappy and fun ride at pace Peter
- Surprisingly versatile and comfortable at slower speeds and versatile Peter/Courtney/Sam
- Very smooth ride Phil/Courtney
- Feels extremely stable for its 40mm stack height: Courtney/Sam
- Very low moisture absorbing upper: Sam
Cons:
- Achilles collar padding is a bit too soft and thin, if very secure: Sam
- Toe box is slightly cramped: Peter
- Slightly less aggressive than comparable super shoes: Phil
Most comparable shoes
New Balance FuelCell SC Elite v5
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Phil
Adizero Adios Pro 4 Phil
Nike Alphafly 3
Nike Vaporfly 3
Diadora Gara Carbon
Stats
Approx. Weight:
men's 7.3 oz / 207g US9 women’s 6.4oz / 181g US 8
Sample Weights:
men’s 7.1 oz / 200g US8.5 (X2: 7.2oz / 204g), 11 8.10 oz/ 229.5g US11
women’s 6.84oz / 194g US 9
Stack Height:
X3: 42 mm heel / 35 mm forefoot US M10 (WA legal as WA sample size is smaller)
X3: 40 mm heel / /33 mm forefoot, 7mm drop US W8
X2: 36 mm heel / 31 mm forefoot, 5mm drop
Platform Width:
X3: 75 mm heel / 70 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot
X2: 75 mm heel / 70 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot
Releases July 1, 2025First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Peter: There’s a new wave of super shoes coming and they are AWESOME. The Hoka Rocket X3 is a great example of this new wave. It’s got dual density PEBA foam that feels more stable than some other super shoes. It’s got a carbon-fiber plate with winglets that actually feels like it has some flex (and does indeed have some) and it’s got a streamlined and breathable upper. They look fantastic.
For this version Hoka has removed the gusset on the tongue–not a problem as the tongue is comfy and stays in place. The laces are lightly ribbed and stay tied without resorting to a double knot.
The upper is a “single layer warp knit” and it is light, breathable and dries quickly. Fit is a little tricky for me. The toebox feels just a bit cramped. It’s long enough around the big toe, but on the lateral side of the foot my toes feel a little cramped. I only feel it at the beginning of runs, and it hasn’t led to any blisters or lost toenails, but I wish there was just a hair more space in the toebox.
Phil: This is my first time in a Hoka super shoe (or any non-trail Hoka shoe), and my first impression is that the fit is super comfortable and the build quality seems high.
The lacing, lockdown, and heel collar all feel very reminiscent of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, which has been my go-to marathon shoe for the last year.
In particular, I really like how the laces make it easy to spread the pressure around and cinch them down right to the sweet spot.
The width feels pretty average for the racing category. I personally would prefer it a little narrower, but only a tiny bit, and this current width probably makes more sense for more people.
Sam: The others have described the upper well. Hoka clearly wanted higher volume than normal for a supershoe than was thin and breathable with solid lockdown for all foot types.
To do so they selected a relatively “stiff” non stretch thin material but with many small holes. The holes allow the upper to softly mold to the foot and as non stretch and not slick stay there. The Rocket X 3 does not have a soft smooth fit as the SC Elite v5 has or more closed grid as some of the Puma have and is much closer to the woven material of the Metaspeed series racers from ASICS.
I was surprised how well held my lower volume foot is given no tongue gusset and a relatively broad midfoot and toe box volume. Credit, I think, to the broad wings on the thin tongue, “krinkle cut” laces that are easy to adjust, the fairly stout blue lace up overlays, a firmly but fully padded ankle and achilles collar and short but stout heel counter with a high achilles collar.
As almost always for me, lock the foot from lace up to rear well and the hold overall will be good. And it is here
The fit is totally true to size with plenty of toe box volume for my narrow to medium feet. Yes, it's clearly a marathon distance fit and I agree that for say a 5K or 10K pace a yet more secure hold from lower volume might be more effective.
Courtney:This is my first ever Hoka shoe and I’m so glad I was able to test it. What initially intimidated me about Hoka was the unstable high stack height and reduced proprioception underfoot that older models were said to have. Even though newer models resolved some of these issues I still was hesitant. Instead, I chose the more reliable shoes from Saucony, ASICS or Brooks.
The Hoka Rocket X3 has completely shifted my stance about the brand. These shoes are stable, light on foot, and just enjoyable to run in.
The upper is super breathable, with excellent lockdown and support. I found I did not need to use the far rear racing eyelets as in many shoes I’ve been testing recently with my narrow heel. They give me plenty of support through the ankle and medial arch but without feeling clunky.
Unlike some of our testers, I found the toe box fit well for my normal width feet. There was enough room to splay the toes, but it is supportive enough to be efficient and keep the foot from sliding around.
Midsole & Platform
Peter: The Rocket X3 employs a dual density PEBA foam with a stack height of 42mm in the heel and 35 in the forefoot in a US10/11. Yes, they do meet World Athletics standards measured at smaller sizes coming in at 40/33. They don’t feel as high or unstable as some other super shoes.
They are firmer than some similarly stacked shoes but the PEBA foam, including the raised medial side walls shown above (and a bit lower on the lateral side), combined with the carbon fiber plate provide a stable and energetic ride with enough cushioning to stay comfortable.
The top foam plunging deeper at the forefoot is softer than the lower foam with at the rear the lower firmer foam rising high around what becomes a core of the softer foam to provide more stability.
Phil: The platform feels stable and confident, particularly at steady paces where the geometry seems to shine. Stack height is right at the max, surprising absolutely nobody. But despite all of these super shoes meeting right at the 40mm mark, they all feel a little bit different.
This new Rocket feels like a middle ground, or perhaps even a less aggressive take. The foam rigidity is enough to provide meaningful protection and energy return without feeling disconnected from the ground.
The carbon plate integration feels more subtle than aggressive, which works well for the varied paces and surfaces that most runners encounter in training and racing.
If I was absolutely optimizing for the manicured roads of Berlin or Valencia, that lack of aggression might not be my first choice. But in the real world of training on aging city streets with potholes and loose ground, this stability is very reassuring.
Sam: The midsole and platform are pretty much standard for a super shoe in terms of height, platform width, and foams with no radical cutouts (adios Pro, Endorphin Elite 2) or big rear bevel (Rebellion Pro).
The plate differs from the norm as it is forked both front and back. The front fork extending to midfoot and the low mounting of the plate gives the Rocket some subtle flex found previously in the Xtep racers and the lower stack NB SC Pacer 2. The flex is something I really like as it allows me to roll through to toe off as opposed to having the rebound off the mid/forefoot more vertically.]; Alphafly 3, Metaspeed Sky, Endorphin Elite 1 with higher mounted plates and firmer foam being examples.
The top layer of foam is softer than the bottom layer. Landings are very friendly here yet, at the same time stable, due to the rising midsole side walls. At toe offs one can clearly feel the toes sinking smoothly into the top layer to roll forward but without the drama of either very soft then rebound (Endorphin Elite 2) or firmer and quicker reacting (ZoomX, Lightstrike Pro) or from an overly aggressive plate geometry (low mounted and forked here)
Agreeing with much faster than me Phil, the Rocket is a more subtle, less aggressive and more stable take on the carbon super shoe. It has a platform, geometry and midsole that is more accessible and consistent riding than radical, and this at a very competitive weight close to the magic 7 oz for a full height marathon shoe.
It felt best at my marathon paces in the mid 8:30 miles but was not as agile feeling run faster. At slower training paces, below 10 min miles, it was smooth and easy to turn over with the plate (especially at midfoot) blending in well with my stride. No mid foot plate “hang ups” as often the case at those paces in other super shoes for me. So it’s also a very nice tempo to even faster daily training paces option.
Courtney:The midsole of the X3 is a firm dual density PEBA foam. Like many shoes coming out recently, this combination provides cushion along with support. This aids in the fluid, energetic, yet consistent ride.
The X3 is extremely smooth and enjoyable to run in. I felt this especially on the lateral side. I believe this is due to the sidewalls and newly designed plate that helps guide the roll of the foot to then power off the metatarsals. The winglets also provide decreased side to side torsion, keeping an efficient forward roll. I would not call this shoe aggressive. I actually felt its ride would lend itself well to medium long runs or tempos especially for those 30 seconds slower than race pace long runs. For me this sits right around 7:10-7:20 pace for marathon training long runs.
Outsole
Peter: The outsole of the Rocket X3 consists of four separate sections of sticky rubber. There are two smaller strips on either side of the heel, one larger section (with some grooves) under the ball of the foot and a fourth section on the outside of the forefoot. Traction is excellent and the shoe maintains an excellent ground feel with even some flexibility. Wear is minimal at 40+ miles and I don’t forsee any issues with durability.
Phil: I am very sensitive to super shoe traction lately, having had some bad experiences on wet tracks and even leafy wet roads. The Hoka Rocket X3 does not disappoint. Perhaps Hoka’s trail pedigree has helped push them toward just a little bit more traction, which I fully support. The lightest shoe in the world doesn’t help at all if you are slipping back every step. This ridged rubber layer feels like just enough to conquer less-than-ideal roads, so I think it does the job nicely.
Courtney: I found the outsole to be tacky and well placed with its pads covering high contact areas. There is some wear mostly on the lateral side. I did get a piece of gravel caught in the forefoot cutout which I discovered when I got home and explained the strange feeling under foot towards the end of my first run. It is something to be mindful of when choosing roads or gravel trails with this shoe.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Peter: The Rocket X3 lives up to the rocket name. It’s a super fast, flexible and fun shoe for tempo work and race day. It’s cushioned and comfortable enough at all paces but really excels at HMP and faster.
I find the toebox to be just slightly cramped and if you’re on the fence you might want to go up ½ size.
Even with a tight toe box these are really fun to run in and I wouldn’t hesitate to lace them up for any speedwork or race. They don’t have the huge bounce or cushion of some other super-shoes–but because of that they turn over faster and feel more appropriate for paces faster than MGP.
Peter’s Score 9.3/10
Ride is a 10
Fit is an 8
Style is a 9.5
Value is a 9
Overall excellent high speed rocket!
😊😊😊😊😊
Phil: The first thing I noticed when I took these out was how incredibly smooth they are. I wasn’t intending to run much faster than easy pace, but I found myself moving through the gears almost without trying. The comfortable fit, less aggressive posture, and improved stability (compared to most road super shoes) come together nicely for a complete package.
The only question for me is, are they aggressive enough to be my number one choice for a marathon race with my 2025 goal an Olympics Trials qualifier ? There is no doubt they are going to be excellent for long marathon workouts and uptempo long runs, but I am just a little unsure if they are aggressive enough to be the perfect tool for race day.
I think the answer will depend on your racing goals and the exact type of road race you are targeting. If you have concerns about uneven roads, sharp turns, or if you just feel downright unstable in the more exotic super shoes like the Puma Fast-R Nitro 3, maybe this is the perfect balance for your next marathon. Or maybe this is the perfect shoe for training for that big race, but then for race day you slip into some glass slippers like the Adidas Evo.
Phil’s Score 9.4.10
Ride: 9 (10 for smoothness, 8 for race pace aggressiveness)
Fit: 10
Style: 10
Value: 9
And four smiles!
😊😊😊😊
Sam: The Rocket X 3 is focused on delivering a smooth stable ride over what, for a super shoe, is a relatively wide range of paces and distances including faster training to long racing. It has a pleasant comfortable ride which does not require “adaptation” to any radical elements or over concentration to find its particular groove. It is even notably slower paces friendly due to its foams and lower and forked plate design.
It checks all the tech boxes of light weight, state of the art foams, carbon plate, and a great upper.
Its ride is not that explosive or dramatic, something I would look for shorter races but is steady, consistent, very heel and otherwise stable, what I would look for in a marathon shoe or for faster training. It is an accessible, friendly and stable super shoe and a very good choice for a first carbon plated marathon racer as well as a versatile fast trainer and marathon racer if you value that stable consistent ride start to finish.
Sam’s Score: 9.27 / 10
Ride (50%): 9.1 Fit (30%): 9.4 Value (15%): 9.6 Style (5%): 9.5
😊😊😊1/2
Courtney:The Rocket is a super smooth enjoyable ride that can be an excellent option for many runners of all levels. I found tempo running perfect for the Rocket and would be inclined to take it for workouts and long runs as it provides ample support and comfort. I noticed both my runs increasing steadily in pace (similar to Phil's experience), and that’s a great lever to pull when building strength and stamina. As for racing, I can see taking this shoe to the marathon but for me this is not a short distance racing shoe as it lacks the aggressive foams and geometry.
Courtney’s Score: 9.35/10
😊😊😊😊
Ride (50%): 9 --great shoe for steadier paces. Not a speed shoe for me.
Fit (30%): 10 --excellent fit
Value (15%): 9 --unsure about outsole durability, not a racing shoe for me
Style (5%): 10 --refreshing colors and simple overlays
10 Comparisons
Hoka Rocket X 2 (RTR Review)
Sam: The Rocket X 2 is lower stack at the same weight, has firmer foams in a similar construction and unlike the X 3 is totally rigid. Its upper is far less elegant with a big array of underlays over a dense more closed (than X 3) single layer mesh with internal bolsters at the heel. For me it was a shorter distance shoe due to its firm rigid ride whereas the roomier, softer, easier rolling X 3 is a more versatile shoe overall and will be a better long racer.
Hoka Cielo X 1 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Cielo X1 feels wilder, bouncier and has more cushion in the forefoot. That said it is also at least an ounce heavier and the upper is less breathable than the Rocket X3. I loved the Cielo X1 for long runs, especially if there was some MGP mixed in–but it didn’t feel snappy or fast in the same way the Rocket X3 does. For long distances or MGP workouts I might choose the Cielo X1. For anything faster or in hotter weather the Rocket X3 is the clear choice.
Hoka Cielo X 2 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Cielo X2 was a super shoe that sort of jumped the shark for me. I liked it on its own, but compared back-to-back with other race shoes it didn’t really hold up. A bit unstable, lighter than the X1, but ultimately not quite comfortable enough for me to want to wear it for 26.2. The Rocket X3 is a much more natural feeling shoe (remarkable considering it is a 42mm stack in a US10 carbon fiber plated shoe). Rocket X3 is my clear choice here.
New Balance Fuel Cell SC Elite v5 (RTR Review) and Nike Vaporfly 4 (RTR Review)
Peter: The NB SC Elite V5, The Vaporfly 4 and the Hoka Rocket X3 all feel great to me. They are all plated super-shoes that are just a little more tame and refined. I feel like they are super shoes that any runner can use and have a blast in. Fit is best for me in the NB, Vaporfly 4 has a little heel slip and my toes are a little cramped in the Hoka. That said, all three of these are spectacular shoes. If I had to race a 5 or 10k I’d go with the Hoka Rocket X3. For longer stuff I’d consider the New Balance SC Elite V5 and the Nike Vaporfly 4.
Courtney The SC sits in a similar category to the Rocket X3 for me. Both shoes are stable and suited for the half marathon to marathon pace. Top end speed is not really part of the repertoire here, but comfort and smoothness certainly are.
Nike Vaporfly 4 (RTR Review)
Courtney: The Vaporfly is a superb short racing shoe and training companion but lacks the protection that the Rocket has. It is far less stable, particularly through the midfoot. The Vaporfly comes in 42 grams lighter than the Rocket and sports a lower stack. The Vaporfly is a one trick pony for me, really only wanting to run those faster paces. The Rocket X3 shines bright for its versatility to run different paces.
Nike Alphafly 3 (RTR Review)
Courtney: The Alphafly is a more mechanical sensation under foot but has a lot more versatility as a racer. It is a shoe that can be taken from 5K up the marathon. The Rocket on the other hand, is a smoother ride that runs its best at the slower paces. The Alphafly is a shoe you may find you have to learn how to run in. The Rocket is super approachable and easy to run in.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 Pb (RTR Review)
Courtney: The Hyperion Elite 4PB is lighter weight at 180 grams vs.194 grams for the X3. It is a less stable, less cushioned ride than the Rocket X3 with a narrow platform and heel but I find it to be a bit speedier. The PB also provides a natural roll forward whereas the Rocket rolls you forward but in a more cushioned secure way.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 (RTR Review soon)
Sam: Another supershoe with a very stable heel area the Brooks has similar stats including weight but a very different ride and focus for me in my testing so far. Its lower foam is firmer than the Rocket’s and this is especially noticed at the forefoot where it has a more agile, quicker response if a stiffer one as it is totally rigid with its top foam also somewhat firmer than the Rocket’s. It’s plate is also low mounted. It is a shorter distance shoe for me due to its highly responsive firmer forefoot and more rigid plate. Interestingly for me its midfoot transition is the easiest of any supershoe maybe due to the open side walls bubbles. Its upper is a very open weave in a single layer and yet more breathable than the Hoka.
Courtney: The Hyperion Elite 5 stands out as a shorter distance race shoe. With a more aggressive toe off, it runs fast and is slightly less comfortable at the slower paces. The Elite 5 does not offer the protection of the Rocket in both cushion and stability and therefore not an ideal shoe for marathons for me.
Adizero Adios Pro 4 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Adios and the Rocket are pretty different feeling shoes. I ran my most recent marathon in the Adios Pro 4 and it was an absolute delight. At MGP it was just a dream. Legs didn’t feel too beat up, paces were easy to hit and all felt good. They are super cushy and can get a little unstable late in a race. I probably wouldn’t take the Rocket out for 26.2 but would be thrilled to run them in anything fast up to a half-marathon. For shorter, faster stuff the Rocket wins. For longer stuff I’d consider the Adios Pro 4
Phil: The Adios Pro 4 feels more aggressive and fit-for-purpose than the Rocket when racing a manicured, smooth road marathon or half marathon. The Rocket is probably better for everything else, because it is more comfortable, smoother, and more stable on slightly uneven ground.
On Cloudboom Strike (RTR Review)
Sam: Another super shoe with an easier to turn ride, the Strike has a removable thick top soft supercritical midsole with the foot sitting directly on it with the carbon plate below becoming the lasting board holding the upper. No glue between plate and top midsole makes it less rigid in feel than a typical construction, although it is more rigid to hand flexing than the Hoka. It has a more dynamic ride than the Hoka. It weighs exactly the same as the Hoka with the same heel height but 2 mm more forefoot stack height of cushion as it is a 5mm drop shoe. It has a fine upper but one fussier to get good lock down than the Hoka’s as its heel area is considerably more minimal in construction. I prefer the On ride, the Hoka upper.
Endorphin Pro 4 (RTR Review)
Phil: The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 feels overall quite similar to the Rocket X 3. They are both comfortable, cushy, and have great pop. The Endorphin might be slightly more aggressive and more minimalist, and the Rocket might be a bit more stable and smooth, but these are minor differences.
Courtney: I agree with Phil here. The Pro 4 is not as stable and not as cushioned as the Rocket but has more propulsion. It was not ever a shoe I raced in, but have used for workouts.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Endorphin Speed 5 is slightly heavier than the Rocket. They are both great for tempo work and quick races. The Rocket X3 feels more propulsive to me. I get a little more energy back from the Rocket X3 than I do from the Speed 5–and I think the cushioning is slightly more forgiving in the Rocket. That said both have great, breathable uppers.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
The Rocket X 3 releases July 1, 2025
HOKA
Tester Profiles
Peter lives in California and has been a sub 3 hour marathoner as well as a 1:21 half marathoner in recent years.
Philip Royer (5’11”, 150lbs) is a trail and mountain runner who still mixes it up with some road racing now and then. He ran for Dartmouth College back in 2010 to 2013, and has slowly transitioned to longer road races, then trail and mountain as he learns to appreciate the finer things in life. He snuck in a win at the USATF 50k Trail Championships in 2023, but just missed the Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier with a 2:19 in 2024. The dream is to get under the standard next time, and find a way to get one of those Team USA trail jerseys mailed to his place in Boston, because he is sick of hearing them get sent out to places like Boulder and Bozeman. His dog Bekele is the fastest runner he knows, with PRs of 3:11 in the mile and 12:33 in the 5000m.
Courtney Kelly, age 37 is a college lacrosse player turned avid runner. She lives in Manchester, MA with her husband and two daughters ages 4 and 8. Courtney signed up for her first 1/2 marathon the morning of the race in 2022, winning second place in a time of 1:26. She decided to take running a bit more seriously, joining Wicked Running Club and trying some training plans. She ran her first marathon this fall in 3:04:27. In addition, she holds a half marathon PR of 1:25, a 5 mile PR 30:17, and a 5k PR of 18:20. She looks forward to getting some more strength and speed under her belt this next season, before taking a crack at the marathon again. She is 5’4”, 110 lbs.Off the roads, Courtney is a painter and loving mother to her girls.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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