By Kieran Alger
If you thought the HOKA Cielo X1 might signal the end of the HOKA Rocket, you were wrong. The carbon-plated racer is back with a familiar silhouette, but some notable updates, including a new long-haul friendly heel package and tongue setup, airy single layer mesh uppers and a dual-density PEBA midsole that’s aiming for speed and reliability for your longer, faster mileage.
If the Rocket X 3 is your ride with stabilisers on, while the Cielo X1 2.0 whips them off and dares you to give it full beans.
So does this overhaul elevate it into true super shoe territory? Can the HOKA Rocket X3 compete with the best carbon shoes on race day? Let’s dive in with my Hoka Rocket X3 review.
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Stack Height, Drop, Weight and Price
The HOKA Rocket X3 stack height isn’t listed and HOKA wasn’t forthcoming with it either. But it looks to be roughly the same as the Rocket X2 but now comes with a 7mm drop, up from 5mm on the Rocket X2.
It tips the scales at 7.5oz or 212g in my US men’s 9.5 test shoe.
On price the HOKA Rocket X3 lands at $250, $25 cheaper than the Cielo X1 2.0 and the same price as the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris and the Adidas Adios Pro 4.
Stats
HOKA | Rocket X3 |
|---|---|
Best for | Racing Fast training |
Support | Neutral |
Cushion | Max cushioning |
Stack Height (approx) | 42mm heel |
Drop | 7mm |
Weight | 7.5oz / 212g |
Suggested Retail Price | $250 |
Fit | True to size |
Rating | 9.2/ 10 |
Design
The HOKA Rocket X3 sticks with the classic supershoe package – superfoam midsole, carbon plate, rocker and lightweight, minimal uppers. But there are important changes that aim to make the Rocket X3 a more accessible race-day option.
The dual-density PEBA foam midsole has a slightly tamer rocker than X2 to help deliver a smoother ride for long-distances. The carbon plate now has winglets for added stability. While HOKA’s Active Foot Frame – a kind of bucket seat for your foot – that drops you lower into the shoe for greater control when running at pace.
Up top, the Rocket X3 replaces the X2’s two-layer synthetic mesh with a new warp‑knit single‑layer jacquard mesh, aimed at improving breathability and fit.
Rocket X3
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Rocket X2
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Fit
In testing, I ran in a US 9.5 which is my regular size in HOKA shoes, though I do sometimes find HOKA running shoes come up somewhat snug. But for a race-fit – or fast-trainer fit – I don’t mind a closer fit.
There’s enough length and clearance in the toe box and midfoot lockdown was reliable though I did experience some looseness and slipping in the heels that needed attention to the lacing to fix. Despite that, I’d recommend going true to size.
Performance
In testing, I clocked close to 30 miles in the HOKA Rocket X3, everything from a progression run – moving from easy pace up to close to 5km pace – to some cruising 10kms and some miles at an easy clip. All my miles were on the road.
There are some changes I like with the new Rocket X3. I much prefer the new non-gussested set-up. The gusseted tongues on the Rocket X2 could be a bit narrow and restrictive for my high insteps. The free tongue makes it easier to get the shoe on and sitting comfortably.
I also prefer the heel package with more traditional padding and the extra heel counter. Once I got the lacing right that new setup offered more comfort over the long haul. The Rocket X2 were a bit minimal and more risky for the bigger single-sting miles.
The new single layer uppers are also nicely breathable and ran with a welcome airiness in some big heat.
Speaking of the ride, I enjoyed moving in the HOKA Rocket X3 right across the pace range. The combination of the rocker and the plate deliver smooth transitions with some clip-along roll through that feels quite natural compared to some carbon race shoes.
The landings are soft but not too soft and wobbly. There’s some reliability underfoot and a consistency in the platform that gives you the confidence to run more freely than some carbon race shoes which require more focus on foot strike. The Rocket X3 fades more into the background and lets you get on with running.
There was good protection from the dual-density stack, followed by a kind of easy rolling propulsion that helps you out of each footstrike with some energy. That all makes the Rocket X3 smooth and fast but controlled.
I still find the Rocket X3 quite accommodating at my slower paces or forgiving for my slightly more loose and ragged easy run form. It’s certainly better than the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 at the slower end of things. The Cielo X1 2.0 almost demands you move with top pace intent.
On the flipside, maybe the Rocket X3 isn’t the fastest-feeling carbon shoe. It’s no slouch and gives back when you’re running with intent. But I wouldn’t put it at the top of the carbon shoe pile for all out performance.
In HOKA’s line-up it kinda slides in between the HOKA Mach X2 and the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0. The big question: Do you need a Mach X2 and the Rocket X3? My gut says I’d probably use those shoes for largely the same runs, though maybe the Rocket X3 offers some extra softness for longer miles.
When it comes to grip, I had no complaints. But I only really ran in the dry. I sometimes felt like I wasn’t 100% on the platform when cornering. But I’ve experienced worse cornering shoes, the Adidas Prime X2 Strung and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 for example.
On durability, from the miles I’ve done so far everything seems to be holding up well with no troubling signs of wear on the outsoles or uppers.
My Verdict
HOKA says the Rocket X3 is designed to deliver “speed, long-haul comfort, and race-day stability” and I think it hits those notes well. Overall I enjoyed my test miles.
in the Rocket X3. It’s certainly a competent carbon shoe with a big dollop of versatility.
It’s definitely a more controlled ride than the Cielo X1 2.0, which for me now tops HOKA’s line-up as the punchiest out and out race shoe. I’d choose the Cielo from HOKA’s line-up to go chasing my PRs over everything up to the half marathon.
But if the Cielo X1 2.0 is too aggressive, the Rocket X3 serves up a smoother, more reliable ride that may suit more runners over longer distances. It could be a good ‘hedge-your-bets’ marathon race shoe.
The Rocket X3 is springy, efficient and lively but it offers a comparatively stable platform for a super shoe. I found it had good pace-range versatility but I wouldn’t put it in the same fast racing bracket as shoes like the Metaspeed Sky Paris or the Puma Fast R3.
If you’re looking for a fast, plated race-day shoe, that could drop down to your faster training, the HOKA Rocket X3 certainly has those credentials.
Hi Kieran, great review! How does the Rocket X3 compare with the original Cielo X1? I love that shoe, for me it’s perfect for long runs and HMs. Is it noticeably lighter and/or faster?
Thanks very much. I personally didn’t get to run in the Cielo X1 but from what I’ve read and heard, it was quite a wild shoe and the Rocket X3 definitely leans towards being more consistent and reliable underfoot. But perhaps a little less all out aggressive. You’re likely trading a bit of top pace potential for some control in the Rocket X3.”