Hoka Rocket X3 Running Shoe

Review by Erin Trail

The aptly named Hoka Rocket 3x running shoe is a light carbon super shoe that will help propel you to your next personal best time.

Technical Details

• Neutral shoe
• Unisex sizing
• Heel to Toe Drop: 7 mm
• Carbon fiber plate with winglets
• Dual-density PEBA foam for a responsive ride
• Improved sticky rubber outsole
• Heel htack Height 42 mm, forefoot stack height 35 mm
• Weight: 8 oz

Carbon plated super shoes are still relatively new to the market, giving a bit of a boost to run pace, thanks to springy foam and carbon plates.

For those who are super shoe curious, it is important that you build into these shoe and use them sparingly.  For me, I like to do a few trial runs for comfort, then a few speed workouts, one to two long runs, and then race day. These are NOT everyday trainers.

If you race, another thing to consider is stack height and shoe legality.  Yes, shoes can be illegal. This is where things get sticky – a shoe with a midsole height greater than 40 mm is illegal for competition. The World Athletics shoe checker website did list the Hoka Rocket X3 as legal.  Phew!

Detailed Review

I have 18 years in the sport of triathlon, competing at a fairly high amateur level. I am a Hoka fan, having run in Cliftons, then Bondis, then Skyflows and back to Bondis. I have several trail super super shoes and just one pair of road super shoes and was really excited to give my favorite brand’s version a try.

I wear a women’s size 9 in the Hoka line and even with the unisex sizing of the Rocket X3, I found that the Rocket X3 M8/W9 fits well.  As a performance shoe, the Hoka Rocket X3 is definitely different in nearly every way from my trusty Bondis:  they’re slimmer (but still fit like my other Hoka shoes), they’re incredibly light, and you can tell that the materials are made with performance in mind (versus daily training miles).

The uppers of the Hoka Rocket X3 are very light and almost see-through, made from a single-layer warp knit mesh.  This material helps to lighten the shoe and also makes them highly ventilated.

I have to wear special insoles (I have a torn plantar plate and need insoles with a Met pad built in).  I was really happy to see that the Hoka Rocket X3 easily accommodated my insoles without feeling tight or restricted.

The outsole has a wider footprint than other super shoes that I’ve seen on competitors at triathlon races. Some super shoes almost look like a hybrid running shoe + high heel. I always feel a bit sorry for people wearing them at Boulder triathlon races, when they make us run on pretty rough double track that’s more appropriate for trail shoes.  I might be brave enough to give the Hoka Rocket X3 a whirl at my local Boulder race because the outsole has been improved for traction and the contact point on the ground feels pretty stable.  I haven’t been able to run in wet conditions, but my usual paved trail often has a fine layer of grit.  My other super shoes feel slippery on the gritty spots while the Hoka Rocket X3 held traction.

Out of the box and onto your feet for the first time, the Hoka Rocket X3 just feel different.  The dual-density PEBA foam is springy, making it feel like you have mini trampolines on your feet. They just feel FUN.

I have been dealing with an angry Achilles and have had to limit my running duration and speed work.  However, based on my experience running and racing, I got a good enough feel of these shoes to feel like I can give them an honest review.

The shoe just likes to go fast.  Even on my easier runs, I was seeing paces that were 15 seconds/mile faster than my usual pace.  The rocker makes it easy to encourage a higher cadence and easier foot turnover: you just aim your foot landing for the midfoot and the shoe does the rest of the work. The bounce of the midsole + carbon plate isn’t distracting and running in the Hoka Rocket X3 felt smooth and controlled. These materials are just helping to propel your energy forward while feeling smooth and natural.

During my hour long runs in the Hoka Rocket X3, I never experienced any hot spots, foot tingling (from shoes being too tight), or discomfort. They also pass my triathlon test of being able to pop the shoe on without undoing the laces.

While I haven’t done much speed work, other than some short bursts during easy runs, or longer race effort runs, I feel like the Hoka Rocket X3 are going to be a fantastic race shoe for road running.  This hypothesis is bolstered by seeing one of my favorite professional triathletes, Taylor Knibb, wearing the exact same shoes for the marathon at the Ironman World Championships in Kona.

Closing Thoughts

The Hoka Rocket X3 are a fun and fast road super shoe, appropriate for any kind of road racing you have on your calendar. The are available in unisex sizing from M5/W6 to M14/W13 and are currently available in 4 colorways, ranging from neutral to neon.

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke

Erin Trail on her mountain bike at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race

Erin Trail on her running at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race